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Pontiac GTO

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Comments

  • dickcdickc Member Posts: 11
    Yes, there is a button on the console to turn off traction control and it highlights in your dash panel when turned off - but, don't recommend it for most driving, though, especially wet conditions.

    Yes, you can manually shift, but again, I don't recommend it unless you are on a downward hill and you want to down shift to control speed or you are going up a steep hill, especially with a load in tow. Your automatic in an '05 or '06 GTO is the best 4 speed GM has for this drive train and it can take a lot of torque and punishment - but you will gain little to nothing as far as speed performance enhancement. I would say you could shift to third if you're on a strip or street start and move into fourth at the end run or at 80-90. It's best to just leave it in drive 98% of the time and let the ECM control your shifts. If you're going to go to the strip a lot and plan to enhance your engine and tranny, consider a stall converter (Yank).
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    shutting off traction control and trying to do a dragstrip-launch results in massive wheel-hop. i have not fully mastered launching the car for maximum acceleration from a standstill - it's not quite "subtle" to try such a thing except at a dragstrip!
  • monarofanmonarofan Member Posts: 30
    John

    Remember the auto has the best 0-60 times (4.6 seconds) which is hard to beat (4.7 for the manual).

    I have the 6 speed but the auto should do you just fine performance wise.

    Chris
  • jtacojtaco Member Posts: 7
    Chris,

    I do remember reading that in Pontiac's specs. I was just wondering if there were any techniques the GM guys used with the automatic at their track that an ordinary Joe like myself wouldn't know about?

    For example, would they have left traction control on? or off? And then what? Just floor it? Would they have manually wound through from third to fourth?

    I know with some ordinary cars (like on my boring Lexus ES 300), traction control can be quite annoying when you just want to gun it. But I don't want massive wheel spin, either, with the GTO from a stand-still.

    John
  • jtacojtaco Member Posts: 7
    I just don't get it. So I'm reading the specs for the 2006 Lexus IS 350 on Edmunds, and it says 0 to 60 in 5.61 seconds. So I go compare that to Edmunds' specs for the 2006 Pontiac GTO. Well that says 5.8 seconds! How can they come in over a full second slower than what GM advertises for the GTO?? And could the GTO really be slower than the IS 350? Hard to believe, say it ain't so.

    My wife wants me to get the IS 350 and my first reaction was, any Lexus is always sluggish. Then I see this on Edmunds. Please, someone help me understand this.

    Thanks,
    John
  • tripowergtotripowergto Member Posts: 83
    EDMUNDS IS WRONG, plain & simple!! Drive the GTO, then you'll know for sure.
  • dickcdickc Member Posts: 11
    Everything I've seen in print says 4.6 sec for the GTO A4; actually reportedly a sec faster than M6.
  • monarofanmonarofan Member Posts: 30
    John

    Must be an error. Plenty of test drive reviews in car magazines show the real times. Some get 4.8, some 5.1 etc.

    Take it for a drive and see for yourself. There is no comparison in terms of power and acceleration to a Lexus IS.

    However, the Lexus is a smaller car that would be easier to maneuver and also better on gas.

    My wife loves the GTO. Take your wife to show her but also go for a test drive. My wife loves the sound of the GTO. That is one of its best features.

    Chris
  • monarofanmonarofan Member Posts: 30
    Make that 0.1 faster than the M6 (not 1 sec). Auto 4.6, manual 4.7 sec 0-60.
  • dickcdickc Member Posts: 11
    Sorry! You're absolutely right. Slipping the dots can be a disaster in the speed world.
  • monarofanmonarofan Member Posts: 30
    John

    Here is a car test in Motor Trend where they compare the GTO to the Charger.

    They test the GTO at 4.7 sec 0-60.

    Here is the link..
    http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0512_sport_coupes_comparison/specs- _price.html

    Chris
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    Edmunds' test track isn't at sea level and it was also close to 100 degrees when they did some performance testing. I think they got 14.1 seconds in the 1/4. They don't use the calculations to adjust/compensate. I also don't think they know how to launch an IRS car (but that's just my opinion).

    I have a buddy/co-worker with an IS350. His car sees my '04 GTO's taillights (we've run 'em)... an '05 would be worse... for the Lexus.

