GTOs NOT at msrp - Tired of waiting

2647 Views 39 Replies 20 Participants Last post by Iron Horse, Mar 8, 2004

POOK

Discussion Starter · Jan 21, 2004

There are 5 GTO's available locally, none at MSRP. Meanwhile, my car, which will eventually arrive 200 miles from here, is nowhere to be found. U.P. automated system tracked the car all the way to Fairfax, but the railcar never showed as being empty. Therefore, I assumed that it was still on the same car, until I tracked it thru CSX into Pennsylvania. To top it all off, my dealer is offering me pennies on the dollar for my trade (2000 Maxima). He also just complained about what a pain in the ass these cars are to HIM, and wasnt too keen about finding any answers.

I sat in one yesterday, and nearly twisted my neck off ducking to get into the FRONT seat. Dont know if it was just adjusted poorly. Back seat cannot be comfortably entered by anyone who cant do gymnastics. I have 2 kids in car seats. I guess it'll do for them. Plenty of leg room back there, but good luck acccessing it.

I am at a crossroads here. I have to admit that if I didnt grow up dreaming about Mustangs and GTO's, I'd probably tell Pontiac to F. off and buy a 2004 Acura TL, fully loaded with Sunroof, XM, climate control, Navigation, side air bags, and a fully usable back seat, for less than a GTO, and even get more for my trade in. I am giving all that up for 80 extra horsepower. Not sure it makes sense. Any thoughts out there?

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CMNTMXR57

· #2 · Jan 21, 2004

I don't have a problem getting in and out of my GTO. It's a veritable pleasure compared to my F-Body which you need to be a contortionist to get in and out of. Back seat? LOL!!! It's only a back seat in the mere definition of it. The GTO's back seat is very comfortable. My G/F even commended it and she's not short either.

I agree these cars are being a major difficulty getting and are more a novelty item. But mentioning Akura and Pontiac in the same sentence is just criminal.

POOK

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 21, 2004

Well my heart is always with the V8, but it is hard to argue with reliability. Even GM has been quietly buying Honda engines to put into Saturns. The magazines' one complaint about the TL is torque steer. I never minded torque steer because it means you have some torque to play with.

Honestly, I would love to have a TL daily driver and a tempermental 68 GTO or 69 Mach1, but we dont have the room, so the GTO is supposed to be a little of both

I guess I am also a little upset about having to deal with the indifference of Pontiac and the dealers. One local dealer told me that if I bring him my GTO without titling it, he'll give me $500 over MSRP. What a sport he was! I wait 8 months for a car, drive to Orlando to get it, drive it back illegally for 200 miles, and I can have $500? I told him that I want $5000.00 over sticker from him, and left.

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tommycap30

· #4 · Jan 21, 2004

There was a quality problem with malibu's that stopped shipping in Fairfax for a couple days.They were released to be shipped yesterday.I suspect that most dealers who are asking over Msrp including us will lax and sell for MSRP eventually.It is as frstrating for me as it is for you because I have a sold order that is taking forever to get here

CMNTMXR57

· #5 · Jan 21, 2004

No offense, we could get into a real pissing match over who's more reliable, but GM has really pulled their heads out of their a$$es the past decade. The perceived gap of quality is almost nill and believe it or not (coming from someone who worked in the service lanes), Honda's have just as many problems as Chevy's.

GM putting Honda motors into Saturn's has nothing to do with quality either. It was a joint agreement that Honda would buy certain engines from GM in exchange for GM buying some of their's. I don't remember the exact specifics.

kbaba

· #6 · Jan 21, 2004

Sounds like you've already made up your mind. Maybe you should have a front drive "family" car - not a slam, but after driving the GTO for a couple of weeks - it's a little beast in sheeps clothing. This is a driver's, car meant to be driven hard - a family ferry it's not.

mistermike

· #7 · Jan 21, 2004

For a family car with a little zip, the new Grand Prix is awfully nice.The back doors are remarkable, and you can get plenty of goodies for the 3800. The 2005 Chrysler 300 looks promising, too. I am by no stretch a Mopar guy, but I've always liked the 300 for a big car. Now it will have some real power.

tiggerfan

· #8 · Jan 21, 2004

kbaba said:
Sounds like you've already made up your mind. Maybe you should have a front drive "family" car - not a slam, but after driving the GTO for a couple of weeks - it's a little beast in sheeps clothing. This is a driver's, car meant to be driven hard - a family ferry it's not.

That depends on your family. I spent my youth getting hauled around in chevy chevelles and corvettes

POOK

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 21, 2004

Mixer,
I hope you're right about the reliability issue. If you have ever been to www.pistonslap.com they sure make it sound like GM's head is still halfway up at least.

