Sorry Guys....

G

guinnessman

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So i'm off the weekend, turns out the Mustang i was going to see is a 7.5 rear end-that's a no go.

Tomorrow i'm going to go to 2 separate dealerships. And i'm gonna take a look at 2 different cars.

The first is a 2004 6 Speed Red GTO with 35K miles for $14,000 and the other is a 2002 Z28 Camaro (AUTO Trans) Police Package with only 23K miles and it is $13,000.

Which would you get, and why?

I like the GTO but i do believe they are heavy as hell, pretty much a souped up MARK 8 with a 6 Speed. The Z28 Police Package has HUGE brakes and it is less then 30K miles, sure AUTO's suck, but for Dragging they are more reliable.
 
Both have the LS1 engine, except I believe the GTO is rated at 350 hp while the Z28 is rated around 310ish (but I've read that they are underrated... closer to 340). The GTO is heavier, although only around 200 lbs more, if that. If it were me and I had to pick between those two I would personally pick the GTO. The GTO's interior is much much nicer than that of the Camaro both in design and quality. All of this is also assuming the prices are within range of what they should be going for. If that is in fact the case, I would definitely pony up the extra grand for the more powerful, newer, nicer GTO.

I guess the major deciding factor for you would be the transmission. Do you want a 6 speed? An auto? Yes, autos are more consistent for drag racing, but they also put less power to the ground and are (arguably) less fun.
 
I'd have to go with the GTO just because of the 6 speed power and also because there aren't as many of them running the roads as look-a-likes to the Z28.

Drive both and you'll be sold on the GTO.
 
I'd keep looking for the 6.0 GTO - at least that way you'll have no buyer's remorse creeping in about being stuck with the 5.7
 
Well to be fair if you spent the same amount of money on the GTO that you did for the VIII to run a 12.70 you'd be going pretty fast.

The GTO is about as fast or faster than that Camaro and much nicer in almost every category. Go with the later model with the 6 liter rather than the 5.7 if you can.
 
That GTO should be a little faster than that auto Z28, especially if the Z28 has a 2.73 rear. The GTO is newer and IMO much better built than a 4th gen Camaro. Only drawback is the small trunk and lack of hood scoops, though some like the plain hood better.
 
I would go for a GTO- but not an 04. the 05-06 not only had the 6.0 but much better brakes.
 
The 04's also had rear wheel hop issues & were prone to axle breakage, this was corrected for the 05's & up. You could likely find an 05 for the asking price of that 04.
 
The GTO wins in terms of comfort, it has an IRS, and most importantly half the engine isnt under the dash.

However, be warned. Some parts that break are a total bitch to get because they have to come from Holden (Australia GM division). Also performance parts can be really pricey. Headers are $1000, and gears aren't very cheap either.

So if you plan on staying stock or just a few minor mods than lean towards GTO.

Also plan on having to replace the bushings. When they were shipped over by boat, they strapped them down tight as all hell. So pre-mature wear is common.

The Camaro will be cheaper to make fast, and parts are cheap, and have a large following. I would look for a 6 speed which shouldn't be hard to find, but that is personal opinion. I have driven some fast auto's and with a stall they really wake up.

Edit: Have done a lot of research on GTO's since I have really wanted one for a long time. Also been around f-body's for years.
 
Listen to what even one else is saying, including myself....

Get a GTO....but NOT a '04. Get a '05-06 with the 6.0L. My good friend has one and holy hell is it fast.
 
Blkdvll said:
Listen to what even one else is saying, including myself....

Get a GTO....but NOT a '04. Get a '05-06 with the 6.0L. My good friend has one and holy hell is it fast.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't shy away from the 04 just because it is a 5.7. They are pretty damn potent, and respond well to mods. Just because there is a 50hp difference between the two on paper, doesn't mean it is that large a gap in real life. ;)

I have been on the GTO boards and read many a debate. The 05-06's are the better option since some issues were worked out. If you like the 04, don't worry about the power difference...it can be made up with just a few mods.
 
Well i just got back, bad news is that i didn't get anything. Good news, is that now i know i gotta save up more $$$$$$$$!!!

First off, the 04 GTO was a nice drive, pretty good feeling especially 2nd gear when you punch it at 40 mph. The problem was that honestly i just don't like the look of the car, even the 6.0 with the hood scoops. I'm glad i drove it though.

Next was the 2002 Camaro. THIS CAR IS A JEM!!! Like brand f**king new, even the little parts you would normally see rust on where clean in the engine compartment. It is AUTO but honestly it felt faster from a dig, maybe cause it is a police package version and the gearing is better? Don't know.

My credit is really not too good, it's 620 score. The dealer said i need to put $5K down and they would set me up on a 72 month term. I only have $3300 on me so it wasn't gonna happen.

PS he said that if i was to choose a newer, more expensive vehicle in the $15-20K range, i would have been approved even only putting $1500 down. I don't understand that though? Why would the bank take a bigger risk/loan with someone with bad credit (me) instead of giving a small loan for an older car? If anyone can give me some insight about that i'd appreciate it.

I love this Camaro, check it out!!

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...kId=20053&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&aff=national
 
Newer cars are easier to finance because if you default it is easier to recoup money for starters.

Hit up your bank and some credit unions. Bet you get better financing options through them. Dealers get a kickback from the finance company, so they are biased.
 
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