    --Robert
    not dead, just not taking the time to visit Edmunds much these days
  • monarofanmonarofan Member Posts: 30
    Robert

    Good to see you back!

    Chris
  • sssstsssst Member Posts: 21
    You said...I also don't think they know how to launch an IRS car (but that's just my opinion).

    In your opinion what is different about launching a IRS? I am curious!
  • pontmusclepontmuscle Member Posts: 4
    I don't think launching an IRS car is different, but maybe a bit trickier. With the T/C on the computer seems to back everything down if the wheels get spinning and it takes a split second before it turns the engine loose again. With T/C off traction for spirited launches is very good but if you go too far with the power you can burn the tires off the rims. I haven't had my car to the track yet but I understand that on the edge of grip on a sticky track the car wants to wheel hop without mods. Been there done that, my '67 FB did the same thing until I stiffened up the rear.
  • 06x6spdgto06x6spdgto Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2006 6spd Gto with 18" wheels i was wondering if anyone would know the max tires size i could go with the factory 18x8 inch wheels?
  • dickcdickc Member Posts: 11
    Likely 245 is widest for the front - if not the 235's you have - due to the front strut rub issues affecting a portion of GTO's. For the rears, you would have to roll your fenders to go beyond 18 x 245's, say to 275's or 285's as your tire is taller than the stock 17's most of us drive on and we have to roll beyond 265's in the rear.
  • gb7gb7 Member Posts: 7
    Hi Sputterguy,
    I was wondering if you ever got this noise resolved. I have the same problem - 'thunk' from right rear wheel when tire hits even the gentlest dip in the ashpalt, most noticeable under 40 mph.
  • notautoimmunenotautoimmune Member Posts: 3
    No kidding - bought it from my mom's co-worked in 1972 and paid 300 cash. It died (slipping belt) when I drove it down the street. It was a 4-speed/4-barrel (not tri-power) with a 389, navy blue with dark blue interior. No one thought much of them back then - all cars had big engines so this was just another one. It got dented a couple of times and my dad and I replaced the exhaust and u-joints on it. I had to go somewhere when it was in the shop so I took a bus. When I came back, Dad told me he sold it and bought a maroon '68 Cutlass with a Rocket V-8. I was elated!
    I'm not now - wish I had the old Goat back.
  • jrk06jrk06 Member Posts: 5
    I have an 06 GTO and it does the same thing, exactly as you described. I haven't brought it in yet, but I plan on doing so. Do you have any further information as to what causes this? Thanks jrk06
  • icantfly591icantfly591 Member Posts: 13
    Who do you guy's think, make's the best header's for the gto?.
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    Stainless Works or Kooks. I've heard that SW headers are a little "close" on an automatic, so I'll probably go down the Kooks road when I can (too many $$$ medical expenses for my wife/dogs in the past year, unfortunately)...
  • roadrunner70roadrunner70 Member Posts: 241
    i now have a noise, perhaps a thunk coming form the right front when driven over a driveway entrance while turning left. sounds like a leaking strut bushing, but i cannot find any trace of a leak. any ideas. rr70
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    What year is your car?

    New '06's built from mid-January through early May have an issue with the front struts blowing out within the first 1000-1500 miles. GM has acknowledged this problem (Monroe Australia switched strut oil from Shell to something else - didn't work), and the struts WILL fail. The big problem is that GM needs time to get the replacement struts here... some customers have been waiting upwards of a month for parts.

    Options would include putting Pedders aftermarket struts on (some folks have gotten GM to pay for this) - http://www.peddersusa.com is a web site for finding dealer info. Others have had to pay the difference.

    Some dealers are refusing rentals/tell customers it's OK to continue driving the cars. No, it is not. If the bushings get hit with strut oil, they can and will swell and fail. Many folks have also had problems with the undercoating coming off their cars after the strut oil got all over it. It's a big mess for GM and one would hope they will do a recall/force dealers to replace the struts on new unsold vehicles on their lots, once they get the parts here...
  • ccguy878ccguy878 Member Posts: 7
    Alright here's the deal, I was thinking of getting a STI at first but after reading about the stiff, bumpy ride that they give you and not the kinda sound I want. Recently I thought about getting a more modern muscle car that makes a lot of noise :P
    So the GTO came to mind along with the charger and mustang, but chargers are a bit to big for my taste and mustangs are way too common around here. So I was wondering what I should do.. wait a couple years and see if any new models come out and if I do get a GTO.. what kind of modifications can I get to get max HP ;) thanks any input would be appreciated
  • roadrunner70roadrunner70 Member Posts: 241
    i have an o\06 with a small clunk from the right front end when turning into a driveway. so far no leakage seen.

