Yank's view on the Monaro (Pontiac GTO)

[E.O.D.]

First time poster, second time to this site.

First, a little about myself. I'm an American male, 29, raised in the south, currently in the military, and have been a muscle car fan my entire life. Until 2004 I had never heard of Holden, much less the Monaro. It never really entered my mind what you Aussie's might drive on a day to day basis. I was so enamored with all the nostalgic American muscle that those thoughts never crossed my mind.

As far as sports cars go I've owned:

1998 Mustang GT (quite possibly the biggest lemon i've ever had)
1999 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (TA was my favorite ever since seeing Smokey and the Bandit as a kid.
2002 Corvette Z06 (hardly any mods, sold to help build my first house)
2002 Corvette Z06 (picked up earlier this year after finances stabilized.)

I love my Corvette Z06. I haven't ridden in many exotics, but this has to be the most extreme vehicle i've had the pleasure of owning. The grip, the acceleration, the control, the ergonomics on the inside, the sound, the legacy, its all there. I'd post some pics and vids, but I have to wait for 10 posts =/

As much as I love the Z06, I think I made a mistake the other day. I test drove a GTO.

I've read the reviews. I've seen the Top Gear vids. I've tried to learn as much as I can on the web (like LS1gto.com). I know the reviews of the GTO are about 50/50. They love the power, hate the style. Interior is outstanding, chassis is excellent, but it doesn't have the "GTO look".

Apparently these folks have a skewed view of what the GTO was. It wasn't so much a look, as it was an "entity", per se. It was a sedan, cormfortable, and accomodating. Its chassis was sporty. Its heart, was a rumbling V8, with mountains of torque. It didn't appeal to everybody, and that was just fine.

Which brings me to the Monaro, and to why I'm posting here on your forums. When comparing the GTO to the Z06, there is no even ground as far as raw performance, and there never was meant to be. Straight line?..sure, they can be made to compete. But the Corvette is purpose built, and with a price tag to match. But the GTO is ALSO purpose built, and with a price tag to match. I have yet to find a car in its class with the same appeal, performance, and low price.

The magazine reviews might talk about how the rebadged Monaro is as far removed from the original GTO as Austrailia is from the Americas. From where I see it, you Aussie's are spot on with what the spirit of the GTO truly is.

The interior layout.
The wonderful chassis.
The incredible seats.

Don't be disheartened or disallusioned by what you might read or hear about the GTO/Monaro. While us Americans were busy counting beans, you Aussies stuck to the original formula of the muscle car. The Monaro is truly a remarkable riding sedan, with plenty of performance to go around. And if the GTO/Monaro is any indication of what Austrailian ingenuity has to offer, then I believe us Americans have a LOT to gain from our fellow enthusiasts across the water.

I'm thankful Mr. Lutz brought the Monaro over as a GTO. Otherwise, I never would have known such a wonderful car existed. Now, my only problem is....keep the Z06 or get a GTO...:nyuk:

[motionSS]

welcome to the forum ! and what a way to do it, with a good old monaro ass kissing :) :jester:

[zorro]

welcome to the community.

not taking anything away from the corvette they are an awesome vehicle, but if you are happy with the GTO go get one, make the front end look like it should (australia delivered style) and go from there.

my 2c

[Holden Man]

Welcome EOD, glad to see you like the Monaro. I've never understood why the outside styling has been bagged so much over there. I think the older it gets the more it will become a cult car there (maybe).

I would probably have the ZO6 over the Monaro though ! (very rare over here - look awesome too)

[GTS LSA]

I am biased..................... GTO ..........:burnout: :burnout: :woohoo: :woohoo:


But I guess if someone offered me a Z06 I wouldnt knock it back (right hand drive conversion of course)

Really comes down to bucks and personal preference at the end of the day...........

[traumadog]

Just another Yank adding my $0.02.

I am also an owner of a 2004 GTO, currently changing it to an '05 VY/VZ mutt.

I too bought it for many of the same reasons - LS1 performance, 4 seats, best interior for the price.

Thanks...

[ATTNSEEKR]

id say keep the Z06. never liked the monaro's

[Dug]

You do realise that every time one of you yank's add your 2c to this australian forum, that it's actually worth 2.56 Australian Cents, with today's exchange rate of US$ 1 : 0.779 AUS$.

Just my A$0.02 (or US$0.156)

[Holden Man]

You do realise that every time one of you yank's add your 2c to this australian forum, that it's actually worth 2.56 Australian Cents, with today's exchange rate of US$ 1 : 0.779 AUS$.

Just my A$0.02 (or US$0.156)

People who add their 2c worth are really adding nothing as you have to round that 2c down to 0 !!
:stick:

[traumadog]

Then again, I could add my "two bits", which would calculate out to around A$0.195...

