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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 45 of 206

#437 of 2056 Re: stang22 [stang22] by danman

May 05, 2005 (10:35 am)

Replying to: stang22 (May 05, 2005 8:20 am)
I do NOT have a GTO, had a Mustang whcih was great, too many problems. Contemplating buying a GTO, but have not yet.
 
The GM Zeta Rear drive program is alive down under in Austraila just not for the US, that kind of stunk.
 
Certain people are complaining about this 2004-2005 not being a real GTO etc. Hate to tell you but the 1964 and 1974 were NOT real GTO's then either. 1964 was a rebadged Lemans and 1974 was a rebadged Ventura. Knowbody complains about the 1964 though. The 2005 is the most powerfull, fastest, best handling, best braking GTO ever MADE! I think that more then speaks for itself. Yeah it would have been nicer to have better styling, but it's not ugly. It looks like other Pontiacs, just like the 1964 and 1974 did!
  
The 1973 and 1974 did not sell well at all either, only about 7,000 to 10,000 each. Oh well.
 
Next years Mustang supposed to be fastest one every made too, the GT500.

#439 of 2056 Re: Ford isn't doing much better then GM graphicguy [danman] by graphicguy

May 05, 2005 (11:10 am)

I agree....Ford has their own issues. But, I think they are moving in the right direction. They asked their customers what they wanted in the Mustang and then proceeded to provide it. It's almost like GM didn't care what their customers thought about what the "new" GTO should or shouldn't be.
 
Focusing on trucks is something both GM and Ford did way too much of. I think everyone knew that a "spike" in gas prices would hit them like it has.
 
Ford seems to be more willing to make the tough "cuts" where they are needed. The Jaguar X model is the latest to be cut.
 
Ford has done more to leverage "good platforms" against the duds.
 
Ford has another "hit" on their hands with the Escape Hybrid.
 
While I wouldn't want to be in either GM's or Ford's shoes right now, if I had to choose between what model would or would not survive between the Mustang and GTO, I feel very comfortable where the Mustang is as opposed to where the GTO is.

#440 of 2056 Re: bigger issues..... [graphicguy] by danman

May 05, 2005 (11:22 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (Feb 05, 2005 3:13 pm)
Monaro and Holden are very good selling cars in Austrailia though. Too bad we couldn't have the Holden division here. El Camino's there, 4 door version of the GTO etc. What if it was a great hit? Obviously it wasn't. Look at the Mercury Marauder and Retro T-bird, same thing. Cancelled do to lack of sales! Mercury failed to market and promoto the Marauder as well. Almost like they wanted it to fail Like GM with the GTO. Pontiac has sold more vehicles this year then Buick has if that is of any consolatin.

#441 of 2056 Re: Ford isn't doing much better then GM graphicguy [graphicguy] by danman

May 05, 2005 (11:28 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (May 05, 2005 11:10 am)
Gm did NOT create the GTO for us here in the states, they tried to save $$ and took their already existing Holden Monaro and imported it with some minor changes. Ford built the mustang from the ground up, which is probably what GM should have done with GTO. I don't think it's the failure the press is making it out to be, it's quite a nice/powerfull car. Too bad it didn't sell better.
 
I thought the X Type was still carrying on with a new station wagon version that just came out? It is out as we speak. The X type was a Ford Contour platform in disguise anyway. Ford Contour, oops Jaguar. Jags sales are the toilet the last few yrs. I hope both Ford and GM can turn it around.

#442 of 2056 Re: Ford isn't doing much better then GM graphicguy [danman] by graphicguy

May 05, 2005 (12:31 pm)

Replying to: danman (May 05, 2005 11:28 am)
danman...can't argue the point that Holden's do well in Australia. The U.S. is the toughest market in the world, though. What does will in one part of the world, will not neccessarily translate to sales here.
 
Just look at diesel vehicles....so popular in Europe, yet such duds in the U.S.
 
GM should have indeed made a ground up iteration of the GTO for this market. Such an icon deserved that type of effort. As GM always does, they tried to take the "easy" way out.....rebadge something else in their stables and foist it on the American public. That's a real shotgun approach with no real idea on how it will sell or what the public thinks. I call that GM arrogance from the days of "what's good for GM is good for America" type thinking.
 
I do believe that Ford "gets it". You can see how they addressed the Mustang enthusiasts for input as to what the new Mustang should be. The public response was ovewhelmingly positive....to the point that young and old, past Mustang customer or not, the Mustang struck a chord with the public. I know more people who have bought this Mustang that wouldn't even have considered a Ford before. I was one of them. GM, on the other hand, brought the Monaro to the U.S. and said....."here's the new GTO, take it or leave it". Unfortunately, the U.S. market has given GM their decision.
 
Never underestimate the amount of success to be enjoyed by asking the customer what they want and then giving it to them.

#443 of 2056 Re: Ford isn't doing much better then GM graphicguy [graphicguy] by danman

May 05, 2005 (1:28 pm)

Replying to: graphicguy (May 05, 2005 12:31 pm)
They didn't even advertise the car, ala Mercury Marauder. At least Ford learned from that and advertises the Mustang. Too bad they couldn't have brought the Holden division here, they have some other nice vehicles in their lineup including a 4 door version of the GTO, a El camino version, etc. Pretty ncie. They are limited on 18,000 per year BS. I am in the market for something aftermy fiasco with that 2005 Mustang. I am going going to buy GTO, really like it, despite what the press says, I went into the test drive think negative, but came away surprised, very nice driving car. I think my Mustang was sportier. but GTO feels like Luxury/sport. I think I am going to do it. For me the manual shifer feeling rubbery means nothing, I prefer automatics in my cars. Trunk was tiny, but then again I am not buying the car for the trunk. GTO feels like it will be more comfortable on a long trip too.

#444 of 2056 Re: Ford isn't doing much better then GM graphicguy [danman] by graphicguy

May 05, 2005 (1:49 pm)

Replying to: danman (May 05, 2005 1:28 pm)
Good luck with your GTO purchase.
 
I do think it's a travesty that GM throws more money into SSR marketing than they do to the GTO. But, that may tell you how GM feels about the model and what the future holds for the GTO.

#445 of 2056 Just wait... by realty_pro

May 05, 2005 (2:32 pm)

for the 2007 Shelby Mustang. 5.4 litre V-8, 450 ponies....

#446 of 2056 Re: Just wait... [realty_pro] by graphicguy

May 05, 2005 (2:56 pm)

Replying to: realty_pro (May 05, 2005 2:32 pm)
My guess is the GT500 will have quite a bit more than 450 ponies. They are going to trump the Z06, which will have 500 HP.
 
Also, don't be so certain there won't be some Bullitts and Machs coming along soon, either.
 
There are lots of different ways to go with either the 4.6L or the 5.4L.
 
Given that '05 Mustang GTs are all sold out and that the '06 models will be sold out, at least initially, Ford has lots of leeway in what they can do.
 
For now, I'm very happy with my '05 GT. Until Ford releases the GT500, I'll wait and see what else they may come up with. I don't even know if I'd be interested in the GT500 considering how the regular GT sells for MSRP and above. Dealers will, no doubt, hold to MSRP and above on the GT500.
 
I'd be kidding myself to think that I'd ever remotely use the performance of the GT500. Hell, I'm having a hard time finding ways to exploit the performance of the GT.
 
I'll be taking the 'Stang on its first road trip this weekend to the KY DERBY. That'll be fun as the weather will be perfect and the drive will be beautiful through the horse farms.

Messages Page 45 of 206

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