Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Pontiac GTO
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
3500 trouble free miles on my '06, with the following observations/questions:
It sounds like there's a loose softball somewhere in the trunk area, which I cannot locate (yes, I know where the trunk is).
Any opinions on what a computer chip will do for HP?
Can the hood scoops ever be made functional?
Just returned from an NHRA (drag race -- there's an '05 GTO dragster a team's going to introduce very soon) event in Englishtown, NJ: Are exhaust bypasses available (legal) for the goat? There was an '05 yellow goat on display which people were mobbing to get a close look at, and sit in -- heard one duo (older guys) say, "I think it's kind of pretty," the other guy says, "I don't." But you know what? This goat was drawing nearly as much crowd interest as the dragsters. Let's admit it: the new goat is a phenomenum, like it or not.
I made a deal with a local car wash (high pressure water type): Printed up signs (to put on the inside of the car just before the car is moved into the wash) which said in English and Spanish, "Do not clean interior, Do not wipe down exterior." Showed the owner the signs and he gave me a deal: I prepaid for 11 washes at $5 per wash versus $11 per normal wash.
Finally, I cannot comprehend why a GTO would be paired with a Subaru. Here's an idea: How about pairing a GTO and a big Harley? I'll bet the Harley will kick the GTO's butt, right? Thus confirming, once again, how inferior the new goat is.
Regarding a computer "chip", do you mean changing values in the PCM? The PCM is all-new for '05, and it's given the hardware (Predator) and software (EFILive, HPTuners, LS2Edit) folks a few fits. There are betas of all of these products, but nothing concrete yet. Expect to see release in another month or two... disabling torque management (M6 or A4) should help launches.
Someone, I forget who, is working on trying to duct/route air from the '05 scoops to an airbox. Can't remember who it is at this time.
Regarding your trunk issue... wonder if this is the exhaust banging against the chassis? Or maybe the fuel tank isn't secured to its frame? I assume you've pulled the spare, checked, and re-seated it. I'd have a dealer check it out...
--Robert
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/tsbsearch.cfm
I looked and there were 37 for the '04's, and 14 for '05's. Some of these are pretty basic (i.e. "proper jump start procedure" or "handling characteristics of RWD vehicles in snow"), others more specific. Generally, if you do not bring these up to your dealer, they won't follow them.
The TSB's can be found in their entirety on other GTO-specific discussion boards, which I can't directly post the links to here. Or, you can pay for http://www.alldatadiy.com and get them there...
--Robert
The plastic scoop covers certainly look like they are designed to be removed for some mod.
Good suggestion regarding the trunk noise. I'm taking it in this week (needs an oil change anyway)
Thanks a bunch, Robert. Jim
My local Pontiac dealer has new 04 and 05 GTOs. He has the 04s discounted 10 grand so one would cost me about 25,500 out the door by the time I use my GM card rebate. The problem is that he only has automatics in the 04 model year.
However, if I want a 6 speed I have to get an 05 which will cost almost exactly $5000 more out the door.
So, I guess my question is, do you get the 04 and have money left over for mods (possibly a supercharger) or get the 05 with the LS2?
All opinions are appreciated
If you really want a six-speed, buy the '05. You won't be happy with the auto.
You can use ANY GM Card $$$ with the "GM employee pricing" promo.
The '05's have 50 more hp, bigger brakes, no more throttle cable (i.e. drive-by-wire), et. al. Not to mention the hood, revised rear fascia with separated exhausts, et. al.
If the difference is only $5k, I'd try to swing the '05, if you can afford it. When it was $10k+ (i.e. last December/January), and there were still six-speeds on the lots, the '04's made more sense.
There are few mods and tuning options for the '05's right now, but that will change very shortly...
--Robert
http://www.gtoaanationals.com/
So now, I need to seriously consider a 2004 I guess, no matter how much I like the hood scoops and split dual-exhaust... No 2004's left here in South Florida, so I'll need to start searching elsewhere.... only good thing is that $10k less than an '05 even with Employee Pricing sounds good....
