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:
Showing 111 through 120 of 540.00-
the real deal - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By american legend - January 26 - 7:03 amall power best bang for the buck under 40k handles better than it goes...plenty of power and style!
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GTO-O4 from AJ-2 - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By GTO-O4 from AJ-2 - January 21 - 6:33 amNothing like doing a 30 mph corner at 80. Had the 1st 64 GTO in Albany. 13 trophies at Glensfalls. Now have the 1st GTO in Littleton. So much more car! GM charcoal grey hood scoops and a black/red/black side accent stripe sets this yellow car off. Did not want yellow, but love it now. Im getting close to 20 mpg and still having fun. Got 26 on a trip using all the economy tricks with the Tremec and engine rpm. But too much fun to drive. The Aussies know how to build a car. Tight and stable. At 62, I would like to try the 1/4 with it in stock dress to see if I can better my 64 times. Anyway, a great road car.
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goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By goat owner - January 16 - 2:00 amfun to drive, 6 speed rpms @2000 runing 70 t0 80 mph.trip 183 miles avg. speed 58 mph gas milage 26.8 very good.
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Why Drive Anything Else? - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By Mel Ifudu - January 7 - 4:26 amTo put it simply, why drive anything else? Thats the thought that goes through my mind when I drive. My GTO is fantastic. It is clearly the best car I have ever driven. Its scary fast (top speed and acceleration) and the exhaust noise, to die for. Thanks to our Aussie friends. Good work, great car. Although there is one thing that upsets me about my car; its the braking performance at high speed. Its like the pads are terrified of the wheel hub. Perhaps I need Brembos. And finally, my girlfriend hates the car. This is the final confirmation I needed.
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This car rocks! Period - 2006 Pontiac GTO
By bobbyWON - January 1 - 11:40 pmA lot of these other reviewers who have complaints, dont appreciate the "grown ups" sports car market. We dont want giant wings that look like ironing boards, or exhaust that sounds like it came off the old weedwacker. We want smooth style, power and performance. Its about fluidity, and the new GTO has it nailed. Its fast, yet not rambunctious and noisy like the dodge "hemi" junk, and it rides very nice, it is extremely reliable due to utilizing the time-tested small block chevy. Its just an awesome car anyway you look at it, the price is excellent for what you get too.
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Fast and Furious - 2006 Pontiac GTO
By Mr Norm - December 27 - 3:56 amThe day I received this car all I had was a smile on my face, I love the brazen orange paint, the crazy torque the comfortable seats and the launch oh my god, faster than all the sports cars that I have own, and I had some good ones, and IROC-Z, Mustang GT, Buick Grand National this thing smokes them all I do have some performance parts such as eibach springs, koni shocks, subframe connectors, alum- driveshaft bmr axels and stubs headers, supercharger, comp cam and magnaflow exhaust. But the thing I like the most is that you dont see them all over the road. Ill keep it until the wheels fall off.
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The new Vette - 2006 Pontiac GTO
By Dacius - December 22 - 8:46 pmThis car is simply amazing. 400 hp and for 30k. There simply is not a vehicle that can come as close. My salesmen said that the car is made in Australia and I am starting to wish I lived in the land down under. The car purrs at idle and growls as you go through the gears. The interior is something you would never expect from a Domestic car. Absolutely perfect car.
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Mean machine - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By keb - December 17 - 5:16 pmI love this car. Its fast, handles well, and a beautiful machine. Now, I just wanna make it even faster.
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Fun - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By Speedy - November 21 - 6:16 pmThis car is fun to drive. Sharp handling in the corners. The car has an aggressive exterior and very comfortable back seats.
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Fun - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By Speedy - November 21 - 6:16 pmThis car is fun to drive. Sharp handling in the corners. The car has an aggressive exterior and very comfortable back seats.
