2006 GTO: The Oppo Review

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
01/18/2017 at 12:05 • Filed to: Pontiac GTO, GTO, 6.0L, LS2, Blue, Reveiw, Oppo

Disclaimer: I bought this back in February 2015. It took a while to have time to take some good photos of her and type up a review (took a while 2 years to get back to writing this after saving it in my drafts)

Let me introduce you to Lillith

Exterior: 9/10

The Holden Monaro Pontiac GTO is an interesting rebirth of a classic American muscle car. With today’s angular and, let us be honest, similar shaped updates of the Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger, the GTO stands out of place. At the time this car came out the only other redesign was the Mustang, which in its first years I felt fell kind of flat. The GTO hit its stride after a slight face lift from the ‘04 MY and the ‘05 MY. The added nostrils, red calipers, and subtle badge changes gave hint to the power this car hid underneath its hood.

To be honest, when there came out I didn’t give them the light of day. I thought it was boring and that they had ruined the GTO moniker. Though after around 10 years and some gained maturity, I have come to love the design that has really held out over time and looks nice and relevant now. Where the Camaro, Mustang, etc need constant refreshes to look modern because the design is from the 60's, this design still looks modern despite its age. I love the subtle bulges, the wing, and the nostrils. With only a few issues from sitting in someone’s garage for a while, the car is immaculate and the blue paint is one of my favorite colors that came on these.

Interior: 8.5/10

The interior of the GTO is a lovely place to be. The seats are firm, but supportive and actually extremely comfortable for long drives. The leather is a lovely touch and mixes well with the suede trim inserts on the doors and the lower dash. As for the driving position, the only problem could be that the steering wheel is not telescopic. It does tilt, but personally I like to have my legs slightly bent when I am “pedal to the metal” but also have my arms a bit bent. It is harder to achieve in the GTO than other cars, but once I found my position, it is the most comfortable driving position I have ever been in compared to any car I have driven. Vehicles that are 2+2 usually have rear seats that require you to cut off your legs and dislocate your neck to be able to sit there. Not so in the GTO, the seats are separated very well and have a nice bucket shape to them. I am 6'2" and I can fit in the seat with decent comfortability, but might not be able to sit behind a tall driver or passenger. The only odd thing is the way the seats move back and forth in order to enter the rear seats. While the mechanism to move them is intuitive, but the speed is terrible. The seats adjust so SLOWLY! Which is odd because part of the 06 update over the 05 is faster moving seats. They are though, my boss has an 05 and they are quite a bit slower, but it’s still too slow when you think about how modern the vehicle is.

Correction: Apparently it is telescopic, but very stiff. Still leaving the point off for it though

Acceleration: 9.5/10

The 6.0L LS2 packs 400 hp and 400 ft-lbs delivered to the rear through a Tremec T56 M12 6-speed manual transmission. This is the most powerful car I have ever owned and up there on the list of most powerful cars I have driven. Thankfully the car came with a cam, headers, and full exhaust. The car sounds great! I love the sound of an LS motor and makes me very happy the radio can be turned off and the windows rolled down. I am knocking off a half point because I have shitty, cheap all seasons on her right now and once I am able to get new tires, that rating would be 10/10. I love the power coming off the line, though my favorite pull is getting on the freeway in third gear. The GTO pulls like crazy and the noise is amazing. I can’t wait to get her to the track someday. I had to find a set of OE headers and midpipes so I could pass smog. After a little searching I found a set back east on a forum and $175 shipped compared to the $4000 from work with the employee discount was a steal. Then a few more dollars to have a guy throw her up on a dyno and tune her for the cam, we ended up with 385 rwhp. So that is about 450 hp at the crank compared to 400 stock. Not too much more, but still. I NEED MORE

Braking: 9.5/10

Big disks plus big rotors, mean big stopping. The pedal feel is very positive and responsive. Plus the calipers are red from the factory and say GTO, thats like 8 Jaloppoints at the very least. I’m sure braking would be even better with some nice sticky tires, but again, that’s why a half point off.

‘04 in the picture

Ride and Handling: 8/10

Even though she is a bit on the hefty side, 3,725 lbs (1689 kg), you are never in fear when throwing her around the twisties. While mine has been lowered, a bit further than I’d like, but I’ll fix that, she handles great and is a blast on my favorite back roads. I think a better coil over kit and some bigger sway bars may help the handling out just the bit that I am missing.

Picture thanks to people with watermark

Technology: 6/10

There really isn’t any. The radio is a 6 disc changer unit. That is really nice when I am bored of the radio or lose signal. Though most of the time I use a FM modulator to listen to Pandora. As much as I’d like to have bluetooth, I don’t want to replace my good look unit with a crappy aftermarket one just for that. I think I will get a nice hardwired in !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . The clusters have some fun displays on the little screens built into them. The ‘06 got a lock button on the console which is nice. The speakers get the job done, but the sub buzz out too much when things get loud. Some reason the US spec GTOs have a vacuum actuated A/C system where the Aussies got a nice electronic displayed one that I find looks better. I also want the dial pod for the dash.

Value: 10/10

A perfect score? Yes I think so any how. I looked for a new car for 6 months to replace my Fiero before finding my GTO. I even tried to buy a lovely 996 C2 with an Aero package. The GTO is so much better. She had 9,700 miles on the clock and I paid $20,000 for her. Which was bluebook. Making payments and using her, I am still ahead of the curve (ie own less than she is worth). Though I doubt I will ever willingly get rid of this beautiful machine. I have undoubtedly fallen in love.

Total score: 60.5/70

DISCUSSION (51)

Arrivederci > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 10:17

Always loved the new GTOs. They deserved more love than they received.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Arrivederci
01/18/2017 at 10:35

I certainly think so

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 11:28

This car has grown on me more than any other car from the early 2000's. The Mustang got all the attention at the time, but it aged terribly and the GTO aged like a fine wine. It looks fantastic now, especially among the current trend of overdesigned swoops and fake grills and gills everywhere.

Nice review, too.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
01/18/2017 at 12:09

Thank you very much

Chariotoflove > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 12:16

Thanks for the review. Your car is beautiful. There is one parked on the street near me that I pass when I go out cycling. It looks pretty good in black, but that blue really shines.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 12:20

Beauty! These have grown on me quite a bit. I never disliked them but it would probably be my practical (ish) muscle car of choice if I had to chose now. They’re quite special and rare but in a way that doesn’t stand out very much which I like. Anybody ever talk to you about the car?

CaptDale - is secretly British > Chariotoflove
01/18/2017 at 12:24

Thank you. I love her. She is a fucking pain in the ass sometimes, but that is vehicular ownership.

Yeah Impulse Blue is my favorite color. The only other one I would consider is Cosmos Purple

Kinja'd!!!

Chariotoflove > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 12:25

Purple is the color of royalty.

BorkBorkBjork > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 12:32

As for the driving position, the only problem could be that the steering wheel is not telescopic.

Um, unless they changed it for the 06 model year, the steering wheel is absolutely telescopic. I just double checked my 05 in the garage.

You gotta pull/push it pretty hard.

Great review, btw.

CaptDale - is secretly British > BorkBorkBjork
01/18/2017 at 12:37

Hmm... I will have to go check. Maybe it is very stiff

Thank you. I enjoyed writing it.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Chariotoflove
01/18/2017 at 12:37

Also very rare.

CaptDale - is secretly British > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash
01/18/2017 at 12:39

Yeah, I get the occasional stop and a gas station. Usually compliments and questions about it. People asking what I have done to it. A few older gentlemen have talked about their 60's-70's GTOs and saying these ones are just as good.

Definitely a great car to DD.

Chariotoflove > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 12:45

Unfortunately, I’d day that color is all too rare in the automotive world in general.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Chariotoflove
01/18/2017 at 12:48

I very much agree. And as it seems is any interesting color.

GTO Color Rarity Overall Percentage

(2004) Barbados Blue Metallic = 573 1.4%

(2004) Cosmos Purple Metallic = 700 1.7%

(2004) Pulse Red = 794 1.9%
(2005) Midnight Blue = 1092 2.6%

(2006) Brazen Orange = 1175 2.8%

(2006) Spice Red = 1794 4.4%

(2004) Yellow Jacket = 1672
(2005) Yellow Jacket = 792 Total = 2464 6%

(2005) Cyclone Gray = 1331
(2006) Cyclone Gray = 1546 Total = 2877 6%

(2004) Impulse Blue = 1443
(2005) Impulse Blue = 999
(2006) Impulse Blue = 1577 Total = 4019 7%

(2004) Quicksilver = 2450
(2005) Quicksilver = 1500
(2006) Quicksilver = 1803 Total = 5753 14%

(2004) Torrid Red = 3099
(2005) Torrid Red = 2179
(2006) Torrid Red = 2079 Total = 7357 18%

(2004) Phantom Black = 5009
(2005) Phantom Black = 3176
(2006) Phantom Black = 3974 Total = 12159 30%

RallyWrench > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 13:02

She’s a beauty, man. I’ve never been in one, when you get it back together you’ve got to give me a ride sometime.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

CaptDale - is secretly British > RallyWrench
01/18/2017 at 13:05

You’ve never been in one? Heck I might even let you drive it.

RallyWrench > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 13:09

Put tires on her first ;)

CaptDale - is secretly British > RallyWrench
01/18/2017 at 13:10

I have twice. I started writing this like 2 years ago

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 13:15

Dylan, umm buddy the steering wheel is telescopic.... Pull the lever for the wheel to go up and down, and pull or push on the steering wheel. (Don’t feel bad, you’re not the first one to make this mistake.)

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29683

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 13:17

Lol, yeah I guess mine is just really stiff then.... Oh well. I will amend it

RallyWrench > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 13:17

haha, well they are consumables on a car like that.

CaptDale - is secretly British > RallyWrench
01/18/2017 at 13:19

Yeah... Something something heavy foot

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 13:25

Here’s another thing to try out. Hold down the mode and set button when you start it up to access the secret menu. :)

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 13:27

I am aware of that menu, but when I have accessed it I don’t remember having all the stuff people say is on there

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 13:27

Very nice write up Dylan! You’re car is almost my 06 GTO’s twin! If you had the 18s instead of the 17s it would be identical to mine. Finding an IBM with black interior and manual is a hard thing to do. It took me months to find mine, and I am keeping mine forever. Much to the better half’s disapproval. She knows it will be with us wherever we go. lol

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 13:32

Thank you. I would very much like to have the 18s on it.

Is it difficult? My boss has one t0o, except his in an ‘05 (ordered new with 18s but those were too hard to get so he settled for the 17s to get the car quicker) to do a 40 year split with the ‘65 he owns that his Dad bought new.

I just generally was looking for a car for 6 months and the last few was for a GTO since I work at a GM dealer it made sense to have a GM and I may be a Pontiac fan boy. She will probably be with me forever now. Too much spent on her and too good a vehicle. There isn’t anything for the same money I’d want to replace her with.

Why doesn’t she like it?

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 13:37

You have to use the up down buttons to scroll through everything. The digital tach is pretty fun, but besides that it isn’t too crazy. lol

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 13:41

I’ve scrolled through. I just don’t remember seeing that. I’ll have to check again if I ever get my car back.

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 13:45

All you have to do is take the 17s off and bolt the 18s up. Just make sure you stay around 235-245, so you don’t rub. You could go higher, but a 245 from one brand may be larger than a 255 from another, so I’ll leave that topic alone. Having GTOs with 17s and 18s there’s no real difference.

