DETROIT - General Motor's Pontiac division today announced introductory pricing for the 2004 GTO, arriving in dealer showrooms in December. In addition, EPA city and highway mileage ratings were also released.

The GTO's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $32,495, which includes destination and freight charges of $700. The only available option is a six-speed Tremec manual transmission for $695.

EPA fuel economy for the manual transmission is 17 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, for an EPA composite mileage rating of 24.8 mpg. A GTO equipped with an automatic transmission is rated at 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, for an EPA composite rating of 21.5 mpg.**

"In this price range, there are few cars that can match the GTO in terms of its blend of performance, handling and sophistication," said Lynn Myers, Pontiac-GMC general manager. "With vehicles like the Vibe, the Grand Prix, the GTO and the Bonneville GXP leading the way, Pontiac is building a line of no-compromise performance vehicles."

Thanks Branden. BTW that 21 mpg for highway for the auto has to be a typo. It should probably be 24.

:laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce:

That could be true, because the 6 speed offers a Super Low RPM cruise gear which makes the Fuel milage Increase majorly! So the Auto might just lack the super hi overdrive gear!

Get the manual anyway,, :type:

Originally posted by Tails@Nov 3 2003, 07:23 PM
Thanks Branden. BTW that 21 mpg for highway for the auto has to be a typo. It should probably be 24.

:laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce:
Actually, it should be 26mpg I believe.

Originally posted by Branden@Nov 3 2003, 11:53 PM
DETROIT - General Motor's Pontiac division today announced introductory pricing for the 2004 GTO, arriving in dealer showrooms in December. In addition, EPA city and highway mileage ratings were also released.

The GTO's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $32,495, which includes destination and freight charges of $700. The only available option is a six-speed Tremec manual transmission for $695.

EPA fuel economy for the manual transmission is 17 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, for an EPA composite mileage rating of 24.8 mpg. A GTO equipped with an automatic transmission is rated at 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, for an EPA composite rating of 21.5 mpg.**

"In this price range, there are few cars that can match the GTO in terms of its blend of performance, handling and sophistication," said Lynn Myers, Pontiac-GMC general manager. "With vehicles like the Vibe, the Grand Prix, the GTO and the Bonneville GXP leading the way, Pontiac is building a line of no-compromise performance vehicles."
sweet...sweet...sweet...I need 4!!!

Originally posted by Davbo+Nov 4 2003, 01:56 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Davbo @ Nov 4 2003, 01:56 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Tails@Nov 3 2003, 07:23 PM
Thanks Branden. BTW that 21 mpg for highway for the auto has to be a typo. It should probably be 24.

:laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce:
Actually, it should be 26mpg I believe. [/b][/quote]
Actually if it was 26 then it would have been over 22.5. 23, 24, and 25 would yield the $1,000 tax. It would be a bummer if it was 25. The combined formula would then be 22.383 and missing by .117.

:( :( :( :(

Well thats good. :D

Originally posted by Tails+Nov 3 2003, 11:37 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Tails @ Nov 3 2003, 11:37 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by Davbo@Nov 4 2003, 01:56 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-Tails@Nov 3 2003, 07:23 PM
Thanks Branden.* BTW that 21 mpg for highway for the auto has to be a typo.* It should probably be 24.

:laughbounce:* :laughbounce:* :laughbounce:* :laughbounce:
Actually, it should be 26mpg I believe.
Actually if it was 26 then it would have been over 22.5. 23, 24, and 25 would yield the $1,000 tax. It would be a bummer if it was 25. The combined formula would then be 22.383 and missing by .117.

:( :( :( :( [/b][/quote]
I believe the formula is 55% highway mpg + 45% city mpg. So......

.55(26)+.45(16)=21.5

HOLY GAS GUZZLER BATMAN!!!!!!!!!!!

It now appears the 21mpg highway is NOT a mistake. You can estimate the composite mpg with this formula:

(1/(.495/city MPG + .351/highway MPG))+.15


http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/info.shtml

Using 16 MPG city and 21 MPG highway would be 21.13 and a tax of $1,300 so you were correct in that the 21 is in error. Of course you can get a $1000 tax if it is 17 MPG city and 21 MPG highway (= 21.97). So one of those numbers has to be wrong. I find it amazing...well maybe not...that the government can come up with a formula that calculates an average number that is greater then the highway number??!!??

:laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce:

Sorry Tails, but all of the mpg numbers in the GM press release are correct.

You can look up the GTO on the www.fueleconomy.gov website and see that the 16/21 rating for the auto is correct if not a bit shocking. I guess the GTO really needs a 5speed auto.....

I believe you however running the numbers it still doesn't add up. Using their published formula gives 21.13 but they say 21.5. Maybe they are rounding off the numbers?? In any event it is still weird how the formula gives a number greater than 21 MPG. I am certainly not arguing that the tax should be higher. I am arguing that the whole gas guzzler tax is stupid, wrong and inconsistent. BTW I can't get to the car information at that website this morning.

:laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce:

If you go to the website they said the formula is an ESTIMATE of the composite mileage rating for the gas guzzler tax and that the result maybe off by one tax bracket because it is an ESTIMATE. Go to the website and read it for yourself.

Sorry, I'm having a busy work morning (imagine that) while trying to stay on top of all the GTO happenings.

Okay you win. My engineering genes are totally affronted however.

:laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce:

Dave,

The mileage as listed in the press release is correct, as well as the gas
guzzler tax. The federal government has set a 22.5 mpg composite mileage
figure as the threshold for the tax, which in this case is $1,000. The
final price of the vehicle, including the federal tax is $33,495.

Sincerely,

Jim Hopson
Pontiac-GMC Communication

:woot: :woot: :woot:

Lost in the mpg talk is the price! 32,495 WOOOHOOO!!!

Thank you Pontiac for keeping it as you said you would!

I am also having a hard time believing the 21 mpg highway. Maybe it's true but I would think 24 would be a lot closer wouldn't it? :huh:

...This is about time. The car looks great and everyone associated with it needs a hearty round of congratulations. Now IF the GM Card people will let me apply ALL of my saved dollars to the purchase of a new Goat, I will be a happy camper!

-Node

WOW :woot:

Way to go Pontiac for coming in UNDER the estimated price!!!

OK, I am thoroughly confused. If the automatic only gets 21mpg highway and receives the gas guzzler tax is the tax applied additional to the MSRP or is it included?
Since the manual gets much better highway mileage I expect it does NOT have the tax?? It certainly shouldn't. My 02 Formula 6spd can get 29 on the highway and has on a # of occasions. I am very pleased with it.

If the tax is applied after MSRP on the auto, wouldn't the final price on the stick actually be cheaper even though it is a $695 option? I would buy the stick anyway but can someone officially verify final costs after any gas guzzler tax both stick and auto?

Thanks!!

Originally posted by tripowergto@Nov 4 2003, 04:51 PM
OK, I am thoroughly confused. If the automatic only gets 21mpg highway and receives the gas guzzler tax is the tax applied additional to the MSRP or is it included?
Since the manual gets much better highway mileage I expect it does NOT have the tax?? It certainly shouldn't. My 02 Formula 6spd can get 29 on the highway and has on a # of occasions. I am very pleased with it.

If the tax is applied after MSRP on the auto, wouldn't the final price on the stick actually be cheaper even though it is a $695 option? I would buy the stick anyway but can someone officially verify final costs after any gas guzzler tax both stick and auto?

Thanks!!
The guzzler tax is in addition. The final numbers would be $33,495 for the A4 and 33,190 for the M6. You can see the price breakdown at www.gto.com by selecting News and Events and then pricing and fuel economy.

:laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce:

on the pontiac website its says their recommended MSRP IS 31,795$ plus a $700 destination charge. If you buy a manual its $695 extra. plus the Auto is at 16/21 and subject to a $1000 gas guzzler tax. the manual will be at 17city/29frwy and not subject to the tax.

Wow, only $32,495!!! Thats awesome! Gotta thank GM for this one, they did a good job on that price :beer: That is correct though if you get the auto, it would be $33,495, if you get a manual, you just add $700 for a price of $33,195. So $300 cheaper for a manual and you get much better fuel economy. Hmmm, thats a hard one :afro:

Thought I'd throw this in: My dealer handed me a GM Message Document today showing MSRP of $32495. It says this figure INCLUDES the $700 destination and freight charge.

I've never seen a car price expressed that way by the manufacturer before. We both missed it and figured the $32495 plus the $700, effectively adding freight twice! I just caught this tonite. I'll go in the morning and get it straight. Nowhere did the $31795 figure appear in the GM document. Sure glad I re-read the thing.

It does have in italics:" ** - The GTO equipped with an automatic transmission will be subject to a $1000 federal gas guzzler tax"

Isn't it nice to know how much your government loves the automobile? I'm sorry but this gets me steamed (even tho I'm getting the 6M). The small number of these cars should allow them to be exempt from this draconian tax. But nooooooooooo.... It's a sad state of affairs. :tongue:

This is great news. I am so glad that Pontiac held to the 33k price range. The fuel economy numbers may not be the best in the world, but I guess that was to be expected. Even so, they are not that bad. A five speed automatic transmission would probably help those economy numbers, but that may not happen until the new platform. It sounds a little weird, those buying a GTO and paying for the only option will pay less than those buying the GTO and not paying for any options. Although not a whole lot more. Anyway, it is finally good to hear the official numbers. Thank you Pontiac.

I think I figured out why the GTO's A4 highway mileage is so bad.

Think about all the other LS1 A4 vehicles in existance. Don't they all have like 2.73s or at least taller gearing than the M6 version of that vehicle?
GTO has 3.46 for all versions. Shortest gearing for LS1 A4 ever.

Do I get a prize? :P

You know, the EPA highway rating for my car (20mpg) doesn't seem so bad, with a TBI 350 and 3.42 rear...

my 2000z has 323 rear/ posi and is an auto

That is probably much of the reason for the auto's mileage.

the mpg for the auto sounds about right. I have a 99 Trans AM with an LS1 and an auto and i'm lucky to get 19mpg on average.

Originally posted by kevm14@Nov 5 2003, 10:17 AM
I think I figured out why the GTO's A4 highway mileage is so bad.

Think about all the other LS1 A4 vehicles in existance. Don't they all have like 2.73s or at least taller gearing than the M6 version of that vehicle?
GTO has 3.46 for all versions. Shortest gearing for LS1 A4 ever.

Do I get a prize? :P

You know, the EPA highway rating for my car (20mpg) doesn't seem so bad, with a TBI 350 and 3.42 rear...
i don't know about the vettes, but the f-body's came with a 2.73 standard, and a 3.23 option. I have the 3.23 in mine and get worse gas mileage then the 2.73 people do. :(