BlueSky

Could you enlighten us on the specifics of the deal?

tiggerlee

Never lose hope.

Funny you mention that...the salesman told me that he had a couple in last week looking at the one I bought but they didn't qualify for financing.

I found out after looking at some of the previous owners paperwork he had left in the car, that he purchased it new in June of this year. Traded it in on a Suburban about three weeks ago. I thought that was kinda odd.

tiggerlee

I think it's all the affection you shower me with.

Ajax

great pics. I debated about the GTO when I bought my 8 (of course, that was back when they still had the LS1 in them). My biggest problem is the fact that the car just feels so plain to me. Beyond that, they're really nice cars.
Hope you enjoy it. Which state are you driving it in?

RX-GR8

tig what's the handling like? certainly not as nimble as the 8. how's she drive?

GulfCoast

I looked at the GTO before buying the 8. The price range I was looking at would probably only have gotten me a 2004, which has the LS1 engine. I test-drove a couple and wasn't impressed, but I think I'd have been very impressed by the 2005 and newer.

I love the interior of the GTO, which is one of the best GM interiors ever.

The only problem with the GTO is the name: "GTO" set too many expectations. When GM used the Holden car as the base -- not exactly American muscle since it comes from Australia -- it just didn't meet those "retro" expectations. Had GM announced -- with great fanfare -- that a new power-car was being introduced -- and then reveal the subtle but powerful "Holden" -- the chances of success would have increased. It's not a striking design, but it's the type you appreciate the more you look at it.

ANIBALRX-8

good luck 4 years from now, wend it starts looking and most likeling feeling like a SUNFIRE

nt5k

My thoughts exactly! I thought that the new GTO matched the essence of the old one. A high powered sleeper.. It prob needed like 6-7 non-functional hoodscoops to get people excited..

tiggerlee

True. While both exterior and interior styling is tame, it's not to the point of being bland or really lacking anything IMO. But of course all that is forgotten
the moment you step on the gas.
oh, I'm driving the car exclusively in Florida. If all goes well I hope to be a permanent resident soon.

UFGator12

Yeah, a 6.0 Liter V8 is going to feel like a Sunfire. Good call.

Love the car man. A friend of mine was going to get a black one with red interior and it couldn't have been nicer. Have fun with it, but please, fill us all in on how she drives.

BlueSky

tigger how much did you have spend out of your pocket with the trade-in.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Damn that's an ugly car. It looks like a Civic with a thyroid problem.
I bet it goes like stink, though. Its a beast!

I wonder if I could shoe-horn that motor into the '8...

drifter_d

my friend walked out of the dealership with his 06 (GTO) for $28k plus minor change. Pontiac has a $2k incentive/rebate off the sticker. the ride is 'shockingly' smooth. the car is built solid, like a luxury sedan, but the LS2 will plant you back in your seat when you stomp on the gas. i was also surprised by the handling - not sluggish or heavy feeling, despite the size of the car. a little bit of body roll, but nothing some suspension tweaking won't fix. the body styling is not for everyone, but its a true muscle car and it delivers more bang for the buck than any other V8 out there - i mean 400/400 for less than 30 G's... damn.

UFGator12

You think it's ugly? I think it's pure American muscle and I love it. I've already decided that I am going to buy all American cars when I am older, and then maybe the occasional Lexus if I get up there.

But, this car could not be anymore American and something about that just draws me towards it.

tiggerlee

Thanks for the comments guys.

It's like comparing an elephant and a mouse. Hahaha no really it's no where near as nimble as the 8. It's much heavier,
lots more body roll etc...Overall ride is very very nice though. And the seats are far more comfortable than they look.
The interior is well made and seems sturdy enough to last several years without any signs of ware. Everything is within arms reach while driving..no need to stretch to reach anything.
Overall it's very comfortable to drive.

And the engine...well.....it's intoxicating to say the least.

Unfortunately because I'm entertaining several friends from out of state for the next 4 days I haven't had
alot of time to take her out and see what she can really do and get a better feel of handling and so on. I'll keep you all posted though.

I did alot more research on the 8 before buying than I did with the GTO so I'm still learning..researching etc. I've been asking around
and reading the LS1/LS2 forums for what these guys are doing as far as suspension upgrades and stuff.

tiggerlee

I walked out of the deal paying a little over 4000 out of pocket. And the best part is she's paid for.

JeRKy 8 Owner

At least you bought it in yellow. It is hideous to look at in any other color. Yours is decent.

RX-GR8

true in most cars it's the other way around.

tiggerlee

LOL You'd need one big *** shoe-horn.

RX-GR8

according to this article the pedals on the GTO are too far apart. let us know how you feel about this.

tiggerlee

The color is what first attracted me. I like it. Actually I probably would've had a lightening yellow 8 instead of black had Mazda kept that color for the 8 in '05.

tiggerlee

My impression is that their referring to the manual version. I bought a auto. Not too sure what the differences would be between the two as far as measurements. But I have no complaints as far as the auto's pedal set-up.

Very interesting article btw..thanks for posting.

RX-GR8

sure no prob.

BlueSky

Well tigger hope you enjoy the car for many miles. I have always liked the looks of the GTO even when everyone else was criticizing it. If I were to get one I'd go for a black '05 with a standard transmission.

nzarnow

All I can say is that if my car payments didn't end in another year and a half, I would own a black on red 2006 6sp GTO. I hope when that day comes around I can find one with those specs with low miles on it.