05 Mustang GT vs. 05 GTO

[Hatchman]

Just thought I would post up here, and get a non biased opinion of the two cars. Seems with the American muscle car, these are the two logical cars to compare. Sure there is the Corvette, but I consider that in another league, and the Charger and Hemi 300, but with those being big 4 door sedan's, I also consider them in another league. So just for arguements sake, how does the GT and Goat compare?

Performance:
Obvious, 300 vs 400 hp. But with the 25% advantage, why does the goat only have a half second advantage in 0-60 and quarter mile times? Seems it would be more, especially since the goat has a 6 speed to the Stang's Tremec 5. I've seen Goat times of low 13's, averaging around 13.1(1/4) and 4.8 (0-60), and 13.6 and 5.2 for the Mustang. Please correct me if I'm wrong. So for straight line performance, I'd give the nod, obviously to the one with better times and 25% more hp.

Slalom/skidpad:
Only a couple of articles comparing the two, but I've read and think the Mustang handles great, where the GTO is loose and kind of wallows around the track.

Styling:
Considering the very poor sales of the 04 GTO's, and how the 05 Mustang GT's are selling off the lot for 10,000 over MSRP, I'd say in general, the public likes the looks of the Mustang better. I know I do. I can't see anything in the GTO that reminds me of the classic late 60's muscle car, where the new Mustang takes several styling ques from the 67 Mustang. Hands down, the Mustang is far better looking (IMO)

Interior:
The red pontiac dash lights have just never done it for me. But the GTO does have a nice back seat with good side bolster supports for carving canyons with 4 souls on board. The Mustang rear leg room is non existant, so bring your Visa card, but leave you friends at home unless they're 10 or under. Surpisingly, the Mustang does have a much larger truck, I think it's about 4 cubic feet bigger. And the My Color fiber optic dash on the Mustang is pretty fun to play with, with over 124 colors to choose from. But between the two cars, I'd say it was a toss up.

Value:
The Mustang GT starts out around 25, and the GTO starts out around 31, so I'd say the GT was a better value. 5 grand could buy a Saleen supercharger, up the power to 430hp, and would still have a grand left over, and have a faster, better looking, better handling car.

So I would give the nod to the Mustang GT.
What's your opinion?

[GETSOMZ28]

First off, I think the numbers are a little misleading. The Mustang is geared super-low, so it will accelerate to 60-80 pretty quick, however, it also dies pretty quickly after that. The GTO on the other hand will pull on it quite a bit in the 1/4. I dont like the looks of either of them, but the GTO wins hands down in the interior department. Wheels will make a huge diff in the "plainess" of the GTO.

I guess it depends on the purpose of the car. For a daily driver perspective, I would definately take the GTO over the Stang for better all around comfort. If you want a more performance oriented car, I would probably look for a used 03-04 Cobra over either of these, or wait for the GT 500. I just dont see any value in the GT (supercharger will def void the warranty). Power is made just as easily in the GTO with a cam swap and headers.

I'll also bet that insurance will be quite a bit higher in the GT, so it may come out more expensive in the long run.

I think I would give the nod to the GTO if these two were my only choices.

[Hatchman]

Mustang rear end gear is 3.55 and the GTO is 3.46. Seems pretty much the same, even if the transmission gears are different. Super-low would be 4.10's or bigger in my book. Besides, Motive 4.10 gears are only $159 plus install, so not enough $$ to make it a deciding factor IMO.

It would be interesting to see if the insurance companies insure a 400 hp car cheaper than a 300 hp one. That would be a new one, insuring the more powerful and faster car for less. Anybody checked?

Also, I thought the Mustang pulled pretty good on top end. From 0-60 the GTO has about a half a second lead, but it doesn't gain more than around .1 second more from there up through the quarter mile. A .1 second lost from 60 to 105 I wouldn't call it a bleeder.

Bottom line is, the GTO is faster stock, so if that's what you're looking for, problem solved.

[92TripleBlack]

Times I came up with were 4.7 and 13.1 for GTO, a shade higher for the mustang. The GTO is 250 pounds more. So, why is stang close? Could be gearing, weight distribution, tires, and a host of other things. The GTO motor is superior in all ways, but that doesn't give you the full picture. Look at the F150 with more HP than Titan and its a dog.

[hipnotik]

since when does the f150 have more hp then a titan?

