Ask the Car People.SM


Ford Mustang (2005) vs. 2005 Pontiac GTO

2056 messages,  Last post on May 27, 2009 at 5:34 PM

You are in the Ford Mustang Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Mustang, Pontiac GTO, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 138 of 206

#1367 of 2056 Re: 454SS was nothing special, either was '93-'95 Lightning [rorr] by gxpgtodanman

Aug 26, 2005 (11:44 am)

Replying to: rorr (Aug 26, 2005 8:30 am)
"3.73 gears and only mid-high 15's???? Probably traction problems given the torque that motor was capable of and the unloaded rear-end...."
 
You are right on the SS. The Ford Lightning which came out in 1993 had 4.10 gears, 240hp 5.8 Liter and ran mid 15's as well. Same as SS. Ford had a smaller motor, 5.8 vs GM's 7.4
 
By today stds it sounds avg to slow, Then again that was decent to good performance in the early 1990's !! Automatic Mustang 1993 ran mid 15's too !!
 

#1368 of 2056 Re: I thought..... [gxpgtodanman] by sputterguy

Aug 26, 2005 (6:02 pm)

Replying to: gxpgtodanman (Aug 26, 2005 6:26 am)
I was happy with the '04 until I saw and drove the '05

#1369 of 2056 Re: I thought..... [graphicguy] by sputterguy

Aug 26, 2005 (6:10 pm)

Replying to: graphicguy (Aug 26, 2005 6:31 am)
I just love those old cars. I sure wouldn't want to drive one nowadays. I like the idea of upgrading the engines.
 
I hope you are right about the oil. I'm just not as confident as you.

#1370 of 2056 Let's get back on track... by claires HOST

Aug 26, 2005 (9:00 pm)

We're all over the map here, folks.

#1371 of 2056 Let's get back on the track... by elias

Aug 27, 2005 (7:09 am)

Replying to: claires (Aug 26, 2005 9:00 pm)
ok, speaking of the track - does anyone here have timeslips to post for mustang GTs & either 04 or 05 goats? we can post image files here so it should be possible to scan & post the actual timeslips, eh? after experiencing the goat/irs wheelhop, i'm less eager to run mine on a 1/4 mile track. and i can see some of ford's logic in giving the new mustang with solid rear axle. on the other hand, i'd rather have the better handling & ride with the irs than the easier-launching with a solid-rear-axle.

#1372 of 2056 Special Editions by vppreacher

Aug 27, 2005 (9:19 am)

I don't know if Pontiac/Holden will be making Special Editions of the GTO, but I hope they do....just to make the magazines and markets more interesting. I know Ford has big plans for bringing back not only the Shelby, but also a Bullit, Mach 1, and other Special Editions. I've always thought Hunter Green was a nice unique color.
 
I wonder how the Mustang would sell in Australia. Europe, America, Canada, and each country has their own cultural, performance, and aesthetic bias and preferences. It seems that we each have our own automotive ideal of a nice ride. Heck, even within America there are substantial differences between urban/rural, East/West, and North/South.

#1373 of 2056 like a 4 door Mustang, only in Austrailia by gxpgtodanman

Aug 29, 2005 (6:44 am)

Replying to: vppreacher (Aug 27, 2005 9:19 am)
Ford sells the 4 door Rear Drive Falcon XR8 with a 348hp 5.4L V8, but ONLY in Austrailia. It's a Mustang with 4 doors. And it has an IRS as well. Too bad Ford can't bring that here.

#1374 of 2056 Re: Let's get back on the track... [elias] by graphicguy

Aug 29, 2005 (7:04 am)

Replying to: elias (Aug 27, 2005 7:09 am)
Had a video of a guy who ran a 13.6 1/4 with a bone stock '05 Mustang GT. I posted it a long while ago, but can't find it now.
 
We've been round and round about the solid rear of the Mustang. Ford did such a good job with it, that they didn't see the need, nor the additional expense by going to an IRS.
To me, one of the advantages of the Mustang GT over the GTO when I was test driving was the handling. The Mustang does ride firmer, but I like that trait. Plus, once you start to cruise in the Mustang, it's quite comfortable.
 
While I understand those who like the more softly sprung GTO, I'm not one of those.
 
If you peruse other boards, you will find some who think the Mustang's ride as to firm. I'm not one of them, though.

#1375 of 2056 Re: Let's get back on the track... [graphicguy] by gxpgtodanman

Aug 29, 2005 (7:42 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (Aug 29, 2005 7:04 am)
There is a video of a guy running a 12.9 1/4 with a bone stock '05 GTO, if I find the link I will post it.
 
GTO handles just as well as Mustang, both similar numbers. MPH August mag had a Charger, Stang-GTO comparo. It said GTO handles better and was chosen WINNER of the 3 cars.
 
    The GTO is not softly sprung it has a firm ride too, still feel the road, just not as Firm as Mustang GT. I like that nice suede like material which is actually Alcantara, WIdely used in BMW and Audi interiors !
 
Dif. strokes for dif folks.

#1376 of 2056 Challenge? by vppreacher

Aug 29, 2005 (9:05 am)

I say we let the sales numbers speak to which is the better car. People talk with their money...Okay, seriously, even if Holden and GM could import more Monaro/GTOs, the Mustang would sell more. I was obviously speaking facetiously.
 
Besides the lackluster looks (and that's putting it nicely), I think the GTO doesn't resonate with the majority of buyers for several reasons:
1. While it may have a nice interior and better performance than the Mustang, the new GTO, unlike its muscular predecessor, has no kinship with any other GM/Pontiac car made, ever. The Mustang undeniably looks like a Mustang. To quote a favorite review, "In other words, the Mustang GT looks great, sounds like sex and goes like stink." The GTO looks like every other Pontiac.
2. Additionally, whereas the Mustang's shifter, steering, and suspension allow you to "feel" the road (with some dampening), the GTO feels more like a sedan made for comfort...spongy, less responsive, subdued. Not what most "muscle-car" buyers want.
3. Time will tell, but there also is a perception since the GTO is on the out and it's made in Australia that aftermarket parts will get more difficult to find.
4. Lastly, Ford's hard work and dedication to its fans (old and now new) have paid off in droves. GM took a great performing sedan and almost as an afterthought rebadged it as a GTO. Ford, recognizing their stewardship of 40 years of automotive history, honored that history in a modern car that is so much more than the sum of its parts. The GTO does perform better, but it's just not as well thought out, costs thousands more, and looks bland.
 
People can't necessarily tell you what the new GTO and Mustang should've looked like if you asked them to draw it. But once most see both cars in the "flesh", they know the new Mustang is a "Stang" and the new GTO is just a foreign-made sedan that looks way too much like a Grand Prix/Grand Am/Sunfire...pick your Pontiac flavor.

Messages Page 138 of 206

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement