Limited production are you kidding me....is that why the Aztek didnt sell either:) :)

Just kidding but seriously, the GTO has had some really poor months in the past...nobody was catching on and dealerships like here in Vegas couldnt sell them for love nor money...

I use the odd market products to point out that who know what will sell. Sure theres a method to the madness but over the years the popular stuff will sell cause its popular and people just follow the leader.

CHRIS

I suppose most saw it as an overpriced pontiac. It doesn't offer heated seats, sunroof, or auto climate for instance. For me, I don't mind those things if i'm just going to be using the car occasionally like on the weekends or when I feel like having some fun during the week. But as a daily driver, I wouldn't consider it. It's not practical and although the power is there, the content is not. These are a couple things I believe the GTO had going against it initially:

1. Price (High MSRP... 35k - 38k)
2. Styling (viewed as soft for a Pontiac)
3. Content (lack of options such as sunroof, autoclimate, etc.)

I will say it's a very nice car and i'll definately look into getting one as a second ride sometime in the future. I really enjoyed it and love the way it rides. I've driven an '04 and an '05 and I prefer the extra power the '05 delivers.

I can see the sunroof being a turnoff but the non heated seats and analog climate would hardly deter a buyer....look all the Mustangs...they dont need content even the last gen. Styling is the most obvious thing as to why sales were soft....but I think it looks better than alot of cars out there..most cars dont have much for looks. Plus, the GTO has a WAY better interior than most cars out there. So people take a less nice interior for heated seats..nice. IS300's were selling with the SAME climate controls and only 215 hp for over $31,000. None of the early ones had a stick even....just a converted Altezza. Either way, all I am saying is that people want what they want....simple as that. Most people are just following the leader and they need to be told what is cool..otherwise it might be too much of a risk.


CHRIS

BTW everyone...the 2006 400 hp GTO is avail on Pontiac.com for a red tag price of:



$30,773.73


Not bad!


CHRIS

I did say initially. For 30k, it's not a bad deal. For 35 - 38k, I expect some conveinence features thrown in.

The IS300 does have auto climate. It's just dialed controlled instead of digitally controlled (LCD display).

The GTO sunroof is a $1200 option but very few dealers carry GTO's with the sunroof already installed. The Monaro in AU is much more common with a sunroof because they are built that way from the factory.

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/attachm...9&d=1126226366

people buy what they like, not much GM or anyone can do about it except argue about it or try and make a car that more people like

ya remote fuel doors are ****.. we dont all live in the sunny states. cold weather freezes and breaks the fuel door chords when u goto pop them open. Either than or when the electronics go u need a flathead to pry it open 5 years from now.. i will stick with my fuel door that has a lip so i can pull the damn thing open.. would u rather have the fuel door crap from the tiburon that sticks out like a nascar fuel door??

:horse:

I agree. That being the case they should go back to no more remote hood and trunk release cause the cord could break if it gets stuck. lol

In all reality I concede on the fuel cover, it is a pretty trivial issue.

I suppose. However, in your defense, the Australian built GTO has a remote fuel door.

http://i8.ebayimg.com/02/a/05/a6/0a/64_4.JPG

I recall my mother saying to me that she will not buy a car without the remote fuel door and I understand why. The remote fuel door does not allow easy access to the gas tank like the cheaper to use lip doors do.

Simple reason why doemstics use the lip door. To save costs.

My 1996 Achieva had a remote fuel door opener....and that car didnt have lots of upgrades. My GAGT does not but compared to the Achieva the GA has SO much better everything....I wouldnt even consider the manual fuel door as a downgrade as much as just a different way of doing stuff. I think if all the imports were THAT great, they would have rear disc brakes standard. Alot of them have hubcaps and drum brakes...I think that is still pretty cheapy. My friend just bought a new Scion that doesnt have cruise or keyless or floormats or disc brakes. Not to mention it came with hubcaps and no fogs, no sunroof. I know its a less expensive brand but agani if it were all so special, stuff like cruise would be standard...wouldnt it?

CHRIS

Oh BTW....the Standard Camry and Accord dont even have paint matched mirrors.....you have to upgrade to get those.

The G6 comes standard with 4 wheel discs yet the Camry and Accord do not. Just figured I would add that...



CHRIS

I know but... oh well.

Same with the G6! Oh wait... even with the top model you can't get it.

Either way...but everone is cheaping out in certain areas. Cant get the coupe styling in most of the sportier midsizers either like the Mazda 6 or the Altima or the Galant. You give and take I guess. Whatever floats your boat.


CHRIS

on the fuel door topic, my girl's 325xi has one where you just push in on it and it pops out slightly so you can use your finger from there, then just push in to close.
one of the few things i like about that car

Is the 325xi secure from the inside of the car? Or could anyone open it?



CHRIS

i dont think its secure, anyone can open it. but perhaps there is a lock somewhere for it, i will check

^ Most german cars do it that way, its no more secure than the american way, but it makes it fit flush with the body.

A G6 5-speed 4cyl coupe would have been a good thing for them to make.

Mazda 6 is weak, I'd put $$ on an old GAGT against the thing, NOT to be confused with the Mazdaspeed 6.