Anyone got a Goat?

An 05-06 Pontiac to be specific. I'm having a major crisis right now over this gorgeous Holden Monaro HSV GTO:

I am planning on replacing my Mazdaspeed3 with a RWD, three-season DD this year and was looking exclusively at new cars (Mustang V-6, Genesis Coupe 2.0T, FR-S), but I'm very, very tempted to add the GTO to that list. Anyone ever own one? What's it like to live with every day? Major problem areas, gas mileage, insurance costs, etc.? It looks like it could be a comfy highway mile-eater while still being fun to toss around.

P.S. If (and that's a BIG IF) I get one, an HSV conversion is not likely. The HSV bodykit is four-thousand dollars shipped from Australia!

I have a 67. Does that count?

RexSeven said: Anybody got a goat?

Nah, somebody got mine.

Before you pull the trigger, here's some parts prices from a claim I had on one this week (approximated; since I'm too lazy to actually look this nightmare up this early): Hood, $2300. Fender, $900. Headlamps, $700 each. Front bumper assy, $1500+. Dopey plastic grilles, $200 each. Front emblem, $300. The shop owner and I agreed you'd have to be an idiot to buy one of these heavy pigs over a Corvette at these prices. Too bad, because I sort of liked them too. Once.

914Driver wrote:

RexSeven said: Anybody got a goat?

Nah, somebody got mine.

That was pretty good. Glad I hadn't fixed my coffee yet.

ddavidv wrote: Before you pull the trigger, here's some parts prices from a claim I had on one this week (approximated; since I'm too lazy to actually look this nightmare up this early): Hood, $2300. Fender, $900. Headlamps, $700 each. Front bumper assy, $1500+. Dopey plastic grilles, $200 each. Front emblem, $300. The shop owner and I agreed you'd have to be an idiot to buy one of these heavy pigs over a Corvette at these prices. Too bad, because I sort of liked them too. Once.

But I only have to pay the deductible....

In reply to ddavidv:

Yikes! $2300 buys me 2.5 CF hoods for my car or the better part of a set of KW Clubsports for a 911.

Cheaper goat.

I looked into this exact same thing when they were still new cars, back then it was only $2-3k for the kit shipped from down under. I still regret not doing it, and still lust after GTOs. I'd say do it. I've seen a Holden Commodore conversion on a G8 and was stunned. I still for the life of me don't understand why the General didn't send this car direct, and just swap badges. That would have been a treat!

Can't speak for the '05-'06, but I had an '04. Mine had a lot of engine and suspension mods. I never used it as a DD, but I definitely would have had no trouble doing so. It was a great cruiser. It could eat up miles in a hurry. Seats were really comfy for a long haul, and had plenty of support in the corners. I can't speak to the stock suspension, but I've heard it's pretty good. Mine was very tossable, even as big and heavy as the car was. I had classic car insurance on it, but I had asked State Farm about regular insurance as I was considering using it daily. It would have been no different than other cars. Don't know they had any specific major trouble spots, mine had no issues. As for gas mileage, I was shocked how good it was. Even with all my engine mods, I averaged about 23-25mpg in mixed suburban driving. If I was just cruising in 6th gear, I could get an honest 30. Hammering it yields quite a bit less.

I thought it was a great "GT" style car. Smooth enough for every day use, but could perform when asked to.

^This

Besides, the cost of a GTO vs the cost of a Vette still isn't close enough unless you just have $$$$ to play with.

ddavidv wrote: Before you pull the trigger, here's some parts prices from a claim I had on one this week (approximated; since I'm too lazy to actually look this nightmare up this early): Hood, $2300. Fender, $900. Headlamps, $700 each. Front bumper assy, $1500+. Dopey plastic grilles, $200 each. Front emblem, $300. The shop owner and I agreed you'd have to be an idiot to buy one of these heavy pigs over a Corvette at these prices. Too bad, because I sort of liked them too. Once.

