(OT) GTO was RE: [Shotimes] impala ss

[leighsm@comcast.net]

Don;
Glad to see you got one on order.
I checked one at today at Burns Pontiac in NJ. Silver/Black/Auto.
Very worthy successor to the original SHO philosophy.
Pros: Great ergonomics / driver position (and this from a fussy former
racer)
Great seats! Not like Grand Prixs, LUMBAR support / big bolsters, nice
leather, better than a SHO, more like a Vette or a race seat.
Looks great! Front fender flaring done very well for 245/45 rubber.
Cons: Two door, Tight getting into back seats (8-10 inch foot gap) but great
room once you are in there.
Knee bangs column.
More headroom in back than front.
Tight driver door frame on driver entry/exit, I am only 5'8" and I banged my
head everytime.
Trunk space is a joke compared to a SHO, about half or less. Gas tank is in
there and it must be 18-20 inches thick. Too bad, it stole half the trunk.
$5,000 Dealer Market Premium (limited supply)
$38,000 total.
They are a BIG dealer and will only get 8 this year. Half are already
"assigned" with deposits.
Over half autos, not many sticks.
I'll get one, but I'll wait til the premium is gone.
Silver/black looks great, so should teal/black.
Good luck.
Leigh
.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donald Mallinson" <dmall@mwonline.net>
To: "'SHO'" <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 4:54 PM
Subject: Re: (OT) GTO was RE: [Shotimes] impala ss


> I have had one on order since last June I think.  Still no
> word of where it is.
>
> Silver 6-speed was what I chose.  Yes, it is a bit heavy,
> and they mounted the gas tank up high in the trunk to pass
> US safety specs (Aussies mount it low under the trunk like
> zillions or early US cars, and some still are).  That raises
> the center of gravity some and makes the trunk unpractical
> for anything big.
>
> Still, the car handles well, seems to have a high standard
> of quality and goes like stink.  Stealth factor isn't a bad
> thing either.  Price is decent for the performance level.
> Another advantage is a bunch of hi-po parts for the
> suspension from Australia all ready to go, plus hundreds of
> low-price options for more HP from the GM small block forces.
>
> Check out:
> http://www.newagegto.com
>
> to read more about it.  Everyone that has taken delivery so
> far seems to be madly in love with the torque, sound and the
> seats!
>
> I am not sure I will accept mine, got to see how it feels
> but on paper it looks good.  I would like my next car to
> have a lot of HP and be RWD.  Not ready for a vette and
> would like to stay with something at least sold by a mostly
> American company, but the other cars I am considering are
> the Infinity GS35 4-door, the RX8, but these are both very
> japanese.  Caddy CTS-V is to pricy, I have had a Mustang so
> even the new version isn't really what I want.  Not much
> else out there.  Lincoln LS?  Not really enough HP, and a
> big cramped inside, no manual behind the V8.
>
> Don Mallinson
>
> Clift wrote:
>
> > Speaking of which, what does everyone think of the new GTO?  I've been
> > keeping track of them since they came out.  LS1 powered 350hp and 365
> > lbs-ft for ~32k, 6 speed, fully independent susp, and the thing looks
> > pretty similar to a standard GP. Talk about a sleeper car.  Only bad
> > thing is it's a little heavy at 3700 lbs. Still, I like.
> > Jarrod Clift
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