Hi, I'm new to this forum so please go easy.
These past few months I have been giving a lot of thought and doing quite a bit of research to getting a new GTO/Monaro. Being that I live in Europe it would be quite a commitment to buying one since they aren't available here and I hadn't quite looked into the details of importing one yet so I wasn't sure which GM badge would have been stuck on it if I were to go ahead with it.
I found that there are subtle differences (correct me if I'm wrong) like there is no Nav available for the GTO, the climate control is analog rather than dual and digitalin the Monaro, I liked the white dials in the Monaro rather than the full color coded in the GTO, but I DO like the GTO front fender and grill much more to that of the Holden/Vauxhall.
The down to earth, no nonsence 2005 GTO design (minus the stupid functionless hood vents) was something I drew me to this car and I was quite confident about finally getting one. I'm usually a Volvo enthusiast so simple design is my kind of thing. GTO's are certainly not common in this part of the world and I was definitly looking for something with punch and that would/would not stand out if you know what I mean. The fact that it looked like any other regular car rather than a 400 hp muscle car was awesome to me. A nice sleeper.
Then I find out that the current Monaro is going to be phased out this year and the GTO in the US will follow the next year which brought on the fear that if I got it now, I would regret it if the new one would be just that little bit better, and then I find this:
So now I'm stumped. Having looked forward to ordering one, I find myself in a situation of whether to wait for the new model year or go ahead with one of the last few 06's out there. Anyone have any info as to what I would end up driving badge wise in the Netherlands? I'm guessing I would get service from an Opel dealership. What kind of issues are most common on the GTO and have they been worked out over the years? Are there any differences between the GTO and Monaro that I should know about? I know the Holden comes standard with the 5.7 whereas the GTO with the 6.0 LS2.
Any comments, feedback, news will be very appreciated
Thanks!
These past few months I have been giving a lot of thought and doing quite a bit of research to getting a new GTO/Monaro. Being that I live in Europe it would be quite a commitment to buying one since they aren't available here and I hadn't quite looked into the details of importing one yet so I wasn't sure which GM badge would have been stuck on it if I were to go ahead with it.
I found that there are subtle differences (correct me if I'm wrong) like there is no Nav available for the GTO, the climate control is analog rather than dual and digitalin the Monaro, I liked the white dials in the Monaro rather than the full color coded in the GTO, but I DO like the GTO front fender and grill much more to that of the Holden/Vauxhall.
The down to earth, no nonsence 2005 GTO design (minus the stupid functionless hood vents) was something I drew me to this car and I was quite confident about finally getting one. I'm usually a Volvo enthusiast so simple design is my kind of thing. GTO's are certainly not common in this part of the world and I was definitly looking for something with punch and that would/would not stand out if you know what I mean. The fact that it looked like any other regular car rather than a 400 hp muscle car was awesome to me. A nice sleeper.
Then I find out that the current Monaro is going to be phased out this year and the GTO in the US will follow the next year which brought on the fear that if I got it now, I would regret it if the new one would be just that little bit better, and then I find this:



I'm guessing that sketch was somewhat based on the 1999 Concept Car which I think gives new meaning to the word UGLY in my opinionSpied: 2008 Pontiac GTO
All-new all-American Mustang fighter
By Editors of Motor Trend
Photography by Marc Cook
Motor Trend, May 2005
This one's a winner -- The design for the new GTO coming to Pontiac showrooms in 2007 as a 2008 model. The big, rear-drive sport coupe will be designed and built in the U.S., possibly at GM's Hamtramck or Wilmington plants, and it's likely to show up in concept form at a 2006 auto show, probably Detroit in January.
Internally called the GMX282, the 2008 GTO will be built on GM's new Zeta platform, now under development in Australia by GM's Holden subsidiary. The Zeta platform brings new suspension all around, with a more sophisticated independent rearend promising better traction and even sweeter handling. The wheelbase has grown marginally to 110 inches. The next GTO will carry over the 6.0-liter, 400-horse LS2 from the current car as well as the six speed manual transmission.
The new GTO looks more muscular than the today's model, with a fastback roofline and strong tension in the profile and pumped fenders. Overall length is down 0.8 inch to 189. The only retro nods on this car are the wide-track Pontiac-style front end and the twin hood scoops. Ironically, the design is being done under the direction of Australian Mike Simcoe, who designed the current GTO as a Holden Monaro in 1997 and is now responsible for all GM North American cars.

So now I'm stumped. Having looked forward to ordering one, I find myself in a situation of whether to wait for the new model year or go ahead with one of the last few 06's out there. Anyone have any info as to what I would end up driving badge wise in the Netherlands? I'm guessing I would get service from an Opel dealership. What kind of issues are most common on the GTO and have they been worked out over the years? Are there any differences between the GTO and Monaro that I should know about? I know the Holden comes standard with the 5.7 whereas the GTO with the 6.0 LS2.
Any comments, feedback, news will be very appreciated
Thanks!