Advice/Review 4th v GTO Affordable performance

[Barnesgn231]

Just sold my Buick Grand National back in the summer (17). I've owed 2 3rd gens and own a 08 G8 GT H/C/I car for about 3 years.

Was looking into buying a fun affordable coupe between 6-10k. I've found 2 04 GTO's and several Camaro/Firebird prospects in this price range I'm not needing an immaculate pristine car, but I don't want a rusty bucket either.
My goals are faster than 7.99 in the 1/8th or high 11's on motor and I'll go the full bolt on H/C route. I really would like a 6 spd M, it would be great to cut some 1.6 60fts with slicks (dream?).

What are you guys thoughts? Any both GTO and 4th gen owners? How's routine maintenance on both types of cars? What are the problem areas? I've always been told he GTO's rear end is hideously weak.

[0rion]

4th gen rears are no walk in the park either. Gto's have suspect suspension would be about the only knock I'd have on them. They launch shitty and strutt rub is an issue with some. Everything considered and my current age it would be GTO for me. I loved my 04. You can nitpick either car really but overall the GTO is more comfortable to drive.

[SMWS6TA]

I'd pick a 05 or 06 if GTO. Their rear issues are mostly the half shafts not able to handle serious power from track use.

[pajeff02]

Bye-bye GN. That's a car I could never let go. We added an '87 Turbo T to our stable a few years back. I was out enjoying it yesterday before the nasty weather set in.

With an F-body, high 11's with a cam or power adder are very feasible. On an all stock internal motor (but lots of other mods), our car has made a best pass of 12.3 seconds on a 1.6 second 60'.

[Barnesgn231]

Just test drove: 1999 Z28 6M with a cat back, hypettech programmer, slp lid and a nice hurst shifter. Paint was good with a few scratchs and a small dent behind the p/s rear door. Many new parts like AC alternator and such. (118,000m) $7k

And a B4C 02 Automatic, it had an rpm stage IV trans with a stock converter, ORY, SLP lid, Tune, and a 3.42 swapped rear gear. This car had a stock rebuild LS1 with about 20k(138,000m). Paint was coming up in several spots and the Y pipe kept hitting the floor board. The owner was a guy I knew from back in the day. $9.5k

Both cars had freshly rebuilt rear ends.

Driving the 6 spd was fun! Needs an upgraded torque arm and some other suspension work.

I owned my 87 GN for 20 years and 8 days. It was a fun car and a very nice well kept low 12 all day long car. Am I sad to see it go? Not really I had many years of great fun at car shows and meets/track days going to the Charlotte autofair and such. It's ok to move on to something else.

[Murder after Midnight]

Just test drove: 1999 Z28 6M with a cat back, hypettech programmer, slp lid and a nice hurst shifter. Paint was good with a few scratchs and a small dent behind the p/s rear door. Many new parts like AC alternator and such. (118,000m) $7k

And a B4C 02 Automatic, it had an rpm stage IV trans with a stock converter, ORY, SLP lid, Tune, and a 3.42 swapped rear gear. This car had a stock rebuild LS1 with about 20k(138,000m). Paint was coming up in several spots and the Y pipe kept hitting the floor board. The owner was a guy I knew from back in the day. $9.5k

Both cars had freshly rebuilt rear ends.

Driving the 6 spd was fun! Needs an upgraded torque arm and some other suspension work.

I owned my 87 GN for 20 years and 8 days. It was a fun car and a very nice well kept low 12 all day long car. Am I sad to see it go? Not really I had many years of great fun at car shows and meets/track days going to the Charlotte autofair and such. It's ok to move on to something else.

wow that's along time to have a GN man.....that would be tough to do.....

[CJREX]

I'd pick a 05 or 06 if GTO. Their rear issues are mostly the half shafts not able to handle serious power from track use.

This.

The 05-06 has the LS2 instead of the LS1 so you start off with 6.0 liter engine.

Plus they have the better looking hood that makes them look less like a roided out Cavalier.

[Barnesgn231]

Done deal, bought my first Camaro

[pajeff02]

Congrats!