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2005 GTO, updated exterior, 400horses (LS-2 engine)

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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 11:06 AM
  #16  
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I saw a new GTO on the road the other day - first one I'd seen. Looked REALLY GREAT. Understated but a powerful look.

Captain you say it looks like a 2 door Civic and from that foreshortened pic I can see what you mean but in person there would be no mistaking the two.

I haven't seen the U.S. interior yet, but unless it's REALLY bad this is one GREAT value of a car.
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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 01:20 PM
  #17  
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Default Re: Interiors

I agree with you, Sasha, about the interior of the Holden vs. that of the Pontiac. All that ****ty jazz yet they still pull the climate display to replace it with cheapo-****. It's really a shame.

The GTO is still a good value though, like some of you have said.
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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 03:32 PM
  #18  
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Default GTO

I like the look of the Holden/GTO and who can dislike the horsepower. My problem is the price. I don't think it's a value. Isn't this car $35,000. Probably more with dealer mark up. Other than American exotics(Viper, Ford GT, Saleen S7) I can't see spending that much on an American car. We had 275-300hp with the F-bodies. They were crappy but they were a value. If the new GTO turns out to be reliable and holds it's value, then maybe I could see that price.
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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 04:16 PM
  #19  
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i ve never seen one of those on the road of bay area, they start making drifting machine with those GTO (american version of 240SX i think)
but that's a great car for money
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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 04:17 PM
  #20  
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why is the new GTO hand brake on the opposite side of the steering wheel, weird

-Abboushi
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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 06:42 PM
  #21  
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Originally posted by abboushi
why is the new GTO hand brake on the opposite side of the steering wheel, weird
Hmm.. I think the Aussies drive on the left hand side of the road (right hand drive car) where the hand brake would make more sense. I also noticed the volume **** is over on the right which would be a pain for a left hand (e.g., U.S.) model.

Seems like they didn't do much 'mirror' tooling for the U.S. model. Typical GM to insult its potential customer's intelligence.
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Old Jun 12, 2004 | 06:59 PM
  #22  
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Originally posted by bitkahuna
Hmm.. I think the Aussies drive on the left hand side of the road (right hand drive car) where the hand brake would make more sense. I also noticed the volume **** is over on the right which would be a pain for a left hand (e.g., U.S.) model.

Seems like they didn't do much 'mirror' tooling for the U.S. model. Typical GM to insult its potential customer's intelligence.
I agree. Infiniti has insulted the LHD markets as well by refusing to move volume and HVAC ***** from their RHD locations in the G35 variants. It's just lazy and cheap. It can't possibly take all THAT much more effort and $$$ for a company to ask their OEM to run a slightly different panel...Jeez...

It's the little things that matter once you get in the $30K+ price range...That's not exactly cheap, and if I were paying that kind of money for a car, I would expect more.

EDIT: Thanfully, the G35 and GTO are both great cars, so some control-interface blunders can be excused.

Last edited by SecPole14; Jun 13, 2004 at 08:05 AM.
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Old Jun 13, 2004 | 09:06 AM
  #23  
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Default Re: GTO

Originally posted by reggiek
I like the look of the Holden/GTO and who can dislike the horsepower. My problem is the price. I don't think it's a value. Isn't this car $35,000. Probably more with dealer mark up. Other than American exotics(Viper, Ford GT, Saleen S7) I can't see spending that much on an American car. We had 275-300hp with the F-bodies. They were crappy but they were a value. If the new GTO turns out to be reliable and holds it's value, then maybe I could see that price.
Reggiek - you may be right.

The starting price is 32,xxx and dealers stock & tag them at just over 33,000 dollars. Which means you can probably get one for around 30,000 after it's all said and done.

While I'm semi-championing this car - I'll tell you outright that I probably wouldn't buy one. It just doesn't suit me.
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Old Jun 13, 2004 | 09:16 AM
  #24  
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the GTO LHD car has teh brake on the other side of the console
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Old Jun 14, 2004 | 10:15 AM
  #25  
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Thumbs up SCOOP 'em up.

Not surprising that hood scoops are on the option list now. This was one of the chief complaints with the present design when it was first displayed, and Pontiac was promising them as a future option even before the first ones reached the showrooms a couple of months ago.
I know some of you die-hard sports-trim interior fans won't agree with this, but almost all of the original GTO's from about 1966 on had a lot of wood trim on the dash and console....this is something that is really missing on the present one and should be at least offered as an option....along with the carbon-fiber and brush-aluminum that a lot of guys want.
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Old Jun 14, 2004 | 10:23 AM
  #26  
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I'm not that happy about the ebrake location but it being located on the outside makes it easier to grab than if it was right next to the driver.. I think the RX7 is like that too, makes the ebrake easier to grab as its not right next to your seat

I like the GTOs... with the back end wasnt so high and fat but overall i like it
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Old Jun 14, 2004 | 01:44 PM
  #27  
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Originally posted by LexusRules
all that looks different is the front bumper, side skirts, and grille... probobly taillights and rear bumper are slightly differnt too (too lazy to check) I wouldn't mind getting one and converting it! I'd change the interior as well... Pontiac interios are quite possibly the worst interior of all cars.
Close, dude....but no cigar. Saturn interiors are even worse, especially on the Ion and VUE. Wide gaps. Ill-fitting pieces. Flimsy cheap plastic. Rattles. Squeaks.
I'm not knocking Saturn as a company or what their products ARE good for...they DO have some strong points....but interiors are not one of them.
Kias used to have awful interiors and overall quality but have improved tremendously in the last few years.
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Old Jun 15, 2004 | 08:27 AM
  #28  
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Default 2005 GTO, updated exterior, 400horses (LS-2 engine)

Youre right! It's the cheap GM finishing touches that spoils that car. If I were to buy that car, i'd import the front facia & the climate control portion of the dash to at least have the car lookin good.

