New GTO getting smaller

Out last saturday morning for a drive just minding my own business. It was a perfect morning - mid 70's. Cruising along at about fifty-sixty on a long straight back road. Come around a long sweeping curve and to the left there sits a new red GTO waiting to pull out. Two younger looking dudes in it. As I pass I look in the rear and watch the GTO go sideways as it pulls out. Figure he might want to play. I slow down to about twenty he comes up on me in a hurry. I wait for him to settle in and I punch it. Needless to say he got smaller as we got faster. Shut it down at around 125 as we came up on some other cars. Don't you know he had to keep going, came around me and almost got hit head on. As traffic cleared, I passed the car in front of me and got up behind him. For some strange reason he put on his blinker, waved me on by, and made the turn. He probably needed to go home and change his drawers! He should have quit while I was ahead!

 

That is respect from the GTO meaning that they will respect you in the future, It rarely you see people doing that :Smarty: Do you know the year of the GTO the 06 one's are fast.

 

It didn't have the scoops on the hood. I guess I should have put "newer" GTO. He jumped right away when I punched it. Pulled away from them pretty good. When I shut it down he was back about two and a half to three car lengths. I was surprised because of all that I had heard.

 

The GTO's are all over the place. An `04 should be similar performance to a GS 455. My first `04 GTO an automatic, couldn't get out of it's own way. I switched for a six speed and that car puts 317 hp to the ground, engine is (rated at 350). That one has gone best of 13.09 @ 107 mph and I have run it to 160 mph on the open road. The `05's & `06's have more potential, but have more computer intervention. My `05 six speed only put down 325 to the ground (rated at 400), but that car has done a best of 12.76 @ 109. Another Phoenix area 05 six speed has gone 12.55 at 111 with Maf screen removed and muffler delete. I think he dynoed at 358.

I just hang out on this board waiting for someone to mention the new GTO's.

 

Good data, Dave... :TU:

 

It was still a blast pulling away from them in such a larger/heavier car. Can't wait to run a new one. Hopefully I'll give it a run. My motor's bored out .30 over/aggressive cam. Do all the 05-06 cars have the hood scoops? Thanks for all the info. Obviously didn't know much about them.

 

I just want to mention that I don't want to take anything away from your experience. I'm still a Buick guy!

One interesting thing that I have to tell people about the GTO's is they are not light. With me (185 lbs) in the car it weighs 3920 with 1/4 tank of gas.

`05 & `06 are standard with the hood scoops. `05 had an option that you could get the flat hood, I think the stats only show 10 sold that way. Not sure if the `06's offered the flat hood. `05's & '06's also had true duals one on each side. `04's had two pipes coming out the same side. However, many `04's have been upgraded to look like the `05+'s.

 

Dave, Thanks for the update. I'm amazed they are so heavy. Must have a good road feel. Robert

 

Not to completely hijack this thread (it IS supposed to be about Buicks)...

but this instantly became my favorite picture as soon as I got it. The '65 is mine; the 2005 is from the GM Heritage Center and is the car that was on display at the SEMA show.

The picture is from a Pontiac show last May:

 

Those new GTO's are pretty sweet cars. I do love the older ones better, but I give respect where it is due, and the new ones have my respect! :bglasses: That was a nice kill Robert! :3gears: :TU:

-Cody

 

Thanks Cody! Just glad those kids didn't get killed literally! It got the old blood coursing.

 

Very nice car! Almost bought one (in '04) when I was looking for my new truck. Boy was I tempted. Need something to pull the boat with though! Had to get away from it quickly.

 

Do they come with the 18" wheels? They look smaller than that on the road.

 

Beautiful pair! Really nice.

 

17" are standard and 18" wheels are optional.

Just got done with my daily kill on my way home, this time a new Hemi Charger with my `04.

 

When those came out in Australia, they were available with the Buick supercharged six with the turbohydramatic 700. They made up for 2% of the sales that year and were then scrapped as an option. Hey Buick Power, what do you think of the Holden Special Vehicles bodykits? Here's a pic if you haven't seen one.

 

So the new GTO'S and the Buick GS's weigh about the same???

 

My 2002 Monaro brochure says the auto weighs 3615 and the manual weighs 3626.

 

I like it better with the body kit. I have driven these and they are very impressive. Interior is awesome. Exterior (even with the kit) leaves something to be desired in my opinion. I think the new GTO is actually going to be based off the new camaro. SHould be a FIREBIRD but I don;t think they want to go head to head so it will be a GTO. Or at least that is what I am reading. WHo knows. Could change 5 times before they actually get to a release date with the bean counters.
Here is the pic of what a FIREBIRD would look like.