Settle for '04, or hold out for '05 or '06?

[five7kid]

Okay, background: The family "fleet" is up for a shake-up; the '90 & '91 Bonnevilles have more wrong with them than I'm willing to put the time or money into fixing, the horse will only need to be hauled around for another 6 months, the kids each have their own car, etc.

My wife asked me what kind of car I would get if I had my choice* - I looked up some '04-'06 GTOs on eBay, she didn't flinch when she saw them (liked the blue one the best).

I think I could be happy with an '04, there were certainly improvements to the '05 & '06 offerings. But, are they worth the extra price?

Incidently, I've noticed most of the nice ones up for sale are from dealers - what's with that?

*This wasn't a blank check. And, it would be hard to justify getting my "dream car" when she still doesn't have something decent to drive. Maybe I should just ask for $10k-15k to put an LS1/T56/12-bolt in the Camaro and have it repainted, and put the rest toward getting her something nice.

[ssimpala]

I can't tell you specifically about the GTO, but I did have an '05 CTS V which is real close. I just traded it for an Escalade for my wife to drive and am shopping for another F body for myself. Those things do have a lot of potential but it is really expensive to make them hook at the track. Madman at Thunder Racing has a wheel hop fix for $6,500.00. Then figure a new shifter (the factory hurst is really sloppy), headers, exhaust, PCM tune, etc. You could sure have an awfully nice Camaro! Just something to think about.

[NviouSS]

i would choose an 05/06 because i think they look better than the 04's. plus they have an ls2 vs the ls1 of the 04's.

[Chris 96 WS6]

50 more HP, hood scoops and split rear exhaust, and bigger brakes.

I'd hold out for the 05/06.

[Snigga]

The hood scoop is an easy fix. An 05-06 hood will bolt right up to an 04. However, the exhaust on the 04s just looks yucky to me. +1 hold out for 05/06

[GTOnTA]

Hold out for an '05-06. You can add the '05/06 hood and exhaust to an '04, but you may have to spend a good chunk of change to do it. You may find an '04 that has already been modified, but I'd think that they will be rare.
Keep in mind that these are heavy (but comfortable) cars. Mine weighs 3751 lbs curb with a full tank of fuel. It is pretty quick though. :D

[five7kid]

Well, this is now OBE (overcome by events - sorry, we use that a lot at work).

A 2000 LS1/T56 is on its way to our home. Will start collecting the pieces necessary to get it into the Camaro for hopefully a winter swap project.

Thanks for all of the responses. I'm sure this will be good info for others considering such a purchase.

[Nosedive4130]

I myself have been in the market for a goat.

FWIW I would only consider an '06. I have read in a couple of forums that the '04 and 05 have been having clearance problems between the inside of the front wheels and the suspension. GM Puts it as polishing.... And there is also a class action suit being filed against GM for this since they won't recall it. Supposedly the '06 model should have been redesigned a little to help out with the problem.

Just some info that I have recently learned. Hoped to have helped with others in the market.

[Fenster]

Well the point is moot, but I'll put in my $.02 since I have a little experience w/ both. I personally would hold out. I owned a 2004 for a year, and I have driven a 2006 a few times. The added power, brakes and looks of the 2006 would make me wait. The price difference isn't really that great, so it won't take long...

so for those of you thinking the same thing... there...! :p

[CamTom12]

I want a thread on the LS1 swap!!!!

[dkrowner]

go with the 06 gto thats what i did ,and they fixed the strut rub that they was having with 04-05 models.need any other info hit a brother up

[five7kid]

I want a thread on the LS1 swap!!!!Wish I could give it to you. Progress has been painfully slow. I'll probably take a week off work soon to try to get more done on it.

[94 Z28 w/issues]

having been able to drive an 04 and an 06 because ive friends that have them, hold out, the 06 is so much nicer to drive