Seems around here the '05-06's are going for about $3-5k more than the '04's, and there are less of them. Being a gearhead, I have a hard time with the idea of buying a lower powered version if there is a higher powered version available. But is it worth it? What do you think?
I much prefer the styling of the '04's myself, but that's subjective.
Objectively? If you spread that $3-5k you saved across both handling and power bolt-ons, you'd probably have a faster track car for the same price.
How close does $4000 get you to a twin-turbocharger setup?
In reply to chaparral:
I don't know, but I should mention that I'm considering buying a car to get rid of some projects, so at least for me, I don't want to do any mods to it. It would be mostly just a DD.
bravenrace wrote: In reply to chaparral: I don't know, but I should mention that I'm considering buying a car to get rid of some projects, so at least for me, I don't want to do any mods to it. It would be mostly just a DD.
If it's a DD, then you REALLY shouldn't care about the power difference. Are you going to use those extra 50 horses street racing, or what? Running from the cops? 350 not enough to keep up with traffic? 
In reply to SlickDizzy:
By that logic, I shouldn't buy a GTO at all. Plus, I don't know if there are other significant differences in them that I should be aware of. Just asking a question.
bravenrace wrote: In reply to SlickDizzy: By that logic, I shouldn't buy a GTO at all.
Not entirely true - if you commute, that ridiculously tall 6th gear can really stretch a tank out. I've heard of guys getting better than 30 MPG on long stints because of it...to me, the early car would be a no-brainer, but I also know that 350HP is already way more than I use on my daily commute. The extra 50 aren't worth $3-5k, if it's my money. But if you want to blow yours, by all means, have at it...
I hate you so much right now. I just realized I can sell my current Daily and hte Vette and almost purchase one of these for the same money. My wife is NOT going to be happy.
bravenrace wrote: In reply to chaparral: I don't know, but I should mention that I'm considering buying a car to get rid of some projects, so at least for me, I don't want to do any mods to it. It would be mostly just a DD.
Hypothetically, which projects would you be parting ways with?
The 04 has a 5.7L LS1, cable-actuated throttle body, smaller brakes, the flat hood, and same-side exit dual exhaust.
The 05 has a 6.0L LS2 (larger bore, better flowing heads), an electronic throttle, larger brakes, the scooped hood (flat was an option on ~47 IIRC), and traditional dual exhaust.
The 06 is identical to the 05 except for black/smoked taillights, some lighted switches in the cabin, and different colors.
I have driven numerous versions of both (04 and 05/06) including at the drag strip and autocross. Functionally, there is very little different between them. The 04's are a little lighter, and the throttle is easier to modulate, so they are actually quicker box-stock for most drivers at the drag strip (ET), but are usually down a little in MPH.
The stock brakes are fine for the street in either guise, and need to be upgraded for track or autox duty either way, so it's really a non-issue. The hoods are a 4-bolt swap over and many later model owners want the flat hood and visa-versa. The exhaust is harder, but doable.
IMO, at anything $2500 or more off of an 05/06, I'd rather have an 04. The 04's also had three really wicked color combos that were only available that year:
Pulse Red, kind of a bright red metallic with an all-black interior with red GTO embroidery and gray gauges.
Barbados Blue, the rarest color (271 with the M6), which is a light blue metallic, with an all black interior.
Cosmos Purple, which is a dark purple metallic, and comes with an absolutely pimp black and purple interior:
And again, on the street, they are basically the same speed since the 04's lighter weight (smaller brakes, flat hood, less exhaust) and better aero (flat hood) make up for the 50HP. Plus, it's an LS1, you can look at it funny and add 50HP whenever you want (basically headers + tune adds 50 to the wheels on these).
Manuals available yes?
Jaynen wrote: Manuals available yes?
Yes. Most are auto, but a decent number are stick.
Buy an '04. I'm still partial to purely mechanical throttles.
Jaynen wrote: Manuals available yes?
More manuals built (T56 6-speed) than autos (A4), actually.
oh gawd.... the wife better not see the purple one....... 
Javelin wrote:Jaynen wrote: Manuals available yes?More manuals built (T56 6-speed) than autos (A4), actually.
Color me impressed and corrected!
If you buy decide to buy one, double-check the inside of the tire on 04-05 models. The GTO got 245mm width tires instead of the Monaro's 235mm. This put the tire close to the strut tube-to-spring perch weld. It can cause alignment issues and wear to the back of the tire, even culminating in blowouts on rare occasions.
Bring a pencil and put it in between the strut and the tire. If it fits, you should be fine. If not, budget for new front struts or the Pedders Strut Rub Kit. 06 models had redesigned struts, but those are more failure-prone.
