GTO marketing was a failure. First, the tv ads I have seen show like acloud and some unseen car behind the smoke screen. YOu cannot create expectancy for a car you never get to really see. Second, yes it needs a bettet look. Third, it has 350 hp which is very good hp; yet, not enough to take on a Cobra and too expensive to comapare to a Mustang GT or a Mach 1. Size up the GTO to imports from Japan and Germany and they all look much better, more bells and whistles and much, much, much more effective media adveretising.
I bought a GTO. Why? Because it is a 350 hp car which actually looks good for me and it is really well made inside out. Still, I wish I had waited for the 05'; nevertheless, that wish could change if the 05' is too expensive (then I would consider my 04' satisfactory). I don't drive manual shift so the 04' GTO A4 is the fastest, more powerful car I could possibly buy. You can give me a Cobra for free and I would not drive it because I will not bother with manual shift, nahhh.
I estimate the 05' will be much more exciting and will be received with much enthusiasm with its new hood, 400 hp and new brake system. Still, effective media advertising will be an important factor because if you look at the 05' GTO it's looks differ only on the hood and the rear from the 04' look. Consumer would have to more knowledgable to appreciate what 6.0 L, 400 hp and larger surface area brake system really means.
You and me know the difference between in hp between a GTO and a Crossfire, a 350 Z or a Mazada RX-8 but your everyday consumer may not. The fact that it follows a GTO legend means nothing to me nor to the average consumer other than the GTO name and logo sort of rings a bell and is nothing absolutely new to me like if it was named Monaro. In that sense, what is really happening is that the Holden Monaro is being imported into the US with a more familiar american name and logo, GTO.
I love my 04' and I would be even more excited if I was getting an 05' instead. The 05' is one hell of a car. Watch out Ford is cooking something really amazing for its next Cobra.