Need advice about buying a 2004 GTO
06-02-2012, 08:27 AM
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Need advice about buying a 2004 GTO Hey everyone. I'll skip the intro speech and get down to it. I'm looking at a 2004 GTO that's selling for $8,500. It's the best price to miles to condition ratio GTO I have found, which I have searched all over the country for!
Second owner
Clean title
Impulse blue, automatic trans
110,000 miles
New struts
New brake rotors
New spark plugs and spark plug wires
New oil and oil filter
New air filter
Had an alignment done
No other modifications
For the bad, there's a nick (not dent) on the hood, scratch on the front bumper, and the leather steering wheel is in bad condition (but he has a wrap on it.)
This will be a summer car and will be stored for winters. My only concerns are the mileage and price. He has explained over and over that he priced it below value to sell it quickly and because of the damage noted above. The cosmetic stuff doesn't matter to me. I only care if it's going to stop working, explode, etc., because then I'm out a lot of money. (It's a 4.5 hour drive for the car, so that's why I'm asking before I go see it.)
Thoughts? Opinions? Advice?
Thanks!
Second owner
Clean title
Impulse blue, automatic trans
110,000 miles
New struts
New brake rotors
New spark plugs and spark plug wires
New oil and oil filter
New air filter
Had an alignment done
No other modifications
For the bad, there's a nick (not dent) on the hood, scratch on the front bumper, and the leather steering wheel is in bad condition (but he has a wrap on it.)
This will be a summer car and will be stored for winters. My only concerns are the mileage and price. He has explained over and over that he priced it below value to sell it quickly and because of the damage noted above. The cosmetic stuff doesn't matter to me. I only care if it's going to stop working, explode, etc., because then I'm out a lot of money. (It's a 4.5 hour drive for the car, so that's why I'm asking before I go see it.)
Thoughts? Opinions? Advice?
Thanks!
Last edited by akkkmed; 06-02-2012 at 09:19 AM.
06-02-2012, 09:07 AM
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Wait for a deal on a 05/06. You will regret getting a 04 car. I have 3 friends that have gtos. 2 04s and one 05. The one 04 is stock and runs just a hair better than my 14.1 ecoboost f150, the other 04 has ported heads, cam, full exhaust and a tune and it runs 13.2 @ 112/113 at best. The 05 has full exhaust and a cai......it runs 12.70s @ 112. Granted the driver makes or breaks a stick car, but all these guys can drive pretty good.
06-02-2012, 09:21 AM
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Wait for a deal on a 05/06. You will regret getting a 04 car. I have 3 friends that have gtos. 2 04s and one 05. The one 04 is stock and runs just a hair better than my 14.1 ecoboost f150, the other 04 has ported heads, cam, full exhaust and a tune and it runs 13.2 @ 112/113 at best. The 05 has full exhaust and a cai......it runs 12.70s @ 112. Granted the driver makes or breaks a stick car, but all these guys can drive pretty good.
(Yes, I'm not like most car people haha)
06-02-2012, 10:59 AM
#4
You say this why?
Ohhh...so you don't have one, but you're an expert. Got it.
Hmm...H/C, tuned Ls1 GTO only going 13.2 in the 1/4??? Which heads? Which cam? Who did the install? And who tuned it?
Based on the ^above...can't say that I really believe that.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Take this from an actual owner of an '04. You won't be "disappointed". Mine is untuned andonly has full bolt-ons(in the process of H/C/I), but will run in the low 13's.
A local buddy of mine also has an '04. He's got Ls6 243 heads that are ported with chamber work and a fairly small TSP 228R cam, and his is putting out 460-ish HP and 490-ish TQ...to the wheels! This car should run very low 12's. That's one example. I can think of plenty more.
But this doesn't really matter to you as you aren't worried about modding which is more reason for you to save a few bucks and get the '04.
$8.5k for that car ain't bad. I say go for it. Impulse Blue is beautiful.
And for what it's worth, I beat that price. I paid $9.2k for mine with 61,xxx miles, full bolt-ons and exhaust, and SAP pieces just last year.
Cliffs: ^Dude is full of ****. Get the car and don't look bad. You'll love it.
Ohhh...so you don't have one, but you're an expert. Got it.
Based on the ^above...can't say that I really believe that.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Take this from an actual owner of an '04. You won't be "disappointed". Mine is untuned andonly has full bolt-ons(in the process of H/C/I), but will run in the low 13's.
A local buddy of mine also has an '04. He's got Ls6 243 heads that are ported with chamber work and a fairly small TSP 228R cam, and his is putting out 460-ish HP and 490-ish TQ...to the wheels! This car should run very low 12's. That's one example. I can think of plenty more.
But this doesn't really matter to you as you aren't worried about modding which is more reason for you to save a few bucks and get the '04.
$8.5k for that car ain't bad. I say go for it. Impulse Blue is beautiful.
And for what it's worth, I beat that price. I paid $9.2k for mine with 61,xxx miles, full bolt-ons and exhaust, and SAP pieces just last year.
Cliffs: ^Dude is full of ****. Get the car and don't look bad. You'll love it.
06-02-2012, 11:07 AM
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Take this from an actual owner of an '04. You won't be "disappointed". Mine is untuned andonly has full bolt-ons(in the process of H/C/I), but will run in the low 13's.
A local buddy of mine also has an '04. He's got Ls6 243 heads that are ported with chamber work and a fairly small TSP 228R cam, and his is putting out 460-ish HP and 490-ish TQ...to the wheels! This car should run very low 12's. That's one example. I can think of plenty more.
But this doesn't really matter to you as you aren't worried about modding which is more reason for you to save a few bucks and get the '04.
$8.5k for that car ain't bad. I say go for it. Impulse Blue is beautiful.
And for what it's worth, I beat that price. I paid $9.2k for mine with 61,xxx miles, full bolt-ons and exhaust, and SAP pieces just last year.
Cliffs: ^Dude is full of ****. Get the car and don't look bad. You'll love it.
A local buddy of mine also has an '04. He's got Ls6 243 heads that are ported with chamber work and a fairly small TSP 228R cam, and his is putting out 460-ish HP and 490-ish TQ...to the wheels! This car should run very low 12's. That's one example. I can think of plenty more.
But this doesn't really matter to you as you aren't worried about modding which is more reason for you to save a few bucks and get the '04.
$8.5k for that car ain't bad. I say go for it. Impulse Blue is beautiful.
And for what it's worth, I beat that price. I paid $9.2k for mine with 61,xxx miles, full bolt-ons and exhaust, and SAP pieces just last year.
Cliffs: ^Dude is full of ****. Get the car and don't look bad. You'll love it.
06-02-2012, 12:46 PM
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I never said I was an expert, Im just stating what I have seen as opposed to saying the 05/06!is better because of 50 more horsepower.
There are deals to be had on 05/06 cars around me. But if the guy dosnt care about performance then go for the 5.7 car.
The h/c car put down 420/390 and nicd tuned it I believe. Ported 243s with some high torque cam and 3.73s. It runs ok, but gconnoyer on here traps 118ish with a low 230s duration cam and a fast 102 with stock heads...his is a 05/06 car.
Not trying to start anything but stock for stock and mod for mod the 05/06 cars are just a higher performing car.
There are deals to be had on 05/06 cars around me. But if the guy dosnt care about performance then go for the 5.7 car.
The h/c car put down 420/390 and nicd tuned it I believe. Ported 243s with some high torque cam and 3.73s. It runs ok, but gconnoyer on here traps 118ish with a low 230s duration cam and a fast 102 with stock heads...his is a 05/06 car.
Not trying to start anything but stock for stock and mod for mod the 05/06 cars are just a higher performing car.
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06-02-2012, 01:28 PM
#8
How's the interior?
If you really want it and it drives nice then I'd go for it, but if it has issue's i'd hold out for something else. Way too many other deals out there.
And an LS1 GTO is not as big of a turd as most make it out to be. An LS2 GTO will walk away from an LS1 car in stock and bolt on form, but once you get into H/C/I they run door to door with each other. The LS2 cars eat oil like clockwork, and had a few other oiling issues as well.
Relax friendo's.
If you really want it and it drives nice then I'd go for it, but if it has issue's i'd hold out for something else. Way too many other deals out there.
And an LS1 GTO is not as big of a turd as most make it out to be. An LS2 GTO will walk away from an LS1 car in stock and bolt on form, but once you get into H/C/I they run door to door with each other. The LS2 cars eat oil like clockwork, and had a few other oiling issues as well.
