Overview & Reviews

The Pontiac GTO may have been the first true muscle car, but that distinction has never been enough to assure it an uninterrupted production run. Already, the GTO has used up two lives. Originally produced from 1964-'74, the GTO was resurrected for the 2004 model year after a 30-year hiatus. There was no convertible body style this time, but the car was at least a proper rear-drive two-door coupe, courtesy of Holden, General Motors' Australian division. The new GTO (née Holden Monaro) was a definite sleeper style-wise, but in keeping with its muscle car heritage, it brought some serious under-hood heat. Unloved by consumers during its production run due to interior quirks and anonymous styling, this modern GTO now constitutes something of a performance bargain on the used-car market.

Most Recent Pontiac GTO

The original Pontiac GTO was nicknamed "the Goat" as much for its defiant, stripped-to-the-basics personality as for the letters in its name. The 2004-'06 incarnation was so much more refined and upscale that to call it a Goat would almost have been an insult. Many of the old car's charms had also been lost in translation, including its affordable price tag. The new coupe started in the low $30Ks -- hardly an attainable sum for young, cash-strapped enthusiasts. Bland exterior styling was another weak point.

Power initially came from a 5.7-liter V8, but Pontiac swapped in a larger 6.0-liter V8 the following year. The bigger engine took the GTO up to a cool 400 horsepower, but between the 2+2 coupe's high price and dull styling, Pontiac simply couldn't sell enough of them. As a result, the Pontiac GTO was discontinued after the 2006 model year.

Still, when it came to acceleration, there was no denying the reborn GTO's status as a full-on muscle car. Equipped with the LS1 V8 rated for 350 hp and 365 pound-feet of torque, 2004 models could get to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and blaze through a quarter-mile in 14 seconds flat -- quicker than any of the original GTOs. More impressive were the 2005 and '06 models, which had the 6.0-liter V8. Rated for 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, these models shaved more than half a second off that quarter-mile time.

Although the Pontiac GTO was plenty comfortable for highway cruising, its soft suspension really wasn't tuned to handle this much power. With its sluggish reflexes, excessive body roll and weak brakes, its dynamics were no match for the sharper-handling competitors in this price range. Had the car been priced $5,000 or so less, these faults might have been forgivable. Depreciation has mitigated this criticism, however, as used GTOs can be found for a fraction of the MSRP when new.

Past Pontiac GTO models

Introduced in 1964, the original GTO went through six generations before dying off after the 1974 model year. Always a rear-wheel-drive car, it was sold as both a two-door hardtop and a convertible with an assortment of big V8s. Legend has it that Pontiac stole the GTO name from the equally legendary Ferrari 250 GTO, a car whose name was an acronym for "Gran Turismo Omologato."

Save for the "detuned" 1973 and '74 models, just about any Pontiac GTO from the original era is considered collectible and will bring a high price at auction, provided it's in good condition and has a matching numbers engine (meaning the car still has the original factory engine). Convertibles are rarer than hardtops. The ostentatious GTO Judge model, sold in both body styles, is also less common. Among 1960s GTOs, models with one of the Ram Air packages are most prized, while the 1970 year saw the GTO's performance peak with the availability of a massive 455-cubic-inch V8 good for 500 lb-ft of torque.

User Reviews:

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  Excellent Sports Car for the Money - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Rockit_GTO - May 31 - 10:43 am

  Being a former Z28 owner (highly modified), the comparison in quality is unmatched. For a similar level of performance and much better interior design, this car wins hands down. Everytime I fill up with gas people just start looking around and inside the car. All of the comments are very positve. The red leather interior is very eye catching and the detail in the interior is top notch.

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  Maintaining the concept - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By BobthePhotoGuy - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Many people keep refering to the fact that the GTO doesnt look like a muscle car. Well a lot of that is the perception of history. The original GTO was a plain jane Pontiac Tempest with a common styling for it era. Pontiac took this everyday two door going to church car and dropped in a powerful drivetrain, added a hood scoop, exhaust and a bigger set of shoes. With the New GTO, they took a well established up to date styled car, the Holden Monaro, dropped in a powerful drivetrain and added a healthy exhaust. Sound familiar?? The only thing missing is the hoodscoop. Of course with the new technology in 30 years, the creature comforts are much stronger.

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  Fast, Fun Head-Turner - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By pscott - May 29 - 11:36 am

  Lots of fun to drive - and oh, so quick! It is comfortable and has lots of nice features. After having 1999 and 2002 Grand Am GTs, my GTO is an excellent step up and with all the great incentives offered, only very slightly more expensive. I also like the fact that there are very few on the road. Hopefully future models will incorporate suggested improvements so my next GTO will be even better!

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  Big Red - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Ray Willis - May 27 - 4:53 pm

  I did not think they would ever bring the gto back wow what A car, excellent. I had a 1965 and a 1967 this 2006 is by far a much better car in every way, its to bad that they are going to stop making it after the 2006 are gone. Sadddddddddddddd

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  Pro charged GTO - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By papacon60 - May 24 - 12:36 am

  Since I bought my GTO, I only drive it on nice days. This car has never seen a raindrop! I put on a pro-charger, 3" stainless exhaust, a GMM rip-shifter, and drag-bags to eliminate wheel hop. The car was dyno tested, and produces 512 rear wheel h.p. The only comments I have about my GTO, is that is is scary fast, and an absolute blast to drive.Not to mention, the fastest car on the street!

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  Daves comments - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By DBrian - May 15 - 9:36 pm

  My 05 gto is a great car, light years ahead of my vintage muscle cars. Also a good perfomance value with muscle and acceptable mileage.

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  Goat-Tastic! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By masteropunk - April 15 - 1:53 am

  I love this car. Owned a supercharged Cobalt before this and the power in the GTO is so great over the latter. I have recently added an 80 mm turbo amongst other things and am running at a cool 1011 hp off the dyno. I loved this car stock and love it even more with the additions.

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  add to my other review - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Doug - April 3 - 2:46 am

  Reviewers complain of the small truck well that is our safety regulations which makes it ultra safe for rear end collisions. Also it has a larger tank at 18 gallons which takes up the trunk space.....the Australian version probably has a lot more room in the trunk. Also i got 27.5 mpg with a/c on a trip in the summer. the fuel mileage gage is off by 10% often when i check my mileage the old fashioned way.

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  "06" GTO - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Mark Howell - March 30 - 10:40 pm

  This car is great! It handles very well. The engine has a LOT of snap to it. Under the hood is a well organized engine compartment. The seats are the most comfortable seats Ive sat in. The sound system is very good, but it would have been nice to have an auxiliary plug for an I-Pod. The craftsmanship on this car is outstanding! The 6 speed shifter had a longer throw than I liked, but after I installed a B&M Short shifter it performs extremely well. I love the "Spice Red" paint on mine. I wouldnt trade this car for anything!

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  2004 Black/Black GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Rwelty - March 30 - 4:43 pm

  I keep havng minor things go wrong with it, like a noisy fan, or a broken door lock. But nothing major so far. No charge for any repairs.