The GTO is dead?

[Dave-S]

Maybe this is old news, but the latest issue of Motor Trend that I just recieved is reporting that there will not be a new GTO. It's dead after the current model is discontinued.

Can anyone else substantiate this?

[wolfdogs]

I can't confirm it...... and I dont think a mag rag can either...

you never know... we have to just wait and see just like throughout auto model history... when in 2002, gm said the camaro was dead.........now look?

gm is hurting for money, as is ford...there is going to be alot of changes in the muscle car world if Americans dont start buying American cars again..... thats for sure.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

there is going to be alot of changes in the muscle car world if Americans dont start buying American cars again..... thats for sure.

I'm not really sure if you really meant to say it that way, so this is by no means an accusation against you, so please don't take it that way...

Why is it that we often say, "...if Americans don't start buying American cars again"??? Why should it be the consumer's responsibility to keep a company afloat - when the majority of that company's products are below average for the industry? GM has a few great cars, but more than their fair share of bland "me too" nothing-to-get-excited-about cars. To me, the owness and responsbility of selling more cars rests entirely at GM. While it's true their quality and durability is much better than it was in the 80s, they are still paying the price for the piles of junk that they released in the 80s... and they deserve to. Their biggest campaign or push right now needs to be building cars that make people want to drive. Short of the Cadillac line and the Corvette... they really don't have much of that. I really feel the responsibility lies with them - not with their consumers.

[wolfdogs]

I'm not really sure if you really meant to say it that way, so this is by no means an accusation against you, so please don't take it that way...

Why is it that we often say, "...if Americans don't start buying American cars again"??? Why should it be the consumer's responsibility to keep a company afloat - when the majority of that company's products are below average for the industry? GM has a few great cars, but more than their fair share of bland "me too" nothing-to-get-excited-about cars. To me, the owness and responsbility of selling more cars rests entirely at GM. While it's true their quality and durability is much better than it was in the 80s, they are still paying the price for the piles of junk that they released in the 80s... and they deserve to. Their biggest campaign or push right now needs to be building cars that make people want to drive. Short of the Cadillac line and the Corvette... they really don't have much of that. I really feel the responsibility lies with them - not with their consumers.

yes, its thier responsibility......no doubt.......

but like i said.................

[Injuneer]

You overlooked the Buick line of cars..... top ratings in customer satisfaction, reliability and quality, according the JD Powers surveys. Like many people, you seem to assume if its American, its junk.

[TraceZ]

You overlooked the Buick line of cars..... top ratings in customer satisfaction, reliability and quality, according the JD Powers surveys. Like many people, you seem to assume if its American, its junk.

Lincoln is up towards the top too. I think it goes Lexus, Lincoln Buick or something like that.
Chevy is even above average.
American cars are very competative when it comes to quality.


If Pontiac is to bring back the Firebird, they might as well kill the GTO. Too much market crossover.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

You overlooked the Buick line of cars..... top ratings in customer satisfaction, reliability and quality, according the JD Powers surveys. Like many people, you seem to assume if its American, its junk.

Buick is just about the worst-selling GM brand there is. It's because of their bland styling and completely uninspiring driving experience. I don't assume if it's American it's junk... I'm aware of the quality... but drive a LaCrosse and then drive a 5-series Bimmer. The driver experience is completely neglected in Buicks - just like most other GM sedans.

[Joe 1320]

Buick is just about the worst-selling GM brand there is. It's because of their bland styling and completely uninspiring driving experience. I don't assume if it's American it's junk... I'm aware of the quality... but drive a LaCrosse and then drive a 5-series Bimmer. The driver experience is completely neglected in Buicks - just like most other GM sedans.

Jay, you are comparing Apples to Oranges. You are taking two different products that are targeted toward two different demographics. The Buick isn't designed to be a BMW beater. That is the market that Cadillac is trying to capture. Buicks are for the moment, targeted toward older folks who want a cushy ride and feel. BMWs are targeted toward the driving enthusiast and both perform their job well.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Jay, you are comparing Apples to Oranges. You are taking two different products that are targeted toward two different demographics. The Buick isn't designed to be a BMW beater. That is the market that Cadillac is trying to capture. Buicks are for the moment, targeted toward older folks who want a cushy ride and feel. BMWs are targeted toward the driving enthusiast and both perform their job well.

