Debating between an 05 closeout and an 06

[DriveTOOfast]

The upgrades between the 04 and the 05 GTO jumped right out at a perspective buyer, namely the differences in the hood and the HP rating and the brakes, making the choice pretty easy.

Now that the 06 model is hitting the dealerships and there are some closeout 05's available, the differences appear to be minor and cosmetic.

Would anybody care to help me decide between getting a closeout 05 or an 06.

My local dealer has an 05 blue/auto but I am leaning towards trying to find a 6 speed.

[Flashpoint]

The upgrades between the 04 and the 05 GTO jumped right out at a perspective buyer, namely the differences in the hood and the HP rating and the brakes, making the choice pretty easy.

Now that the 06 model is hitting the dealerships and there are some closeout 05's available, the differences appear to be minor and cosmetic.

Would anybody care to help me decide between getting a closeout 05 or an 06.

My local dealer has an 05 blue/auto but I am leaning towards trying to find a 6 speed.


If you really want to speed 6 then wait or find another 05 that is six speed. Really do you want to say a few monthes from now, I should have gotten a six speed???

I personally would test drive both if unsure which tranny you want...

[DriveTOOfast]

My internal debate is not between an auto and a 6 speed, it is between the cost difference between an 05 and an 06.

Do the differences between the 05 and the 06 justify the real world cost difference?

[Drachen]

That depends on whether you really want any of the few new goodies the 2006 has.

For me, the only thing I'd really want are the "427 style" tails that the 06 is getting, but for less than $500 you can have a set of real ones without the red side deflector from JHP.

[MikeZ28]

I have not been tracking the '06s too closely, but isn't the only difference the different taillights, an extra power socket, faster seats, and lighted steering wheel controls? Is there more? So as far as I'm concerned the '06 model is no great leap over the '05, at least concerning the publically announced features.

I'd be more interested in upgrading to an '06 if they had permanently "fixed" issues like the pedal position sensor, and improved the weakish stock stereo (LOL, the web page calls it a 'surround sound system'--is that legal? Mine barely sounds like stereo much less "surround").

[dsclark]

Different taillights, an extra power socket, faster seats, and lighted steering wheel controls are what the General claims to be new.
However, I saw some other posts claiming an upgraded power steering system (supposedly, the current system can fail if you crank to the limits on either side and hold it there , not that any sane person would do that)
and a different ignition computer .
As for the stereo, it looks like the same stocker that sorely needs a direct input for sat radio/mp3 sources.
My local dealer has an '06 and I'll try to check it out tonight.

[KWBSales]

Wait and see what the next round of '05 incentives brings (maybe next week). That should give you a pretty good idea on which way to go.

[impulsive05]

Unless you just wanted spice red or brazen orange i would suggest saving ALOT of money and just buy an 05...the money you save could buy and 06 things you want (427 tails) and still have a big chunk of change left over.

[sappy96]

there are still a bit of 05 six speeds to be had im sure
the dealer here has a red one w/ the sap and a 6 speed

[deezz]

Just unbelievable how much the 05's are coming down. Just left the dealership and they are at $25,900 for M6 if you take from dealer stock.
They only have two M6's in Yellow.
Making it hard for me not to trade my car in and get one. If they had blk/red M6 may have left today w/ one. :)

[HatchetJoe]

Just unbelievable how much the 05's are coming down. Just left the dealership and they are at $25,900 for M6 if you take from dealer stock.
They only have two M6's in Yellow.
Making it hard for me not to trade my car in and get one. If they had blk/red M6 may have left today w/ one. :)


I wish your dealership was near me, None of my locals will go anywhere near that price.

[KWBSales]

I'd jump on a new '05 A4 for that price!

[impulsive05]

FYI: There are 7 six speed 2005 GTO's at my local dealer in Sumter, South Carolina, 2 Red, Silver, Black, 2 Yellow, & Midnight Blue

[johnsgto]

I would go with the 05, its a buyers market, counter the dealer with a lower price, see just how low they will go.

[old goat 05]

The upgrades between the 04 and the 05 GTO jumped right out at a perspective buyer, namely the differences in the hood and the HP rating and the brakes, making the choice pretty easy.

Now that the 06 model is hitting the dealerships and there are some closeout 05's available, the differences appear to be minor and cosmetic.

Would anybody care to help me decide between getting a closeout 05 or an 06.

My local dealer has an 05 blue/auto but I am leaning towards trying to find a 6 speed.
u have to look at it this way how bad do u want the gto one and two how much of a price dif will u get on the 05 to 06 plus is the added changes to the 06 really nesisary to u. thats the bottom line.

[GTO007]

If your decision is down to price than getting an 05 would be vary smart. New 05's sitting around are becoming a problem for dealerships, and you can buy an 05 gto for much less now than you ever coould before I'd say 26-28K will be the average price going forward for peopel who are not laydowns. You'll see used 05 advertised for those amounts and now that is too high for a used one. you can get 04's with under 10K for 20,000. Salesmangers will be telloign the salestaff to sell all the 05's first even if someone wants an 06. So if you really wwant an 05 go in there "pretending" that you want an 06 and they'll want to sell you an 05 even more:gr_jest:

[nikivee]

The upgrades between the 04 and the 05 GTO jumped right out at a perspective buyer, namely the differences in the hood and the HP rating and the brakes, making the choice pretty easy.

Now that the 06 model is hitting the dealerships and there are some closeout 05's available, the differences appear to be minor and cosmetic.

Would anybody care to help me decide between getting a closeout 05 or an 06.

My local dealer has an 05 blue/auto but I am leaning towards trying to find a 6 speed.

For me personally I would just buy an 05 GTO. The difference between the 2 years is IMHO nothing worth waiting for.

[mistermike]

One thing to consider is that if the rumored PCM change for 06 is true, it may push back considerably the ability to tune it. 05's are just coming on stream now in tuning packages available to the general public.

[1phast1]

Just came from my local dealer last night. 05 blk,red,6sd,17"wheels O.T.D. price 32,898. Same car but 06' & 18" wheels at a dealer 90 miles away 34,315 O.T.D. Not enough savings for me to buy a 1 year old car. I suggest to everyone to ask for the out the door price when your dealing on GTOs.