Get the 18s from your boss if you can. There’s a set of 18s down here in FL am I think of getting for a 3rd set for $450. I have another set of rims yet to be put on.

My first car was a 71 Formula Firebird. I don’t want to think about how much I have spent on mine, or both GTOs over the years. The last major thing I did was the Monster twin disc clutch with C7 flywheel. Which I do recommend.

The GTO scares her, and it is too loud. lol

Yet she halls ass everywhere in the SS, and it doesn’t phase her....

We are keeping the SS too. We will have to get a SUV, because of two 150+ lb puppies, and starting a family. But the Aussie cars will remain. lol

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 14:00

No he doesn’t have the 18s either. He settled for the 17s cause they couldn’t get the 18s to put on his at the time. I know there isn’t a difference, I just like how they look a little more.

Yeah I am in the middle of doing the whole LS7 clutch upgrade along with a single piece driveshaft.

Does it? I wish my GTO was louder. I miss my long tubes. I would reinstall them but I have to smog it this year I think and $3k for CA approved short tubes is stupid.

traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 14:46

This car got me hooked on muscle cars when I rode in one back in 2013. Definitely carries nostalgia. I remember all the little nuances, like:

-Thinking it would get quieter once I hopped in and closed the door, but it didn’t (windows were down)

-The feeling of being hopelessly pinned to the seat at WOT (I never knew what a g-force felt like so I was all “HOLY CRAP WHAT IS THIS”)

-The smell of aged black leather

-The rocking back and forth when changing gear

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 15:37

It is a number tach to be more precise. Not analog in case people get confused.

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 16:01

What?! How does an analog tach confuse you?

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 16:02

In Oz they had 18s version of the 17s rims.

Kinja'd!!!

The GTO 17 and 18s (not dealer option) were made by Enkei.

I want to have my 18s polished so bad!

Kinja'd!!!

You’re having right now. See if you can get a master cylinder kit from 2QWK4U.

Mine is loud because of the H-pipe and the flowmaster mufflers which I hate. No smog for me either.

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 16:06

Really? Interesting.

Why would I replace my master cylinder?

I have the SLP cat back and some long tubes at home, but I forget who made them.

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 16:28

No, years ago I showed the number tach in the secret menu to someone, and they argued it was different than the regular tach in the dash. So now I say that in case that particular person can understand.

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 16:29

I think this stupidity is confusing me.

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 17:48

This person was a special type of stupid, and freaking annoying on top of it all too. (-_-)

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 17:53

I went ahead and replaced mine when I changed out the clutch. I would a stock one or the one from here.

http://gastiresoil.com/showthread.php?t=3504

Yours must sound good. Mine is generally described as sounding like a nascar racecar.... I want to change my exhaust out to something else. I’d like a nice new stainless kit with some stepped kooks longtubes.

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 17:56

ugg, that is awful. Are they out of your life now?

Also why did you suggest changing my master cylinder?

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 18:06

Ah ok, yeah I just can’t afford to with everything else.

It sounds pretty good. I want the headers back on though.... and side pipes... and no cats

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 18:48

Yes, and I haven’t seen or heard about them in years thankfully.

I would suggest changing the slave and master cylinders. The slave will eventually go bad causing you to do another repair, and the new master with new lines and speed bleeder will help you have years without worrying about them leaking. It will save you headaches in the long run.

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 18:49

Pass emissions, and then put them back on. :)

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 18:49

That is good.

Yeah I am definitely changing the slave. already had a new one. Master will have to wait

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 18:52

I think I might do that.

AfromanGTO > CaptDale - is secretly British
01/18/2017 at 18:55

If and when you get a new one. Get a new line and speed bleeder.

CaptDale - is secretly British > AfromanGTO
01/18/2017 at 19:01

umm, ok, but it bleeds out of the slave...