best to buy-'04,'05,'06?
 

I have been thinking about purchasing an '04-'06 GTO, but have held off for a million different reasons. Anyway, it's time to really get serious. I mentioned this subject to a person while in a GM dealership the other day, and their comeback was,--"Oh, you'll want an '04, but I forget the reason." I figured an '05 or '06 would be the way to go because of the horsepower difference. I would appreciate any help ( with reasons why, so I can learn more).

Tons of info over on the ls2gto.com site. I am partial to the '06 :D

Oh, and check this out for some info.

http://www.ls1gto.com/05GTO/

'06 is pretty much the same as the '05 with a few minor differences.

An '04 will be cheaper, and because it's got an LS1 there will be a greater variety of aftermarket parts. But it will be more difficult to find an '04 that hasn't been modded/demodded and run hard. Out of the box an '04 has a 50hp deficit, so you'll have to mod it if you want to keep up with '05s-'06s.

I'd go get one of the remaining 06s, seems to be the only insurance the car hasn't been abused unless you get one through a contact or through one of the sites, ls1gto.com.

If budget is a concern that would be the only benefit of having an 04 over a 5 or 6.

Thanks
 

Just read the three answers. Thank you, and since finding PY, I'll continue to use it.

As Humbler and Moonshiner said, check out LS1GTO.com. You'll find a lot more information about these cars over there. Don't get me wrong...this site is great, but it's geared mostly toward older cars.

By the way, where are you located?

Another thing on the 05-06 they have bigger brakes as well as 50 HP. Although takeoffs form 05-06 guys going aftermarket are easy to find.

They are nice driving cars. Handle well and good acceleration. My 04 is a special edition color that at one point they were to use as 40th anniversary cars.Probably hang on to it and maybe after its out of warranty get an LS7! Got a set of 05 brakes ready for it too.

04 is the sleeper, no scoops or dual outlets on both sides, no one will bother it in a parking lot. brakes are not an issue, unless you stop from 130 mph to zero, which is not typical.

05-06 thats what I would buy.

sorry, best for hop up parts is the 04. never had any strut rub problems on my 04.

Any one you get will be a winner, like posted look out for 'drive it like you stole it' cars.
The '04's had strut rub issues, which is easily fixed. The '05's had accelerator pedal issues, warranty. And the '06's had leaking front struts, also warranty. I think it's the best car GM has produced in a long long time.

I have only driven the '04 so I don't know how much faster the '05 & 06 feel, but the '04 was plenty fast. Seems like if you could find a used but not abused '04 you could get your foot in the door for the least amount of money & make upgrades later if you decide you want to.

'04 brakes are an issue. Mine warped 4 times.
I owned a '04 and a '06 and the '06 is the better car.

MIne did the same thing...but then again the brake induced burnies may have had something to do with it!

04 value
 

Anybody got a ballpark on what an '04, 6-speed with 50,000 miles would be worth, in 'average' condition?

15,500-16,500
I know price will annoy some people who are selling. But, they are not selling unless the price is set at a reasonable point. I just picked up a 05 with 18k miles, 6 spd, and the 18" wheels for 20.700. The price could have been a little bit better, but it was a color that I liked and it came with a couple aftermarket parts in boxes. Nothing was installed and it is still under warranty.

Check these out

http://www.autobase.com/cgi/list.exe...=GTO&newsite=1

Hey, I am thinking about selling my '04 silver 6-speed as I plan on getting a truck again and I already have my '69 goat for a project car. I have been super happy with it and it has close to 67K on it with NO trouble. I drive like an old man (never had a speeding ticket and watch the MPG gauge real close)so I have never had an issue, however given the fact that the LS1 and t-56 tranny are virtually buletproof that is no surprise. In fact, due to all of the highway driving I have done I have gotten a constant 29 MPG Highway mileage quite often.

I change the oil with Mobil 1 5W-30 and filter every 4-5K miles otherwise it has not needed anything.

Some of those who might be upset by the lower prices that the '04s are commanding probably paid over stick when new as many dealers were jacking up the prices for the first few months they came out. It was not until late in '04 that they were offering deep discounts to move remaining inventory, which is when I got mine :-)

Anyway, finding the used ones that have not been throttled on are far and few between, but the chassis are really well built so they're a great car overall.

In any event I think you will be really happy going with any of the '04-'06's.

Dan

06 all the way