GTO or Stang

[scottie1113]

I've heard the justification for staying with a live axle, but I question how many Mustangs owners as a percentage actually go to the strip. For them I say keep the live axle. Tradition, plus the bean counters at Ford like it.

For guys like me who just enjoy the overall driving experience and don't need or want the 390 hp of the Cobra, let alone the expense, I ask for IRS as an option on the GT.

It doesn't mean I won't buy a 2006 unless IRS is available, but I'll certainly be looking at alternatives, whether new or used, and it's a very big market out there.

People even buy GTO's! Sorry, flyinlow2, I couldn't resist. I know there are valid reasons for purchasing any car. I just climb up on my soapbox every once in a while.

Can you imagine Mustang styling and power with the GTO's undercarraige? Sweet ride that would be.

 

[ChromeYellowGT]

They went with the live axle in the GT because the IRS adds 100lbs and the car was already a pig. There's a higher drivetrain loss with IRS too, so not only would they be adding weight they'd be taking away power.

 

[scottie1113]

Which, as I've already said a million times here, is of no consequence to me since I don't go to the track. Besides, I only ask for it as an option. You can have your live axle. I'd prefer a better handling overall road car. Oh, and to make your blood curdle even more, I want an automatic and would love a manumatic.

I'm not alone, as I think Ford will realize in a year or two down the road.

I was in high school when the Mustang made its debut. I've had a lot of friends tell me they'd like to buy a Mustang but since it's still a little unrefined, in their words, they'll stick to Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, or whatever.

Have you checked out the Chrysler 300C? Granted, it's not a car a person considering a Mustang would probably consider but it's sweet. I'd pay the same price as a 300C for a Mustang with IRS and a 5 speed manunatic and be very happy with it.

To each his own.

It's my night to piss off the troops, I guess.

 

[89 droptop]

Ha! In your face, GM...

In your face GM what? Dude you are comparing a sports car (the mustang) to a mid sized sedan that you can carry your kids in and have fun with, the only other car comparible to the GTO in terms of family practicality and perfomance is the faster and more expensive M3. Not to mention I think a 13.40 is the fastest I've ever seen a non 2003 supercharged cobra stang ever run, and this is the first model year for the GTO we all know that it takes time for a car to get it right. The Mach 1 is fast, the GTO is fast and practical, GM did a great job with the GTO as did ford with the mustang, but they were different jobs.

 

[Route666]

By the way, that old Australian car design has won the Australian V8 supercar series the last 3 out of 4 years and is leading in points this year. And there are only two manufacturers in the series, Ford and Holden.

BRRRRRRRRT you lose, that design has not won V8 supercar at all. A rollcage with that skin welded around it, with EVERYthing exchanged for racing components, including a FORD NINE-INCH DIFF has won the V8s a fair bit. Until the Mod motor came to Aus, then they started losing again.

 

[foghorn67]

I'm not going to waste 30k+ on a car that looks like a bloated J-body. I don't care how good the interior looks. Besides, the premium package 05 stang looks pretty damn good itself.

 

[CatmanJJ]

05 Stang will win in sales, not sure about performance, to close to tell at this point since there have been no offcial numbers or tests on the GT. The new Stang seems to have a nice interior on par with the new GTOs. 05 GT weighs just a lil more then the Mach 1 which is close to the GTO but has much better weight bias and transfer from a dig. Personally for @5K less then a GTO I think u still get a lot of car in a 25K GT. All the arguements about the hopped up 400hp LS2 GTO can already be answered with the current '03+ Cobra.

Check out this read on the new GTO about the slow sales thus far...

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=05812991

 

[Z28x]

05 Stang will win in sales, not sure about performance, to close to tell at this point since there have been no offcial numbers or tests on the GT.

Mustang will sell more b/c Ford will build more of them and have different versions ranging from $18K V6s to $30K V8s. The LS2 GTO is a Cobra like product built in low numbers, 18,000 GTOs and 7500 Cobras. They will never sell in the #'s that low cost V6 cars will.

 

[Snake03]

Have you checked out the Chrysler 300C? Granted, it's not a car a person considering a Mustang would probably consider but it's sweet.

Two different cars for two different markets. I'm driving an '04 Cobra, and my wife drives the 4 door sedan cars. When we replace her car later this year, a 300C will be near the top of the list to drive and compare.

As much as I love my Cobra, and I've driven both my '03 and '04 on some long trips, the 300C would be much more enjoyable on a long trip....more room, less noise, etc, etc.

I can't afford an M5, any of the AMG MB's, V12 BMW's etc, and the 300C would be an affordable alternative. Comfort and power.

Can you say "Hemi"?

 

[beary58]

>>I'm not alone, as I think Ford will realize in a year or two down the road.<<

I'll bet less than 5% of all Mustang owners know the difference between live axle and IRS. I agree with the option idea, but even live axles are pretty good now for most Mustangers.

