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TEST
DRIVE: New GTO worthy of 1960s classic
Revived for '04, Pontiac model flexes V-8 muscle
Russ DeVault - Staff
Friday, March 19, 2004
Just on the off chance you haven't heard: The Judge is
still missing, but the Goat is back.
Pontiac has revived the revered,
fabled and overhyped GTO marque
(the Judge was a specialty GTO that appeared in the late 1960s and soon
vanished). But any relationship between the 2004 GTO and the GTO of your
youth --- assuming you're of a certain age --- is only in the badging.
Unlike the Detroit-built muscle machines of the '60s and
'70s (based on the meek Tempest, which had --- shudder --- a dashboard
shifter), this GTO is built in Australia (where it's a
Holden Monaro). It is bountifully powered by an
impressive 5.7-liter, Corvettelike V-8 engine
built in Canada.
So how does it go? Like a fury. Rev up its
350-horsepower V-8 with 360 pounds-feet of torque, dump the clutch and see
60 mph on its analog/digital speedometers in 5.3 seconds (General Motors
clocking).
It'll put the proverbial grin on an enthusiast's face,
draw stoplight challenges from every young driver who thinks his or her car
is hot and provoke speeder-seeking lawmen.
But despite all the hoopla, there are facts about this
GTO not exactly bragged about:
> Opt for the standard four-speed automatic
transmission, and the EPA figures go from 17 city and 29 highway miles per
gallon of premium unleaded gasoline to 16 and 21.
> Consequently, you'll pay a $1,000 gas-guzzler tax
upon exiting the showroom.
But be honest: If you pony up the base price of $31,795
plus $700 delivery for a coupe with a virtually inaccessible rear seat,
chances are you're not going to be concerned about an estimated annual fuel
cost that the window sticker pegs at $1,334.
To paraphrase Cyndi Lauper,
Goats just wanna have fun.
If you or your parents found that to be true with the
original, this GTO is going to put those memories to shame. It's a muscle
car, sure, but a very sophisticated one in vital mechanical areas,
comfortable to occupy and with a much, much better ride. It's better
handling, too.
Driving those old Goats made you believe that
"GTO" did stand for "Gas, Tires and Oil." The result, remember, was an oft-repeated ritual of fill it
up, replace 'em and change it.
"Bang for the buck" was a phrase yet to come
into existence, but the original full-tilt GTO sold for a paltry, by
today's standards, price of well under $5,000. Find one of those in mint
condition or ground-up restoration quality today and expect to fork over
more than a 2004 will cost.
Either way you get a head-turner, but today's GTO is
just as stout and far more comfortable.
THE SPECS
> Test vehicle: 2004 Pontiac GTO rear-drive coupe
> Price as tested: $33,190 (base price: $31,795 plus $700 delivery)
> Drivetrain: 5.7-liter V-8 with 24 valves
(350 horsepower), optional six-speed manual transmission ($695)
> Safety features: Dual front air bags, power anti-lock disc brakes,
switchable traction control, rear child seat
anchors
> Other standard features include: Air conditioning, leather
interior with eight-way power-adjustable front bucket seats, 200-watt CD
stereo with six-disc changer and 10 speakers, programmable keyless entry
system, programmable automatic headlamps, fog lamps, power windows, trip
computer, cruise control, power rack-and-pinion steering, 3.46:1 ratio
limited-slip rear differential, independent suspension, 17-inch five-spoke
alloy wheels with 245/45 speed-rated tires, dual exhaust with chrome tips,
rear spoiler
> Options: None
> EPA figures: 17 mpg premium unleaded city, 29 mpg highway
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