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2005 Pontiac GTO Full Review
Date Published: 7/31/08
Also in the 2005 Pontiac GTO Review:
2005 Pontiac GTO Review
Pontiac's reborn muscle car gets more power for 2005. GTO is based on a car built by Holden, GM's Australian branch, and is offered only as a midsize coupe. A modified Chevrolet Corvette V8, now up from 5.7-to 6.0-liters and 350 to 400 horsepower, drives the GTO's rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission or an available 6-speed manual. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, and a limited-slip differential are standard. Performance tires with 17-inch wheels are the only wheel-tire combination. GTO seats four and comes with leather upholstery, in-dash CD changer, and remote keyless entry. Side airbags, sunroof, and antiskid system are unavailable. New for '05 is a standard hood with twin open air scoops. Pontiac says the scoops provide engine cooling, but no performance advantage. A scoopless hood is a no-cost option.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. The Sporty/Performance Car class consists of two-seat roadsters, 4-cyl hatchbacks, and V8 muscle cars. Regardless of configuration, all have an emphasis on affordable performance.
Our Best Buys include the Mazda Miata, and Pontiac GTO. Our Recommended picks are the Acura RSX, Ford Mustang, Honda S2000, Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z, and Scion tC.
Our Best Buys include the Mazda Miata, and Pontiac GTO. Our Recommended picks are the Acura RSX, Ford Mustang, Honda S2000, Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z, and Scion tC.
News
Pontiac juiced up the 2005 GTO to juice up GTO sales, which were way below expectations in debut '04. Actually, a number of new GM products haven't clicked with buyers, and demand for older mainstay models is declining, even sales of high-margin SUVs. The result is a profit squeeze so severe that GM plans to cut its salaried workforce by no less than 25 percent. Also to save money, the company has cancelled a family of rear-drive cars based on the Zeta platform developed at GM Australia. That means a new Zeta-based GTO rumored for 2007 or '08 is dead before arrival unless GM's financial situation turns around fast--and that's not likely.
2005 Pontiac GTO Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration | Fuel economy |
| Steering/handling | Rear-seat entry/exit |
| Brake performance | |
| Front-seat comfort | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
No opportunity to time yet, Pontiac estimates 4.7 sec 0-60-mph with either transmission. Ample midrange power, though automatic hesitates a bit to downshift and lacks separate gate for manual shifting. Manual transmission has long throws. Clutch takeup smooth, if a bit stiff.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 6.3 |
No opportunity to time yet, Pontiac estimates 4.7 sec 0-60-mph with either transmission. Ample midrange power, though automatic hesitates a bit to downshift and lacks separate gate for manual shifting. Manual transmission has long throws. Clutch takeup smooth, if a bit stiff.
Fuel Economy
Test manual-transmission GTO averaged 16.6-17.9 mpg. No opportunity to measure with automatic. A $1300 federal Gas-Guzzler Tax applies with automatic transmission. Pontiac recommends premium-grade fuel.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 5.8 |
Test manual-transmission GTO averaged 16.6-17.9 mpg. No opportunity to measure with automatic. A $1300 federal Gas-Guzzler Tax applies with automatic transmission. Pontiac recommends premium-grade fuel.
Ride Quality
Performance-car firm, but mostly comfortable. Some testers found ride control laudable, others criticized it for bounding over bumps and swells. Minimal impact harshness or tire thump except on sharp bumps.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 4 |
Performance-car firm, but mostly comfortable. Some testers found ride control laudable, others criticized it for bounding over bumps and swells. Minimal impact harshness or tire thump except on sharp bumps.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Assured, athletic. Minimal body lean, strong grip, quick reflexes. Steering has slight on-center dead spot, but is crisp, responsive otherwise. Strong brakes.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 8.1 |
Assured, athletic. Minimal body lean, strong grip, quick reflexes. Steering has slight on-center dead spot, but is crisp, responsive otherwise. Strong brakes.
Quietness
V8 growls at full throttle, burbles at steady 65 mph, which suits this modern muscle machine. Tire noise audible, but not intrusive except on very coarse pavement. Wind rush rises markedly at freeway speeds.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 3.2 |
V8 growls at full throttle, burbles at steady 65 mph, which suits this modern muscle machine. Tire noise audible, but not intrusive except on very coarse pavement. Wind rush rises markedly at freeway speeds.
