FOR RELEASE: 2004-12-20

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2005 GTO Pricing, Fuel Economy Announced



DETROIT - General Motor's Pontiac division today announced pricing for the 2005 GTO. The new model represents the most powerful production GTO ever built, sporting 400 horsepower, enhanced brakes, new styling options and zero-to-sixty performance in 4.6 seconds. It begins arriving at dealerships in limited numbers at the end of December.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $32,995, which includes destination and freight charges of $700. An optional six-speed close-ratio manual transmission remains the only "extra cost" option at $695.

"Over the past several months, we've seen GTO sales steadily increase to an average of well over a thousand units per month," said Larry Pryg, GTO marketing manager. "By holding the 2005 MSRP very close to the 2004 model, we believe our customers will continue to be attracted to the enhanced performance and styling options available on the new model."

EPA fuel economy for the GTO equipped with the optional six-speed manual transmission is an estimated 16 miles per gallon (mpg) in city and 25 mpg on the highway. A 2005 GTO with the four-speed automatic is rated at an estimated 16 mpg in city driving and 21 mpg on the highway. Only the automatic transmission is subject to a $1,300 federal gas guzzler tax.

Pontiac is a division of General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) and markets the Bonneville, GTO, Grand Prix, Grand Am, Vibe, Sunfire, and Montana. Pontiac sold more than 475,000 vehicles in 2003, ranking third among GM divisions in total sales. In 2004, Pontiac introduced the Montana SV6 crossover sport van and the G6 sedan. The G6 coupe, the V8-powered Grand Prix GXP and the Solstice roadster will follow in 2005 while the G6 convertible launches in early 2006. More information on Pontiac and its products can be found on the division's website at www.pontiac.com.

 

In my opinion, they should have dropped the price to something like $30k to make the buyers feel as though they're getting a deal, just as some Corvette buyers likely feel the same with their price drop.

Even still, it should be an awesome car, but I believe the gas mileage is a little less than the Corvette--probably due to weight?

 

Gee, I got into a long debate over someone who supposedly worked in a dealer over this, who swore it was nothing but a sales spike that had nothing to do with dealer gouging or lack of incentives.

Guess he'd better tell Pontiac they don't know what their talking about either...... yes, I have a long memory.


Just the same, it seems GM has learned their lesson on pricing and incentives. And hopefully, keeping their dealers on something of a leash on gouging and attempted product homocide.

 

The thing didn't start selling "well over a thousand" a month until the price went below 30,000 due to rebates. I hope they ream the dealers who sold very few of the cars. Or maybe not. Not too sure.

 

If the only option is the 6-speed, like last year, is the autox package standard and you have to option it down if you dont want it, or are all the cars getting it?

 

 

There are two things I think GM needs to adress with the 2005 model and they didn't.

1. Redesign the wheels. This car would look so much better with a decent wheel on it.

2. Offer more options. If this car is supposed to compete against BMW 3 series, G35, etc. it needs to offer the same options as those cars do.
Things that need to be optional:
Sunroof
Navigation
18" Wheels
Maybe a sport suspension package
Heated Seats
Chrome plated wheel option for both 17" and 18" wheel.

I don't see any of these options being a big deal since they offer a sunroof, navigation, and 18" wheels in Austrailia.

 

No, the autocross is an option, but it's offered on only black, red, and, I think, silver. I think it costs a few thousand extra clams.

 

MY opinion is screw options I want a strip down version in the 25k range without stereo no spoiler no back seats and other useless crap. Maybe offer it in primer even. The only option i think should be offered is a police escort so I am not tempted to make ricers crap their pants on the first encounter at a stoplight.

 

Everyone sure wants a lot from a car thats production is less then 18k units a year.
It is ment to take on a certain segment of performance coupes, not takeon the 3 serires or G35 directly, but perhaps attract a M3 or G35 coupe buyer into the loving arms of thoes awesome seats.

 

They should sell well. I know I was very tempted but my SS will stay for at least a few more years.

 

Kudos to Pontiac for offering some really, really nice upgrades (50 HP!! Better Brakes, new hood and rear to address issues some people complained about, etc) and do it all for a miniscule price bump, that probably could have been justified as a model year increase even if they didnt change a single thing!

 

If those options were offered the GTO would MSRP over 45K. Those type of options will be available once the car is made here on the Zeta platform. A Monaro MSRP's for around 60K Aussie dollars. In US dollars that's around 45K. If you think it doesn't sell now because of price. It would never sell at 45K.

Pontiac had to comprimise somewhere in order to hold the price down to a reasonable level. That is why the GTO comes equipped the way it does. Simple as that.

 

That's a lot of car for the money...I will be looking hard at them over the next year.

 

buyers can step up to the Cadillac CTS-V if they want all that