The only idiot here is the shop owner. Street prices for those parts are much cheaper. I converted mine back to Holden body parts-wasn't near that expensive. "Heavy pigs"? Hardly. Mine worked very well at Willow Springs and other tracks, with simple brake pad, fluid and tire upgrades. Great cars, available at bargain prices.

Ferrari GTO tearoffguys where in West Palm laying on some paint protect on this awesome car and a new porsche RS 4.0

The customer is getting a GTO RX which puts him in line to buy an ENZO

Strike_Zero wrote: ^This Besides, the cost of a GTO vs the cost of a Vette still isn't close enough unless you just have $$$$ to play with.

Its a dumb comparison, regardless. Two completely different catagories of vehicle. The GTO has very roomy and comfortable rear seats. I've taken three friends for cross state tours in mine-eveyone is happy. Can't do that in my Vette.

Do it. I've driven many thousands of miles in one and raced two of them. They are fine machines.

Another car GM messed up. the GTO was a great car, you need to do it now!

And we want pictures

ddavidv wrote: Before you pull the trigger, here's some parts prices from a claim I had on one this week (approximated; since I'm too lazy to actually look this nightmare up this early): Hood, $2300. Fender, $900. Headlamps, $700 each. Front bumper assy, $1500+. Dopey plastic grilles, $200 each. Front emblem, $300. The shop owner and I agreed you'd have to be an idiot to buy one of these heavy pigs over a Corvette at these prices. Too bad, because I sort of liked them too. Once.

How does that compare to any other modern car? I've heard a Viper hood costs over $10,000, but I don't think that means I should never own one. Hell, a new hood for my Volvo costs more than I paid for the car... replacement body parts are always absurdly expensive, and the newer the car the more expensive they get. Just don't wreck it, and if you do, make sure to have it insured.

mad_machine wrote: And we want pictures

As a reminder . . .

I don't own one, but have had a chance to flog a co-workers 2006. It's a competent GT, even the example I drove with old high performance all-season tires. With a nicer set of tires, I can only imagine the increased fun factor. Comfortable for long trips, 26 mpg with that 6 speed, good storage for a weekend getaway. Weight? Have a you seen the Camaro, any of the Dodge products?

forzav12 wrote:

Strike_Zero wrote: ^This Besides, the cost of a GTO vs the cost of a Vette still isn't close enough unless you just have $$$$ to play with.

Its a dumb comparison, regardless. Two completely different catagories of vehicle. The GTO has very roomy and comfortable rear seats. I've taken three friends for cross state tours in mine-eveyone is happy. Can't do that in my Vette.

QFT!!

As much as peeps complain about how bad the Vette's seats and interior are. The GTO seats are some of the most awesome factory seats I've sat in; likewise with the interior. Simple and down right good looking.

Strike_Zero wrote:

forzav12 wrote:

Strike_Zero wrote: ^This Besides, the cost of a GTO vs the cost of a Vette still isn't close enough unless you just have $$$$ to play with.

Its a dumb comparison, regardless. Two completely different catagories of vehicle. The GTO has very roomy and comfortable rear seats. I've taken three friends for cross state tours in mine-eveyone is happy. Can't do that in my Vette.

QFT!! As much as peeps complain about how bad the Vette's seats and interior are. The GTO seats are some of the most awesome factory seats I've sat in; likewise with the interior. Simple and down right good looking.

For comparison look at a 2004-2006 C5 or C6 interior next to a GTO, the GTO should remind you of BMW of late while the vette should remind you of 90s GM...

Having owned quite a few of them I would definately consider it. They are well built, are quick, and ride nice. Parts can be found much cheaper then what was quoted above, I've parted 12 of them. Look at Ls1gto.com for any info.

I sat in one, and wanted it immediately. Great seats, great engine, RWD...still want one.

moparman76_69 wrote: Cuter goat.

Fixed that for you

A local Silver 04 for $12K...

The interior is soooooooo nice:

Check the red gauges and detail stitching (these colors vary depending on the color of your goat, a great touch):

Personally though, I dig the colored interiors:

Modded 04 for $11.5K

426rwhp modded 04 for $12K!