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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 155 of 207

#1534 of 2056 Re: I'm not sure.... [graphicguy] by musclecars4me

Sep 09, 2005 (7:28 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (Sep 09, 2005 6:37 am)
The Corvette almost outsold the V8 Mustang GT last year, 40k vs 40k in sales. Remember the vette costs $20k more. So it wasn't the higher pricing, same with GTO.
 
GTO sales are up 50%+ this year vs last year, not bad, can't argue that. I paid nearly $29k for my 2005 GTO under $1k rebate and employee pricing.
 
As for (Weight) The new 2005 Mustang GT is 150 pounds heavier then the 2004 GT. 3500 vs 3350. Despite the extra 300 lbs GTO carries, it clearly comes close to matching the Mustang in handling. C&D test was very close. MPH magazine had GTO doing slightly better then Mustang in handling !! Who is taking these cars to their limits?
 
I do market-research as well. No doubt, I agree that GM does many dumb things, but so does Ford. Remember, Mustang has been the number one selling sporty car for 17 yrs in a row, including last year with 140k+ sales. Ford knew the 2005 would be a hit, selling same or more then 140k. I think it was poor planning on their part not to anticipate the increase. What is the % of sales they lost to people that didn't want to wait or pay ridiculous markups and bought another car, GTO, RX8, etc.
 
 Ford did NOT underprice the GT, they are making a huge profit on all of them at the MSRP $28k price. Esp the dealers on the $2k pound you in the rear markup some have used over MSRP.
 
Quite frankly I don't consider Mustang-GTO to be in the same class. GTO is a more high end car, better build/interior/more luxury-sport like with European road manners, where the Mustang is a cruder pony car. Still very good and best mustang ever built. When I bought the GTO I NEVER cross-shopped the Mustang. I cross-shopped BMW 330, etc. After sitting in the Mustang, it has a NICE interior for a $19k car, but not a good interior for a car approaching $30k. Too many hard plastics. Not enough soft pleasing materials that cars in that upper $20k range have. Where as the GTO has the BEST interior GM offers, even better then the $45k vette!
 
As GXPGTOMAN pointed out, the Monaro is a very good selling car worldwide that sold four times better then it's original estimated production. Success in Austraila, England/Europe and Saudi Arabia/middle east, 3 dif. cultures. In fact there is a waiting list in England for the Monaro just like there was one here for the Stang. All remaining limited production final 2006 Monaros for Austraila were SOLD before they are now just getting ready to build. Is that a failure in your eyes? I don't think so! You have to realize that Americans are NOT the only ones that buy cars. In about 10 years China will be the #1 car market, yes even ahead of North America. GM is already making a splash there, where as Ford isn't as much yet. Buick sells quite well in China.

#1535 of 2056 Re: Mustang Vs. GTO [musclecars4me] by rorr

Sep 09, 2005 (7:36 am)

Replying to: musclecars4me (Sep 09, 2005 6:50 am)
"As for the shifter, if you get the automatic GTO, you don't have to worry about the shifter."
 
Not the right attitude.
 
Maybe some folks who like performance cars, like to actually shift for themselves. Instead of just saying to avoid that option, how about acknowledging this is a problem which GM needs to address?
 

#1536 of 2056 Re: Mustang Vs. GTO [rorr] by musclecars4me

Sep 09, 2005 (7:38 am)

Replying to: rorr (Sep 09, 2005 7:36 am)
  
I like performance cars for their performance, and as stated here previously the automatic GTO is faster then manual GTO or manual Mustang. Why should I pay $700 option on GTO to get manual trans to lose performance?
 
50% of GTO sales are automatic and 66% of Mustangs are automatic, So I guess Automatic people win out.
 
The clutches have been the "fuse" in all LSx vehicles since 1997! It's one of the quirks of the vehicle, either deal with it or trade it in for something else that has it's own quirks.
 
Every vehicle on the planet has a quirk or two including the new Mustang. No manufactuer has yet to produce a "perfect" vehicle. When they do, please let me know.
 
Where is the 6th gear in the Mustang? GTO's in 6th gear have been know to get as high as 27mpg highway. Pretty impressive.

#1538 of 2056 Re: I'm not sure.... [musclecars4me] by rorr

Sep 09, 2005 (7:40 am)

Replying to: musclecars4me (Sep 09, 2005 7:28 am)
What is the % of sales they lost to people that didn't want to wait or pay ridiculous markups and bought another car, GTO, RX8, etc.
 
Good question. I wonder what % of the increased GTO sales are due to folks frustrated they couldn't get their first choice (Mustang GT) and settled on a GTO?

#1539 of 2056 Re: Supercharged Stang GT barely beats stock GTO, funny [rorr] by sputterguy

Sep 09, 2005 (7:40 am)

Replying to: rorr (Sep 07, 2005 11:16 am)
Hey, if bellbottoms can make a come back, then '90s Grand Prix's can do it to.

#1540 of 2056 Re: Mustang Vs. GTO [rorr] by sensai

Sep 09, 2005 (7:43 am)

Replying to: rorr (Sep 09, 2005 7:36 am)
The GTOs shifter does suck. However, that can be remedied with an aftermarket shifter for a few hundred bucks. How about Ford skimping out a putting a 5 speed manual in the Mustang? It is going to cost way more than a few hundred to get a 6 speed in there.

#1541 of 2056 Re: I'm not sure.... [rorr] by musclecars4me

Sep 09, 2005 (7:44 am)

Replying to: rorr (Sep 09, 2005 7:40 am)
The last laugh will be on the people that saw the "Got to have it" and paid over MSRP for their Mustang, which 3 yrs from now when they all hit the used car/trade in status will have lost 50%+ in value.
 
Ditto with anyone that paid over MSRP for a 2004 GTO when they first came out. As we know, all cars, GTO/Mustang depreciate more then 50% in the first 3 yrs.

#1542 of 2056 Re: Supercharged Stang GT barely beats stock GTO, funny [sputterguy] by musclecars4me

Sep 09, 2005 (7:47 am)

Replying to: sputterguy (Sep 09, 2005 7:40 am)
Just like late 1960's Mustangs made a comeback this year too

#1543 of 2056 Re: Mustang Vs. GTO [musclecars4me] by rorr

Sep 09, 2005 (7:49 am)

"Actually 66% of all Mustangs sold are Automatic."
 
Yes. But the reason is NOT that the manual shifter in the current Mustang is a bitch to operate. It is that most people prefer automatics. But just because most people prefer automatics is no excuse for a company to offer a crummy manual.
 
If I recall the 1999 to 2004 Mustang had the shifter in a awkard position.
 
Which Ford addressed with the '05 Mustang. Which is besides the point. If someone complained about the shifter in an '04 Mustang, the LAST thing I would tell them would be to avoid it by buying an automatic. I'd tell them that if they like manuals, to find a car with a decent manual.
 
You see, I value DRIVING too much. And I don't give a rip how quick the car is in a straight line with an automatic because, IMO, anybody can plant their rear in a car with an automatic, put their foot on the gas, and go fast. Big honkin' deal.
 
If the GTO handled like a pig would your advice be to not drive curvy roads? If the GTO braked like a school bus would your advice be to simply drive slower? If the GTO squeeked, rattled, and groaned over every little road imperfection, would your advice be to turn up the stereo?
 
If the GM has a problem with the shifter, they should fix the shifter. The 'solution' is not to simply avoid the problem.

Messages Page 155 of 207

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