    i want to clarify which bushings are leaking. mu understanding from looking at photos on another message board is that the positioning struts which go through the front crossmember under the radiator are the ones with the blown bushings. that is what the photos showed.

    now, if people are saying the struts are leaking, i assume that they are referring tothe mcpherson struts. but that is not what was originally reported as the problem. therefore, if there are readers with mcpherson struts leaking or bushings on the mcpherson struts, let us know asap thanks. rr70
  • mea_toymea_toy Member Posts: 2
    Hi Everyone - We Are Inviting Anyone With A 2004-2006 GTO To Come To A GTO BBQ On Sept 9th 2006. We Are Located In Barnesville, GA (1 hour south of Atlanta, GA)

    Info & Directions: www.shipperscarriers.com/party.htm

    Check it out.... all we ask is everyone bring 1-dish of food and/or a 6 pkg of soda. Everything else is supplied.

    Go to website and check it out or call for more details.

    Come check out their mods and come show off yours! Group pixs will be taken!
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    I think you should take the time to drive all of the cars, and see what you like and dislike. Try to think of a route you can take which mimics the kind of driving you'll do on a daily basis. Try to repeat that everywhere.

    If you go GTO there are tons of mods for the LSx engines (since they are shared with the old F-bodys (LS1's) and Corvettes (LS1's/LS2's), not to mention SSR's, Trailblazer SS's, and Caddy CTS-V's (LS2).

    I doubt much new is coming from GM on the under-35k performance front until you see the new Camaro in early 2009. Challenger is coming from DC, and the LY's will replace the LX's soon. Other than the Shelby GT's, not much new coming on the Mustang front for the next couple of years either.

    Gas price trends notwithstanding, it's still a pretty good time to be a gearhead...
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    You're thinking of the radius rod bushings. Those are fluid-filled and, shall we say, "weak" from the factory (all years of GTO - 2004 through 2006). There are aftermarket options from Pedders and Noltec - I checked mine out earlier this year and they were OK, but I purchased someone's used Noltecs and will be installing them soon. I'm told they make a huge difference in feel when braking and when cornering aggressively.

    The probelm with the January 2006 through early May 2006 builds is in fact the Macpherson struts leaking (due to a supplier change on the strut oil). I think I saw your post on the "other site" and that your car falls outside this date range. It's still possible the strut is blown - need to find a _competent_ dealer and take it in. Where are you located?

    --Robert
  • ccguy878ccguy878 Member Posts: 7
    hmmm yehh, I agree with you and I doubt I wait until 2009 for the new models to come out. After reading into the GTO's, ive become quite fond of them especially LS2s, but im kind of skeptical of the 2006 ones having bad struts and what not.. so im thinkin ill go with the 2005 model, not too much difference i dont think... unless I know for sure that the 2006 wasn't in that bad batch assembled/shipped then ill get a 2006
  • gb7gb7 Member Posts: 7
    The noise from mine is definitely from the right-rear. The noise happens while driving down and off the driveway, turning left, and also on gentle dips on the road, where the right rear wheel is lower than the rest. The noise is not audible over bumps, hence my theory about 'the right rear wheel being lower'.

    Is there any chance it might be the same strut problem Robert just described for the front wheel noise?
  • 1badgto1badgto Member Posts: 12
    I have a 2004 4A black and black GTO. I was driving down the road last week and was being checked by one of those big sign radar devices that tells you your speed and to be safe. My speedometer read 2 miles higher than what was on the radar sign. I vaguely remember that there was a TSB on this issue. Does anyone out there have any information on this or know where I can get a listing of all the TSB's for free? I thought there was a complete listing somewhere out there on another site. Thanks for any info!!!!!
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    i don't think there's a TSB for speedo but did ask the dealer to reprogram speedo so it did not read 3% fast on the main display.
    if you want to see the real speed, put the dash into diag-mode when you start, and click to that tiny speed display. it reads about about 3% lower than the regular speedo display. to get into diag mode, hold down mode/select buttons as you turn the key to start the car.
    i reported the problem to my dealership as "speedo reads 3% fast". their response "it's within pontiac's spec, which is 5%".
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    The dealer can't fix it.

