Why the GTO

Why did Pontiac stop making the GTO after 2006. That car was moderately price and you get 400 hp. What the heck  

I think the new GTO is pretty badass, but GM stopped making it for a number of reasons I think.

First of all...it's not an American built car...which is a big no-no in the eyes of most hardcore muscle car fanatics.  It's built in Austrailia.

It was designed and manufactured by Holden, a subsidiary of GM.  All of the new GTOs are technically "imports".

The fact that it really looks nothing like the original GTO probably played a factor as well...especially with so many other retro styled cars on the road (Charger, Mustang, etc.).

I think the biggest reason though was the fact that GM only contracted Holden to manufacture a maximum of 18,000 cars for 3 years...from 2003 to 2006.

The fact that there were reports of rampant dealer abuse (huge markups, etc.) probably sealed the GTOs demise as people weren't willing to pay said markups.

I'd be willing to bet that the GTO will make another appearance...although probably not in this decade.  My prediction...2011 will see the GTO released as a 2012 model...although they may wait as far out as 2014...release it as a 50th anniversary model.

Just some speculation.  

Honestly I love muscle... however i'm in the younger generation of muscle car's.  I'm into the newer style camaros love the gtos.  In my eyes the only other muscle cars worth owning were back in the late 60's otherwise it was all filler inbetween!

The people I feel GM is marketing these vehicles to are most likely mid 30's to 50 year old men.  If that is the case this market looks at these cars and they say why would I buy an australian car with Pontiac badges?

Just seems to me that they were trying to target a market that grew up with TRUE American Muscle and offering an Aussie performance vehicle just isn't going to get them quite as excited as the younger crowd.  The lines do not scream muscle car and the interior almost looks ricey to this age bracket.  "says my buddies father"  The vehicle just didn't have the muscle car appeal that it needed to get the people who could afford them out and buying one.

If they could release a vehicle marketed towards the 20-35 bracket I think they'd do a heck of a lot better with the aussie platforms.  My friend 24 yrs old owns a 2005 gto and loves it!  But he never could have afforded one new.

It's terrible to say but the only GM vehicles out there right now are all grandma grocery getters minus the almighty C6    

I've driven a few Cobalt SS Supercharged vehicles pushing 19 lbs. of boost off the supercharger with tons of bolt ons and I was NOT in any way impressed at all.

If GM wants to keep up with whats going on elsewhere they need to pull their head out of their A** and produce a well priced vehicle with some serious potential.  

What on EARTH do we want 18" rims on a 4 cylinder for from the factory?  Just weigh it down some more so it performs even crappier.  Looks aren't everything to everyone.  Potential is HUGE!

My favorite vehicles available right now are not even offered in the U.S.  I mean even for a budget car i'm sure the Vauxhall Corsa VRX would be more appealing than the Cobalt SS right now.  Superchargers just don't seem to have the potential that Turbo cars do.

Just look at what Vauxhall has to offer.  Twin scroll turbocharger with VVT on the Vectra.  That there is a monster waiting to be unleashed.

GM just needs some fresh ideas for the states because what they have going on is none other than. PATHETIC!  

I think the SS/SC was a good car at it's price point. Mid 13's with a $500 stage kit and around 23K for the car. If your driving 19PSI cobalt's around they are way beyond the efficiency of the M62 eaton. Oh and chevy is releasing a cobalt ss turbocharged the 2nd quarter of this year so you might want to do a little reading about that .