Pontiac GTO

orwoody

at the Portland Autoshow. It was on a turntable and fenced off. Cosmo Purple and the spokes person/model told me it was a traveling unit. One that GM is sending around to various shows. I mentioned to her that there were only 3/4 I had seen on the GM Locator in the entire WA-OR area. She mentioned the local dealers had also voiced the same disappointment that they were being short changed. She had just come from the St Louis show and the dealers there had plenty of GTOs. Anyway, The interior looked great and the car is clean looking, I like it. It looks about the same size as a Grand Prix, but the lines are not as sharp as the GP, so it almost looks smaller. Maybe the styling could be a bit more "exciting" but it looks fine to me. I am anxious to see it in the Impulse Blue and Black.
I really wish that they would have had one to sit in and check it out closer.
They also had a 2004 GP there that had been built just for the autocross - supercharged 5.3L V8 - too bad we'll never get to see it in production.

I loaded a few pix on the Sony Imagestation: (it may require you to create a log in to view.)
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287760083

ezrapon

This is a great car. It could be better. The major problem is; being the next GTO is an incrediblely large pair of shoes to fill. An almost impossible task. To a purist, they have not done it. This should not dimish the new car, but it has, in name only. That was a marketing gamble by Pontiac. Had it been called a G-1000 or any other name, it probably would have had a less controversial launch. A tempest with a big engine...it is not. As an impulsive buyer (and a plentiful supply in St. Louis) I probably would have had one by now, but I don't want to be stuck with a 04 with the 5.7 when the 05 will probably be sporting the 6.0.

lackofdave

Hey there. If you do a search on the Pontiac site for GTO availability there are 15 in the Chicago area (most black) has anyone purchased one around Chicago?
At the Chicago show you could sit in the gto. There were 4 of them there, 3 you could sit in. All different colors. I was kind of bummed the blue one didn't have the matching blue leather though. The red one did.
The dumbest thing though was all 4 had their hoods up. So you couldn't really get a good feel for what the thing looks like.
I think it is extremely understated but I do not get why people say it is a disgrace. The original GTO (my dad still raves about his from college)was not exactly a ferrari. It was blocky & gigantic! Am I wrong here?

ezrapon

I liked the old late 60's goats too. The new style doesn't do much for me. I think, IMHO, that the SSEi, the new GP and even the Grand am have nicer looking sheet metal. If I buy a goat with the 6.0 , it won't be for snazzy looks. It will be for what resides under the hood.

rcc442

You definitely can't go by what you see on GMBuyPower. As was stated in an earlier post, GMBuyPower definitely includes units that have not arrived, and may not for weeks.
As examples, I went to a local dealer this past weekend. GMBuyPower showed they had 7; in reality they had 3. And two of the other 4 have deposits on them before they arrive. (This dealer is starting negotiations at $5000 above MSRP.) Also visited a dealer 240 miles away when I was in the area 2 weeks ago. GMBuyPower showed they had 3; they really had only 1 (which had an availability surcharge of just over $4000), and were expecting the second within a day. A third dealer, 50 miles from the second, had 1 in the showroom; GMBuyPower showed 2.
 
Points: 1. Can't use GMBuyPower for an accurate inventory count because some may not have arrived yet, and some on their way may be already sold in advance. 2. Don't expect discounting to come anytime soon, given that some are still apparently willing to pay over MSRP.
 
Unfortunately, I don't think it will be any better next year... sounds like a lot of us are waiting for the hood scoops, split exhaust pipes, and possible LS2 in '05. In fact, demand may be even greater for the '05 than the '04, thus keeping prices up and making it impossible for me to get a GM Supplier Discount...

b4z

I can't believe that anyone is still paying over MSRP.
There are dozens, no hundreds of dealerships selling at MSRP or below.
Just go to gmbuypower.

mlm4

We Americans seem to have a different perspective on automobile styling than other parts of the world. It's the "bigger is better" mentality. If you drive in Europe and see an American-built truck (like a Silverado or Grand Cherokee or Caprice Classic) coming down the road, it screams "made in the U.S.A., with gratuitous excess." That, I think, was/is the appeal of the late-60's and early-70's muscle cars -- they were blocks of steel with fat stripes and lots of chrome -- and they were beautiful. The Aussie-built, German-styled GTO is none of that, and other than for nostalgia and retro-appeal, shouldn't be. But if you're into retro, the new Mustang has got it right IMHO. And that may be the biggest disappointment I'm hearing about the new GTO (it is for me). It's not a looker (maybe that's a good thing?)...

