Car and Driver Review- 05 Stang vs. 05 GTO

[Stangbang]

Everybody seems to dislike the GTO for being plain jane well how come its not the same for something like a BMW M5?
Both cars are wolves in sheeps clothing but the GTO gets picked on cause its "supposed to look like a muscle car". Absolute rubbish!
All you people are so easily brainwashed by shiny flashy things.
I guess thats why Need for Speed underground sold so many copies. Because theres too many brain dead people out there who are attracted to stuff that hits you straight in the face.

The GTO looks great the way it is. I love its clean and simple face and there was no need to throw stupid bonnet scoops on it. Its because of all these morons out there who want big shiny wheels and huge exhausts and racing wings.
Whoever thinks the GTO looks similar to a Mazda or Nissan or anything else needs to be drowned.

It doesnt matter if the GTO never outsells the Mustang because its more expensive and not as big a family household name. Besides, most Mustangs sold will be the dirty V6 versions.

It's not that it looks "plain jane", it's that it's ugly, it looks like a 10 year old Cavalier. M5's are beautiful cars, your GTO is not, my opinion, and I'm not over on your forum ramming it down your throat. Get it?

And besides that, I really don't give a damn about them, I don't care how many Mustangs or GTO's are sold, I don't care which one is faster, I'm a Mustang nut, I love Mustangs, I love the styling, the 05 is a blower away from 500 horsepower which is all that is needed on the street. You can jack your GTO up to 2000 horsepower, but it still looks like a turd to me. People like you are completely unable to understand the passion the classic design of the Mustang stirs in people, we don't care how many others own them or how many times we see one on the road that looks like our own, because everyone of them is unique in their own way to their owner.


I don't care about surprising zit faced ricers with a fast "sleeper" that they will never know what it even was because it's so "stealth". I'd rather enjoy the way this car brings people together and creates so much excitement, and when some ricer see's an 05's taillights, he know's what just smoked him.

 

[merlinsteele]

BTW, exclusivity isn't something I'm concerned about. I buy a car because it fits my needs and is fun to drive. I don't really care if I see everywhere as long it's what I want in a car.

That's what I'm talk'in about! Even though I love my truck, I've been looking at mustangs for the last couple of years. Even before the new body style came out, it seemed like almost every other guy or gal on the road had a mustang, and I wanted one, too! When the new body style came out, I felt that I'd found the 'ultimate' mustang. If I were driving one around right now, sure I'd appreciate the 'exlusiveness' and newness of one, but that would just be a bonus. On the other hand, like I think Jon Do may have pointed out in a more understandable quote, when more of these babies come out, perhaps that will help with the price and/or availability of the mustang. And when there's a bunch of them running around, I'll be enjoying the sights!

 

[Jon Do]

"I'm sure someone applied similar logic in attempting to explain why Harley-Davidson motorcycles wouldn't remain popular and a large volume seller."

What are you talking about? I'm simply saying that not everybody wants a car that is a large volume seller...

I like Stangbang's post. It very clearly indicates the real reasons why he prefers the Mustang. There are no bull**** excuses dismissing the GTO's usable backseat or power advantage in there. Just real, hard truth about why he isn't so concerned about these issues...

That is the type of post I like to see on this forum. That shows passion and love for the car. The other people who out-and-out dismiss the GTO's advantages seem more delusional than passionate.

 

[Jon Do]

"like I think Jon Do may have pointed out in a more understandable quote, when more of these babies come out, perhaps that will help with the price and/or availability of the mustang."

Yeah, that's a key point that I'm trying to make... Even though it may sound to some like I am bashing the Mustang, I realize that it is positioned to be an amazing performance value given a little time... I will admit that dollar for dollar, I would probably go with the GTO, but the simple fact is there's a large price descrepancy between the two cars. It might not be so noticable since the Mustang is still new and thus selling at MSRP--but at the end of the year, when rebates kick in, it will be.

 

[the b]

My roommate picked up an 04 GTO last night for $27k out the door. Funny how pricing a car what it's worth will help move cars off the lot so much better than a $5k markup.

 

[Bob Cosby]

I dont post on any other sites. I am fairly new to the whole online car forum discussions. My last job kept me traveling a lot and I didnt have time to goof around on the internet. I just the other day created a screename on FBODY.com so that I could inquire about a statement the cobraguy on here made about LT1s being 14sec cars and the SS/WS6 being faster. Seems they arent any faster.

Thanks. However, I think I'll go with Snorman and just consider you a busted troll.

 

[stang-no-mus(t)]

someone please admit that the mustang got beat!!!

 

[JonJon]

someone please admit that the mustang got beat!!!

beat?
I haven't driven either, I can't say which is better.

 

[426H]

All you people are so easily brainwashed by shiny flashy things.
I guess thats why Need for Speed underground sold so many copies. Because theres too many brain dead people out there who are attracted to stuff that hits you straight in the face.

