Curious what you guys think about this. I have never seen the new GTO in person more or less driven one so I can not give an accurate thought but maybe some of you have. I know GTO has the power plant to out run the GTA ,but it was told to me from someone I talked to that used to own a 3rd gen T/A and currently owns a GTO that a GTO would walk all over it in a corner contest on the road or track and in the skid pad. Myabe it would, but then again I wonder if they are confusing "new car" refinement with handling? Now If I'm not mistaken wasn't the GTA in stock form almost hitting .89-.90gs back in the day? That's some pretty hefty numbers for 16 years ago. I could possibly see the old GTA in stock form maybe getting pulled some , but somehow I doubt it would get "walked on" on the course or on the road. What do you think? Of course we are talking stock for stock here.

 

The Goat has an IRS, I'm going to go with yes.

 

I just test drove the GTO the other day and took it around some turns. I have a low mileage GTA that I went to the dealer in to take the test drive - so I drove them back to back. The GTO looks like a rental car on the outside - and from the inside - as usual you cannot see the hood and the placement of the steering wheel does not feel as good to me. However, the power and handling performs much better than our cars as they are stock in every way. Simply amazing. if these cars ever get better styling - I would be tempted to switch out cars - or at least have both.

 

I was at an autocross event in my 89 WS6 and I beat a GTO. My car only has Koni shocks and no other mods. It could be that I am a better driver but in that crowd I am less than average.

 

They're gonna fix that next year, all of the zoomie parts are coming in. I'm surprised since they race the crap out of these things in Australia, that they didn't import the fat tire wing thing.

http://www.v8supercar.com.au/photoga...id=9643&pnum=1

That's a Goat, dude.

 

Yeah but some how the Holden's are cooler then the GTO. Even though i look how the GTO, its not flashy alot of other don't like how it looks. The interior is pretty freakin nice for a GM though.

 

IRS has little to do with actual handling over a smooth surface. It does help over rough surfaces (less unsprung weight) and WRT to feel, but it usually does not result in faster times on a road course or autox

 

If it's dead nuts flat, which nothing is.
Where I autocross the pavement is contoured for drainage so the IRS kicks butt. Even Daytona's infield has off camber corners.
The turn past the kink goes from camberred to a transition/ off camberred back to camberred as you go through it. No way will a live axle keep up with an IRS.

 

I think it'll depend on the condition of your suspension and what tires you are using. Those GTO's are heavy, so you have a weight advantage stock vs stock, but I think they come with better wheel/tire setups (17's) and the suspension is fresh. If anything, they have a definate advantage with the LS1/T56 over the L98/700R4 stock vs stock in handling situations. More power and better gear selection.

 

No stock GTO will be able to outhandle a stock IROC or GTA for a few reasons - the GTO is about 400lbs heavier (and has a 150lb lighter LS1); the GTO has a much higher center of gravity; the GTO has a more compliant ride, so it will lean more in a turn.

Oh yeah - IRS has nothing to do with handling, only ride and tire contact over rough surfaces.

 

Slow cars always handle...................

FYI:
1987 GTA
weight -----------3621
1/4 mile-- --------15.85
top speed---------n/a
skidpad-----------.85

2004/5 GTO
weight---- -------3725
1/4 mile----------14.0
top speed------ 162mph
skidpad----------.85


ref:
http://www.gtasourcepage.com/87GTA300ZXTest.html
http://www.modernracer.com/pontiacgto.html