That's fine, but with the low sales, I wonder if it's really worth going after that market segment.

[Dave-S]

I am not sure what any of this has to do with the GTO, but let me put in my 2 cents.

Car buyers come in all ages and genders and have been "conditioned" to accept certain type of cars for reasons that may make no sense to you or I. Take Toyota for instance which will supposedly sell more cars than GM this year. Are there any Toyotas that have appealing styling in their car lineup....not for me. What about performance.....not for me. So why do people buy Toyotas when I can name at least a dozen GM models I would rather have than a Toyota. The answer is because "they do". It could be a quality perception, it could be the dealer service departments, it could be any number of things that I don't understand......but it is what it is.

There is no one thing that will save GM or Ford at this point. They need to become lean and mean to survive and that is what I see them trying to do. But it will be a long time before they are truly healthy no matter what they do. In the meantime, I guess I am old fashioned and I believe I should do my part and buy American....and I will. Ford and GM products are just as good as any import competitor in my opinion. They may not always be quite as "refined" (whatever that means ) or may not have interiors that look quite as good, but so what. They are dependable and solid cars for the most part and that is what matters to me.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Car buyers come in all ages and genders and have been "conditioned" to accept certain type of cars for reasons that may make no sense to you or I. Take Toyota for instance which will supposedly sell more cars than GM this year. Are there any Toyotas that have appealing styling in their car lineup....not for me. What about performance.....not for me. So why do people buy Toyotas when I can name at least a dozen GM models I would rather have than a Toyota. The answer is because "they do". It could be a quality perception, it could be the dealer service departments, it could be any number of things that I don't understand......but it is what it is.

I think a big portion of the Toyota crowd is in fact due to the erroneous "perceived quality" stigma they seem to carry. I'm fully aware that GM's quality and durability are better than most industry standards, but probably the majority of people are not.

Another major point is fuel economy... and believe it or not, I believe their ride quality is also a major player.

Another thing is the OHC engine design operates much smoother than pushrod - is perceived as "newer tech" - and it's a much better fit for a passenger vehicle. GM just continues to stuff that pushrod 6 in to everything they make, and I really do think it's hurting them.

[fastTa]

Ford and GM are seeing some extremely competetive Global competition right now....namely the Japanese. There are a bunch of great cars made by the Big 3, but it's time for American car manufacturers to step up their game. The "good enough" car just ain't gonna cut it anymore, namely fit and finish and better fuel economy.

[fastTa]

The V2V(Vehicle to Vehicle) R&D is one thing that GM is doing to take a significant step forward:

GM V2V Article on Freep

[TraceZ]

The V2V(Vehicle to Vehicle) R&D is one thing that GM is doing to take a significant step forward:

GM V2V Article on Freep

There is a great opportunity for hackers!! Hack the frequency the vehicles communicate on and fake them all into thinking there is a collision about to happen. Nice.

As long as it has a "off" switch. I dont like any technology that takes control of my vehicle away from me without a choice.

I have a friend with DRLs on his car. He cant shut his headlights off, no matter what. This sucks because there are times when it is proper to shut off his headlights, like when we have the holiday of lights presentation at Olin park. Everyone drives through the park with their lights off so they can enjoy the presentation. Not him, he cant do it. Someone else decided they knew what was best for him and took the ability away.

Like.. What if I want to kill my wife by smashing her car off a steep embankment? I dont want my car to prevent me from hitting her.

[Dave M]

There is a great opportunity for hackers!! Hack the frequency the vehicles communicate on and fake them all into thinking there is a collision about to happen. Nice.

As long as it has a "off" switch. I dont like any technology that takes control of my vehicle away from me without a choice.

I have a friend with DRLs on his car. He cant shut his headlights off, no matter what. This sucks because there are times when it is proper to shut off his headlights, like when we have the holiday of lights presentation at Olin park. Everyone drives through the park with their lights off so they can enjoy the presentation. Not him, he cant do it. Someone else decided they knew what was best for him and took the ability away.

Like.. What if I want to kill my wife by smashing her car off a steep embankment? I dont want my car to prevent me from hitting her.

TraceZ, my 97 Grand Prix you couldn't turn the headlights off either... ever. The DRLs were on during the day and the auto lights came on when it started to get dark. I hate when some people drive around until pitch dark with their lights off, but I don't like not being able to ever turn my lights off.