Help Deciding

[PTNorth]

I'm looking into buying an 05 Turbo. Ideally I would have preferred a manual transmission, but they are a little difficult to find. I just need help with a couple of questions. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Turbo light vs Turbo HO with an autostick?

Are there any problematic issues with this model yr and each of the above models I should be aware of?

Thnx

[CREWZIN]

The Turbo HO uses premium fuel while the Lite run on regular. The lite has 180hp whereas the HO has about 220hp.

[PTNorth]

Thanks. Are there any reliability issues that differentiate them? Are the MPG about the same? Other than the better turbo for faster acceleration, are there any performance differences (other than than those created by the different sized rims)?

Thanx

[CREWZIN]

Supposedly the turbo gets a couple miles per gallon better mileage because the engine doesn't struggle as much with the extra hp.

Reliability is about the same as long as you take care of the turbo (Synthetic oil). The engine is built beefier because of the extra power but the things that go wrong aren't about the engine itself, it's the parts and sensors that sometimes brings problems and they all share basically the same stuff.

It's basically a "cruiser". It will keep up with 99% of traffic and cruise all day at 80mph but if you want go head to head with the ricers, go with the turbo. The Lite can be brought up to the HO specs with just a few hundred dollars, you just have to switch to premium fuel to do it.

[PTNorth]

Thanks CREWZIN. Just to confirm, all the differences you describe relate to the Turbo Lite vs the HO, and not the standard (i.e. 150 HP) engine?

[CREWZIN]

OK, there's a couple words I should have added, like both Turbos get a couple extra mpg over the N/A (Non-Turbo) and the engine on the Lite and HO are built beefier over the N/A to take the extra power. Other than that on reliability, of the N/A, Lite and HO are about the same.

Also the Turbo's have large size disk brakes (and 17 inch wheels to go over the larger brakes) and a large diameter exhaust and bigger radiator.

[careyk]

in my biased opinion get a highoutput turbo with a 5speed manual

[PTNorth]

Originally Posted by careyk

in my biased opinion get a highoutput turbo with a 5speed manual

That was my initial goal, but I can't find a used 05 HO with manual transmission. So I'm trying to decide between the lite and HO with automatic.

[quicksilverdon]

My daughter and son-in-law each have GTs, and I have a "lite".
Differences are incremental, but are:
Premium, as mentioned - at every fillup - versus regular.
17" tires are more expensive and selection is smaller, and the compounds usually wear faster.
With the 17", you have less rubber to protect the rim.
If snow is a factor, the narrower footprint of 16" vs 17" is better.
The engines are identical, it's computer control only that allows regular on the lite (at lower boost).
The GT IS faster, but the Lite is no slug.

One other difference - the auto on the GT is "auto-stick" - you can hold a gear (within limits) - it's pretty much a "gimmick" - or let it be a usual automatic.
One last thing - insurance - some companies recognize "GT" - the "Lite" may slip under their radar...

[vtmdsm27]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

The engine is built beefier because of the extra power but . . .

Crewzin - can you clarify about the engine being built "beefier". What are the specifics? Thanks, Terry