2000 White Vert

 

[CatmanJJ]

The LS2 GTO is a Cobra like product built in low numbers, 18,000 GTOs and 7500 Cobras. They will never sell in the #'s that low cost V6 cars will.

'03 - 8,394 Cobra Coupes

'03 - 5,082 Cobra Verts

'03 - 9,652 Mach 1s

'03 - 30,000+ GT Coupes and Verts

To be exact.

But you're right that they will never sell like the V6s do. Anyway, according to that Autoweek article they aren't selling nearly as many GTOs as Cobras wether it was a low production vehicle or not doesn't matter since they are backing up and sitting on the lots. Besides this was comparing the GTO with the 05 Stang.

 

[351CJ]

Mustang will sell more b/c Ford will build more of them and have different versions ranging from $18K V6s to $30K V8s. The LS2 GTO is a Cobra like product built in low numbers, 18,000 GTOs and 7500 Cobras. They will never sell in the #'s that low cost V6 cars will.

If you want a collector's car, buy a GTO!

GM was hoping to sell about 16,000 - 18,000 GTO's per year. So far they are on a rate to sell about 7,000 / year (See Detroit News). Unless GM does something to fix this (Can you say $5,000 rebates?), the GTO will be gone in a year and you will have about 20,000 collector GTO's out there. Another foot note on automotive history and maby the thing that finally gets Bob Lutz into retirement for good.

If you want a great car for a lot less $$, buy a 2005 Mustang GT. Ford will be making 180,000 Stangs / year and selling every one of them for many years to come.

 

[Z28x]

If you want a collector's car, buy a GTO!

GM was hoping to sell about 16,000 - 18,000 GTO's per year. So far they are on a rate to sell about 7,000 / year (See Detroit News). Unless GM does something to fix this (Can you say $5,000 rebates?), the GTO will be gone in a year and you will have about 20,000 collector GTO's out there. Another foot note on automotive history and maby the thing that finally gets Bob Lutz into retirement for good.

Or if dealers just sell them at a reasonable price they will sell great, Now a days people HATE paying MSRP for a cars let alone $5,000 over MSRP. Even the twice as limited Cobra could be had for $1000 under MSRP. Ford seams to have done a better job of keeping dealers inline.

Many GTO dealers in SoCal are selling them like hot cakes. Read about the GTO supply issues here: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5570

 

[Flyinlow2]

BRRRRRRRRT you lose, that design has not won V8 supercar at all. A rollcage with that skin welded around it, with EVERYthing exchanged for racing components, including a FORD NINE-INCH DIFF has won the V8s a fair bit. Until the Mod motor came to Aus, then they started losing again.

So you're saying the OHC mod motor can't beat a pushrod V8? An old pushrod motor (its not an LS1)? Seems I remember hearing that somewhere before, when the mod motor came out and everyone was pissed because it didn't make the power the 5.0 did.

 

[Flyinlow2]

Or if dealers just sell them at a reasonable price they will sell great, Now a days people HATE paying MSRP for a cars let alone $5,000 over MSRP. Even the twice as limited Cobra could be had for $1000 under MSRP. Ford seams to have done a better job of keeping dealers inline.

Many GTO dealers in SoCal are selling them like hot cakes. Read about the GTO supply issues here: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5570

You nailed it. If the dealers would take their head out of their a$$ and sell them at a decent price, they would be selling. Also, someone got the idea that they should order more automatics than six speeds. They don't have any problems selling the six speeds.

 

[Route666]

So you're saying the OHC mod motor can't beat a pushrod V8? An old pushrod motor (its not an LS1)? Seems I remember hearing that somewhere before, when the mod motor came out and everyone was pissed because it didn't make the power the 5.0 did.

No no, I was saying when Ford got the Mod motor, the Holden rollcage with wheels and a pushrod motor started losing again in the V8s.

 

[GelatiCruiser]

Well, in terms of a straight 1/4 race (or any other race for that matter), I might have ot give the GTO the edge only because there are no #'s for the '05 GT.
I sawthe GTO up close for the first time a few weeks ago. I really like it. I agree that the exterior is a bit bland....it could really use some cues from the old Goats....but the interior is really nice. It looked a lot different in person than it does in any pics....still bland....but different none the less. I can't wait to see what they do with the new GTO...I never heard if the 13.19 SLP run of the GTO was legit or not....but that's a decent time....though probably not attainable with an everyday driver like you or me. But a 400 HP GTO with a little more flair would look realy good in my driveway.

 

[Flyinlow2]

This is what I'm saying. Pictures of the GTO look like crap. I've taken pics of my own and when I look at 'em it just doesn't look like the car in person.

 

[ponypowa2]

hm

Im sorry but in imho the gto does nothing for me as far as looks. If I had never heard about its times/engine specs I probably would not even glance at one on the road.

 

[Route666]

I agree photos don't do the GTO or Monaro justice, however, IMO, the Monaro (the car the GTO is built from) is better looking than the GTO.