The GTO looks great the way it is. I love its clean and simple face and there was no need to throw stupid bonnet scoops on it. Its because of all these morons out there who want big shiny wheels and huge exhausts and racing wings.
Whoever thinks the GTO looks similar to a Mazda or Nissan or anything else needs to be drowned.

Since I belive you refer to me (among others) with regarding to this post I would like to say that I would NEVER EVER consider add some stupid looking bling bling shiny wheels to any of my cars. All my cars are 100% stock because I appreciate a good design and don't want to mess with it.

I'am sure the GTO is a great vehicle, but it looked a helluva lot better 38 years ago. And YES, I still think the 2005 GTO looks like a 1988 MAZDA.

 

[JonJon]

I'am sure the GTO is a great vehicle, but it looked a helluva lot better 38 years ago. And YES, I still think the 2005 GTO looks like a 1988 MAZDA.

agreed.

 

[TomServo92]

someone please admit that the mustang got beat!!!

The GTO won the performance battle but the Mustang won desirability war. I'm sorry that you have such a mental deficiency that you can't comprehend that the writers preferred the Mustang in spite of the GTO having better power but I think it's time you just suck it up and deal with it. Whining like a spoiled little brat on a Mustang forum isn't going to make it go away.

Speaking of going away....why don't you?

 

[351CJ]

I drove by my local Ford dealer today and saw 10 six cylinder 05 Stangs lined up by the street and a car carrier unloading more. I soon will be overrun by "all show-no go" stangs. I would rather see more GTs in my area. They are more fun to play with

Ford started '05 production with 62% V6 and 38% GT. This is what the historical V6-V8 sales mix has been for the last 10 years.

However orders of the '05 have been heavily weighted to the GT. Ford has responded very rapidly. Starting this month, December Ford has been able to change the production mix to 40% V6 and 60% GT.

So your wish has come true, you'll be seen many more '05 GTs, very soon.

 

[351CJ]

One more thought.... If Pontiac called the now GTO something like the Grand Prix GTO or the G8 instead.. Would it have been met with more open arms.. Then it would be compared with cars like the infiniti G35, lexus IS, or even the mighty BMW? Maybe its not the car, its the way Pontiac and GM presented the car..

Good point. The GTO is not a bad car, it's just that it's styling does NOT do justice to the great GTOs of the past.

There really are only 2 things wrong with the GTO.

1. It's styling looks like a Chevy Caviler and any of 10 genaric Japanese sedans.

2. It has no trunk room.

Fixing both of those problems would sell FAR MORE GTOs than bumping its HP to 400 will.

 

[Redzz2005GT]

GTO beat the GT in every worth while category except skid pad (due to crappy tires) and lost in their review. But you know what? They think it looks better so it wins. In fact they gave the GT 7 points for "must buy", what type of crap is that? Is "must buy" some sort of rice sticker that makes the car drive better, go faster, or stop quicker?

Tells you something about their reviews.

Plus we have documented 12.9's from the 05 GTO and Pontiac will be claiming 13.0 when it goes on sale.

But I know you guys are going to ignore those facts so I won't post in this thread again.

A personal friend has a 2004 GTO, sent it to Lingenfelter.
Magna charger intercooled supercharger kit - silver powder coat finish
Port & polished throttle body
LPE cold air induction system
Corsa Pro series touring exhaust system
A few other mods not listed, 2,800 stall converter
500 hp on dyno at Lingenfelter

If any of you guys know who I'm talking about, please don't tell him you saw this, he would probably kill me. Even though he is proud of his car, it is a nice car.

Pulled high 12's at 1/4 mile. It is an automatic, sad to say. He is a good guy and not to knock his car. I will say he raced guys on a track from a local Mustang club. (some illegal supercharged Cobras) and he won 12 out of 15 races. Haven't verified any of this, yet. I'm sure once my car arrives and I go to a few Mustang gatherings I'll meet these guys he is talking about.
I am dying to get my GT and love the Mustang GT over the GTO everyday, but to spend that kind of money and only get that kind of performance makes me happy on my decision. So you GTO guys, keep your car, I'll keep mine.

 

[Sainted]

The GTO is a special editon the 05 is a base model when a special edition mustang comes out then you can compare. Duh

 

[pinski]

someone please admit that the mustang got beat!!!

If you mean in all the performance categories, nobody here will disagree with you. The 2005 GTO has a 400hp LS2 motor, whereas the 2005 Mustang GT has a 300hp motor with over a liter less displacement. The GTO should win. If it didn't win, y'all would be in some REAL trouble.

A better contender against the GTO would be the Mustang Cobra. They're both "exclusive" (one due to production numbers, one due to sales figures, you can figure that out) and both have similar horsepower ratings, instead of one having 33% more than the other They're also both priced over $30k.

Come back and talk to us after the comparo between the 2007 Cobra and the 2007 GTO, until then, go away little troll.

