My Comparison 05 Mustang GT vs 05 GTO

RetiredGeneral said:

I went to the GM Auto Show in Motion this weekend. Basically, GM puts out all their cars and trucks and lets you run them on different courses. They also have a few sample cars from other manufacturers (like BMW and Mercedes). So I was hoping to have the chance to run the Mustang and GTO on the same track to see the difference first hand. Well, surprise, surprise, the didn't have a Mustang and I think I know why.
I got into the 05 GTO and bumped my head on the A-pillar. I'm 5'8" tall and had to move the seat forward to reach the clutch. Bumped my head again. My initial reaction was that it sounds sweet, nice rumble. The course I was on was more for handling so it didn't have a decent straight away, but I could feel the 400 hp under my right foot. The shifter felt very spongy, and the steering was very tight. In fact it was so tight that I had to keep taking my right hand off the shifter to put on the wheel. Then I bumped my head again. The turning radius was a little too big so several of the turns were 1/2 turn or more. I know that the IRS is supposed to make it handle better, but after taking through the course I think my 05 Mustang GT would have spanked it.
No wonder GM didn't have a Mustang for comparison... it would have made them look bad.
I think the IRS should be categorized as one of those EBay miracle items that seem too good to be true...

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dozlert said:

Dude...are you literally jumping into the car? I am 6'3" and have never bumped my head in the car. You are correct in that the GTO steering has a different feel from the GT (slower)...some like it and some don't. One thing I noticed with the GTO is that when you are driving it it seems like you a going slow, I think because it is so well-behaved and maybe a little heavier. In truth, you are actually going much faster than what you think. Just an observation when I go to the track...I feel like a slug but can smoke lots of other cars' times. I haven't driven the manual GTO yet. I did check out an 04 Cobra this weekend...your left leg needs to be built like the $6M man in order to push the clutch in...lol. Anyhow, Doc will add a better perspective...just thought I'd throw my .02 in.

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MSP said:

DocGTO!! What are your thoughts on this comparison? Do you agree or dis-agree?

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MSP said:

I dont think Doc wants anything to do with this thread.. LOL!! dont know why, but he aint respondin! Lets pretend we have back pains.. That'll get him in here...

Ouch, anyone know how to fix backs around here?

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Doc GTO said:

I have hands of gold!!!

My patient's love the fact that I don't play golf like other doctors - I like to drive fast - anywhere!!!

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MSP said:

LOL!! AHH!! Backs all better now.. He sent me on my way, before I could ask him about what his opinon was.. Oh well, he set me up with an appointment next month.. Damn, that secretary was cute!! I hope he's not drivin her that fast! LOL!!

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Doc GTO said:

Well, I'm a road course racer so any stock suspension is soft for me! The first time I took the GTO to the track it was bone stock and it did lean in the corners but it did stick well. I was quite surprised how the suspension did handle the extra weight. I put the car on the corner scales and to my surprise the cross weights were 50.1/49.9. That's kick a$$ for a production car. The GTO is to heavy and softly sprung to be a good autocrosser bone stock. It's hard to get it to turn in quickly at slower speeds on tight courses. With my suspension mods and wheels/tires it is a different machine-more what I like!

My thoughts are the 05 GT edging out the GTO on a tight autocross course due to less weight and a slightly stiffer stock suspension. On the faster road courses they should be the same or the GTO edging the GT out due to better weight distribution and cross weights!

In the end we should all mod our cars for what we like to do!!!

As far as hitting my head on the A-piller - No. Now, I have hit the bill of my ballcap on it trying to look in the sideview backing up the car! I'm a tall 5'9" . . .

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MSP said:

My bad Doc! I missed it.. Nice summary though, thanks for the comments.. So the GTO all in all is pretty good.. Add to the fact that you have videos to back up the public beatdown of 996 Twin Turbos, and the decisions get tougher.. LOL!

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Doc GTO said:

Well, I'm a road course racer so any stock suspension is soft for me! The first time I took the GTO to the track it was bone stock and it did lean in the corners but it did stick well. I was quite surprised how the suspension did handle the extra weight. I put the car on the corner scales and to my surprise the cross weights were 50.1/49.9. That's kick a$$ for a production car. The GTO is to heavy and softly sprung to be a good autocrosser bone stock. It's hard to get it to turn in quickly at slower speeds on tight courses. With my suspension mods and wheels/tires it is a different machine-more what I like!

My thoughts are the 05 GT edging out the GTO on a tight autocross course due to less weight and a slightly stiffer stock suspension. On the faster road courses they should be the same or the GTO edging the GT out due to better weight distribution and cross weights!

In the end we should all mod our cars for what we like to do!!!. . .

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05Stangster said:

Doc, are you moderating the right forum? You do so well in controlling yourself on this forum You must have attended the extensive training courses in college on "how to be politically correct on a forum that normally enjoys bashing the looks of your GTO and gives you a break because your a moderator who can the thread or ban you if you say something offensive like 'Docs GTO reminds me of an overblown Cavalier' yet keep your cool and provide semi-non-biased opinions comparing the GTO and the GT yet knowing you can kick most of our arses on the track anytime you want to" Seriously, nice to have you on board Are you seriously considering NOS?

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2MFF-Z28 said:

DOC is the man

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05Stangster said:

Doc, what do you get for mileage? Just curious as to what it was stock and what it is with your mods?

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