So I have some thinking to do. Today I ran into some strange exhaust sounds. My exhaust tone has changed for the worse, my car was a northern car that made it's way down south which is where I got it. The car has some pretty substantial rust issues. And I think the exhaust is starting to rust out. So I'm trying to decide on if I want to stick with my Monte or trade it in for something else. I have been looking at a few GTO's, all of which look really good and don't seem to have any rust issues and on top of that they are RWD with a stick which I really like as well. When I got my 06' Monte I had just sold my 96' thunderbird so I needed a car and I originally went to look at a 95' firebird pro am edition that only had 7k miles on it which turned out to be in not that great of shape. And the guy talked to me about the Monte and I ended up leaving with it. Had I known I could have payed for something like this I may have waited and got something else. I love the Monte, it has a great body. But the fact that it is FWD, and the fact that mine is pretty much rusting out, it's making me want to get something else. I think it's smart of me to get rid of it before it rusts out then to wait till it does rust out and then I can't get anything out of it. Anyway, that is my dilemma. Has anyone heard anything bad about the GTO's? I'm looking at a 2005 and a 2006. Pretty much the worst thing I have read is that trunk space is pretty limited.

 

Yes the trunk space is limited and the other thing I would consider is where are you going to take it if it needs service. I mean any G.M. dealer can take it, but you won't find mechanics who specialize in Pontiacs any more.

 

Check out some forums that specialize in the GTO IE:
2004-2006 GTO Source
Pontiac GTO Forum
Both pretty good sites, when I was thinking about getting a GTO myself I spent hours upon hours reading what the members had to say. Was never able to find what I wanted (mostly Midnight Blue Metallic) for what I was willing to pay.

One thing I know I've seen at the shop is the stitching on the back seats tends to dry rot and come apart, not an easy fix from what I understand. Awesome cars though, good luck with your search!

 

I do all my servicing on my cars. And if I ever need help I go to my pops who is a big car guy who has had a ton of Pontiac's. So that I'm not really worried about all that much. There is also a huge aftermarket scene for the GTO which I like. Parts aren't really all that hard to find if something does break. I just have to do a little thinking and find the right car. I'm going to trade in my Monte, I'm just not sure for what and when just yet.

 

Yea I have been on both of those forums and found some good information. Sounds like there are some suspension problems on some cars which isn't to big of a deal. I have heard of the stitching issue, but again, that's not to big of a deal. Main thing is I just don't want to go from one car that is known for transmissions going out to another car that has some big mechanical issue which from what I have read the GTO doesn't really have any. Most of the stuff seems to be pretty small. You can still drive a car that has stitching coming undone as well as a poor suspension. But you can't drive a car that has a trans go out. On top of that my car is rusting out. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger and get a GTO, but I want to find the right one. I'm just gonna take my time with this. And in the mean time I'm going to do as much research as possible.

 

It's probably just your mufflers that are finished by the sounds of it.

 

GTOs are pretty good cars, i never had an issue with my 04 and the seat stiching issue isnt hard to fix i had mine redone, i would reccomend if you get a complete stock one to get a short throw shifter the stock ones are aweful

 

i would just get a g8 instead. why buy another car thats already 7 going on 8 years old? i personally like the gtos, but they really arent impressive. if you can get one *** cheap then id say go for it. if not id get a g8 or wait for the caprice to come out.

and on the comment about pontiac specialists there isnt anything pontiac in the car. its aussie. its got a chevy drivetrain, any mechanic should be able to work on it. the motor and trans have been kicking around for quite some time.