The sleek body of the new GTO is impressive. Although smashed on by many a magazine and car show, I beleive its a breath of fresh air for Pontiac that they borrowed from the Aussie comrade Holden sold there as the Monaro. Of which they should have hopped on after the death of the Firebird back in 2002.
Ive heard many a people say, "Well it don't look like a GTO", many of these comments came from people who have or do own a classic GTO. While GM has answered back with the statement saying in some words such as "This is what the GTO would look like after all of the restyling it would have went through over the years."
I normally would like to say that if you want it to look like an old GTO and thats the only thing you have against it then well, go out and get an old one!
Now to the powertrain
Well it pulls like a train, with a slab flat Torque Curve this baby pushes you into your well stichted cow hide seats with 300 Lb/Ft from idle to redline. The 6-Speed is extremely strong(M12 Pontiac borrowed it from the Z06 vette) and it shows this by being extremely hard to shift when trying to baby it, but once it feels the revs its very quick smooth shifting-although the throws are quite long, the RPMs come quickly and the Independent rear end when done right bites hard, but once you let it loose the rear hops a bit and makes you want to rip second, this cures the problem and leaves a nice set of rubber strips on the tarmac.
Takeing turns with this beast is quite fun, it is very responsive and drifts into a turn nicely, and comes out of it like an animal.
The interior is completely amazing, better quality than any American car out there, and makes most German Imports Blush.
The seats are wide and hold you in place and the strong side bolsters prevent you from sliding.
The interior is also roomy, well if it wasnt i wouldnt be writing this report, im 6'9" and drive the 6-Speed! I think thats enough said.
The radio is kicking with steering wheel controls and subs in the rear deck
But who needs radio right?
With that throaty exhaust custom tuned by the minds over at Pontiac for the GTO's engine is pleasing to the ear and has a nice rumble at idle,also at idle your not feeling a misfire, thats a big ole cam lope. Although exiting from one side, do not be fooled this babys got true dual from the heads back with some nice chrome slash cut tips.
The main contributer to why this fine built Aussie didnt sell was not because its not everything a lot of people wanted at the time it came out, its because of greed.
I loved the GTO from the start like many other potential buyers, but only bought one till the end of the model year
Why you ask? Because at the beginning dealers scalped worse than a man selling tickets to a World Series in the parking lot of Yankee Stadium.
And only the true big shots/GTO lovers were able to pick them up, this not only caused many a POed Pontiac lovers but also caused a parking problem in Pontiac dealerships across the country because they just didnt sell, at first that is.
As I am writing this 2005's are probably being lowered onto your dealers lots all over the country, the only thing they changed are some unsatisfying hood scoops some dual pipes which exit on either side, supposedly better brakes(didnt show in resent magazines) and 50 more measly HP, for all this why pay almost ten grand more than what you can get a 2004 at now with all the rebates they are handing out.
For about half of that ten you can slap a blower on it and spank a 05.
Not that I do love the 2005s just as much as my 2004, but bang for the buck has a point and this is where it is.
I just hope the dealerships dont go haywire again and think they can ask for 5k over sticker or else there will be even less 2005s brought over from down under.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 27395
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: 6-Speed, Only option
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