I am almost willing to bet my pink slip that the 5.4L Triton V8 is exactly 300hp. Correct me if Im wrong please.

[Hatchman]

Here's an article on this subject I found. What do you think?

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....age_num ber=1

[TOK]

GTO all the way. It's a little plain looking. I think I'd take the plain looks over the Mustangs slightly trendy/sissy looking styling. I'm sick to death of retro. I almost wish the Mustang was a flop like the T-Bird so Ford would just let retro styling die once and for all.

In a way, the GTO's plain stealthyness kind of makes it a sleeper, which appeals to me. Let that 6 liter LS-2 do the talking. GTO also has a gorgeous interior. Sporty but luxurious. The Mustangs interior is a bit square looking for me.
I've owned 2 Mustangs, a 67 Fastback with a 289 and 4 speed, and an 87 LX 5.0. You think I'd be biased towards the Mustang, but I'd be all over the GTO.

[hemieater]

I think the gto is ugly. the mustang is nicer looking neither one has much in the wow that is cool looking as far as today's cars go. I mean the gt looks like the old style,been there done that.The gto looks like a typical pontiac they have made for the last 5 years or so. IMHO.

[GETSOMZ28]

Originally Posted by Hatchman

Mustang rear end gear is 3.55 and the GTO is 3.46. Seems pretty much the same, even if the transmission gears are different. Super-low would be 4.10's or bigger in my book. Besides, Motive 4.10 gears are only $159 plus install, so not enough $$ to make it a deciding factor IMO.

It would be interesting to see if the insurance companies insure a 400 hp car cheaper than a 300 hp one. That would be a new one, insuring the more powerful and faster car for less. Anybody checked?

Also, I thought the Mustang pulled pretty good on top end. From 0-60 the GTO has about a half a second lead, but it doesn't gain more than around .1 second more from there up through the quarter mile. A .1 second lost from 60 to 105 I wouldn't call it a bleeder.

Bottom line is, the GTO is faster stock, so if that's what you're looking for, problem solved.

First off I was talking about the gearing in the tranny. It is substantially lower in the GT (the T56 in the GTO only has a 2.66 first gear). Also look at the difference at the trap speeds. 4-5 mph is a huge difference, which shows the GTO is putting down much more power while being heavier. The GTO has a IRS vs the GT's live rear axle, which gives the GTO a penalty on the launch.

Second, When I checked insurance on a C5 vs Stang, the Corvette was substantially cheaper (50% to be exact) while having much more horsepower. Insurance isnt base off of HP alone, but based off of demographics and a host of other things. Look who the typical Vette buyer is vs. the typical Stang buyer (mid 40s adult vs 18 y/o kid).

[GETSOMZ28]

Originally Posted by Hatchman

Bottom line is, the GTO is faster stock, so if that's what you're looking for, problem solved.

Well, it would be what I would look for initially. The LSx motor has tons of aftermarket support and is quickly becoming more affordable everyday (I think it will become the new 5.0, since LSx's are being put in everything).

Just giving what you asked for, my opinion. Ultimately it will be up to you...and it seems you are leaning toward the GT!

[GETSOMZ28]

Here is a decent looking GTO: http://www.w2wpowertrain.com/t-power-tour-05-2.aspx

[badlooser]

Hatchman.. The GTO makes a great low key street fighter with only some ecu work and a nice mandrell bent exhaust you should have no problem making 400hp at the wheels.I am not a fan of the styling a bit plain for me but nobody will notice it ripping it up the street. The Goat would be my choice for a daily driver. But if are driving the Titan all the time and this would be your weekend toy than I would definitly get the Stang and start doing performance mods and in this car you will be noticed . Maybe add a supercharger and or nice wheels and a exhaust some slicks and low 12s high 11s can be reached for less money than a stock GTO base price. How are you going to use it?

[ptgarcia]

The GTO has zero style. Mustang all the way.

[Hatchman]

Originally Posted by badlooser

How are you going to use it?

Weekend toy, plan on modding the heck out of it. I see a supercharger in my future.

[Hatchman]

Originally Posted by GETSOMZ28

Here is a decent looking GTO: http://www.w2wpowertrain.com/t-power-tour-05-2.aspx

That is a very nice looking GTO. The nicest one I've ever seen in pictures. It is a little non standard though, with the composite fender flares and huge aftermarket rims, but helping the bland styling tremendously. And 600 hp, wow!