Anyone know how to search for left-over 2004's??
Thanks!
Regarding the hood scoops, there are several folks selling the complete hoods for $450, or $550 for the full "SAP" package (complete hood, autocross grilles, autocross (Judge-like) spoiler)...
--Robert
They pulled the 2004 locator off Pontiac.com/GMBuyPower.com at the beginning of the month, with less than 200 '04's around. Are you looking for a 6-speed or an Auto? I think virtually all of the remaining '04's are autos. Send me an email (my address is in my profile) with your ZIP code, and I'll ask a dealer buddy to run a search for you... if you have color preference(s), let me know as well...
--Robert
I understand the K&N filter for the '05 has been announced/is completed and should be shipping soon...
--Robert
I've also been told by dealers that GM may open up ordering in Aug for JAN-FEB delivery. One dealer though says he's heard 05 is the last year for GTO and GM is going to cancel the 06 model run. Anyone here anything like this?
Sorry, Edmunds ate my previous response. Basically:
1) GM reallocated where the '05's would go, based on weather (no more cars showing up in the upper midwest in the middle of January) and where the car sells well. Top 4 areas, not in order, are LA, Chicago, Dallas or Houston, and South Florida.
2) From the time a car is built at Holden's facility in Australia, it sits on a lot until they have the 800+ cars to fill a boat. The ship then takes 5-6 weeks to get to Benecia, CA (near San Francisco). The GTO's are unloaded, inspected, and spoilers are put on. Local California ones get on trucks, whereas the rest go on trains to the big Union Pacific trainyards in Kansas City. From there they are routed via train and/or truck to the dealer. Total time from production to dealership delivery is about 3 months.
3) Cars show up on the dealer's GMBuyPower inventory when they are invoiced/Monroney stickers generated in California. Can be upwards of a month before the car arrives.
As to whether or not there will be an '06, this is B.S. Edmunds is showing the price of the '06 as being carryover from '05. Production will start in August or September, and right now, we don't know how many will be built (Pontiac is actually thinking of increasing the build count, if Holden can, due to the improved sales on the '05's). There are a few small changes for '06, mostly cosmetic: 2 new colors, faster seat motor, new taillamps, additional power outlet, door lock button on the center console, et. al.
Hope this helps,
--Robert
One told me if I want an M6 to come back at the end of August and maybe he can order one but it'll take at least 6 mo's and probably closer to 8 and thats only if GM decides not to cancel the GTO and no, he doesn't actually expect the other three the dealership ordered to ever be delivered. Of course he had 7 of them backordered since late January and was getting beaten up by people wanting their GTO. Or maybe he just got up on the wrong side of the bed.
Most of the dealers around here seem pretty clueless and apathetic. Or maybe they're just waiting till the current incentive plan expires to hike prices.
With 400 hp and 400 # ft of tourqe this car pulls hard and matched with a 6 speed it will put a smile on your face when your going through the gears.">link title
You can look them up here first: Maintenance Schedules, Recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins.
:shades:
My question is; is there a way to determine exactly where this car is.
First the dealer told me it was in Kansas, then the other day he said it was in Atlanta, but he can not tell me when it will be in Tampa.
--Robert
--Robert
I must admit I have gotten the 21 EPA rated Highway gas mileage, this is the first car I ever got the # on. That was at a steady 65mph. I don't use it much on the highway. Mostly in town, stop lights etc. In town I get about 13 to 14, not the 16.
What does the torque management do? Just a question.
Did your service department put a SPAC case (special order) on the part, with your VIN number assigned? This gets you priority on it. I think the problem is that they were redesigning these throttle sensors, and I'm not sure if the new design is completed or in full production yet.
I have a Pontiac contact who may be able to help - send me an email (look in my profile). Worst-case scenario, he can get you in touch with Executive Relations. When I was going through my "lemon" experience, they were ready to offer me warranty extension, et. al. for my troubles. They really did want to avoid getting the car back (but it was too problematic for too long, so now I have a new one :-)...