    Chris White can... he's the guy that figured out how to turn on the factory shift light, which Pontiac kept disabled.

    http://www.gtoshiftlight.com is his web site - he also does modifications to your cluster (can change lighting, cluster colors, et. al.).

    --Robert
  • 1badgto1badgto Member Posts: 12
    Thanks Robert. I looked at the site. It looks like it is just what I need. As usual...you da' man.
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    inHD channel has a documentary about GTO-R "refueled" - it was on twice last night. probably it will be repeated early & often.
    in other news i am seriously considering blizzaks or other hydrophilic snow tires and daily-driving the goat all winter.
    also yesterday i was noticing how awesome some of the GTO switchgear is compared to normal GM for example. in particular, the highbeam lever is so easy/ergonomic compared to most other cars !
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    The GTO-R cars are amazing. I was fortunate to be able to see them "up close and personal" at Mid-Ohio back in June (on Pontiac's dime - thanks, Pontiac!). The crew and drivers couldn't have been more friendly.

    If you're looking for winter tires, the Dunlop Wintersport M3's come highly, highly recommended.

    The whole GTO interior rocks. I've seen some promising new interiors for upcoming GM interiors, but nothing I've put my hands on. I am told that the new Holden VE Commodore interior/switchgear is still a step ahead of GMNA's best. I am an interior snob - almost traded the wife's (problematic) Envoy in on a Trailblazer SS but neither of us could stand the interior (PlaySkool-quality switchgear and plastics)...
  • jjsams21jjsams21 Member Posts: 3
    :cry: I have an 06 GTO I bought in July. With only 500 miles on it I had to take it back to the dealer because both front struts were leaking. (mcpherson struts - front suspension). The fluid leaking swelled the sway bar link bushings and caused one of them to fall down the link. I thought the front end was coming apart. I felt like my new performance car was a 95 Ford Taurus. It's been at the dealer for over 3 weeks now, and I can't get an estimated time that the new struts will be in by. Now I'm making my car payments with no new car. And summer here in NY is fading fast. This sucks bad. I guess there is a GM bulletin about leaking control arm bushings too, but my car (and another one at the dealer) has bad front struts. Nobody has any kind of answer for me from the dealer to GM and Pontiac. I really love the car, but this has really become a hassle. :sick:
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    The strut problem is a known issue on mid-January through early May '06 built GTO's. This was due to a supplier change (Monroe Australia changed the strut oil from Shell to something else, and this caused the struts to fail/leak/damage the bushings, undercoating, brakes, et. al.). There is a discussion thread here:

    wswone, "2006 Pontiac GTO: Strut Problems" #, 3 Jul 2006 8:15 am

    and more significant discussions on LS1GTO.

    GM has a boatload of struts (literally) on the way over... probably won't have enough here until the end of September. Time to call Pontiac Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-762-2737 and demand to speak with a supervisor. Tell them that you either want them to pay for aftermarket replacements (PeddersUSA has some struts that work on the GTO - some dealers are doing the replacements) or to make payments for you until the car is repaired, or else you will be lemon law'ing the vehicle once it hits 30 days out of service. That should get you some attention...

    I presume GM will do a recall when they have replacement parts in stock. GM has really dropped the ball here.

    Oh, file a complaint at http://www.nhtsa.gov if you wouldn't mind...
  • dickcdickc Member Posts: 11
    I love my GTO ('05), but GM really, really botched this car's re-entry into the market something terrible. I wouldn't go near their new Camaro promised in the future as they don't have the brains to do it right no matter what they say or promise. All they care about is bottom line and market share - not what driving enthusiasts tell them or want. The buyers really are second to their multi-million dollar salaries and retirement perks.
  • sssstsssst Member Posts: 21
    Jeeze man you just realizing that? That's the name of the game now isn't it? GM is no different that the others... look at the new Ford Shelby GT 500 or any of the SRT 8's!!! Hello!! :surprise:
  • hammen2hammen2 Member Posts: 1,284
    Ummm... as much as I agree with you that GM/Pontiac completely dropped the ball on marketing/producing the GTO for the U.S. (Holden builds a great car, it's Pontiac and the dealer network that dropped the ball big-time), I disagree with you with respect to the Camaro. Don't believe me? Go read posts over in the 5th Generation forum at CamaroZ28 and see. Scott Settlemire, who used to be one of the brand managers for the Camaro, posts there. They are VERY MUCH listening to the enthusiast. The Camaro is getting a shortened derivative of the Holden VE Commodore platform (engineered for NA assembly, unlike VE), just for the purposes of weight savings. They listened to the enthusiast who wants handling, and the Camaro will have an independent, rather than solid, rear (unlike the current Mustang). They took heritage styling cues from the '69 but overall the car doesn't look like a retro ripoff (unlike the Challenger, which is a veritable knockoff). GM is also planning a 450-500hp Camaro which will probably shame the top-line Challengers and Mustangs when it comes out.

