GTO DEMISE

[2001SSDE]

News from inside sources, says the GTO is dead, 2006 will be the last year for the GTO. It appears that GM is not satisfied with the current levels of sales, plus new rear wheel drive platforms are slated to be coming out.

[LiquidFire350]

http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2978

[topendlt1]

Im a subscriber to "Hot Rod" Mag, and they had an article on this very issue.

I guess the GTO's sold less than half of the expectations.

Maybe if a 350hp+ car didnt look like a Grand Am or Prix, it would have sold more?

[Darth Xed]

The current car was a stop-gap car that was never intended to run past the 2006 model year.

[Transamman25]

well i care less ..they pull my Trans Am and Camaro in favor of an australlian GOAT ... Damn straight they get whats coming to them .. im sorry what were sales #'s for the F-bodies in 02 ? ok now vs GTO's ? Yea they lost money and it serves GM right

[Darth Xed]

well i care less ..they pull my Trans Am and Camaro in favor of an australlian GOAT ... Damn straight they get whats coming to them .. im sorry what were sales #'s for the F-bodies in 02 ? ok now vs GTO's ? Yea they lost money and it serves GM right

All the comparisions of sales numbers to Mustangs, Camaros, or Firebirds are irrelevant.

The GTO was not offered in a V6 or base V8 version.

A fair comparison of sales would be to the top of the line models.

GTO outsold Mustang Mach I and Mustang Cobra combined in 2004... hard to make a comparison for 2005, since the new Mustang didn't offer any Mach I or Cobra equivilants.

I haven't looked up specific numbers, but I'd be more than willing to bet that GTO outsold WS-6 and outsold Camaro SS in their best years.

[topendlt1]

Im not sure of the numbers like Darth Xed, but I do believe he is a right.

Nevertheless, it makes little difference.

The reason Fbodies died to my knowledge is this:

1) Not exactly easy to get into for everyone. Im 6'2 , and understand that. Im not saying a sports car shouldnt be low, but it should have been thought out some more.

2) Cheaply made interior pieces. Ive rode in some LS1's and drove one, and even the tightest one feels kinda cheap. Not good for any sports car. My dash and console( dont mistake, I love the design ) are so cheaply made, it seems it was more of an afterthought, and my interior is MINT. What about the huge lump is the footleg area of the passenger side?(for the cat). Also not good for a sports car that should atleast sit the front passengers with no compromies for comfort.

3) High prices.. what good is bang for your buck, when youre paying $32,000.00 for an SS? No doubt they are awesome cars, but 33K? You can get a 3 year old vette with some miles for than much. Thats one of the main reasons I love camaros and birds, 300 reliable and loud hp for alot less. Where does that leave the franchise when that aspect is gone? I can remember alot of '5th Gen'' forums, where guys just wanted the sticker price for the base Z28 to be affordable, they didnt even speak of its design.

Im an fbody enthusiast and take the good with the bad, but I expected GM to do better with such an awesome nameplate. They sure got the HP right though :thumbsup:

[Chris 96 WS6]

its not over yet: Lutz says new GTO around the corner:

http://www.5thgen.org/forum/showthread.php?t=198

[Red Devil]

Lutz should bone up and just kill the GTO and bring back the firechicken. KISS should be the operating practice for GM for the next couple years.

[sleeperSS]

Lutz should bone up and just kill the GTO and bring back the firechicken. KISS should be the operating practice for GM for the next couple years.

so lutz is going to KISS a chicken?
sorry wrong board :D

i agree BTW, RD. KISS is definatly the best way to pull out of the whole

[Flip94ta]

I haven't looked up specific numbers, but I'd be more than willing to bet that GTO outsold WS-6 and outsold Camaro SS in their best years.[/QUOTE]

You might want to check on that, from what I remember The WS6 was a very large percentage of firebird sales. I was to say 25-30%. Its been soo long the numbers are fading.

The GTO is a nice car, I hope it continues as a better product, ie styling, and comes back again. The current version is only worth buying used IMHO.

[Darth Xed]

You might want to check on that, from what I remember The WS6 was a very large percentage of firebird sales. I was to say 25-30%. Its been soo long the numbers are fading.

The GTO is a nice car, I hope it continues as a better product, ie styling, and comes back again. The current version is only worth buying used IMHO.

