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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  back again - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By jay - November 13 - 10:00 pm

  I had 2 1964 gtos forget the "not retro" nonsense! This is one terrific car!! Get one before they are gone!!

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  A great Car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By benjordan2 - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. I was kinda worried about the price, but it was well worth it.

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  Best Car Ever - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Dan - October 30 - 10:10 am

  My 2006 Pontiac GTO is my first new car. When I realized they were going to stop making then after 2006, I just had to have one. I ended up driving 6 hours to get the exact car I wanted. I drive the car everyday, and love every minute of it. I love having everyone comment on how much they like the car. This car is a steal at 30k. If you can find a new one buy it, if not get what you can find on the used market. The interior rivals many high end luxury cars, minus a few frills, and will run with just about any sports car. I just wish I could buy another new one when this one is paid off.

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  Sweet Car - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By jarred - September 11 - 8:36 pm

  This car is the most fun Ive ever had on 4 wheels. I love speed and this car delivers. It has plenty of power and I think it handles great for the size and weight of the vehicle. My friends all love it as well. I recommend this car to anyone who loves raw horsepower.

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  2005 GTO - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Keith Gander - September 7 - 7:23 am

  The fit and finish on this car is great. The best Ive seen on a GM product. The LS2 engine is a dream come true, 400hp right off the lot, and it was $25,000 to $30,000 cheaper than a Corvette. The suspension reminds me of a Bonneville or Park Avenue (to soft). I had Hotchkiss sway bars installed front and rear, plus JBA headers, Borla exhaust, and a K&N intake. This car is performance bargain!

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  The Great One - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Lera - August 26 - 1:33 pm

  GM service was friendly and helpful, not pushy or annoying. This was the third GM dealer Ive worked with and they all have a consistency for low key sales push which is wonderful for a consumer. The vehicle purchased was manual yellow jacket with antracite interior and I couldnt be happier. It is a 2004 model and yet has all the power one could ask for.The vehicle has one of the smoothest rides youll encounter. Corners amazingly. Stereo is loud and clear, picks up reception well even in difficult spots.True dual exhaust sounds wonderful; there is always a nice humm while crusing without stops. Idle sound purrs. Windows tinted perfectly.Leather quality fantastic. Clear coat superior.

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  The best GTO ever !!! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO by Ben - July 24 - 3:50 am

  I had a 1966 and 1968 GTO from the same dealer I got my 2005 Midnight Blue GTO Cant believe the sound and power from the LS2 400hp engine.Very comfortable ride and did I mention the POWER. Great sounding radio system,love the six-disc cd changer. I agree that it looks so much better in person.

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  Awesome!!!!! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Metro - July 15 - 2:00 pm

  I had a 99 Mustang Cobra for 2 years & it was great! (320 HP) The GTO puts that to SHAME! yesterday the police called & said I had cows out, I hopped on the freeway & was running 130mph in 4th gear & it wasnt red lined! (still had 5th & 6th to go but traffic was too heavy) The cobra would red line at 128mph in 4th & it was only a five speed! It didnt even have overdrive, 5th gear was a 1:1 ratio. This is the strongest and fastest car I have ever been in! I bought it on 3-13-09 & the original owner was 75 & it only had 16500 miles on it. If you find one that aint ragged out, you will love it! & you cant beat the price for the 400HP!

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  Great vehicle to drive - quite zippy - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By SR Peterson - June 9 - 1:06 am

  This vehicle is fun to drive. Although getting into the rear seat with is difficult, once there, the seat in back rivals the bucket seats in the front. This car sounds and responds wonderfully. The dash has a neat feature in the color of the dash in the daylight is different to the color at night (it turns black when the lights are on due to placement). The car seems to be very reliable.

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  gto review - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By jakedy - June 8 - 3:50 pm

  i love this car. its fast and handles well but lacks in the muscular look like the older gto.