Car Buying Option... GTP vs. GTO

[fishtail8]

I'm looking for some input from anyone who's driven, owned one of the newer GTO's. Long story short, my current GTP got it and I'm thinking it might be a write off. Given it's 11yrs old with over 250,000kms on it. It needs 2k in sheetmetal, not mentioning paint yet.

So my decsion right now is, do I get into another GTP for cheap, or lay out a bit more and import a GTO up to Canada. Now one of the conditions on which car I get is that is has to be able to be driven year round, as a daily driver. Except for big snowfalls when I use the dually till the roads get cleared.

Would a GTO work at a year round daily driver? Rain, snow? I'm thinking with proper tires it wouldn't be a problem. I don't have to worry about having to haul kids around or that kind of stuff..... yet.

I don't mind the GTP's, but I'd been thinking for awhile that if I ever had to replace it a GTO would be a nice upgrade.

So ladies and gents, opinions?

[Takid455]

Never been in the gto, but own a GP. I can state that I know a fellow that had a GTP and traded it in on a GTO and wish he had the GTP back for everyday driving. He said the GTO is fun, but likes the GTP package better.

[mc84_zz4]

My son had a 98 Grand Prix GT, we were considering an engine swap for a GTP engine,
but now we replaced that with a 2005 GTO, LS2/T-56.
The GP was a nice commuter car, but the GTO wins hand-down, only that a 6 spd
for a daily driver gets a bit old. I prefer an automatic, we have a lot of stop-and-go traffic.
The GTO is a lot of car. When you punch the pedal and the afterburners light up, it's
a lot of fun.
It also can get around without being noticed by cops too much. :
You would probably need a second set of wheels/tires for winter driving,
but they would be 17"s for an 05-06, maybe smaller for an 04.

[ZuperZport]

Would a GTO work at a year round daily driver? Rain, snow? I'm thinking with proper tires it wouldn't be a problem.

I had a 2006 GTO and hands down was the best GM car I ever owned. Awesome power (2006 had the 6.0 - 400 HP), great ride (4 wheel independent suspension) and awesome comfort (the seats are VERY comfortable). The only area of the GTO I did not like was the brakes. Would fade fairly fast when driven hard. Otherwise a really fun car.

The automatics could be had with traction control - don't believe it was an option with the manual 6-speeds.

The thing to consider is the 2006s' had 18" wheels, like shown in my pic below, and you might have a hard time finding good all-season tires, let alone snow tires in that wheel size. Might check The Tire Rack to see what is available.

While the GTO was a great car I never dared driving it in the snow. Just a dusting of snow always made my 93 Mustang LX and 99 Camaro un-usable. I imagine the GTO would not fare much better in the white stuff.

Best of luck Colin.

- Scott

[HotRodKush]

I'm on my second GTO, couldn't be happier. Owned the first for three years, and my current one for the last year. Extremely comfortable, tons of power, plenty of upgrades available. Check out ls1gto.com, bunch of great guys.

[Derek69SS]

Anything is winter-driveable with proper snow-tires.

[mc84_zz4]

...The automatics could be had with traction control - don't believe it was an option with the manual 6-speeds....

The manual 6-speed GTOs also came with the traction control.

On a side note, and I am glad to say that the GTOs drive-by-wire has lightning fast responses to mashing the gas.
We have an '04 Trailblazer with auto tranny, and the drive-by-wire 'thinks' for a fraction when you mash the accelerator.
The GTO is always eager to haul azz. :

[Tony_SS]

I wouldn't want to drive a GTO in the winter... no way, not if you see a lot of snow.

[fishtail8]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not too concerned about the big snows, like I said, that's when the dually comes out to play. I'm assuming mileage would be decent depending on how hard one drove. I'm doing some hard thinking about it. I'll see what happens in the next few days, then decide which way to go.

The input is appreciated, but keep chiming in if more people have comments.

[absintheisfun]

not to throw a wrench, but given what you are looking at, have you considered a G8? If I were to ever own a 4-door, it would be this or a CTS-V.

[Tony_SS]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not too concerned about the big snows, like I said, that's when the dually comes out to play. I'm assuming mileage would be decent depending on how hard one drove. I'm doing some hard thinking about it. I'll see what happens in the next few days, then decide which way to go.

The input is appreciated, but keep chiming in if more people have comments.

I was getting 26mpg hwy if I cruised about 65mph... they are great cars.

[fishtail8]

not to throw a wrench, but given what you are looking at, have you considered a G8? If I were to ever own a 4-door, it would be this or a CTS-V.

If they would have kept Pontiac and came out with a 2 door version of the G8, I'd have been all over it. They are decent looking in a 4 door. I've also been checking out the Cadillac CTS Coupe's, minus the V. However something new is out of the budget, so used it is. ;)