Well, I just looked up 2002 Firebird numbers.

WS-6 production was actually the highest of all the models!

Around 50% of total Firebird production!!

But it still was no better than GTO.

http://www.doodnet.com/mfba/02production.htm

[Fastbird]

I like the demise for the fact that it leaves a PERFECT gap in the Pontiac lineup for the re-introduction of the Firebird alongside the new Camaro. :thumbsup:

[topendlt1]

Also... It will make the 4 Gens go up in value... Why you say?

Enthusiasts look for just one car. A certain year with certain options. Its very obvious they will never build a 4th gen again.

And although the new ones will have new technology, more HP and better quality parts, it doenst mean that everyone is going to want one.
Confused..?

What if you dont like the interior, what if it handles wierd or the looks just dont "click" with you. Then you realize you want your 02 SS ( example )
back and know you have to HUNT to find one. Not only that, you will pay alot for it.

I mean just think of all the rarities. Firehawks, Blackbirds, T/A's with Everything, SLP Z28' SS, SLP Formula's, .... the list goes on.

Sooner or later, someone is going to want a certain year, certain color certain options, and thier going to dish it out to buy it. Im putting another 40-50k on my A4, and not because its the fastest or the best, but because it has all the things i was looking for, and I develop bonds with cars. ( laugh if you must, any real car enthusiast knows what i mean. )

Lets say a brand new 5th gen and my 95" are parked right next to one another in a parking lot. if someone tries to steal the 5th gen, i'll yell out something and call the police...
If its my car, I'll be takin matters into my own hands. its the same as helping a good buddy if he gets jumped. Its how much your car means to YOU, not anyone else. Just like a girl :thumbsup:

[Darth Xed]

Also... It will make the 4 Gens go up in value... Why you say?



Don't count on it.

I can't think of a single car that has gone up in value when a new generation of it has come out.

Quite the opposite, actually, the values generally drop.

[Chris 96 WS6]

There's way too many 4th gens out there for them to appreciate in value. Value is based on scarcity. If there were 100,000 Michael Jordans none of them would have been paid much. There's a couple million 4th gens out there, far too many to see any appreciation IMO.

[1970judge]

Shit i wish my 1 of about a billion 95 z28's was worth something.

[Flip94ta]

Well, I just looked up 2002 Firebird numbers.

WS-6 production was actually the highest of all the models!

Around 50% of total Firebird production!!

But it still was no better than GTO.

http://www.doodnet.com/mfba/02production.htm

Sales were no better? It beats the 04' GTO numbers, I dont know how many sold in 05.

BTW I didnt realize just how bad sales were that last year.

[Darth Xed]

Sales were no better? It beats the 04' GTO numbers, I dont know how many sold in 05.

BTW I didnt realize just how bad sales were that last year.

Um....... no , it does not beat 2004 GTO production. ;)

http://www.havican.com/GTO/2004GTOProductionFigures.pdf (http://www.havican.com/GTO/2004GTOProductionFigures.pdf)

Total 2002 WS6 (coupe and convertible): 14,908

Total 2004 GTO: 15,728

[topendlt1]

Shit i wish my 1 of about a billion 95 z28's was worth something.

Hmm....:candlesad

Chris is dead accurate ( hey, i do own a pair of Jordans!!:D )
Rare. That is the key word.

As the years go by, you will see less and less 4th Gen's. Accidents, fires, improper maintenence etc...
The rarity of your car will make it go up in value. Dont read what some apprasial value says, thats just going by age and mileage.

There are only so many 1995 Black Z28's with the Red and Black Interior, 1LE option, hardtop and 3.23 A4. ( My car )
As the years go by, the chances of finding an one goes down.
And for consumers like me, thats forces the buyer to pay more. I dont like T-tops, leather and some other small things im forgetting. In 10 years, I'll pay double for the car I have, whether its got 80K or a 140K.

1st and 2nd Gens are selling for over full retail value, with 80-110K.
Even third Gens that have been takin care of ( Iroc's, GTA's ) are pullin $10,000+ with 60-90K. Ive seen it.

I paid over 5K for my Z, and after I put 50K on the motor, Im selling it for over 5K( 2010-2012). :thumbsup: Just watch me...