Mr_Shiftright

Four lane super-highways and cheap gas, and the influence of the new jet aircraft pretty much dictated American car design in the 50s and 60s.

Retro was a no-no, because people back then wanted nothing to do with the past.the past was just Depression and War. The only collectors of old cars were Model A folks mostly. Old 20s and 30s cars were junked as soon as something bad happened to them.

It was all about the future and car design was very much tied to optimism and fantasy.

Also screwball designers like Virgil Exner didn't help.

mlm4

...Harley Earl. And I think optimism and fantasy are great American traits. Cars are an expression of our personalities (or at least what we aspire to be), and what does the new GTO say about it's owner? Not much, at least until he/she lays down a nice stripe of rubber and smoke :-).

andys120

although he was highly influential. There are many who prefer the styling of Billy Mitchell (Earl's successor). I myself consider the Mitchell team's styling during the 60s and early 70s the high-water mark for American design.

v8lincolnguy

I personally like the GTO's styling. It is a little bland, but it is still very sleek. I for one am glad there are no hood scoops or plastic cladding on the car. Hood scoops may have had a function on 60s GTOs, but with modern intake systems, they really aren't needed. The only thing I would like to see on the GTO are the exhaust outlets on each side of the car. The dual exhaust/single side outlet is so BMW. Otherwise, the new goat's exterior is very attractive to me.

merc1

The previous post is pretty much my take on the GTO also, though it does resemble some much cheaper GM cars overall. I finally got to see one at the Chicago autoshow this past weekend. Nice. I like the color combinations, especially Red and I guess the Purple too, it's pretty cool that you can get the inside (leather) to match.

When GM equips the car with seat heaters, sunroof, 5sp auto, and some other little luxury items that a 30K+ car should have, this will be a complete car. Overall I like it.

I was also mightly impressed with the Solstice. Its such an un-GM car. I had to pinch myself.

M

lackofdave

I agree with the two people above. But does anyone think that pontiac overall is probably doing the best job at GM of a style overhaul for the better?
They're keeping the aesthetic throughout the line so even though the Solstice looks totally new it looks like a Pontiac. As does the vibe, gto and new G6 which I think is a very attractive american sedan. Far better than the new offering from Ford the 500.
If Pontiac keeps it up and does away with the "Grand" cars for good I think they'll be top on American style and hopefully some performance. The do need to replace the Sunfire though. Maybe a solstice coupe?

andys120

were not functionasl, merely decorative, until the late '60s when the Ram-Air setups came in.

casoncase

Put it this way: I flew F8U's off aircraft carriers in the Navy (60's); needless to say it was a slight ego boost to take the runway at a civilian/military airport, plug the sucker into burner and roar off into the blue with commercials and private aircraft gaping at what the F8 would do. The "feel" I get from this machine is not unlike my flying days: "It's there" when you plug it in.

The shifting is too sloppy, but what the hell. The sound of the engine makes up for all. I like the subtle looks, especially at my age. It's not "in your face", until you crank her -- then it's in your face.

At 63 years old I'm stunned by the interest in this thing. In Connecticut I have been hailed on the highway to show off the sound -- young kids want the sound! Other young ones ask knowledgable questions about it: I say, "You're too young to know about the GTO". Their response? "My father had one and ..." etc.

The biggest drawbacks are: I don't listen to the radio anymore -- got to listen to the engine; fuel cost is going to go through the roof -- I have this compulsion to delay shifting until I get "the sound".

I sold the 2000 Audi A6turbo 'cause it was getting very boring. This GTO is not boring. I really like it a lot.

Price? MSRP -- a great dealership in Carmel, NY.

Feel like a stupid kid again.

ruski

they let you buzz civilian airstrips like that?

P.S. negative Ghostbusters, the pattern is full.

v8lincolnguy

Scary, you and I agree on something. I said before, I don't expect the GTO to be a luxo crusier, but would like to see a few extras like climate control, memory seats and mirrors, XM radio option, and heated seats. Funny thing is, GM puts those on cars that cost thousands less than the GTO. Maybe in a couple of years they will add them. Other than that, the new goat is pretty darn good right out of the box.

ruski, "Goose, it's time to buzz the tower"

merc1

You always say that, but I don't ever remember us being in that big of a disagreement about much???? Anway, I too don't expect the GTO to be a luxury crusier, but more features would be nice, especially the price.