As for already having my mind made up, as Kbaba said, I've had a deposit down since June, and I dont even really need a new car. I inquired early on to make sure that car seats could be mounted in the back (although our other car is a minivan, I'll still need to drop off or pick up) and even determined a way to fit a 3rd child seat in the back, just in case that becomes necessary in the future. I have every picture and every article and magazine on the new GTO. I have the shirt, the hat, the keychain, 6 1/64 die cast cars, and even some 1969 era decals waiting to be applied. I just dont like being jerked around as I have been for the past 7 months. If my GTO comes in reasonably soon, I'll buy it, but I wont be jerked around until March, as 1-800-2pontiac said could happen. Heck the car is 3 months old already.

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DANSLS1

· #10 · Jan 21, 2004

Pook,
When you had problems getting into and out of the back seat, was the front seat all the way forward? When the seat is forward, this car is far and away the easiest 2 door I have ever seen to get into and out of the back seat - and I grew up riding in the back of a '71 Roadrunner. The only complaint I had with the GTO was the length of time to get the seat forward.

edsmaroonz

· #11 · Jan 21, 2004

Pook You Are In The Same Boat As Me. All My Friends Say That Iam Beeing Jerked Around I Hear Everything From They Sold Your Car To They Dont Even Make Gtos.. Everyday I Think One Way For And One Way Against Getting The Gto??? Remember This Is Just A Test This Test Will Last Well Who Knows How Long/// I Still Havent Driven A Gto Yet When I Get To Ill Go From There... You Are /like Me Just Totally Po/d Right Now ?/ I Hope To See My Car Soon If You Need A Fix Look At Cmnts Burnout It Helps A Lot Plus Read My Thread A New Count Look At The Folks There Iam One Ps It Will Be Worth The Wait.. But Now Its Fun To Make The Pontiac 1800 People Po/d I Call 2 Times A Day/////////////////

POOK

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 21, 2004

Schufan, I found that the seat base was out of the way, but the seatback only folded like 25 degrees. I was wondering if I missed a secondary release that would make it go like 20 degrees more

jfend

· #13 · Jan 21, 2004

just curious who the dealer is who has these gto's in stock, and if you know what color combo's/trannys are avail?
oh yeah, how much over msrp are we talking?
thanks

tiggerfan

· #14 · Jan 21, 2004

Pook, its the bolstering that prevents it from going any more. Though if you push it with your hand as you enter or exit it generates a LOT more room. Also while the auto forward/back button isn't fast as those quick release slide things, Its more than adequate when necessary. Of course I'm not putting 4 adults in my car on a daily basis or even a weekly basis.

POOK

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 21, 2004

ed morse sawgrass-black/black auto $5000 over
Coral springs Bar blue/black & Imp blue/blue, both autos, $5k over
King automall- 2 gto's- unknown info

All in Stock!

Tigger,
I didnt force the seat. The salesman was breathing down my neck. Maybe as the leather softens it will get better.

tiggerfan

· #16 · Jan 21, 2004

POOK said:
ed morse sawgrass-black/black auto $5000 over
Coral springs Bar blue/black & Imp blue/blue, both autos, $5k over
King automall- 2 gto's- unknown info

All in Stock!

Tigger,
I didnt force the seat. The salesman was breathing down my neck. Maybe as the leather softens it will get better.

Yeah, if you were a little closer to Tampa I'd drop by and show ya. It really isn't THAT bad, and its quite roomy in the back, but it is a bit weird getting into. Size also makes a difference. I'm not a big guy (5' 9" - 175lbs) so its not an issue for me. My dad on the other hand (5' 7" - 275lbs) isn't getting in there no matter what I do.

CMNTMXR57

· #17 · Jan 21, 2004

POOK said:
Mixer,
I hope you're right about the reliability issue. If you have ever been to www.pistonslap.com they sure make it sound like GM's head is still halfway up at least.

I was there when that site was created because of one disgruntled owner of a Vortec truck motor that had piston slap. So he set up that website to counter GM.

For every one LS1/Vortec truck engine that has a serious piston slap issue, there are 10 that don't. However, you never hear the stories of those of us who don't have a problem because we don't have a website www.nopistonslap.com! If you heard my 8.1 in the morning, you'd mistake it for a Cummins Turbo Diesel. But after about 30 seconds most is gone and it hasn't hindered the performance of the vehicle in any way shape or form.

POOK

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 21, 2004

Well, Toyota's 3.0 has problems with sludge, and Honda has had trouble with their transmissions, so I guess things are more even than Consumer Reports would have us believe.

I still want the Goat. Let's just see how much longer it takes...

CMNTMXR57

· #19 · Jan 21, 2004

Exactly my point.

If it has t*ts or tires, it'll give you problems!

ta206

· #20 · Jan 21, 2004

POOK said:
ed morse sawgrass-black/black auto $5000 over
Coral springs Bar blue/black & Imp blue/blue, both autos, $5k over
King automall- 2 gto's- unknown info

All in Stock!

King Auto in Ft. Lauderdale has two GTO's. One silver/black A4 and one purple/purple A4. The silver one was listed on ebay until two days ago and didn't get any bids. The dealer told me they want $1,500 over, but since the car didn't sell on ebay, they might be rethinking the asking price.

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