I can't stand that Pontiac nope with those two open nostrils cause ~that look~ conjures up memories of tacky -plastic-cladding-engine revving-cheap interiors GM cars.

Damn, they sure messed up that car!
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Old Jul 15, 2004 | 07:28 PM
  #29  
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Default Re: 2005 GTO, updated exterior, 400horses (LS-2 engine)

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
What’s new for 2005
LS2 6.0L engine replaces LS1
400 horsepower (295 kw)
395 lb.-ft. of torque (546 Nm)
Available hood with twin air scoops
Revised rear fascia incorporating outlets for new split dual exhaust system
Polished exhaust outlet tips
Larger brake rotors and calipers
Red-painted calipers with GTO logo on front caliper
Driver foot rest
Two new colors: blue and grey
Model Lineup
Engine Transmissions
6.0L V-8
6-spd man

(Tremec T56)
4-spd auto

(Hydra-Matic 4L60-E)

GTO
s
o
s


Key:

Standard
s

Optional
o



2005 PONTIAC GTO: THE NEW GOAT GETS MORE MUSCLE
GTO – the original muscle car – was re-introduced last year and returns with more power and style for 2005. A new LS2 6.0L V-8 engine replaces the LS1 5.7L engine, bringing with it an increase in horsepower and torque.

The ’05 GTO packs 400 horsepower (295 kw) – up from 350 horses (261 kw) – and 395 lb.-ft. of torque (546 Nm), up from 365 lb.-ft. (495 Nm). Transmission choices are the same as the ’04 model’s: The Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic is standard and the Tremec six-speed manual is optional. GTO’s more powerful engine should lower the 0-60 time to less than 5 seconds.

Enthusiasts will immediately spot the brawnier ’05 GTO, thanks to new badging and a revised rear fascia that incorporates a new dual-exhaust system – it splits the GTO’s two outlets, routing them to opposite sides of the rear fascia. The exhaust tips are polished for a more refined appearance.

Also available is a new hood design incorporating a pair of stylish air scoops. The scoops draw fresh air in to the GTO’s engine compartment.

The badges identifying the ’05 GTO’s bigger V-8 include a “6.0” badge on the trunk lid and revised “GTO” fender badges, which now incorporate “6.0 Litre” designations. The original 1964 GTO also wore “6.0 Litre” fender badges, but at a time when almost every other American manufacturer referenced engine size in cubic inches.

Along with the GTO’s power increase comes improved braking performance from larger brake rotors, calipers and pads. The calipers are painted red and the front calipers feature the GTO logo.

Additional changes to the ’05 GTO include two new colors (blue and grey), as well as driver foot rest. A line of regular production accessories (RPAs) based on the 2004 GTO Performance Plus SEMA concept vehicle is scheduled for start-of-production availability. The accessories include a tall rear spoiler, front and rear fascia extensions, rocker molding extensions and grille inserts. As part of GM’s RPA program, the accessories can be ordered and installed on the vehicle prior to delivery.

LS2 details

Compared to the Gen III-based LS1, the 2005 GTO’s LS2 V-8 incorporates several significant changes to help improve performance. The block is an all-new casting with cylinder bores measuring 4.00 inches (101.6 mm) in diameter. The cylinder heads and camshaft are revised, too, to deliver the airflow necessary to complement the engine’s larger displacement. Other changes include:

New aluminum block casting with revised oil galleries and provisions for external knock sensors – external sensors improve serviceability
Camshaft lift increased to take advantage of increased cylinder head flow
Camshaft sensor relocated from the rear of the block to the front of the block provides room for new oil galleries
Flat-top piston design with lower ring tension reduces friction
Piston floating wrist pins help quiet the engine
More efficient ignition coils require less energy to provide a comparable spark
Compression raised to 10.9:1
Larger, 90-mm single-blade throttle body
Reduced-mass water pump design with improved sealing capability
Engine “redline” raised to 6500 rpm
Revised and more powerful engine controller incorporates all electronic throttle control functions
GM expected to sell 20,000 of these. They have only sold 3,200 . Throught my employee plan at work, they were offering like $500 off. Not it's up to $2100 in rebates not to mention I pretty much buy the car at cost. With the car sitting on dealer lots, rebates will get bigger.

No crap, I'd keep the ES (still be in the Lexus family) and get this for 30k. This is a very, tempting offer.
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Old Jul 15, 2004 | 09:49 PM
  #30  
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DO IT!!!! It looks like an awesome car!
Plus i want to see one at the SELOC meet!
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