BTW, if you bitch about the "gotta-have-it" category, why don't you do a little objective polling - randomly go up to 100 people and ask which one they would rather have. Mustang would win by a landslide. Sales figures don't lie, now crawl back into that hole you came out of.

 

[Redzz2005GT]

The Car and Driver review was baised toward the mustang. Ford put so much time into that mustang there is no way there going to let C&D bash it. The article says nothing about the extreme power advantage of the gto, and instead of doing so they devot a whole paragraph on how the mustang's 1000watt shaker system is better than the 200watt gto stereo. Whenever they did put the gto ahead in a remark it took 2 or 3 times of reading to realize that they were regarding the gto as better. They didn't even mention how much more luxurious the interior is in the gto and the fact that the gto's back seat highly accomodates 2 decent sized adults(very unlike the mustang's). The only thing that the had the right to complain was the styling and the shifter feel....which i do believe the mustang has the edge over the gto on these. There was very little talk about the performance .....look at these numbers posted:

Mustang GTO
0-60: 5.1 4.8
0-100: 13.0 11.7
0-130: 25.6 19.6
1/4mile: 13.8@103 13.3@107
top gear:
30-50 9.8(5th gear) 9.6(6th gear)
50-70 9.6(5th gear) 9.2(6th gear)

Now to me those are numbers that belong to almost two different categories ....as the speed increases the gto just flat out smokes it. The gto beats it in top gear even though the mustang's top gear is 5th and the gto is 6th. Put the gto in 5th and watch those times shrink quick.
Look at the "Subjective/Objective RESULTS" of the test. The part that decides the winner.

The Mustang and the GTO "tied" in the "vehicle" section (77 to 77)
Putting ridiculous ratings like rear back seat comfort 4 to 5 and rear space 3 to 5. It should be more like 4 to 8 and 3 to 8, since the goat has far more room. Change those numbers and erase the "gotta- have - it - factor"(25 to 18) which is more like "How i think it looks factor," and the goat wins in total points 186 to 198.....a landslide. And just for arguments sake ...keep the "gotta-have-it-factor" and the goat should still win 211 to 216.(includes the powertrain, chassis, gotta-have-it-factor and fun-to-drive)

The GTO beat the mustang in chassis and powertrain (43 to 46) and (44 to 46), and fun to drive (22 to 23).


Clearly the GTO should have been the winner!!!
211 to 216 (at least)

A personal friend has a 2004 GTO, sent it to Lingenfelter.
Magna charger intercooled supercharger kit - silver powder coat finish
Port & polished throttle body
LPE cold air induction system
Corsa Pro series touring exhaust system
A few other mods not listed, 2,800 stall converter
500 hp on dyno at Lingenfelter

Newer model may come with 450hp stock, but the car weighs so much more than the Mustang. It needs the extra power to push the weight, but the GTO looks to much like every other car on the road. My friend did have to wait 8 months for his. It was made in Australia, for what its worth. Also the GTO is only a 2 valve/cylinder engine, not 3 for GTs.

If any of you guys know who I'm talking about, please don't tell him you saw this, he would probably kill me. Even though he is proud of his car, it is a nice car.

Pulled high 12's at 1/4 mile. It is an automatic, sad to say. He is a good guy and not to knock his car. I will say he raced guys on a track from a local Mustang club. (some illegal supercharged Cobras) and he won 12 out of 15 races. Haven't verified any of this, yet. I'm sure once my car arrives and I go to a few Mustang gatherings I'll meet these guys he is talking about and get to verify what happened.
I am dying to get my GT and love the Mustang GT over the GTO everyday, but to spend that kind of money and only get that kind of performance makes me happy on my decision. So you GTO guys, keep your car, I'll keep mine.

 

[i4power]

The GTO is a special editon the 05 is a base model when a special edition mustang comes out then you can compare. Duh

Despite the poor english, this poster has wisdom far beyond the GTO whiners. I would hope that the GTO has a better interior and more power than the GT, because it costs about $8000 more!

No, the Mustang didn't get beat. Maybe in performance, but not in looks. Oh, and did the GTO beat the 'Stang in handling?

I think the "gotta have it" score should be separate, because it doesn't automatically raise the car's performance or value simply because it's a more desirable car.

 

[Mach428]

Wow OMG the mustang got beat in a Magazine, I'm gonna sell my Car and buy a GTO right away cause I want to drive a Fat Ugly Cow

 

[GTS_300_Coupe]

I'am sure the GTO is a great vehicle, but it looked a helluva lot better 38 years ago. And YES, I still think the 2005 GTO looks like a 1988 MAZDA.

Okay matey, find me a pic of this 1988 Mazda.
If you can prove me wrong I will apologise and shut my mouth from now on.
By the way, its gotta look ALOT similar.
I've heard some people say the GTO looks like a lancer or a camry. Man those people are really the retards of society today.