2005 Pontiac GTO 6.0L V8 MOTOR $11,790

Oh! Whoa. It's a GTO. Slow? No. The GTO. Sports performance returns to the Pontiac lineup in its new GTO sports coupe, released last year. Underwhelming sales, however, were blamed on the plain styling, so Pontiac decided to add a bit of sportiness to the 2005 GTO. It also added some more performance under the hood, though the previous GTO had not been found lacking. A new engine powers the 2005 GTO in the form of a 6.0-liter, LS2 V8 at 400-hp, 50 more than last year. The 4-speed auto tran is still standard, but most opt for the 6-speed manual. Along with the already independent sports suspension, the GTO gets bigger brakes, dual exhausts, and optional 18-inch wheels. To boost its image, two pretty much non-functional hood scoops are added. Inside, the dash gets an update as well. Traction control and 4-wheel ABS are standard on the 2005 Pontiac GTO, as are bolstered leather seats, power windows, locks, mirrors, and seats, cruise control, and audio controls on the wheels. New in 2005 is a dead pedal to rest your foot. A sunroof is not an available option with the GTO. Rear seats do not fold down for more cargo space, as the gas tank sits between the seats and the trunk. Power, power, power. It's what owners of the 2005 Pontiac GTO love about their car. It smokes others on the road, especially with its quick pickup, surprising for such a heavy car. Braking is good and the sports suspension smooth, with little shuddering. Complaints focus on the difficult access to the back seat, the miniscule trunk, and the slow motor on the power seats. Most owners want more options, such as a navigation system. Drivers are split on whether they like the simple rounded style or want something more sporty and aggressive-looking.