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If you find yourself zeroing in on a GTO, the obvious advice is this: skip the 2004 and go right for a 2005 or a 2006. The 2004 is down 50 HP versus the '05 and '06.
Theyre so-so. Bland styling, honking engine (go with the 6.0L), garbage shifter feel/quality, decent brakes, bad on gas, semi-decent in the corners. Ive driven an automatic 5.7L, and a 6 speed 6.0L. Both were pretty impressive in a straight line, I didnt get to take the 5.7 auto into any corners though. The 6.0L I got to take out for about 30 minutes, and it included full braking (decent), cornering, acceleration, etc. It was alright. Id give it 6 out of 10 in the "fun to drive" category. lol But during my drive brake fluid someone overflowed out of the overflow tank and erupted all over the engine compartment, resulting in a lot of smoke and a badly damaged plastic engine cover (the silver one that says GTO on it). haha Oops!
I own an 04 gto and love it. Mine is a daily driver and I put her through some rigors. Just like alot of cars made today, there are going to be some quirks with it. Yes, they do get the "Bland looking" rep. but with a 350hp LS1 vette motor (04) or a 400hp LS2 (05/06) vette motor, there is nothing like "Wolf in sheep's clothing" uniqueness. As a member of the largest gto forum in the world, I read lots of pros and cons about the 04-05-06 gtos. There are some quirks as mentioned above ie; The shifter for the 6speed tranny has aftermarket fixes (for real enthusiests). The suspension upgrades are readily available (again, for the auto X'ers).
I could go on and on but I'll just say that Mine is a keeper and I'm a proud owner of one.
If you find yourself zeroing in on a GTO, the obvious advice is this: skip the 2004 and go right for a 2005 or a 2006. The 2004 is down 50 HP versus the '05 and '06.
Considering theres 5k difference between 04 and 05-6 and an abundant 5.7 aftermarket.
Ill take the 350 horses put there rest in mods and pocket the change.
I've never drove one but a co-worker has one and took me for a ride in it. His is a 2006 model with the 6.0 L and the 6 speed manual.
One thing I do not like is how the roof line near the windshield is so low: I'm only 5'9" but I have to duck my head getting in or hit it on the roof, also it's very close to your head sitting in the car.
Otherwise, the acceleration seemed ok.
However once I took him out in my boosted V6 T type he clearly exclaimed how my car pulls harder than his.
For 10K-12K, I would look at a different vehicle. The engine is amazing but as many have said, the shifter paired with it doesn't do the engine justice. The looks/interior are very sub-par as most Pontiacs are.
Why not look at an '05+ Mustang GT for comparable money? The engine may not be as big but the car has a much better look/feel to it than the GTO does.
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