The reason, per GM for the missing items is because they only had a short time and limited budget to adapt the car for the U.S. market. You know GM isn't going to spend much on a niche product (18K units) like the GTO. They should "find" the money to upgrade the car for 2005. I mean how much could a sunroof and seat heaters cost?

M

white6

the Monaro (on which we all know the GTO is based) has memory seats and mirrors and auto climate control. Why Pontiac chose to "de-content" the GTO in this way is kinda dumb.

"I feel the need......."

ezrapon

got a chance to test drive one before actually taking delivery? I had a 99 formula with the Ls1 and 6 speed and I wonder if the performance would impress me as much as those coming from lesser cars.

   "because I was inverted at the time...."

b4z

Lutz did have a major hand in the GTO coming to the US, so it would stand to reason that he decontented it.

fbrussee

I've test driven both auto and stick, and finally got my silver/red/ stick deal settled today on an in-stock car. Going to Rhode Island to get it, driving back to Indiana in the next two weeks (just gotta find the time and get a flight). Dealer took $500 off sticker and is buying my plane ticket ($200) to come get it. Exactly what I ordered locally, but on the ground NOW, ready to go, and $500 cheaper. Remember 'Cannonball Run"? "Vanishing Point"? Route 66? "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"? Or any other 'road trip' movie, this is gonna be a GREAT drive with the right CDs and my V1 radar detector! Dealer's picking me up at the airport, 30 minutes and I should be on my way. I bought a PT Cruiser without a test drive, loved the car, but always too slow for me. No problems here. Dealer locally says he can install seat heaters for $550 on both sides, but NO sunroofs, GM or aftermarket because of the chassis flex with the LS-5 motor. No problem, windows down, tunes blaring, listening mostly to that awesome exhaust note. FINALLY getting my car! Just as I start radiation treatments for my brain tumor. You only live once, I figure! Watch for me driving home! (too fast, detector on the dash, smile a mile wide!)

mustang_svt

Congratulations on your new bad ride!!! :-) That's a lot of freeway for a new engine - make sure you exit often for a change of pace. And don't forget to give those pistons a zing every hundred miles or so. You don't want to beat on it (especially early on) but a near-redline experience a few times during that after-factory break-in will actually help to form a smooth and tight fit between rings and cylinder wall - isn't it a b----??!! :-)

FYI - I went to a dealer in Akron, OH on 1/24 to eyeball his silver/red stick. Last night I happened to be going right past his place after hours. All the lights were still on and a few employees still walking about - and there was that silver/red still sitting in the exact same spot. The only thing that changed is that he recently acquired an Impulse blue on blue Automatic. Didn't see it but GMbuypower has been indicating for weeks now that he has it somewhere. Anyway, being that this dealer has been sitting on the silver for almost a month now, I wonder if he's getting ready to move off of MSRP. Might have been able to save a trip to Rhode Island from Indiana - but then "getting home is half the fun!"

Have fun with the new wheels!

casoncase

Anyone who has traveled to Europe in the past 35 years cannot but notice its decline: fewer luxury cars, almost no new home construction (separate housing) and a generally worn-out appearance. That 15,000 French died because of hot weather last summer; that Europe has an unemployment rate twice America's; that Europe has virtually no military or space progrm goes to the the fact that socialism is ruining Europe. The socialist EU will finish it off.

This relates to America's "bigger is better" success story, and it's not just about cars. It's about bigger and better health care, real homes with some land, "Lord of the Rings", rockets to the moon and beyond. We are leaving Europe, totally, in the dust.

The GTO does have the more classic appearance of a European car, but millions of Americans can hope that one is in their future. In socialist Norway the import tax on a American cars is at least %100. My Norwegian brother-in-law will never be able to afford one, but told me his VW Beetle was "upscale" in Oslo (I stifled a laugh). There are almost no real upscale autos on Norwegian highways (as there were 30 years ago).

Average Americans have choices the average European can't dream of. Only wealthy European can choose: To GTO or not GTO?. But that is the what socialism does: It produces less and less for more and more people, with the rich elite always, always on top, keeping busy proclaiming how much they love the common man and choosing between a Porcshe or Ferrari -- or a GTO. It's interesting that all incredibly expensive cars are made in socialist Europe.