Just in case you need to see the other colors and interiors:
Impulse Blue, a bright blue metallic, and absolutely my favorite GTO color. Available 04-06 and with the black interior, or this swanky black and blue:
Torrid Red, available 04-06, is the standard bright red. Black interior or the gorgeous black and red:
Yellow Jacket, a bright yellow available 04 and 05 only and only with the black interior (yellow stitching and gauges).
Quicksilver, a bright silver metallic, available 04-06, black or black and red interiors.
Phantom Black, a black metallic, available all years with either the black or the black and red interior.
Cyclone Gray, a very odd color. Almost light blue like Barbados in some lighting, dark like gunmetal in others. Call it a medium blue-gray metallic. Available 05 and 066, but black interior only (gray gauges).
Midnight Blue Metallic, a very dark blue metallic, 05 and black interior only.
Brazen Orange, a bright orange metallic and very cool looking. 06 only and with a black interior (orange gauges). Note that this one is sporting the dealer optional factory body kit and the optional 18" wheels, which became standard in 06. The body kit was available for the whole run and could be ordered and installed in pieces or complete. The factory "Auto-X" grills were the most common, followed by the grills plus the front bumper lip (blacked out center). The full kit, as seen here, includes side skirts, a taller spoiler, and a rear bumper that does away with the center blackout (on 05/06's, the rear bumper wasn't available in 04). Most people prefer the bodykit front with the stock 05/06 rear bumper, or the factory front bumper with the bodykit rear.
Spice Red Metallic, a deep red metallic, 06 and black interior only.
The 05's are the rarest year, the auto's are the rarest trans, and the color combos are all over the map. Production numbers don't break down the optional interiors. Rarest color/trans is the 04 Barbados Blue M6 @ 271. Barbados Blue A4 is next at 302.
Phantom Black is the most common, then Torrid Red, then Quicksilver.
Did you just type that whole thing out or did you have it saved as a template somewhere?
I like the 04 better, but that may be because I've never driven the 05/06. Blast when driven hard and not tedious when driven soft.
In reply to chandlerGTi:
I have an unhealthy obsession with the GTO, so I know way, way too much about them. I only had to look up the production # for the Barbados A4. 
Woody wrote:bravenrace wrote: In reply to chaparral: I don't know, but I should mention that I'm considering buying a car to get rid of some projects, so at least for me, I don't want to do any mods to it. It would be mostly just a DD.Hypothetically, which projects would you be parting ways with?
All of them.
Javelin wrote: In reply to chandlerGTi: I have an unhealthy obsession with the GTO, so I know way, way too much about them. I only had to look up the production # for the Barbados A4.
So why don't you own one??
bravenrace wrote:Javelin wrote: In reply to chandlerGTi: I have an unhealthy obsession with the GTO, so I know way, way too much about them. I only had to look up the production # for the Barbados A4.So why don't you own one??
Let's see... in 05 when I was looking at buying a leftover 04 (Phantom Black/Red M6) I floundered too long and it got sold. I walked on a leftover 04 Yellow Jacket at stupid cheap because it was an A4. Then in 06 I was ready to sign the papers on an Impulse Blue/Blue M6 05 (fresh trade in on a Brazen Orange) when my conservative self bought a house instead. In 08 I was high bidder on a Barbados Blue M6 on eBay for 3 days and lost by $5 in the end. Then came marriage and now a kid, and we want kid #2 soon as well, so I drive a Mazda5.
Now I've gone and depressed myself.
When Mrs. Javelin's Grand Prix dies I plan on replacing it with a V6 G8 (really, really nice cars for DDing). And she wants an 05-09 Mustang (Windveil Blue), so we'll do that as well. I'll probably buy a GTO in about 2025...
I had a Cosmos Purple '04. There were 700 total (M6 + auto) in that color. Got comments and thumbs up nearly every day. The interior was the nicest of any GM car outside of Cadillac.
As a car guy, I wished I had the LS2 but to be honest the car never felt like it needed more HP on the street.
RexSeven wrote: If you buy decide to buy one, double-check the inside of the tire on 04-05 models. The GTO got 245mm width tires instead of the Monaro's 235mm. This put the tire close to the strut tube-to-spring perch weld. It can cause alignment issues and wear to the back of the tire, even culminating in blowouts on rare occasions. Bring a pencil and put it in between the strut and the tire. If it fits, you should be fine. If not, budget for new front struts or the Pedders Strut Rub Kit. 06 models had redesigned struts, but those are more failure-prone.
or just buy some better looking wheels with a little less backspacing.. i don't know what they were thinking when they put those wheels on them, but they are the only flaw i can find with any 04-06 GTO..
Curse not being able to get these in Canada -- IIRC they're on the Not Importable list.
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