Controls
Large, legible gauges. Simple, generally user-friendly controls, though trip-computer display needs better daytime contrast. Cabin trim attractive, acceptable for the price.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6.1 |
Large, legible gauges. Simple, generally user-friendly controls, though trip-computer display needs better daytime contrast. Cabin trim attractive, acceptable for the price.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Six-footers have ample leg room, adequate head clearance. Firm, well-shaped, long-haul comfortable seats with great lateral support in turns. Sufficient seat/wheel adjustments, helped by standard tilt/telescope steering column. Some testers found the space between the clutch pedal and footwell too narrow on manual-transmission cars. Visibility good in all directions. As in other coupes, long doors are clumsy in tight spots, but afford easy front entry/exit.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 5.1 |
Six-footers have ample leg room, adequate head clearance. Firm, well-shaped, long-haul comfortable seats with great lateral support in turns. Sufficient seat/wheel adjustments, helped by standard tilt/telescope steering column. Some testers found the space between the clutch pedal and footwell too narrow on manual-transmission cars. Visibility good in all directions. As in other coupes, long doors are clumsy in tight spots, but afford easy front entry/exit.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Seat shaped for two only, but roomy enough for adults. Front seats power fore/aft via outboard buttons on backrests, but do so slowly. Entry/exit unusually tight; front backrests don't tip forward far, leaving narrow passage, and no assist handles provided.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 1.4 |
Seat shaped for two only, but roomy enough for adults. Front seats power fore/aft via outboard buttons on backrests, but do so slowly. Entry/exit unusually tight; front backrests don't tip forward far, leaving narrow passage, and no assist handles provided.
Cargo Room
Disappointing. Trunk fairly deep and wide, but only some 18 inches front to rear, so a couple of golf bags fill it up--and rear seatback doesn't fold down. Cabin storage just adequate.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 3.2 |
Disappointing. Trunk fairly deep and wide, but only some 18 inches front to rear, so a couple of golf bags fill it up--and rear seatback doesn't fold down. Cabin storage just adequate.
Value within Class
A nicely appointed interior with a usable back seat are pluses in this class. But it is GTO's blend of American-V8 go and European road manners at a reasonable price that earn it our Best Buy rating.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 6.7 |
A nicely appointed interior with a usable back seat are pluses in this class. But it is GTO's blend of American-V8 go and European road manners at a reasonable price that earn it our Best Buy rating.
Total Score
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 57 | 57 | 49.9 |
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 37 | |
| Average Score | 49 | |
| High Score | 58 |
2005 Pontiac GTO Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 11/29/2004
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
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| Base 2-door coupe | $32,295 | $29,873 | $700 |
Price note: Add $1300 Gas-Guzzler Tax w/standard automatic transmission.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
6.0-liter V8 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control, limited-slip differential.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, power steering, tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, 8-way power front bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, rear bucket seats, center console, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, Blaupunkt AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, hood scoops, rear spoiler, 245/45ZR17 tires, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Powertrain |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
6-speed manual transmission
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Base
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$695
|
$619
|
|
Deletes Gas-Guzzler Tax.
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Appearance and Miscellaneous |
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Hood scoop delete
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Base
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$0
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$0
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2005 Pontiac GTO Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Pontiac GTO 2-door coupe |
| Wheelbase, in. | 109.8 |
| Overall Length, in. | 189.8 |
| Overall Width, in. | 72.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 54.9 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | -- |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 7.0 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.3 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.2 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.3 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 37.1 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| ohv V8 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 6.0 /364 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 400 @ 5200 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 395 @ 4000 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 6-speed manual | 16/25 |
| 4-speed automatic | 16/21 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Pontiac GTO 2-door coupe |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | None/-- | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 6/100,000 | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
Australia
Drivewheels:
rear-wheel drive
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Tester's Comments
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Major Options: 6-speed Manual Transmission, Torrid Red Exterior, Combination Leather Interior Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 18.04 mpg (what's this?) Problems During Test: None From The Back Seat Chuck Giametta I was cool to this as a Best Buy and remain so. But since it is one, we have to give it a 9 rating in Value. But wait 'till next year! |
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Also in the 2005 Pontiac GTO Review:
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