Since reading mlm4's smarmy criticism of "bigger is better" America I'm going to enjoy my goat even more. The last place to look for leadership in anything but costly cars is Europe.

fbrussee

Who's that dealer in Akron? I'll call him tomorrow, it's a heckuva lot closer than RI, and time is money. Are you sure that car isn't presold and just not picked up yet? Thanks.

montanafan

fbrussee, Can give my finder's fee to a local charity in your area for children if you end up in RI.

fbrussee

No problem....although with my brain tumor, our favorite charity is usually cancer-related. THere's a small child (9) across the street that has a brain stem tumor as well, I'll donate in your name to the charity of his parent's choice.

mustang_svt

Definitely not presold because I was there 3 weeks ago (1/24) negotiating. He was at MSRP and trying to steal my AWD Safari. I suppose its possible that it is now sold, but if it were, I imagine it would have been moved off of the floor and into the prep area. The only way to know for sure is to give him a call.

Toth Buick-Pontiac-GMC Truck 330-644-3400 and ask for Steve Toth.

BTW, I see on GMbuypower that he's no longer showing the Impulse blue, but another dealer is now showing one so maybe Toth traded it to them?

Let us know how it goes!

montanafan

No problem at this end. Make your self happy. Enjoy your car and enjoy your charities, I am sure they value your support. Just a little poke in the side from this end. I would take the trip and the CDs over the local deal. Providence is a great little airport to get in and out of quickly and on to Woonsocket.

lackofdave

After a weekend driving an Impulse Blue (what a terrific name for a paint color for this car) I'm more than impressed.
I've never been a pilot in a jet but walking up to the car each time, you do feel like you're about to take off on an adventure.
I can't tell you how many folks stare at this car. On the highway I had a 12 year-old kid next to me just staring mouth agape. Some guy in a plane un-customized Civic gave me a thumbs up after catching up to me at the next red light.
It's just a very addictive car. The gas mileage is horrific though and I don't know why they have a screen that keeps tabs on avg mileage. Otherwise you wouldn't notice until you hit the pump.
The interiors matching blue is just cool. Although my girlfriend thought it unattractive. I'd probably go with a black with red leather if I had my choice.

Oh and did anyone else look around foolishly for the door locks?

As for not listening to the radio? The car screams for rock, classic rock, hard rock, metal anything with some power to match the engine. Plus it sounds great.

jae5

I may be wrong but it seems there are more dealers than I thought starting to realize their "Adjustment" price B.S. doesn't work as well as they thought it would. I happy that those of you haggled at got the car at a decent price. Fbrussee, was that "...$500 off sticker..." from the MSRP or the adjustment price?

I think it's decent that people realize that it's THEIR money and have the guts to walk out when a dealer pulls that crap. I mean, so many people got burned during the PT, Beetle and Mini craze and now, with the exception of the Mini, most are sitting on lots or owners are trying to get rid of them at a loss, a huge one. Seems as though the cars got Dixie-Chick'd.

Just curious though, how many of you bought a GTO at that rip-off price just to be the first on your block to have one or know someone who did?

alecp1

I work at a Pontiac dealer and we are selling the GTO for sticker, with no "adjustment". I could get one at GMS price (about $30k) but am unsure about buying because of possible high depreciation. What does everyone else think about how the car will hold it's value? We have a black on black six speed coming in that's unclaimed, I want to get it, but can't make up my mind on to wait or not.

hammen2

I think there will be running changes for 2005 that will make the 2004's depreciate a little bit. A lot of the local Milwaukee-area GTO club folks got their deposits back, because they are holding out hopes for hood scoops/dual exhaust (not on the same side) for '05. There may be an engine upgrade as well as an upgraded auto tranny, but this is all speculation/nothing official.

Are dealers doing GMS on the GTO? Hmm. I did look up the GMS price and it's pretty decent. I start saving as soon as my Aurora's paid for in a couple of months. Of course, I've still got to drive one (right now, Milwaukee-area dealers will only let you drive one if you sign a purchase agreement/put money down first - yes, you can back out of it if you don't like it).

Other than a lack of lateral headroom, I really, really liked sitting in one (I've admired the Monaro, and most Holdens, since before Bob Lutz re-joined GM in 2001). I'm not letting myself drive one for a few months, because I don't want to get the fever before I can act upon it...

