700rocket

iTrader: (4)

The dash cluster in the 04's are prone to failure. One day they just quit working.

Since you own a 04 I am sure you want to point out the great things about the car. My point is that GM made improvements to these cars and they added them into the 05/06 model years.

JAX04

iTrader: (17)

never heard about the dash problems, interesting, maybe ill read up on this, but i guess if it ever goes, then ill fix it,

OP, the bottom line, both cars has areas of issues, period, end of story, you really cant say anyone is better then the other, the apperance, well, thats in the eye of the beholder.

The performance aspect. Well, if you are buying one and dont plan to mod it, and you really care about and extra 50 ponies, then what ever.

The brakes, Truth be told, both braking systems are sub par at best.

Yes, the 05/06 has beefier calipers and dont flex, etc. easy and very cheap fix.

Wheel hop, all years suffer terribly from this.

Heavy pig, all years suffer again.

comfortable, unique ride, that is as fun to talk to old people about as it is to drive. All years have this.

End of story, if i could do it over again, im not sure i wouldve bought the 05/06 anyway. Lower miles FTW, which ever you prefer to look at, FTW.

Both years have their issues, period, end of story, truth be told, we all own GTOs and we deal with enough **** from other V8 cars, and people who dont believe what we own is a GTO, we should all be on the same side and hope he gets soemthing that he loves.

I guess my "end of story", wasnt the end of the story

QSMGOAT

Both are nice cars. The 04 definately has the lower mileage advantage. I've never herd about the dash problems. You wont have the wheel hop issue since both are autos. Do you plan on modding at all? I ask because the 05 seems bone stock and the 04 has basic mods so that will also save you money in the future if you plan on modding.
Look at it from this view: if you daily drive it and put around 15k miles a year on it, next year the 05 will have 100k and the 04 will have 60k....thats a big difference to me..

I'd say go with the 04.

Good luck with what ever you buy. I love my GTO

fivepointseven

iTrader: (19)

Thanks everyone for the info. I will DD the car but my commute is 15 miles

fasteddyss

iTrader: (1)

Get the 05' It's worth more in the end. The 05' has a stronger rear end and a more sophisticated traction control computer system. It even helps you not pop the clutch!

Also you can do a LS3 swap onto the 05 for good cheap HP.

The 05-06 will always be worth more for a good reason. Spend the extra now and you will not regret it later.

Good Luck!

Pat

RedfoxGTO

I'm just sayin 40,000 miles no issues at all, never heard of this dash problem before.

Robofuzz

Actually, the front rotors are bigger on the 05-06 as well as the beefier calipers you mentioned. And the rear rotors on 05-06 are vented whereas the 04 rear rotors are not. But - yeah, it's an easy fix. Just something the OP needs to take into consideration as a difference.

Having said that, I would go with the lower mileage and unmodded '04.

Smo's04Gto

iTrader: (8)

Buy the one thats in better shape. My 04 has not given one problem since new.

TrenSuspension

iTrader: (6)

Brakes are smaller yes...but my '04 stops no problem, I think people do the brake upgrade just to do it. Hood scoops meaning nothing...alot of people like the nice clean look of the '04 hood including myself. Exhaust is personal choice, it's a dual exhaust, just comes out one side instead of two...if I need to be picky the '04 stock exhaust is 10x louder than the '05-06 exhaust but who ever keeps their exhaust stock? 50HP....nothing a good set of Long Tubes and tune can't get you close to.

I would never buy a sports car with 80k on it, not that the 40k one isn't beat on but his best bang for the buck is the '04 without question. 40k miles difference between the 2 is alot.

yelo04goat

iTrader: (11)

its fun having the "tiny 5.7" that beats up on the big bad 6.0s......

the 05-06 owners get mad when it happens and its only goin to get worse for them...

i would pick the one that was the best deal lowest average annual miles body in best shape and price...

RedfoxGTO

I was able to put a car and some on a 6.0 shortly before winter came, just headers and a spintech exhaust tuned with a one size fits all predator tune.. . Hell he even had the jump.

impulsegoat

iTrader: (4)

go big or go home.. i wished i couldv got an ls2 but couldnt afford it at the time.. although the 04s are the rare ls1 breed and might end up being worth more in the long haul.. i have since done the ram air hood and rear exhaust/bumper swap which isnt cheap.. 83k isnt all that bad

filmnews

iTrader: (2)

2005 vote

Peetyz

iTrader: (7)

Yes there were various good changes for the 05/06 model but Holden had been making these for about 4 years before the 2004 GTO edition was released in America. The ls1 is a great engine and since it was last in cars in 2004 all the bugs were pretty much worked out since introduction in 97. Ls2 is also a good engine but is slightly more prone to eating oil. Brakes will need to be changed at the very least you should run c5 z06 pads from an auto parts store vs the 04 gto pads. (Pic attached) They fit just the same and are really close in price just have much more surface area. I did do the 05/06 brake conversion from auto yard and re used my c5 z pads....what a difference.

Power and appearance can be made up pretty easily to 05/06 GTO levels.

Mod for mod the ls2 will slightly over power the ls1. If you can find an 04 in better shape for a few thousand cheaper and dont mind spending some money to make it a lil better go for it. If you find an 05/06 for a deal go for it.

The drivetrain is slightly stronger in an 05/06 but if you plan on making big power both will need upgrades. Best of luck in your find!

BoostedDSM

iTrader: (6)

Lots of good info here, considering I am looking to replace my LT1 with a 04 GTO with 92k on the clock. Black with a 6 speed, going to drive it Wednesday.

fivepointseven

iTrader: (19)

Agreed on all the good info. My fiance will be the secondary driver and she has informed me that she is not a fan of the 05 color.. the things we consider

impulsegoat

iTrader: (4)

when it comes down to it your going to wish you got the 05/06.. like a guy said earlier in this thread GM added to the 04 model with upgrades. Im an 04' guy and can still admit that the 05/06 years are better. GM wasn't trying to take a step backwards. These are all just my opinions tho in the end its going to come down to what works for you.

QSMGOAT

Not really, Its more of a personal opinion.

I've had my 04 for a couple years and have never thought i wish i would have got the 05-06.

RedfoxGTO

^^ I second that, never really cared that mines the LS1, I love the 04 just as much as the 05-6 but I seriously wouldn't trade mine for anything else.

impulsegoat

iTrader: (4)

Don't get me wrong i love my car but if i could trade mine for an 05/06 that had similiar mods and good condition i think i would have to seriously consider it. Again just my opinions. Just some incite for the OP. At the end of the day a GTO is a bad motherf*cker and captures luxury and american muscle and rarity better than most.