Relax friendo's.
06-02-2012, 09:09 PM
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Nothing wrong with an 04 if the price is right. A well used muscle car is always a gamble IMO, they attract a certain demographic that either beats the holy hell out of them or garages them like a newborn.
06-03-2012, 12:24 AM
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I have a 04 and I love it. Its more of a sleeper because of the single sided pipes (Its real dual though just comming out one side lol) and no hood scoops.
Overall it will cost money to make it as fast and brake as well as a 05-06. It is cheaper in the long run to pay more for a 05 then upgrade a 04 to get there. When I bought mine I didnt really care about 350 or 400hp stock. I was just happy to find it. Now that I am moding, it does take more money and time to make up for that 50hp.
Overall I wouldn't trade my 04 for a 05,06 because I have my 04 how I want it and and have done a lot of work to it. Plus it's the rarest color
The 04 will get 2 more mpg then the 05-06. I get anywhere from 17 to 20 mpg city depending on if I am grandma'ing it or putting my foot in it. I got 27.5 mpg highway when made it a point never to take the rpms over 2k, neutraling down hills etc... 04's have a cable driven throttle, some people don't like the electronic type on the 05-06. Also the 04 is a tad lighter. I personally like the sound of the 5.7 better then the 6.0.
Price and what you want is the main concern. What year comes second.
Overall it will cost money to make it as fast and brake as well as a 05-06. It is cheaper in the long run to pay more for a 05 then upgrade a 04 to get there. When I bought mine I didnt really care about 350 or 400hp stock. I was just happy to find it. Now that I am moding, it does take more money and time to make up for that 50hp.
Overall I wouldn't trade my 04 for a 05,06 because I have my 04 how I want it and and have done a lot of work to it. Plus it's the rarest color
The 04 will get 2 more mpg then the 05-06. I get anywhere from 17 to 20 mpg city depending on if I am grandma'ing it or putting my foot in it. I got 27.5 mpg highway when made it a point never to take the rpms over 2k, neutraling down hills etc... 04's have a cable driven throttle, some people don't like the electronic type on the 05-06. Also the 04 is a tad lighter. I personally like the sound of the 5.7 better then the 6.0.
Price and what you want is the main concern. What year comes second.
Last edited by TMastGTO; 06-03-2012 at 12:31 AM.
06-03-2012, 12:27 AM
#16
I traded mine off, I always wanted one, now that ive had one id rather not get another. they look awesome an i like seeing them around but for myself i think i overratted it before i got it. I sold mine for $3000 an a 99 trans that i traded off for a truck im having trouble selling for $3500
06-03-2012, 12:29 AM
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Greg.....no 5.7 car ever made that power with a small cam and ported heads, I find it funny the guy was being an *** to me and says he know a guy that made 490 wtq......really??? I doubt he posts back.
06-03-2012, 11:11 AM
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Haha, you guys are funny. As long as buying a car with 110k miles isn't stupid, I want to get it. Now it comes down to money...
Two remaining questions:
I drove a G8 GT a few weeks ago. It was the most powerful car I've driven (I'm young, don't hate) and the only "car" with a V8 (a van doesn't count.) The G8 has 355 HP and the 2004 GTO has 350. I'm sure they're nearly the same power (driving wise, but not time wise.)
Will the GTO give me the same smirk across my face that the G8 did?
This question is regarding the far, far future, but I'll ask it anyway. What are the cheapest add-ons to achieve more HP? Superchargers and turbos seem to run $6000+, at lease from what I have read on here. I'm guessing there are cheaper alternatives to give a little less power? I'm learning as I go, so please dumb it down for now. I still need to Google what a "cam" is
Two remaining questions:
I drove a G8 GT a few weeks ago. It was the most powerful car I've driven (I'm young, don't hate) and the only "car" with a V8 (a van doesn't count.) The G8 has 355 HP and the 2004 GTO has 350. I'm sure they're nearly the same power (driving wise, but not time wise.)
Will the GTO give me the same smirk across my face that the G8 did?
This question is regarding the far, far future, but I'll ask it anyway. What are the cheapest add-ons to achieve more HP? Superchargers and turbos seem to run $6000+, at lease from what I have read on here. I'm guessing there are cheaper alternatives to give a little less power? I'm learning as I go, so please dumb it down for now. I still need to Google what a "cam" is