I have wanted to buy a new GTO since it's introduction recently but could not because of several shortcomings, ones that could be readily addressed by Pontiac. To allow such a good car fail seems so unfair. I like this car, a lot, after test driving it and it's competitors, notably the Infiniti G35 coupe, BMW 3 series coupes, Mazda RX8, and viewed only the 05 Mustang GT at the NY International Auto Show.
My views about the GTO are also shared by nearly everyone that I have met at dealers with an interest in cars. Importantly, I had the opportunity to meet an owner of a GTO.........after spotting the only one seen in NJ, at a local shopping mall. I waited for the owner to return and spent the next 45 minutes listening to his praise and criticism of the car, we were of common mind about this car, and he admitted everyone else he know feels similarly ie why isn't Pontiac responding to their audience then????. Overall, this is a very comfortable, fast, and accommodating vehicle for four adults, rarely found in the competition. Unfortunately it is similarly saddled with some unacceptable qualities, causing the typical potential buyer to buy the competition in record numbers, while GTO sales will surely continue to decline.
The poor reception of the 04 GTO was very predictable, with the lack of Pontiac's initiatives to address the problems the real mystery. Given the GTO's absence for over 3 decades the back orders on such a great legacy car should have exceeded it's annual 18K projection ie 05 Mustang has projected annual sales in excess of 100K with more than 10K soft orders on the books already!! The competition has various common features or qualities, including the Holden Monaro, because it is what the typical car owner wants or expects, but not the GTO, why????. Fortunately, most of the needed changes to the GTO can be corrected with minimal capital resources, simply a recognition of the obvious by GM and then a quick commitment is required.
My simple but very telling impression about the 04 GTO began a few weeks ago, with a visit to my local Pontiac dealerships. What became immediately apparent is the 'brilliance' of Bob Lutz ie decontenting an already excellent Holden Monaro, then modifying it cosmetically to be less attractive by each and every change.
The potential of this car is great, just look at the Monaro, SEMA, and other sources whereby a few modifications resulted in a real 'looker.' The following suggested changes would reverse the all to common used sleeper expression by GTO owners and the masses of potential buyers that have rejected this car in favor of the competition. The needed transformation of this plain/dull vehicle into something that truly meets the expectations of it's audience is so obvious, yet Pontiac management sadly remains clueless.
Driving experience: Wonderful, great comfort, power, handling, room for 4 adults, and sensuous sounds to make the joy of driving real once again. Unfortunately it lacks stability control, and possesses a primative/poorly performing traction control system, the later begging for a quick replacement.With a Corvette engine and true dual exhaust system it's hard to imagine anything less than a sweet engine note, despite Pontiac's claim of laboring over the sound creation. It's emphasis of an independent rear suspension is also an overdone emphasis........no other performance or average economy family car has less, except the Mustang.
The SINGLE thing Pontiac/Lutz did do correct was the engine, it's brillant in this car. But even a simple transfer from a Corvette to the GTO could not be done without Pontiac's detracting from it, this time in the form of placing cheap silver plastic valve covers on the engine.
Interior: Overall good quality materials but with tons of feature deficiencies/omissions in a mid $30,000 automobile. Just a few examples are, no dead pedal, seat adjustments that move agonizingly slow, no heated seats (on an only leather interior) , no heated rear view mirrors, no side or head air bags, no sun roof, no single or dual climate controls, no satellite radio, fair/poorly rated audio system, steering wheel controls lack illumination, no rear seat heater ducts, no pass through or drop down rear seat, no safety/insurance collision ratings. Such massive 'oversights' ie cost containment/decontenting is just foolish in this market segment. These same features are contained in 90% of it's principal competitors for obvious reasons.........somehow GM thinks Americans want neither safety nor features, nor amenities............. not to offer the same as standard or optionally is simply ridiculous.