--Robert

lackofdave

Well any new american car is gonna depreciate fast. The GTO prob not as much because so few will be coming to the US. Anyone else agree?
I'd only wait until next year just to see if there really will be a 6 liter engine and the dual hood scoops.

alecp1

You're right that almost any American car is going to depreciate like crazy, but I was hoping that the GTO would hold it's value like the '96 Impala SS. The GTO is basically a European car with American powertrain. The interior is much better quality then any GM car I can think of off hand. I can see GM putting a hood scoop for 2005, but dual exhaust "in Stereo" (both sides) I don't think they will do. They do need an auto dimming mirror and XM radio although I don't know if they can adapt XM into the current Blaupunkt radio. If they change to a Delco radio I think they would have to redesign the interior a little and I believe that would hurt the look of the interior and decrease the sound quality.

I haven't driven one yet either, even though I'm a Pontiac salesman. We only have one and they aren't letting anyone drive it yet.

imonty

What is an XM radio. I'll see if I can find out about it here. It is a pity they don't let people test drive the car but I suppose with only 18000 going there the dealers don't have much incentive to buy one themselves.
With the possibility of the free trade agreement being signed it will remove the 25% duty on our "utes" going to the US so if it happens expect an El Camino badged Holden ute soon after. Some of these are awesome!

hammen2

XM is satellite radio (http://www.xmradio.com) - it's about 100 channels of mostly commercial-free music. There are two satellite radio companies in the U.S., XM and Sirius, and GM has backed XM, which is 2-3 times larger in subscriber base than Sirius.

I'll never go back to listening to FM radio again... could always install an XM receiver/antenna in the car, but would prefer factory as it's "cleaner".

--Robert

white6

at the local Pontiac dealer. Impulse blue with black interior. I'm 6-3 and there is only about a half inch of space between my head and the roof. And that's with the seat as far down as it will go. I was surprised by the lack of headroom; this may explain why no sunroof is offered, since they steal about an inch of space and this car really can't afford it. When I looked to my left, the edge of the roof was about eyebrow level. I was really hoping that this would be a nice, roomy car; not cramped like my 01 Formula. I guess if you're under 6-ft tall, it's fine. Perhaps the Aussies aren't particularly tall folks.

hammen2

White6, that was a big surprise to me as well. I'm only 6' so I had no problems with the height of the roofline, but, when I turned my head to the left, I bumped it on the side of the roof - that's what I meant in my previous post about "lack of lateral headroom". There's a hard plastic trim piece that is probably a head cushion airbag in Australia (if I remember a previous forum conversation/argument correctly) that's just a trim piece here in the U.S.

Interestingly enough, I bumped my head on the same trim piece when I sat on the passenger side. Without driving it, it's my #1 concern about the car. I really thought the back seat was alright, except ingress/egress wasn't the greatest (but then again, my wife and I are DINKs and I rarely go to lunch anymore/am not driving around 3-4 people - plus hey, it'd be my car, I'm not riding in back!

The trunk, as has been covered before, is smallish, but it's packaged well. I was initially disappointed with the lack of struts for the trunk (the hinges go into the trunk, taking away even more space) but the way they packaged the fuel tank, they left room for the hinges to go around either side of it. There's enough room in the trunk for groceries/probably a golf bag (I don't golf, I wouldn't know), maybe some duffels or a couple of small suitcases, but that's it.

--Robert

b4z

I found the GTO to be have more room than my Camaro. .2" more headroom, and legroom was about the same with the power seat all the way back and rocked up.

Didn't turn my head to the left so I can't comment on the headspace issue.

Kirstie_H

Don't forget tonight's open chat -- Our topic tonight is "Best New Sports Cars of 2004 - GTO, Mustang, ??"




http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Drop by for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

ezrapon

I think the gto might have been better served with a different name. If the name plate implies cheap performance, as it did at its inception, it has missed the mark by a wide margin. There are cars like the little subaru and lancer that put the new goat to shame for 10 grand less... so the name plate fails there. As a gto purist, I felt pontiac missed the target with the name, not the car itself. Neat car, I'll probably buy one next year if they don't bump up the hp on the gpx. I was going to say the GTO name has been muddied by this latest offering, but then I remembered the last 74 (nova) GTO I saw... pontiac did a good job of killing the name then and there. Too bad they don't have a rwd bonneville size car that could carry on the name for about 8 grand less.

