The GTO-AMG Test That Made Me a Car Guy - Automoblog.net (blog)
As far back as I can remember, I have always liked vehicles. While I am new to the Automoblog staff, I am by no means a new car guy. I liked cars back when turbocharging was reserved for the mythical Jaguar XJ220, and occasional Subaru WRXs, and of course Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions. Back then, we relied on standard manual OR automatic transmissions (not auto-manual) to get our power to the ground. Back then, you could go to a Pontiac lot and buy a 350 horsepower GTO coupe, with the engine lifted straight from the Corvette, for around $35K. I remember reading over those numbers and being so interested. Its interior was rather basic and had the really old 4-speed automatic transmission standard. I remember looking at it and observing its subtle good looks but dull interior. It sported a slightly smaller engine that, in the way AMG does, sported more horsepower than the larger engine competition. Mercedes claimed 362 horsepower and its fancy exhaust looked it. I remember thinking about what 0-60 times meant. I thought the GTO seemed like a supercar, with a 5. 4 second run to 60 and only just a little over $30 grand. I did not understand the point of the AMG, or what exactly a CLK was, but it sure seemed fit and strong. Source: www.automoblog.net