The trunk has been effectively half consumed by the relocation of the gas tank into the forward trunk, an unfortunate late safety recognition, reducing it to the smallest trunk in class, even the RX8 which is nearly 2 feet shorter overall!! Even a flat tire will not fit in the trunk.........be prepared to sit it on the beautiful leather interior. Why didn't GM do something as simple as recontouring the trunk floor pan to take advantage of this 18.5 gallon removal to expand the usable trunk volume?
The lack of attention to detail by Pontiac's mods are evident in EVERYTHING it changed from the Monaro as well. Plus, why not offer the very popular interior color choice tan/saddle.....or is a purple interior seemingly more popular according to Pontiac designers ie I understand purple is a Monaro chosen color, but THIS is the time Pontiac could be positively influential, for a change.
Exterior: Nearly all the mods Pontiac did make were ill conceived, transforming a stylish Monaro design into a plain unattractive GTO. A few observations:
Front-- Why do Holdens get HID (I have heard only) while US get ill adjusted halogens.............I nearly went off the road going 30 MPH at night during my test drive, running out past the low beams........and several other owners complain about the same problem, unbelievable!! Then there is the circa 1994 front grill design, no power image sculpured/bulging hood lines that such a performance car screams for. Hood scoops are passe/juvinille, desired by a small, diminishing, but vocal group of old Goat aficionados, not by mainstream potential buyers (does this mean GM is introducing them in 05??).
And what is going on with the several 'party' exterior colors available, yet few of the more popular American colors. For example medium silver gray, the #1 seller for 2003 by EVERY manufacturer and absent from the GTO palette.
Side -- Because the Monaro is a several year old design to be replaced entirely with a new one in a few years a much needed change in the sheet metal would not be feasible. However, the few changes Pontiac could have made and did were all for the worse. The very European/elegant side turn signals were replaced with stick-on GTO labels. The gorgeous Monaro 18 wheels were replaced with the most unappealing 17 wheel design imaginable. A carefully designed belt line trim strip, as seen in some SEMA magazines would add significant eye appeal for little cost. This car has tasteful lines, only requiring a few OEM add on enhancements, none of which GM did, or did well. Should nearly every buyer feel compelled to buy new wheels etc because of lack of basic design capabilities by the manufacturer? One only has to look at for example G35 and RX8 18 wheels and it's painfully obvious Pontiac is simply inept!
Rear-- Why would a standard equipment spoiler contain a second third brake light??? It's as if it were an after-market oversight.......and this was planned for 18K units by GM?...........another 'I don't believe it'!! To have a spoiler or not is debatable, by far most potential buyers preferring not to have one. Even the spoiler design is poor.........just look at the many after-market spoilers fitted on the Monaro at various websites will convince anyone of this.
And for the lack of exhaust dual splitters GM claim they didn't have the room or time to introduce it in 04 model, perhaps 05. Really?? With a car measuring nearly 73 inches wide GM couldn't figure out how to duct a 3 inch pipe into the rear of a car that had it's entire rear fuel tank removed/displaced, yet allegedly 'labored' over the exhaust sound?? The contour/skin of the rear bumper lacks any kind of design detail. I have seen several artist renderings and after-market rear bumper efforts that is truly beautiful, incorporating rear splitters etc. Just a little design inspiration and creativity could have transformed the entire rear profile into something attractive and deserving of such a performance car, instead we have the often quoted Cavalier look.
The masses of real potential buyers for this car wants something clean, stylish, a bit distinctive, not overly plain or claded/hood scooped...............just look at what the public is buying in the record selling BMW's, Infiniti's and Mazda's. Let's eliminate sleeper from the typical GTO vocabulary...........few if anyone wants to pay $34K for a plain performance/luxury vehicle.
Any competent car company could cost effectively correct these problems, and quickly. The question is whether GM will step up to the plate to preserve and expand it's historically rich market potential for a fine 4 seater performance car, or soon discount them through promotions to move the metal.
Oh yea, I would simply love to purchase one of the 'improved' GTOs, right now...........lets just hope GM is 'awake' and responsive, doing the right thing to perpetuate this car's legacy of greatness!!
Glenn Bayard
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