Hi there,
I'm from Australia, and I read through your little bit, the Monaro here is a old muscle car from the 60's and 70's same as the GTO was over there, and so the new car has been designed and made to this old muscle car spec, To me the boss was probably told that and thought hey if that's the go here(Australia) then if I bring this over there(USA) this might just re-start the old GTO car thing again.
So my thinking wasn't that this isn't meant to be a top of the line all extra's added nothing left out type of car, but a pure muscle car that only provides the bits to help you get around and lay the power down when you need to and drops the rest of the crap at the crub.
To also let you know Holden does but doesn't directly make the Monaro, HSV or Holden Special Vehicles does, HSV only makes so many cars per year here they make about 5 different types of HSV car, and they also make the Monaro and the GTO for the US market.
Becuse of the above they can only provide so many units per year of any single car, HSV upgrade normal Holden cars here in Australia that is their normal market.
Also because the car is made in Australia and then shipped to the USA, we in Australia don't have all the little do-da's that you are talking about, heating ducting ever where is a bit pointless when temps can be over 40C or 80-100F not sure of the temp for there. Also most of the other little features you also talk about arn't put into cars here also. so you won't get female voices bitching about the lights being on or the door being open etc.
After reading through your post, it came across to me that you should really look at another car because it comes across to me that your really after something that will baby sit you while you turn the steering wheel around, The monaro and GTO is for speeding around the joint or for cursing around if you wish as well, I guess it's more about focusing on the car it self rather than it doing everything for you.
The looks of the GTO arn't the same as the Monaro and I have seen heaps driving around and they go quite well.
Again in reply to your requested changes etc, The car isn't made nor designed by American's Sure they would have had enough input so that the car would have passed the tests needed to get the GTO on the roads over there.
That is the reason why you don't see bonnet scoops etc, personally I don't think the bonnet scoops do all that much for the GTO, it only adds rice to the car.
If you really really wanted to change the look of the car to something else there is body kits here in Australia you can get, also HSV supply body kits and parts that would fit the Monaro/GTO, also after market companies sell parts/upgrade stages/bodykits for holden cars here.
Your statement about people buying more other cars because the GTO isn't up to spec wouldn't seem right to me, it's probably more due to the fact that they are after a car that has things like you want and when the GTO doesn't provide these things they go looking else where, not everyone is after a muscle car anymore, so they buy the car that they find better fits their needs.
This in no way means the GTO is utter crap I wouldn't say the GTO is a make or break car for GM, you'll most likly find its a car for people who would like a nice car that goes fast when you want it and that is what ALL muscle cars are about, They arn't sports cars they are play toys for the road.
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