nb2169

They killed the GTO name even worser than that when they put it on that little captive import from Korea that looked like a motorized roller skate sometime after '74. I can't for the life of me remember the maufacturer of it,though. CRS syndrom is acting up again!
Later,
      nb2169

qbrozen

$10K less for an STi or EVO? Where do you shop?? because if I can get a new STi or EVO for $23K, I'll take one of each!!

white6

wasn't called GTO, it was called LeMans. And I think (not sure) it was made by Daewoo. Could have been Suzuki, though.
Straight-line performance isn't all there is to the new GTO, folks. This GTO isn't all about cheap performance at the expense of all else. It's supposed to be a mature performance car with fewer compromises. Larger and more comfortable means heavier and slower. You want 12 second quarters with comfort and high-quality? You're not gonna get it for $33,000.

andys120

and was never labelled a GTO.
  The fact is if they'd called the Monaro HSV for NA anything but a GTO there would be much less excitement. It's true there is higher performance available for less $ but the new GT0
is gonna do well because it offers kick-@$$ v8 performance in a modern package at a reasonable price.

ezrapon

oops. your're right. I was looking at a comparison that was a couple of years old. Those little rockets have grown up price wise. Yes there was a Korean Lemanns, no GTO. The old goat died as it was born, a option package on Pontiacs cheapest car 74(Nova). Too bad they didn't give the old girl a 455 SD instead of a lowly 350... would've been a nice send off. This could qualify as another forum but: remember how some of the giants died (old timers only) 442 died with a 231 6 banger. Roadrunner, a 318 Volare with decals all over it. Buick GS, the same 231. The dodge challenge and charger ended as a Asian 4 banger of poor quality. Let's not forget the 74 mustang 2 cobra with a 302 2 barrel. Thank god the z/28 and T/A went out on top... better cars than their originals. Food for thought.

ezrapon

I got behind a couple of hippies today driving a sky blue Korean Lemans. It looked brand new except for the exhaust which looked like a pretzel. I wonder if there are any Lemans purist out there that are offended by this... like the gto purist. I guess the gto purist have to like the new rig despite the (or because of) name plate. waiting for the 6.0!

casoncase

Lackofdave, the same sensations with none of the BS -- g suit, regs, career, peer pressure, etc. I warm up my goat ten minutes before climbing aboard, just to listen to it from inside the house, through a floor and some walls.

At lunch today the deli owner came out and said he didn't know the new GTO was out yet. Within two minutes three different guys gave the thumbs up. All smiled at the goat, like it was a living thing.

I had a 427 vette years ago and dumped an Audi A6 Turbo for the GTO: with neither of those cars did other individuals come out of their shells to communicate an interest in the object, the car. This GTO is a phenomenon.

I can't drive anywhere without some deliberate effort of a stranger to communicate his interest in this car. It's like we're kids again, guards down, and sharing a common interest. My theory for this is that really expensive cars, which appeal mainly to a snobbish, elitist type person, put strangers off. I would never go up to an owner of a Maseratti and ask questions about his car -- and I'll wager he wouldn't want me to do that. But the GTO is like a popular sport which lowers barriers and encourages exchanges. I feel like a one man road show, and the nods, thumbs up and motorcycle wrist twists (meaning, "Throttle it up so I can hear it") are a really pleasant addition to a day. There is no envy in the admiration for this machine, in most cases, and it's a cool thing to observe.

Misc.: agreed, the door unlock concept is mysterious; I live in Connecticut, USA, and it would be helpful if others located themselves; in St. Petersburg, Fla. Feb. 18, I read an add selling a GTO for 40,000 -- first one in the county the guy said.

Back to jets: the torque in this thing in second gear, 4000 RPM, is not unlike plugging in afterburner. More horsepower in this unit is going to be very tempting. By the way, the feel of the interior of this car is definetely comparable to the Audi A6. The Mach 1, which I checked out before ordering the GTO, is totally inferior in that regard -- tacky, in fact.

andys120

letting it run for ten minutes before driving it, that is.
The fastest way to warm up a car is to drive it
moderately. An engine idling when it's dead cold
takes longer to get the rings and block to operating temps,
which causes metal fatigue etc.

Check your owners manual, your dealer or any motor-head friends. Good luck with your GTO and have fun. :^)