--Robert
1) The "employee pricing" promotion is working - dealers are lobbying GM hard to continue the program next month, so it will be extended. But,
2) Not all cars will be eligible for it (i.e. Corvette wasn't). It's a pretty good bet the GTO will be excluded next month, due to high sales this month (it's getting hard to find them on lots).
Bottom line is, if you're on the fence on getting an '05, I'd jump on it now. With fixed pricing and no restrictions on which GM card you can use with this promo (just max redemption restrictions, if your card has them), now is the time to act.
--Robert
(doesn't work for Pontiac or any dealer, just a happy '04 GTO owner).
Steve
Ditto tuning - I know that HPTuners and LS2Edit are coming/are in beta... I know one '05 owner with a custom Stainless Works exhaust whose car has been tuned by a beta of LS2Edit IIRC... would imagine these tools will be out in the next 30 days or so - expect to hear more at the GTO Nats.
--Robert
leaving in less than 48 hours...
--Robert
I really like a sunroof but this (plus a few other lack of options, i.e. heated seats, homelink, etc) are making me hesitate.
Thanks!
http://www.webastoshowroom.com/pontiac_gto_710.htm
If you want heated seats - http://www.pfyc.com has a nice set.
Homelink/compass/autodim/temperature Gentex mirror (p/n 50-GENK50) - eBay or http://www.aaaremotes.com/hocoaumi50.html
Hope this helps,
--Robert
(probably offline for a few days, at the GTO Nationals)
Is there a RECALL? Should we ask our dealers? Or wait for it to happened?
seems to happen because of the drive by wire system on the 2005s{DBW]
What should we do? lots of drivers have spoken about this on GTO sites.... :confuse:
Goes up against a bunch of Porsche GT3 Cup and BMW M-3s in the GT class. Sounds like fun!
I'm picking miine up tomorrow and hoping that since its a recent arrival to these shores it has the fix, if its available. The car actually arrived today (Thurs) about noon but the dealer said it won't be ready until tomorrow at 3:00 PM. He was pushing for 5:00PM so it possible they're just cleaning and prepping the car or maybe they are pre-emptively installing the fix and any other TSBs that need done if they have the parts.
Regarding the gentleman on here who was having this problem, he and I have been trading emails, and I gave him my high-level Pontiac contact. He got a phone call from the GTO's Engineering Program Manager, who said that the redesigned part hasn't been released yet - they're trying to do so for his car.
I'm at the GTO Nationals in St. Louis... I will try to see if there is anyone from Pontiac with any insider knowledge, that I can ask about this issue. But, as I said, I see lots of posts on other GTO sites, and it's probably less than 10 that have had this issue...
--Robert
P/N 92183442
guess the dealer would,nt do anything unlees you say something. so it is good to go in with this knowledge?????if there is a problem .
could not find it in referenced sites. thanks :confuse:
--Robert
still trying to find out more
The revised part for this problem is done and available in limited quantities today - more as time passes. If your car throws a code and comes up in reduced power mode, take it to your dealer and have them call TAC. They can expedite getting this part to you.
I wouldn't worry about this problem unless it happened to my '05. I wouldn't hold off buying an '05 until this problem was resolved.
Hope this helps,
--Robert
Topping out at 80 mph? Should be more like 155-160 mph :-)
As far as I know, there is no "break-in" mode. Not sure what to say, except maybe disconnecting the battery for 30-60 minutes and trying again - that should reset any abuse modes that the car may be in. If it still doesn't want to go faster, well then, Houston, you have a problem. I'd take the car back/in.
One thing I learned yesterday is, on the '05's, there is a table where GM limits the throttle, based on pedal input and engine RPM (i.e. cruising at 1000 rpm, and floor the pedal, it will take away some of the input and not take you to WOT as fast as the vehicle could go). Using software like HPTuners 2.0 (coming out in the next 30 days - about $500), you can edit this table down to remove the restrictions... supposed to make a noticeable difference in throttle responsiveness.
--Robert