So I've been having a lot of problems with my SS/SC lately. First the fuel pump breaks, spilling gas all over my engine. That took almost 3 weeks to fix because they couldn't get the right fuel pump in. Then my shifter somehow breaks and has to be replaced. Finally, my car battery totally died in my work parking lot for no good reason and I had to get someone to come jump me. To top it off, I have a HORRIBLE rattle in my glove box that the dealer has tried 3 times to fix but can't. Needless to say, I'm frustrated.

Because of these problems, I started looking into getting a different car. I looked at a 2004 GTO with 28,000 miles at a local Pontiac dealer. I really like the GTO's; I don't think they have been given enough respect from the start. It's also kind of amazing what you can buy one for... under $20k for a nice 2004 if you play your cards right. Anyway, I test drove the car and I really liked it, but I was a little dissapointed in the the performance. I thought I would be able to feel a significant difference in accelleration between the GTO and my SS/SC. I couldn't feel a differnece at all. I floored it through 1st and 2nd gears, and it pretty much felt just like my car taking off.. just sounded very different. I wasn't really crazy about how much heavier the car felt either.

Now I'm thinking I'm going to keep my SS/SC as long as the problems stop. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because driving the GTO made me realize exactly how much I like my car.

 

Well, Im pretty sure the 04 GTOs don't have the 6.0L in them, so that makes a big difference in power. It sounds like you may have gotten a bad apple, but that doesn't mean they are all so bad, I have had no issues with my ss/sc. Have you thought about just getting a new ss/sc? If not, start looking for used 05 gtos with the 6.0L, then you definitely won't be disappointed. Good Luck with whatever you do.

 

Older GTO's had the smaller V8s. The new ones are the ones with the Bigger V8s, and they are quite a bit faster.

 

nope theyre ls1.... look for an 05 with the ls2 and you will be much happier. and us older types prefer a rwd v8 to a fwd econobox anyday.

 

Yeah I know the 2004 I was driving has the 350 hp 5.7 liter engine as opposed to the 400 hp 6.0, but those with the 6.0 are also worth several thousand more. I still expected a 5.7 liter GTO to pull harder than a SS/SC, but it doesn't. I really think any advantage it has in the 1/4 mile is simply because of better traction off the line.

 

Oh I may be 25 but I still respect the rwd V8 classics. Take a look at my photo album to see my muscle car.

 

If you couldn't feel a difference in your SS and the GTO then there is something wrong with the GTO. Even with all the extra weight the torque and horsepower of the GTO (even with the "small" 350) should be way faster than your Cobalt. I would steer clear if I were you. I just recently drove my buddy's 06 GTO and it halled ass.

 

I don't know about that bro. I woop on GTO's all the time. It may be the stage 2 but Those GTO's stock for stock have roughly the same 1/4 mile times as an SS/SC.

 

Yeah there is about a 1/2 second difference in the 1/4 mile times I have found. I think that can easily be explained by the 2004 GTO hooking up better and beating us on the 60 ft time. That's what you get for putting that much power in a light fwd car like ours.

 

I test drove an '06 GTO. There is a big difference in torque, but top end felt about the same as a 2.0L. The tranny shifted horribly, definetley a slushbox; it felt like a 1960's musclecar, which is lame for a modern car. It didn't seem to release a lot of power unless you slammed on the gas all the way (you know what I mean).

 

Was it an auto?

 

hmm..

I've driven both cars, and even back when my GTO was stock I noticed a very noticable jump in power all across the board

 

I happen to own a 05 6spd GTO and a 06 5spd Cobalt SS. For those of you who say you feel no diff between the two cars, There must be something really wrong with you. I took my GOAT to the track with DR's, K&N cold air and a Predator tune which does not make that big of a diff. I ripped a 12.91 with a best 1.8 60 ft and not to mention a side order of wheel hop. Goats have a hard time hooking due to the IRS out back. Stock they are a sub 13 sec car not bad for 400 hp and tipping the scales past 3700 lbs. If you drove a 04 auto they are slower but should not feel the same as the Cobalt SS unless that car had some bad problems. I have since put on a Intercooled Procharger set @ 7 psi, 1 7/8 Long Tube headers custom catback 1.8 roller rockers Poly bushing out back upgraded fuel system. Put down 538rwhp and 487lbsft of torque with a safe tune on stock internals. I have yet to go to the track to see what it does.

