2005 Pontiac GTO

Pros: Acceleration with the manual, improved handling, sexy interior, price.
Cons: Ergonomically challenged, automatic hesitates badly. exterior styling is weak.

This redo of the old GTO concept starts out with the same engine found in the Corvette - a solid 400 HP monster that moves this car along very quickly indeed. I test drove both the automatic and stick. They are worlds apart - the stick responds instantly to the gas pedal while the automatic gathers itself up before lunging forward. The interior looks better than it feels for some reason. Seating is not up to the best from Europe or even Japan, but then this is a GTO after all. For a price in the low $30's this is a monster car. The handling is light years ahead of the classic GTO's I have been in, and the brakes do their job adequately as well. Gas mileage and insurance will be deal breakers for some, but there is little competition in this price range for a classic muscle car. Not for everyone, but if you do buy one, do not, repeat do not, buy the automatic.

Pros: Awesome acceleration, superb handling and roomy interior.
Cons: Lack of extra gauges and automatic temp climate control like is found on the Monaro.

We are on our second GTO, both automatics. The automatic definitely has advantages and acquits itself quite well against the manual. Sure, folks who really like to drive a car prefer a manual, but the auto is quite smooth and GM's shift program can be used to good advantage once you learn how to drive it properly.

One thing many people aren't aware of is that in order to meet the gas guzzler requirements for 2005, the manual is equipped with a second gear "lockout" that under certain conditions FORCES you to shift from 1st to third! This is a non-starter for me and if I owned one the first thing I'd do is rip out the solenoid in the center console!