[kand8979]

To add my 0.02cents.

I love my Monaro it is an awesome long distance car.

I have driven it over 1400km in one sitting something like 14 hours and I got out of the car at the end of the day and wasn't at all tired. It was truly an effortless drive.

Living with it day to day is also no problem, seriously for two people it's great and for four its fine once you get them into those back seats.

[CV860L]

As you can tell, Aussie's respond well to flattery about our cars and country (me included).
You'll make a lot of friends over here if you keep that up.
I'd personally go with the Z06 but that's only because I've been driving a Monaro for the past 3 years.
If you decide to go with the GTO make sure you do enough modifications to blow away Z06's........

[csv rulz]

Have you yanks seen what the HSV GTO looks like or the HSV Coupe 4 if so than i would be converting your pontiac GTO into one of those instead of the monaro.

Just my 2c

[traumadog]

Have you yanks seen what the HSV GTO looks like or the HSV Coupe 4 if so than i would be converting your pontiac GTO into one of those instead of the monaro.

Just my 2c

Someone up the road from me did just that:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/flashpoint_gto/sig%20pic/sig2.jpg

Personally, neither the regular VZ or the HSV fronts are common here (and they've only made some 40K GTO's overall), so any change is different and bound to be unusual.

And for me, I prefer the less over-the-top look of the regular VZ nose I got.
http://static.flickr.com/92/281701964_5241c650d5.jpg

[Pickles]

Welcome E.O.D.-Thanks for a great post. We were, in Aus, hoping for an LS7 engined Monaro, courtesy of our local Holden "hot-up company" H.S.V., but it never happened--that would have been the best of both worlds, wouldn't it.
I've been to America only briefly, to New York, & San Francisco, both incredible cities.
I'm currently reading a book about General Custer-"Custer's Luck", & am a fan of your old "wild west"-Tombstone, Dodge City, etc etc, so we plan to visit again one day to see where "The Gunfight at OK Corral" took place, visit the "Crazy Horse" Museum, & all that sort of stuff.
I think a few of us may be a bit jealous of your ZO6 (me anyway)-you can get them imported here, but the cost is $220,000 Aus, & I'm not even sure whether that includes conversion to RHD, which would probably spoil the car somewhat anyway.
Cheers, Pickles.

[csv rulz]

Coupe 4

http://images.cainer.net//uploads/hsvcoupe403.jpg

http://images.cainer.net//uploads/hsvcoupe403_04.jpg

[OPPYLOCK]

Z06 is the only American car I would consider owning and although our Monaro's are good (really damn good considering the old skool fun factor missed by so many car makers today) they ain't going to stack up against it as a performance car.
If however you like driving sideways on the lockstops and carrying three of your mates in comfort then I welcome you as an honerary Australian!!!

[macca33]

Welcome to the forum and good on 'ya for such a great post E.O.D.

Yes, the Monaro/GTO and indeed, all of the Holden/HSV V8s are good cars and this is because they are passenger cars that have a stylish sporty flavour to them. They engender a cult following because no matter which model it is, they have a raw performance edge, RWD and big engines that are still popular with people.

I've trawled thru the US forums and many do not accept the GTO, because it isn't as 'fast' or 'good looking' as the Corvettes. These people don't seem to realise that the GTO is a VERY comfortable and capable cruiser, that can go very well. It isn't an all-out sports machine in the same vein as the Corvette, it is more a sporty family car, that seats 4-5, handles and performs exceptionally well and can be lived with in everyday driving. The GTO has filled a section of the market at a time when US built vehicles could not and it has fulfilled its requirements admirably.

The truth be told, many people can't fully utilise a Corvette type vehicle, as they are impractical in many ways.

So yes, the Corvette is a GREAT sports car, which fulfills what is required of it and so too does the Monaro/GTO.

Cheers,

Macca

[APCLB]

As much as I love the Z06, I think I made a mistake the other day. I test drove a GTO.

Welcome to the forum EOD,whatever you do,dont test drive the next Holden platform,the VE.You'll really be in a pickle then.:nyuk:

[janhdt]

Hi Eod Welcome I Dont Blame The Negative Feedback Bysome Americans The Goat Gto Looks Like Ant Other Pontiac Front View I Believe Gm Shoukd Have Made A More Aggessive Front Bumper To Give It A Muscle Car Look Ratter They Made It Look Like Any Other Pontiac If I Was You Finances Permitting Why Not Buy The Gto And Keep The Vette That Way You Have The Best Of Both Worlds

[1HotSSV]

Welcome to the forum EOD,whatever you do,dont test drive the next Holden platform,the VE.You'll really be in a pickle then.:nyuk:

I couldn't agree more, one drive and I was sold. Rumor has it that this is going to be the 2008 Grand Am replacement....one word AWESOME! here's a link to pics/options of mine!
http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=65642
By the way I'm a proud and lucky American livin' the dream down under!

