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Pontiac GTO
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Any further posts on that point will regrettably be removed in the interests of keeping the peace on the board.
Let's move on...there's plenty still to talk about. Here's an Australian site talking about 2005. All these changes look good to me.
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/pontiac-gto-200- 5.htm
This is the kind of society we live in today, people wil except a margianlly worse interrior and less prformance for a cool exterrior, like ricers and such...
The GTO needs more aggressive styling, but for the conservative motorist i don't see how its so bad, the whole sleeper tihng is cool, especially if you get black on black and red two tone.
I'd wait for 2k5 when i can get the same thing with hodscoops, but i doub't these crazy 6-8 thousand dollar deals were ppl get a 33K gto for 25K will be available.
I've been following the posts for a while, just wanted to say thanks to all for the helpful tips and aftermarket product leads. I checked the tire pressure after I read the post and sure enough, they were at 60 PSI alright. Didn't really know where to look for the red spacer clips and foam blocks but have not heard any funny noises. Sorry I'm not a real grease monkey, just like to drive....
I'd like to pose a question about the 1st - 4th gear feature. I used to drive a 5M Honda and I remember the mechanic saying 'Don't skip gears' as a way to somewhat prolong the life of the transmission. Does that have any truth in it or is it just an old-wives tale?? Is it just particular to Honda's high-redline engines?? I do hear the car and gears 'groaning' and I kind of have to grit my teeth....
Engine wear occurs much more at lugging than revving. That rattling and groaning you might hear is your internal engine parts rattling around and in extreme cases of pre-ignition, or "pinging", the cylinder walls actually flex.
Some say high torque engines can manage it, but you know, why push your luck?
1. it lacked options like sunroof and other interior features
2. styling is boring
3. price
Although price has become less of a factor with the cuts to get them off the lots, I wasn't interested on compromising on points 1 & 2. What features it had, I liked. I just wanted more.
2) Styling - you don't see your car when you're sitting inside it. If you want to upgrade/update it, there are tons of different hoods and body kits from pfyc.com, rksport.com, mpd-inc.net, jhp.com.au and capa.com.au. I personally like the aero look, and the car is a bit "sleeper".
3) Price. At the 26k or so it's selling for now, plus the low 0.9/1.9/2.9 percent financing, it's the performance-car bargain of the year, if not the past 5 years. IMHO the interior competes with the new STS as the best GM offers - fit and finish is first rate. At this price you can afford to buy a few mods - some as simple as the K&N Filtercharger (gave an A4 owner I know 19 rwhp), and things like either LS1Edit, HPTuners, or a DiabloSport Predator to tune your car for better performace (again, really helps an A4).
Hope this helps,
--Robert
http://www.webastoshowroom.com/pontiac_gto_710.htm
If not, I will probably get an 04 soon, as they are dropping in price. Thanks!
--Robert
My local dealer used those aftermarket "slide over the top" sunroofs on quite a number of his GTO's. These were flatter and didn't even match the curved contour of the roof. Ugh - talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
Also saw that the 800 "W40" pulse red cars are starting to appear in the states, but without any 40th Anniversary markings. Apparently that part of the package was scrapped. Doesn't make them so special does it?
Do you think I should buy it?
Do you think that anything is wrong with it? (returning to the dealership after 3,000 miles...)
Thanks a million.
You should be able to buy a stick for around $30k. Auto, maybe $300 more. If you qualify, you can get a $3500 rebate AND 0.9/36, 1.9/48 or 2.9/60 financing through GMAC (FICO usually has to be above 700 to get the preferred rates). And if you have
Of course, this depends where you are. Most of the country, '04 GTO's are selling for invoice or less, just to get them out the door. I've heard this is less likely to be the case in Florida and California. I'd strongly suggest using GM BuyPower and sending quote requests out to a few dealers in your area - or, calling, asking to speak to the sales manager directly, or the fleet manager if the sales manager is unavailable, and mention your interest (that's a pretty comon color combo - not rare at all, unlike the Barbados Blue or my Cosmos Purple). I'd check out your credit score at something like MyFICO.com and get pre-approved by GMAC and/or a local credit union. Also depends if you will be trading in anything or not.
--Robert
I suppose new may get better rates w/ GMAC if you decide to Smartlease or Smartbuy as well.
