Considering 2004 GT

[baggio95]

All, I'm new to the forum and wanted to get some insight on the GT's, specifically 2004s. I was reading the posts about all the problems with the clutches in the 2003 GT's. Hopefully, this was resolved for the 2004s. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks

[tcam]

If you're trying to make the decision between '04 and '03 GT, then I would personally choose the '03GT. Of course I am pretty biased when it comes to that because that is what I drive, but I really do think I like it more than any of the other years. It has more power than the others, and I like the front end a lot more than the later models. The lift engages a full thousand rev's earlier on the 03's than the others I think.However, I don't know all that much about the '04 models, so I can't really say anything about them. and yeah the clutch can be a pain, but I'm at 50,000 miles right now and have had no sign of slipping yet. So, I guess it just depends how hard you go on it.Though, no matter what year GT you go with, it's a good decision. lol.

[Mavrik]

go with an 04... It wasn't a first product year model... my 04 is pretty hardy with no squeaks and rattles... Plus if you go newer on the GT they take a detune to the engine HP... 04 has my vote.

[MRCN RCE]

i've never driven any GT besides my 05, so i couldn't really tell you which is better. mav's right tho, first model year cars always have bugs that need to be worked out, but to me, the main thing is no matter what year is statistically "better", it all comes down to how the previous owner drove and took care of it. somethin i learned: you can go out n buy the best car in the world, but if it wasn't maintained properly, you might as well be driving a yugo.also, don't be shy on spendin the $25 on carfax.com. with that, you can get unlimited VIN history checks for 3 months. and most cars qualify for carfax's buy back guarantee. the details of that are on their site. i've done that for every car i've looked at in the past couple years just to be safe. it's worth it to me. sometimes you'll be surprised by what you find out. thas my 2 centsQuote, originally posted by Mavrik »Plus if you go newer on the GT they take a detune to the engine HP.don't remind me mav i still love my 05 GT. even though it's a lil weaker than previous years, i make up for it with my superior driving skills.

[baggio95]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I saw when I was doing some research that the '03 was rated 180hp and the '04 was 170hp. I'm not super concerned about it. Is there anything else you folks can think of that I should be aware of or look for? Keep it coming. Thanks

[baggio95]

I forgot to ask, what kind of mpg is the GT getting if you don't push it too hard. Thanks

[kevinvalentini]

I too own a 2003 Vibe GT, which I was fortunate to purchase w/ only 1100 miles on the odo in July of 2005 (I work in the service dept. ofa Pontiac/Buick/GMC dealership...car was an oddball: 6 speed, Nav radio, Arrest Me Red. Guess it didn't appeal to many folks. Traded my Aztek (don't go there..great vehicle. Ugly, but I couldn't view exterior while I was driving it) and got new old car for 10k difference. GT gets better local mileage if I keep foot off loud pedal, but Aztek matched it(32 mpg) at highway speeds. So what? GT is FUN! to drive. I'm 50 years old, and love smoking young twerps in Honda VTEC's. 8200rpm shifts are a hoot. I grew up rowing a shifter, and this thing is flexible enough (5th gear @ 35 mph) to drive without shifting alot.Love to downshift into second at 55 mph and run away from traffic. Noclutch problems; shifter is a little notchy, but have gotten used to that.Other than buzziness from cheap Jap plastic interior (I owned LOTS of Hondas back in the 80's and 90's) that can be resolved by cranking upEric Clapton, I love this car. Kid can't drive it (auto only), and it kicks his modified '96 Mustang V6's (removed). Biased? MOI? Ha.

[savedbyzero]

I, too, am biased. I seroiusly don't see how there'd be too many improvements from 03 to 04. There's actually less aggressive styling on the '04's and they've been detuned a bit. But definitely 04 over anything newer. The newer detuned GT's just don't seem worth it these days.