 

The car I drove was an 04 and it was a 6 speed. There's nothing "wrong" with me, as I'm a huge car enthusiest and I've driven many performance cars. My seat of the pants o-meter is as good as anyones. Maybe my SS/SC is a factory freak or the GTO i drove was a dog. I'm not sure. All I know is the GTO would have had a hard time getting more than a car length or two on my SS.

 

Whats done to your SS? Stock for stock, the GTO will take the walk....=P

 

ive got one too im just too lazy to post the pics since its not done. and theyre crappy cellphone pics.

 

My SS is stock, but I've beaten cars that I shouldn't have before.

 

Yeah I would definitely not suffice for anything less than an 05-06 model with the ls2. I have been thinking about trading mine in for one as well. Basically with my mods compared to the ls2 its about 1.5hp more per pound. But there is so much more room for hp in a v8. My big thing is how much more I would spend in gas. Not to mention I could buy a used evo for the same price and those things rock pretty hard on stock internals.

But non the less I'm just a car nut that wants it all.

 

I would have to side with the GOAT being a DOG for some reason. Just for kicks I think I will go at it with my friend who has a stock 06 6 spd GTO. To see how my STOCK Cobalt hangs.

 

There must have been something wrong with that goat!!!

I've driven both the '04 and '06 gtos, they are VERY noticeably faster then an SS/SC.

To the poster who said the GTO and SS/SC's 1/4 miles are similar......the 6.0's will go 12's stock with decent tires. You're not going to find a stock SS/SC that goes anywhere close to that.

If anybody is beating a GTO with a stock SS/SC, its either because the driver of the GTO was missing shifts, or the driver wasn't racing you in the first place

 

Dude, my brother has a 04 GTO. We race around with them against eachother. Everytime he does beat me, but not by much. If i was you, i would save your pennies for a 05 or newer. Trust me, the difference will be huge! Besides, the interior of the australian built car is AMAZING. It is hard to believe that it is a GM product. You are a winner with either car though.

 

Go with the Goat. That thing is sick. 350 hp is hp on demand. When i took one for a test drive i scared the **** out of the dealer he said the only other time he was that scared was when he went on a test drive in a Bonneville with a 70 year old lady. I love my SS/SC but Its not the same kind of speed as a Goat. There is a yellow one on ebay right now for less than 20K with less miles on it. here is the link. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...QQcmdZViewItem

plus ad like $800 for shiping and it is still a great deal.

 

ive posted about a race that i had with a friend of mine that had a 04 gto
i hung right with him till we shifted to 4th and then he would take off.

i personally have gotten a 04 gto as a beater until my other project gets done.
i must admit there definately is a different feel of power (with the traction button off) and alot more potiental. im considering dropping my other project for a month or two and sticking a maggie on the gto...i cant leave anything stock it seems:-(

 

I have had 2 LS1 Camaros and the GTO LS1 is much slower.

I drove a LS2 GTO and was still unimpressed, the LS1 GTO just feels like a fat ass dog.

They tend to be a little faster in the 1/4 than a SS/SC but it's due to being able to take off easier, and yes even a IRS RWD is easier to launch than FWD.

From a roll a SS/SC will destroy a LS1 GTO, I have done it several times without Stage 2.

 

An ls1 is fast I had an 2001 T/A WS6 with full bolt ons. Great in the HP and TQ department not so great in the MPG department. The car would run mid 12's but you could use up a tank of gas in 3 days driving back and fourth to work. Not so good when you are underpaid with a nice new house payment.