P.S. When I was in the service there was NO WAY anyone could afford a Z06...congrats on a great ride!

[pta78]

Funny how Americans want our cars and Australians want American cars. I think it just different to what everyone else has.

Go for the Monaro and Keep the other for a weekender. Be greedy and think of yourself for once.:nyuk:

[1HotSSV]

I couldn't agree more, one drive and I was sold. Rumor has it that this is going to be the 2008 Grand Am replacement....one word AWESOME! here's a link to pics/options of mine!
http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=65642
By the way I'm a proud and lucky American livin' the dream down under!

P.S. When I was in the service there was NO WAY anyone could afford a Z06...congrats on a great ride!

Oops should have said Grand Prix...not Grand Am!

[E.O.D.]

I couldn't agree more, one drive and I was sold. Rumor has it that this is going to be the 2008 Grand Am replacement....one word AWESOME! here's a link to pics/options of mine!
*link* By the way I'm a proud and lucky American livin' the dream down under!

P.S. When I was in the service there was NO WAY anyone could afford a Z06...congrats on a great ride!

That, sir, is a beautiful ride.

[Knight Phlier]

I love the Corvette it is like sex on wheels. I also love the Monaro/GTO - I could only wish that GM/Holden bring it out here and make it affordable - that would be awesome!

Then we could have the best of both worlds just like our fellow enthusiasts in the northern hemisphere.

BTW - Welcome to the forum :)

[Satansfist]

Coupe 4

http://images.cainer.net//uploads/hsvcoupe403.jpg

http://images.cainer.net//uploads/hsvcoupe403_04.jpg


mmmmm...Coupe 4:drool: Honestly of the Monaro shaped cars a black Coupe 4 and a yellow 2003 GTS would be the only ones I'd go for....nah I'm lying...

[csv rulz]

mmmmm...Coupe 4:drool: Honestly of the Monaro shaped cars a black Coupe 4 and a yellow 2003 GTS would be the only ones I'd go for....nah I'm lying...


The coupe 4 is by far the best looking version of the monaro. Its still agressive but it looks classy at the same time.

Just my 2c

[Cav]

Any Monaro would do me.

The Yank said nothing about the sound of the V8

[traumadog]

Any Monaro would do me.

The Yank said nothing about the sound of the V8

You know, I think our GTO's have a louder setup stock than the Monaros - are Aussie sound laws pretty strict?

[E.O.D.]

Any Monaro would do me.

The Yank said nothing about the sound of the V8


That rumble was indeed intoxicating. As soon as I get to where I can post some links, I'll link to some vid clips of my exhaust. I'm uploading them to youtube now.

[Mikey]

Hi E.D.O. go the GTO. The current Monaro will be a classic no doubt about it.

Have you looked into the whole Monaro Heritage thing? The first Monaro’s appeared in Australia in 1967 and the performance one started off with a 327 and then later with a 350 small block so the whole Holden Chev thing goes back to then (and actually before then for other reasons). The first Monaro’s were responsible for winning our most prestigious race "Bathurst 500", so they have race pedigree as well.

Part of the appeal of the Monaro in Australia is they actually look like sporty versions of our family cars, the same ones that end up as police cars and taxis etc. but in 2 door form (and some 4-door versions later in its previous life). That would explain the overall conservative appearance even with the GTO nose swap to you Americans.

The Monaro died in the late seventies when the whole auto manufacturing thing became globalized and less inspiring. Then early in this century a bunch of guys in design unknown to Holden spent their own time putting together a 2 door Commodore concept/proto based on the then current VT Commodore model

Well once the public saw this they just wanted one and Holden was ultimately forced into production with basically what we have today. A funny thing though at the time, Holden did not want to call it a Monaro but overwhelming public pressure showed Holden that they would not accept this car any other way. So the Monaro and Aussie icon were reborn once again!

Kind of ironic really when you consider that most GOAT enthusiast in America would not accept the Monaro as the GTO because it didn’t look what they thought it should look like either.

[swmn]

Kind of ironic really when you consider that most GOAT enthusiast in America would not accept the Monaro as the GTO because it didn’t look what they thought it should look like either.


It is especially ironic when my "plain Jane" 2004 Pontiac GTO that might be an Acura or something blows the doors off just about everything on the road.

I feel like the 'lack' of hood scoops is worth a couple miles per hour when zipping by the speed traps too.

And now I will have ten posts so I can put up a WTB thread in the for sale section. Somebody want to sell me some low miles rear suspension springs?