Debating buying a 2005 GTO

[Kadarin]

.. and in searching previous ATOT threads on this, I ran across this one:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1601302&enterthread=y

Here NFS4 states that he could see someone cross-shopping between a GTO and a BMW 330Ci. This is exactly the dilemma I find myself in. I have 3 choices:

1. Keep the car I have, which is a thoroughly uninspiring 1990 Honda Accord EX. The advantage here is that I get decent gas mileage and no monthly car payment. The disadvantage is that the car is, well, uninspiring.

2. Buy or lease BMW 330Ci. Advantage: Nice car, and a chick magnet, according to my cute neighbor (who herself would claim to be unimpressed). Disadvantage: Expensive.

3. Buy GTO. Advantage: Also a nice car, and significantly cheaper than the BMW, but doesn't have the "prestige factor" (such as it is here in San Jose), and probably more of a blast to drive than the BMW. Disadvantage: Resale value likely lower than BMW.

The questions that I have to all you fine members of the ATOT community are: Am I "too old" for the GTO? I'm 36, and I wonder if the perception is that "punk kids" should be driving this car?

 

[tfinch2]

GTO

 

[mb]

Pontiac Employee Discount Price for 2005 Pontiac GTO

Selected Style: GTO
MSRP: $34,295.00
Pontiac Employee Discount Price: (approx.) $30,979.03 ?(Details)
(after applicable incentives)

Go for it.

 

[Zanix]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
GTO

Yeah, maybe a poll is in order

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
GTO

I would generaly agree, it would be as fun, if not more so than the BMW, plus it would be less expensive to maintain in the long run.

 

[Babbles]

Go for the GTO. The 330 costs a lot of money to make it a "decent" car, you can get a whole lot more bang for your buck with the GTO and heck in a way the GTO kinda looks like the BMW 3-series.

 

[iversonyin]

Not thinking about the Mustang GT at all?

 

[thechinesehero]

dont do american unless its a cadillac or a lincoln

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
3. Buy GTO. Advantage: Also a nice car, and significantly cheaper than the BMW, but doesn't have the "prestige factor" (such as it is here in San Jose), and probably more of a blast to drive than the BMW. Disadvantage: Resale value likely lower than BMW.

resale might be lower in % terms of what you actually pay (comparing resale value as a % of MSRP is just wrong) but it is likely to be a smaller absolute number simply because you can get a GTO so cheaply.

 

[MustangSVT]

BMW3 with a performance package...

or why dont you have your midlife crisis a bit early and go for M3?

 

[Transition]

Ah the GTO. The same car often confused with a Cavalier. Sure, i'd pay 30k for that!

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: Babbles
Go for the GTO. The 330 costs a lot of money to make it a "decent" car, you can get a whole lot more bang for your buck with the GTO and heck in a way the GTO kinda looks like the BMW 3-series.

What do you mean by "decent"? I don't think there's anything I don't like offhand about the BMW, but the GTO has an ugly rim/tire combination from the factory (in my opinion), so I'd change that.

 

[Demo24]

used M3

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: iversonyin
Not thinking about the Mustang GT at all?

Not at all. I drove the V6 variety (rental car) recently, and HATED it.

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

2. Buy or lease BMW 330Ci. Advantage: Nice car, and a chick magnet, according to my cute neighbor (who herself would claim to be unimpressed). Disadvantage: Expensive.

Looking at the ALG... the lease price for a $40,500 330ci and a $31,000 GTO are the same. That might favor getting a used GTO since the residual is so terrible. It would certainly be a caveat torward purchasing the GTO if you only plan on keeping it a few years. If you plan on driving it into the ground than obviously it is not a factor.

 

[gt07]

Originally posted by: iversonyin
Not thinking about the Mustang GT at all?

LOL

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

Originally posted by: iversonyin
Not thinking about the Mustang GT at all?

Not at all. I drove the V6 variety (rental car) recently, and HATED it.

Did you test drives all the car in this price range and narrowed down to these 2 choices?

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: iversonyin

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

Originally posted by: iversonyin
Not thinking about the Mustang GT at all?

Not at all. I drove the V6 variety (rental car) recently, and HATED it.

Did you test drives all the car in this price range and narrowed down to these 2 choices?

No. I tend to buy somewhat on impulse, and on styling. I like the body styles of these two cars, but not, for example, that of the Maxima or the 350Z. Back in 2000-2004, I leased a Grand Am GT, and really liked the car, and from what I've seen so far, the GTO is superior.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

Originally posted by: Babbles
Go for the GTO. The 330 costs a lot of money to make it a "decent" car, you can get a whole lot more bang for your buck with the GTO and heck in a way the GTO kinda looks like the BMW 3-series.

What do you mean by "decent"? I don't think there's anything I don't like offhand about the BMW, but the GTO has an ugly rim/tire combination from the factory (in my opinion), so I'd change that.

What I mean to say is that BMW really seems to nickle and dime you in terms of options on the 3-series. Heck, if I remember right the default interior is vinyl not leather.
So you can look at the base price of a BMW 330 and think that it isn't too bad, but by the time you upgrade to leather, get a moonroof, sport packages and all of that it gets to be pretty pricey.

As is my understanding, the GTO comes pretty loaded in the "base" package.

 

[LtPage1]

youre not too old. speaking as one of the "punk kids," the stereotype is for us to be driving flashy imports, or stupid domestics. the GTO is definitely an older, more respectable vehicle. i say test drive both, but i think youll end up with the GTO.

 

[Atomicus]

Originally posted by: thechinesehero
dont do american

Fixed.

 

[UNCjigga]

So I take it you're not interested in the Dodge Charger--too many doors?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: LtPage1
youre not too old. speaking as one of the "punk kids," the stereotype is for us to be driving flashy imports, or stupid domestics. the GTO is definitely an older, more respectable vehicle. i say test drive both, but i think youll end up with the GTO.

Seconded. As a "punk kid" who currently drives a Civic, the GTO is definitely Pontiac's old man car. Of course, you'll have to deal with the fact that it was designed off the Holden Monaro, and therefore anyone who drives one pounds sheep butt.

- M4H

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: UNCjigga
So I take it you're not interested in the Dodge Charger--too many doors?

Good question. In taking a look at it, I don't really like the interior too much. I also prefer the exterior on the GTO. I'm assuming the two are pretty close in terms of performance, but that's actually a lesser factor in my decision.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: LtPage1
youre not too old. speaking as one of the "punk kids," the stereotype is for us to be driving flashy imports, or stupid domestics. the GTO is definitely an older, more respectable vehicle. i say test drive both, but i think youll end up with the GTO.

Seconded. As a "punk kid" who currently drives a Civic, the GTO is definitely Pontiac's old man car. Of course, you'll have to deal with the fact that it was designed off the Holden Monaro, and therefore anyone who drives one pounds sheep butt.

- M4H