I see the 2005 GTO tax increased to $1300.00 for the automatic. I looked over at the Chevy website and the Corvette isn't hit with that tax so what is causing it in the GTO ?

**** politicians anyway. It is legal to buy and operate the car but "we" just want more of your money :jumpon:

number of transmission gears in the GTO's case, 4 vs 6 in the standard. And the lack of an optional lower rear end for the auto.

Gas milage triggers the tax...if it falls below a certain # you get hit...it also depends on the vehicle.

The vette gets better milage as does the GTO M6 because of the hiway milage with the OD

And the vett is much lighter if I'm correct.

If the M6 did not have that skip shift feature would they be hit by the guzzler tax too?

Most likely. but that, combiend with haveing 2 more transmission gears probably kept them out of it.

Originally posted by Nocturn@Dec 15 2004, 09:49 PM
Most likely. but that, combiend with haveing 2 more transmission gears probably kept them out of it.
Exactly

Innovative Automotive Center
Gas Guzzler Tax

The Energy Tax Act of 1978 established a Gas Guzzler Tax on the sale of new model year vehicles whose fuel economy fails to meet certain statutory levels. The gas guzzler tax applies only to cars (not trucks) and is collected by the IRS.

The fuel economy figures used to determine the Gas Guzzler Tax are different from the fuel economy values provided on this Website. The tax does not depend on your actual on-the-road mpg, which may be more or less than the EPA published value. The purpose of the Gas Guzzler Tax is to discourage the production and purchase of fuel inefficient vehicles. The amount of any applicable Gas Guzzler Tax paid by the manufacturer will be disclosed on the automobile's fuel economy label (the window sticker on new cars).

GAS GUZZLER TAX
Unadjusted MPG(combined)* Tax
at least 22.5 No tax
at least 21.5, but less than 22.5 $1000
at least 20.5, but less than 21.5 $1300
at least 19.5, but less than 20.5 $1700
at least 18.5, but less than 19.5 $2100
at least 17.5, but less than 18.5 $2600
at least 16.5, but less than 17.5 $3000
at least 15.5, but less than 16.5 $3700
at least 14.5, but less than 15.5 $4500
at least 13.5, but less than 14.5 $5400
at least 12.5, but less than 13.5 $6400
less than 12.5 $7700



The combined fuel economy MPG value (55 % city, 45 % highway) is used to determine tax liability. The MPG value is also adjusted slightly to account for differences in test procedures made since the base year.

The MPG value is not adjusted for in-use short fall. The unadjusted combined MPG of a vehicle can be approximated from the city and highway values provided in the Fuel Economy Guide and on this website by the following equation:
(1/(.495/city MPG + .351/highway MPG))+.15
Since this is an approximate calculation, the actual gas guzzler tax may be off by one tax bracket.

Hey Jizzer, thanks for the info!

22.5 is the magic number!!!


The latest issue of Hot Rod magazine compared the Cobra and the STI in a shoot out. They found it ironic that the Cobra was slapped with a GGT while the STI was not. When they tested the 2 cars, the high revving STI actually got WORSE over-all mileage than the Cobra that has plenty of torque even at low RPM's and gears.

In real life however, it is very difficult to simulate the ideal lab conditions that generate the lofty HWY numbers in the GTO. But at a constant 70 mph speed in 6th gear in my M6, I have no problems achieving 25-26 mpg. To have a car with so much torque and a top speed of nearly 165 mph and yet achieve 26 mpg on the highway is simply astounding.

Real life I bet all of us m6 or a4 should have had to pay a gas guzzler tax. Maybe all m6 owners should send a check into uncle sam, if they they want to abide by the book :D