    I wouldn't call any of that not listening to the enthusiast. They are very much building that vehicle for the enthusiast (though they'll sell 60+k V6 models to the non-enthusiast)...

    Just my 2 cents,

    --Robert
  • coresellercoreseller Member Posts: 40
    As usual Robert verbalized my thoughts elegantly. Compare the '04 thru '06 GTO to anything else in it's range / class, it outclasses them all in every category as far as I'm concerned (60k on my '04, no problems). Holden / Monaro should not be trashed for the actions / nonactions of Pontiac's people. I'll be due for another car when the Camaro comes out, I'm still trying to like it but not quite sure. One thing is for sure though, THESE ARE THE DAYS if you're an enthusiast.....Mark.
  • roadrunner70roadrunner70 Member Posts: 241
    2 mph is not bad for any car today. my nissan murano and my toyota highlander are both more. the tsb was about a shaky needle. you can check out tsb as nhtsa web site. rr70
  • roadrunner70roadrunner70 Member Posts: 241
    robert, thanks for the reply. so far no leakage either with the struts or the bushings. i think the clunk is the spring touching the bottom spring housing. i have to remove the wheel to verify. but no leakage right now. thanks. rr70
  • dickcdickc Member Posts: 11
    My comments were never directed at Holden as they truly built us a wonderful car down under. As I said, I too love my trouble-free '05 GTO daily driver (which I've Magna Charged and, with a few other additions and modifications, is curently putting down 480 hp to the rear wheels - close to 600 at the fly.)
  • hippehippe Member Posts: 14
    Hi g,

    Sorry for not responding sooner. I haven't been here in awhile. I've been over in the political forums trying to save the world.

    To answer your question, although they replaced some things I still have the thunk. It only happens when I turn right into a driveway that rises, never on a straightaway. So maybe it helps a little. I'd take it back but getting the dealer to do anything is like drawing blood. I guess it is something you have to live with or keep taking it back in. It's still a great car so I think I will hang on to it until the lease runs out then hand them back the keys. Hopefully there will be an '08 GTO in the lot when I do.
  • 06x6spdgto06x6spdgto Member Posts: 2
    Well i just raced a 06 Roush 5spd Conv. Against my 06 GTO 6spd. Both stock with less than 5000miles on them, and factory wheels and tires. The resultall three times was an Embarrassment. In the 1/8 mile it was 3.5 car lengths. In the 1/4 it was 7 cars. The GTO WINS. No worry for us GTO guys!!
  • sputterguysputterguy Member Posts: 383
    Sorry again g. That was me. I think. I don't know, I've had nothing but trouble since I tried to get into the forum since last week. The whole look is different and I seem to have to come in by a back door or something. Anyway, this better say sputterguy this time.
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    are yalls checking out the GTO-R reality show on INHD cable? it is rather awesome.
    hippe/sputterguy/split-personality-dude, nice job on the planet-saving, special kudos on chilling out that latest mideast war, that was shweet of you.
    in my own GTO news, a couple days ago 4 different drivers within 20 minutes tried to "race" or "goose motors" on the interstate despite me ignoring them. i consider the propensity of the GTO to induce bonehead behavior in other drivers to be a serious downside of using it as either a daily-commuter or a weekend-cruiser or both. must i hide it in the garage ?! i've already removed the GTO badges and installed Aussie rear bumper cover & side marker lights. next maybe i'll have to replace the 6.0 badge with a badge that says "Sunbird" or "Grand AM".
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