Charger vs GTO in Motor Trend

**NC-SXT** · 10-31-2005, 02:35 PM

New Motor Trend did a head to head on GTO and SRT8 Charger.

"While quicker than the Dodge, the pontiac felt less refined, less civilized, and less inviting than the Charger. Given the option to drive one, weather on a short stint or a long haul, the Charger is the obvious choice- the best musclecar for the job. In the end, "out of place" is how we viewed the GTO in context with the Charger."

**DriveATransam** · 10-31-2005, 06:43 PM

theyd be a good lineup. ive seen newer gtos running low 13s. saw one go 13.0 very stock. the 6 speed option is what gets people to buy the gtos though. and they are quite a bit lighter i believe. id have a hard time choosing a computer controlled st8 vs a gto.

**Rev.Hammer** · 10-31-2005, 10:17 PM

Not me. I would rather give up some speed and keep the fine ride style, confort, and conveniences of an LX.
The GTO has always struck me as sort of a 'Kit-bashed' car. The LX is total package engineering.
Hmmm... I wonder which one sells the most?

**Jaak** · 10-31-2005, 10:32 PM

No way I'd by another GM, even if it is a Holden. Did I say by, or buy? Anyway, GM's were great when I was a kid, but these days, I just look at them and go "Eeeeeeewwww". Well, of course, except for the vette.

I did see a red GTO that sounded sweet when it gassed it. I did say I like the vette, right?

**Rev.Hammer** · 10-31-2005, 10:46 PM

Holden, eh?
TAKE OFF!
hahahhaa

**Zentenk** · 11-01-2005, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by Rev.Hammer

Not me. I would rather give up some speed and keep the fine ride style, confort, and conveniences of an LX.
The GTO has always struck me as sort of a 'Kit-bashed' car. The LX is total package engineering.
Hmmm... I wonder which one sells the most?

More than likely the Charger since you have people who worship the HEMI and it is also going to be mass produced (V6's as well).

I have ridden in my friends 05 GTO, we didn't get on it much cause it was raining but the inside of those cars are so nice, I really like it. He ran the 1/4 at 13.1 @ 108 mph bone stock M6, wish he could have ran his car on sat he would have been in the 12's (much cooler air) but his tires were bald.

I really like the SRT-8 Charger it is no slouch! I really need to check out the interior of them one day and take a ride.

**TriShield** · 11-01-2005, 01:05 AM

I came to the same conclusion and promptly cancelled my LS2 GTO order this past summer to get an SRT-8.

I would have had to put a ton of money into the GTO to make it acceptable, including body parts, larger wheels, upgraded brakes, and it'd still be an expensive car with no interior features, a nearly impossible to access back seat, and a trunk that holds the fuel tank instead of cargo.

Even with the price difference the SRT-8 is a better deal, the only money spent will be for tint and HIDs. Everything else is already perfect stock.

**DAYTONA_R/T** · 11-01-2005, 01:53 AM

when I briefly considered getting a GTO, I figured I would end up changing out body panels for Holden parts, or aftermarket... the stock GTO has awsome performance, but lacks any style whatsoever... that and right now I have the mind set that I hop GM goes under.... but if you had the issues I had with my truck... you would probably feel the same...

**Zentenk** · 11-01-2005, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by TriShield

I came to the same conclusion and promptly cancelled my LS2 GTO order this past summer to get an SRT-8.

I would have had to put a ton of money into the GTO to make it acceptable, including body parts, larger wheels, upgraded brakes, and it'd still be an expensive car with no interior features, a nearly impossible to access back seat, and a trunk that holds the fuel tank instead of cargo.

Even with the price difference the SRT-8 is a better deal, the only money spent will be for tint and HIDs. Everything else is already perfect stock.

Obviously what you were looking for was a 4 door sedan that can go. Not a more sporty vehicle. I'm also pretty confident that with less money you can make the GTO faster than an SRT-8.

SRT-8 Charger looks great from the front (looks real mean and muscular like a truck), but from the windshield back its all boring, whats with that? GTO rearend isn't bad looking (much better than the Charger). The front of the 05's looks nice but I guess it has to grow on you, at first I never really cared for it (made fun of it like it was an overgrown Cavalier).

You said you would need body parts? Yeah I like the look of the GTO JUDGE too bad they wont be making that... but larger wheels? I hope you mean width wise not tall, unless you wanna hurt performance. Also what do you mean by interior features? I thought it was really nice, but then again I am not for all the power accessories, give me a cd player, decent seats (I also want a heads up display) small light back seats that you don't really need to remove for weight reduction and a go fast motor.

**sieb** · 11-01-2005, 03:26 AM

My roommate tried out a GTO for a weekend.. It has bawls and hawls them, and has some neat options, but... I'd still take my wagon, or an SRT8 Charger/Magnum.

bad
a. The GTO is just a rebadged Australian car, not really developed (oh, scoops on the '06, wooo...)
b. The fueltank is IN THE TRUNK.. Why? CG? I could fit a bag of golfclubs back there and thats about it.
c. expensive

good
a. LS2 in the '06's...
b. Two doors..
c. Better handeling than a T/A and probably a Charger since its lighter.
d. 6 speed

I'm fairly conservative when it comes to cars anymore, don't see much point to have more than 250 ponies in a car with todays gas prices but... Had the Charger been a coupe, this wouldn't have been a discussion. :P And I agree with Zen, the front of the Charger makes it mean looking, but, past the hood, it could have used more body work. The looks of the GTO on the other hand... meh, looks too much like the Grand Am/Prix series. Sorry, shoving an LS2 in it isn't enough for me..

**Zentenk** · 11-01-2005, 05:45 AM

Well the 05/06 have scoops yes but they also have the 6.0L LS2. You can also get one for $24-30k That is not expensive when compared to the SRT-8... its comparable to the R/T. LX cars look sweet though and can't wait till someone gets stuff done to the SRT-8! I just want to see more of them in action!

Same for the 03/04 Cobra's but who knows, people are brand loyalist. I could care less what car I get as long as I enjoy it. I've always been a fan of Mopar but its mostly due to the old school Mopar's and the Dodge Viper.

**lieu910** · 11-01-2005, 07:19 AM

The only advantage I conceed to a GTO is that you can get a 6-speed. Why D/C does not offer a manual in these cars is a mystery to me, and really a failure on their part to enhance the performance image and satisfy that potential market.

Otherwise there is just no way a GTO makes more sense than an SRT8 IMO.

**fogey** · 11-01-2005, 08:14 AM

GTO=4400 lbs.

**MCaesar** · 11-01-2005, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by NC-SXT

New Motor Trend did a head to head on GTO and SRT8 Charger.

"While quicker than the Dodge, the pontiac felt less refined, less civilized, and less inviting than the Charger. Given the option to drive one, weather on a short stint or a long haul, the Charger is the obvious choice- the best musclecar for the job. In the end, "out of place" is how we viewed the GTO in context with the Charger."

MT must have gotten an unusually slow Charger because the ones around here are all breaking 13 seconds.

As for handling, the Charger has a much more sophisticated suspension design so I doubt the GTO handles better - especially on bumpy roads.

**ohGr** · 11-01-2005, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by NC-SXT

New Motor Trend did a head to head on GTO and SRT8 Charger.

"While quicker than the Dodge, the pontiac felt less refined, less civilized, and less inviting than the Charger. Given the option to drive one, weather on a short stint or a long haul, the Charger is the obvious choice- the best musclecar for the job. In the end, "out of place" is how we viewed the GTO in context with the Charger."

I like that part the most. Motor Trend making such a foolish error?