Ex GTO Owners- How does the SS compare?

[ls2gto]

I have a 2005 A4 GTO and am thinking of trading it in on an L99 SS. I note a lot of people on the forum appear to have also owned GTOs. How does the Camaro compare overall? I have not had a chance to test drive the Camaro- my local dealer is one of those who does not have any to test drive.

Thanks

[Wisc camaro]

I traded a 2004 GTO for a 1ss and can tell you there is no comparison. Power, handling ride quality and looks all better on the Camaro. This is high praise and I loved the GTO.

[ssump29]

Same here wisc camaro, GTO can't compare. The GTO power feels more raw but thats about it.

[JewelZ]

how will the GTO do compared to 2LT/RS

[ssump29]

Originally Posted by JewelZ

how will the GTO do compared to 2LT/RS

The 2LT wouldn't be able to hang. Don't get me wrong the GTO is a beast, it runs well handles well it just the SS does all that and does it better with 10 times the looks. But the V6 wouldn't be able to touch the GTO..

[ls2gto]

Thanks.

I was going to say, the GTO does have a 400 hp 6.0 LS2, so there is no way the LT will hang with it in a straight line. That being said, I had a 2005 3.6L V6 CTS that had much better steering feel and chassis dynamics than the GTO. The main problem with the GTO is that it is effectively a Holden Monaro designed 10 years ago.

[travism29]

Did you guys have any issues with the front tire camber on your GTO's?? I had a huge issue with mine...ls2gto is dead on though about the GTO design...GM missed it on the GTO's where as the Challengers, Camaros & Mustangs all have that old school look/feel that the GTO lacks.

[trm0002]

I had an 04 GTO up until December and the ONLY thing the GTO has/had on the SS is the interior- namely the entire dash.

Seats? Just as, if not more comfortable.

Power? No comparison (of course I had a 350HP '04)

Exterior? No one calls this car a Cavalier

Stereo? No comparison (although I miss the 6-disc changer, the ipod/usb hookup is sweet, not to mention the bluetooth and much better steering wheel controls).

Trunk? At least double the cubby hole in the GTO.

"Wow" factor of driving? No comparison.

Think that about covers it.

[SGOS252382]

I loved my two GTO's (05 and 06), but the Camaro is a completely different experience.
The GTO is softer in every way (suspension, seats, handling, etc). The GTO has a more comfortable ride quality and feel. The GTO feels and drives more like a luxury sedan than a Muscle car.
The Camaro SS feels more like a Muscle car (from behind the wheel) when you drive it. I would say the over all performance (1/4 mile) is pretty similar, but you dont have those weak/dead spot in the transmission.

The GTO's A4 works well for drag racing off the line, but it sucks from certain roll speeds (35-45, 70-80). My A4 GTO's performance from a 35mph roll was embarrassing. You don't have those issues with the A6.

My A6 Camaro SS pulls really hard from every speed I've tried. There's no weak spots about 35-45mph. That was one of the first things I checked. The A6 screams from a 35-40mph roll. That's a big change from the A4 setup.

There's been several complaints about poor track times and poor performance from L99 A6 owners. But my L99 feels strong and I no dought it can run easy low 13s when the weather cools down a bit (S.W. Florida). I won't even waste my time going to the track when its 95 degrees and humid.

[ls2gto]

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

I loved my two GTO's (05 and 06), but the Camaro is a completely different experience.
The GTO is softer in every way (suspension, seats, handling, etc). The GTO has a more comfortable ride quality and feel. The GTO feels and drives more like a luxury sedan than a Muscle car.
The Camaro SS feels more like a Muscle car (from behind the wheel) when you drive it. I would say the over all performance (1/4 mile) is pretty similar, but you dont have those weak/dead spot in the transmission.

The GTO's A4 works well for drag racing off the line, but it sucks from certain roll speeds (35-45, 70-80). My A4 GTO's performance from a 35mph roll was embarrassing. You don't have those issues with the A6.

My A6 Camaro SS pulls really hard from every speed I've tried. There's no weak spots about 35-45mph. That was one of the first things I checked. The A6 screams from a 35-40mph roll. That's a big change from the A4 setup.

There's been several complaints about poor track times and poor performance from L99 A6 owners. But my L99 feels strong and I no dought it can run easy low 13s when the weather cools down a bit (S.W. Florida). I won't even waste my time going to the track when its 95 degrees and humid.

Yeah, the trans is what I really want. You're right about the dead spots in the A4, but I juggled the shift speeds with HPTuners to help fix that at least a bit. That being said, I drove a G8GT 6.0 L76 with the A6 and loved the high speed passing ability in 3rd gear. The trans made such an improvement overall that I really did not notice the missing 40 hp.

Right now, I have GM wanting to give me 7 grand off the sticker of a G8, plus whatever else the dealer with take off. It sure is tempting and at least the G8looks better than the GTO to me, but it ain't no Camaro.

[Gary B]

All you A6 Camaro owners that love your trannies, need to get a tune! You WILL NOT believe the difference once torque management is taken away!

[Nine Ball]

We really liked our '06 GTO, it was a great car. The GTO had better driver visibility and less blind spots, but we prefer the appearance of the Camaro. Build quality is about the same, seats feel very similar. Brakes on the GTO were horrid however, good on the Camaro. I liked the GTO interior a little more, especially the door panels. Rear seat room on the GTO was better, especially leg room. The cars drive similar to me, the GTO felt more ass heavy though. GTO had more body roll in sharp turns.

[ls2gto]

Originally Posted by Nine Ball

We really liked our '06 GTO, it was a great car. The GTO had better driver visibility and less blind spots, but we prefer the appearance of the Camaro. Build quality is about the same, seats feel very similar. Brakes on the GTO were horrid however, good on the Camaro. I liked the GTO interior a little more, especially the door panels. Rear seat room on the GTO was better, especially leg room. The cars drive similar to me, the GTO felt more ass heavy though. GTO had more body roll in sharp turns.

Thanks. By the way, nice collection of vehicles you got there. How's the G8GT compare to the SS? As I said in a post above, GM is baiting me with 7 grand if I buy a G8 this month. Of course, that will probably go to 8 grand next month. Anyway, I drove the G8GT some time ago and liked it a lot. It does not have the "gotta have it" factor like the Camaro but if I really cared about that, I would have bought a Mustang instead of the GTO.

Decisions, decisions

[iomamy]

My boyfriend has had a 2006 GTO since new - I've had my 2SS for a week. I must say - the GTO interior is miles ahead of my car...while I may have him beat on exterior styling - after 1hour in my car the A-pillar trim popped off, 4hours of him sitting in the passenger seat have left 2 10" creases in the "leather." His GTO has that nice thick European leather producing quality seats, better door panels. I hit my head all the time on the door post getting in though...so I don't see the difference between the two as far as roof height goes...I agree it feels more like raw power when driving it- but, question whether or not that is just more noise from the engine? Funny how different the shifter and clutch feel on the two cars - GTO is stiff and shifter requires some effort, while the 2SS has a soft clutch engagement and short shifter.

Trading it in? Hmm...I'd save your money...while the Camaro is hot now - it's also a lot more money than trade in for the same performance...it's a driver's race... I think that the 2006 GTO is miles above as far as quality goes (a bonus the "10 year old" model comes with) and from what I've heard from Camaro engineers - buy an extended warranty or be prepared... My GTO owner has been a little down on his car since I brought home my new baby - but, I think some stripes, and maybe the Holden front end to get rid of the Pontiac twin-grills, and maybe a new spoiler would make it a really fantastic car - and save your $10k for a twin turbo kit!)