One thing that becomes apparent rather quickly when you read HPP is that almost every story is attached to performance numbers-be they dyno results, dragstrip e.t.s, handling g's, or braking. This story is different; instead it concentrates on what it's like to actually live with the '05 GTO, putting in an average of six hours per day behind the wheel for eight days.
How did this situation come to be? It all started with a grand plan, just like most man-made disasters in history. Round up the family, get an '05 GTO from the East Coast press fleet, head south from New Jersey to pick up the final leg of Hot Rod's '05 Power Tour in Tallahassee, Florida, and then ride with the group the 290-some-odd miles to the big finale in Kissimmee, Florida. In doing so, we would get lots of seat time from which to draw opinions, and we would get to see how the Power Tour works and how it may benefit HPP and the Pontiac hobby in the future. The third prong of the three-part plan was to load up on feature Pontiacs photographed in the warm Florida sun.
All was going according to plan until we reached Florida. First there was the rain-lots of rain. Then, just after leaving Tallahassee, the Goat suffered a blowout on the highway near Lake City. Getting new tires sidelined us for 311/42 hours. Once back on the road there was more rain. By the time we reached Kissimmee, the party was in full swing, but so was a steady downpour that increased in intensity over the next hour until the show area became a drenched ghost town. So much for the Power Tour and feature-shooting aspects of my grand plan.
The Yellow Jacket Goat's blowout on the highway was somewhat of a blessing in disguise, however, as you read in Full Throttle. It provided us with a great example of what the Power Tour is all about and what this hobby of ours is all about-people having fun with their cars and helping others do the same, so we're not complaining. More sun, more time, and less rain would have been nice, though.
The most successful part of the entire trip was that we did get to spend all the time we needed to in the GTO to learn if a family of three (my 12-year-old daughter stayed home) with a small child (my son is 4) can live with a GTO every day and carry the luggage needed for an extended trip. The impressions we gathered and the things we learned using an '05 GTO as a primary Pontiac are shared here. Since the '06 GTO will be a carryover, these insights should apply to that model as well.
So if you're looking for quarter-mile e.t.'s, and skidpad and braking numbers, this isn't your story, but if you would like to know if you can stand living with a GTO beyond the new-car-smell phase, read on.
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 This 6.0-liter LS2 engine...  This 6.0-liter LS2 engine is worth the price of the car with 400 hp and an observed 24 mpg on the highway at 70 mph. Power application is seamless through the rev range. |
 On the road, performance of...  On the road, performance of the '05 GTO is excellent. The suspension is set up like a comfortable GT car-firm but not jarring. What it gives up in ultimate stick in the corners due to somewhat narrow tires and softer spring rates it makes up for with a supple ride. |
 The rear view is enhanced...  The rear view is enhanced with the new lower fascia and dual exhaust outlets. Its sound is still mean for a stock system, yet it does not drone on the highway-a common complaint about some aftermarket systems. |
 Leather, leather everywhere-except...  Leather, leather everywhere-except for where it's plastic. Overall, the interior is well laid out and comes off classier than most in this market. Fit and finish is very good. A 12v port in the console keeps your cell phone out of sight. Radio controls with the knob on the right take a little getting used to, but steering-wheel-mounted controls keep your eyes on the road, and stereo performance is eardrum thumping. An aftermarket shifter should be the first upgrade on a six-speed car as the stock one is imprecise and the throws are way too long. The thick leather-wrapped steering wheel is comfortable, and steering feel is firm enough to remind you that the GTO is a serious performer. |
 The font for the gauges is...  The font for the gauges is new for 2005, but the first-class layout remains. A message center displays information in the lower portion of the temp gauge, below the tach and speedo, and in the lower portion of the fuel gauge. Aside from providing systems warnings, a fuel-mileage computer is included, as is a stopwatch. There are 21 programmable features in all. Even with all this available info, however, there's still no oil-pressure gauge. |