I wanted Black/Red REAL BAD. Dealers insistance on 2k more for that color combo means I ended up with YellowJacket and really like my choice more now.
I wouldn't have any qualms about buying a lightly-used GTO if it inspects well (though you could try to push the price down $500-$1000), but I would compare the cost of a new car (with the incentives and low finance rates, if eligible) with this used one. It may not make any sense to go used... just my 2 cents.
--Robert
Thanks.
I bought mine in Houston so that might be an option to save $4500 as well... Good Luck on the GTO, she's awesome.
herzdawg007 - why don't you run a used car value for the gto on this site and see what you get? I'd seriously consider using GM's money to get the discount on a brand new one and pay it off as you see fit. Even with certified used you never know.
montanafan - since you seem to know so much, why would they call it a "W40" option if it had no connection to the 40th anniversary?
--Robert
I would try harder to find a new one like you want. Heck, it may even be worth it to use BuyPower to look at dealerships outside of your geographical area - Chicago/Detroit/Dallas/Houston-area dealers seem to be active online (i.e. eBay) in selling these cars at invoice less the GMAC rebate, or less, just to move them...
At least with a new car, YOU get to break it in, put on all the miles/know how it's been driven, et. al. If you have driven one you know it's an amazing car that hooks you - pretty soon all you think about is driving it :-)
Hope this helps,
--Robert
http://www.montecarloss.com/SSThunder/gmcodes.html
Lists option codes and shows a Z03 code.
http://tlentz.oldsgmail.com/guide.html for the W40 reference
A year from now, I think or I foresee the ‘05 GTO with an msrp of $33,000 can be bargained for 25k. I expect the $25,000 asking price for the ’05 Mustang GT to stay firm due to its handsome body style.
I thought at first if I could get the ’05 GTO for $25k I would jump on it. But when I see
the pictures and write ups of the ’05 Mustang GT, I am having a second thought.
The Mustang engine is less powerful, 300 hp and 315 ft./lb torque, compare to the GTO’s 400 hp and 395 ft/lb torque. GTO has six gears as to the stang five. The GTO rides on 4 wheel independent suspension. The stang rear axle is solid and not independent. Among other things the GTO appears to be the superior car and the excellent choice for the same price. I also prefer the interior of the GTO.
Same price, I will ignore all of these GTO advantages and go for the Mustang, because of the stang’s much better look and well executed body style.
Thanks.
Again, as others have said: 26,500-27,000 is what dealers are selling these cars for, not 30k. Push them harder and you will get the deal you desire.
--Robert
http://money.cnn.com/2004/10/14/pf/autos/apeal/index.htm
Robert - Ever go to Gillies or Balestreris? Two of my favorite places to go.
The plastic molded tube that runs between the radiator and one of the rubber hoses (I don't know if it is upper or lower...) broke and allowed the coolant to all leak out of the engine. The low coolant light came on and he was able to safely stop the vehicle (despite being in a construction zone.)
Don't know if this is a freak accident or something wrong in a design of that piece. Just thought I'd pass on the info. Has anyone else had this happen?
You hit the nail right on the head.
Sounds like you are concerned about the 2005 LS2/400HP first, colors second, style third, then price? This is your priority?
The Pontiac GTO is a Holden Monaro CV8. Check out Holden's website for the 05 colors. They are of course named differently, I think they call the Jellow Jacket color Yellow Devil in Oz.
However the past two years I have been invited and attended GM's Auto Show in Motion. Each time I have left with a positive taste for some cars I had previously written off. Last year it was the CTS. This year it was definately the GTO.
The Pontiac Course was next door to the Vette/SSR course. While waiting for the Vette I couldn't help but notice the powerful sound of the GTO's exhaust next to us. The Vette's exhaust note is very lack luster compared to the SSR and GTO.
This year's Vette is light years ahead of the C5. However I though the GTO was every bit as solid and powerful as the vette. It was a really impressive machine. I think they do need to seperate it from the rest of the pontiac family a little with a destinctive shape. But the performance is awesome . It is so good that I am really considering trading in my Infinity for it. This is one awesome car.
In the US, GM is having a hard time selling the comparably equipped GTO for $33,190. Even at a very huge discount of almost $8,000, these GTOs is still hard to sell.
One has to pay around $20,000(US) more if the car has to be bought in Australia
We will be in the marked 24 months from now, so who know's what deals GM may have on the '06 model then?
--Robert