2005 Pontiac GTO Reviews

I love this car.
Great handling, performance, and its comfortable!

6 speed manual
400+ hp
Mods: Custom exhuast
CAI

I purchased this GTO as my last high performance coupe. I always have that thought, one more high performance car, but it seems it's never really the last I own. Honestly, I was intrigued with the Australian beauty with the American badging, the Holden under the GTO marque.

Perhaps the first thing you notice about the GTO is that it blends in with the crowd. Were it not for the hood scoops (a feature that can be deleted in ordering) it doesn't look much different than most other mundane coupes on the road. The rear also doesn't give much away, if you overlook the big exhaust pipes looming from under the redesigned rear valance for 2005. The big dual piston calipers painted and marked GTO don't really call much attention and frankly, a side view doesn't elicit a lot of excitement. It's not until you turn the key and that 400 HP LS2 comes to life that anyone really pays attention to what this car is really all about. Then the "Thunder from Down Under" has the streets under control and you're really in the drivers' seat for a great ride.

Speaking of which, the interior is one that sets the standard for which all GM cars need to strive for. The leather buckets front and rear (Yes, it's really a 2+2 configuration) re comfortable and supportive. The workmanship is impeccible and the seats are extremely comfortable and adjustable. One con is the electric movement to allow entry into the rear seat and the seat movement is slow. That speed was improved on the 2006 model, but would still be better if it were free sliding to allow back seat entry and re-engaged after the seat was upright. But the seat does have a memory after it's upright and will return to your original setting with the push of a button.

The controls are well laid out and the dash is colorful and easy to see, Colors are in line with the color and trim of the car. If you order a black car, as I did, the gauge cluster is red, not black. If you order a blue car, the cluster is blue, a yellow vehicle, the cluster is yellow, silver, it's silver, etc. There are some variations, but generally that's the norm. The stereo CD player is a Blaupunkt and is top line with a 6 CD changer and 10 speakers. Lots of bells and whistles with remore entry, trip minder, all sorts of message center and reminder gimmicks, and one to tell you how much fuel it's sucking from your wallet. Hey, the car is fun personified, so if you're going to sweat a few bucks in fuel, you'll not want this, but an econobox instead, right?

Transmissions are choice of a 6 speed manual or a 4 speed automatic, (with overdrive)and the fuel economy, of course goes to the manual. The auto has a rating of 12 and 16 I believe and gets a gas guzzler tax added to the sales price. The auto is standard, but the gas guzzler tax will more than offset the additional cost of the six speed manual, so if you are a driving afficionado, go for the gusto and get the manual. Either transmission will allow you to smoke the tires at will and for as long as you wish. That is if you can afford replacing those beefy treads on a regular basis, as that torque can eat that rubber really fast!

This car is freaky fast. Not just fast but truly fast. The engine winds effortlessly. remember, this is the Corvette engine and does what it's supposed to do and that's propel this vehicle to wherever you wish it to go and do it quickly. Reported speed limiter settings are in the neighborhood of 152 but I can't verify that. I've seen radar readings in excess of 160 but I can't verify them with troopers either. Suffice it to say this car will run with the big dogs in most any circle. Plus, I've seen several with aftermarket superchargers that not only run with the big dogs, but bite the big dogs in the tail on the way by.

Sadly, the production of this car ended with the 2006 model year. From what I understand the dies were just worn out. Remember, this was a Holden Monaro from Australia and was rebadged and massaged for us here in the US as the GTO. Maybe we'll be seeing some more Thunder soon...   

great power band, torque at any RPM.  tires dont like to stick to the ground to well lol!   gas mileage in not the best but with this big of a motor that is to be expected.  car is very heavy but you would never guess after driving it.

Really quick. Easy to get the tires loose. Chugs gas but its worth it. Comp cam, volant cold air intake, magnaflow exhaust, n tuned. pretty rare, the car was only made for 2 years with the 6.0 litre engine. 6spd manual

sexy car nice and fast build quality was good
gas mileage was not that great but it was a great car
to drive around the street great for long trips very
comfortable it was a definent sleeper car except for
the bright yellow paint