Looking to buy either a used 02-04 L or a new/used 2005 GTO at the end of this year. I've been dreaming about owning a Lightning since the Gen. 2 came out in 99. I've been a loyal Ford guy for years and never thought I'd be considoring a Pontiac. I'll be fresh out of college starting a new job, so anything above 30K may be out of the question. The new 6.0 gto has really caught my eye, and either way I'll be modding which ever one I decide on. I was thinking gto and getting a blower for it down the road. I dont care for the look of the gto much but that new LS2 is hard to pass up. I know I may get some bias opinions here, but you guys can speak from experience having owned Lightnings.

 

Im not biased but still. U gotta go with the Lightning. There are plenty of reasons why i would pick it. U need to do whats best for u though. Score for me would be SVT=1 GTO=0

 

You can get a good used Lightning for under 30K. I say you get a Lightning you won't be disapointed at all.

 

tough descion buddy. I have thought about the GTO myself. Right now in life for me the Lighting is perfect, cause i can carry my stuff around and its really roomy up front for the long drive i have to college. When the GTO first came out i wasnt too impressed, but they really listened to the people for the 05, dual exhaust.. both sides this time and that 6.0L LS2 is awesome! I think that either way you will make a good descion and cant go wrong... both very awesome cars/trucks.

 

Lightning!
No GTslow!

 

the "kid" salesman I bought my L from, now works at a GM dealership and was talking about how sweet it was getting to race the new GTOs on the service drive behind the dealer, he asked how the L was runnin, so we went for a little run out back.
He was crappin his pants before we hit 3rd.
main thing , do you need a car, or a truck ?? We all want, but make your deccision by what will fill your needs best.

good luck

 

gotta go with the lightning, no cars, no gtslows please!!

 

I currently have both. I have a 2001 L with LT, Bassani, Roush suspension and 6# pulley and a 2004 GTO. I'm madly in love with both. If those are the 2 vehicles you are interested in, you need to decide what your needs are. If you want a ton of cargo space, and never need to seat more than 2 (yeah you can seat 3, but who wants to?) L all the way. If you need room for 4 (you aren't getting more because the rear seats are buckets), and don't need a lot of trunk space the GTO is a great car.

If you want, PM me and about any questions you might have about either. I know of a few good GTO forums as well. I don't think you can go wrong with either. Both awesome, low production number vehicles that have a strong fan base. Plus you can blow all your hard earned $$ fixing either up to be rockets.

Forrest

 

obviously we are a little bias.

however, I'm not too impressed with the GTO styling. TO me it looks like a cross between an cavalier (from the side) and grand prix (from the front). Also, Pontiac simply brought over a body that was being used in Australia and slapped the "GTO" badge on it.
I have never rode in one, but I heard the fit and finish really isn't up to par.
But with the 400hp model, who can knock it's performance.

Now how many trucks (or cars for that matter) can go 12's with less than $1000 in bolt on parts?
I don't like back seats in my sports car/truck.

 

eh if youre fresh out of college and starting out in a new job....maybe you should hold off on any sort of major car purchase until you know for sure you can stay with the job or not. i regret purchasing a new vehicle straight out of college...i mean i graduated ivy league...had a nice job off the bat with a multinational electronics company doing logistics planning. after working about a year...i sort of gave up on corporate america...had my office space mania...and am now just itching to go to law school this fall(which means im just a hobo currently hehe)

but before you do any sort of investment you should sort of see what means your job can afford you. unless you had no sort of loans while attending college...then more power to you...cause an L would be a sweet assed ride.

maybe what i say doesnt make any sense...but in college one tends to be isolated from a lot of the real world financial workings.....

i lived in an apt off campus while in college too...but once you graduated...have a real apt, real furnishings...the cost of regular necessities of life sort of build up and can become overwhelming...and if you buy a L or GTO...and i am sure the modding bug will bite you...the financial burden can become quite overwhelming

 

My bias opinion L all the way

 

Well I have an 01L and a 00 SS Camaro, and I love them both. But if I could only take 1 I would go with the L just because the practicality of a truck. Also the looks you get from people in cars when you can keep up or beet them is priceless, when your in a truck! Also the L responds better to bolt-ons. ANY LSX gen motor is expensive to build for power! Just my $0.02!

 

Please do not select the V-8 Caviler.

 

he is very right here. Its cheaper to make our trucks faster! and its bit different to have a fast truck rather than a fast car. you dont see fast trucks all the time, and they never look this good, hehe. but both desicions will be good

 

Get a Lightning, you won't regret it.