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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  06 GTO best one ever - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GTOJeff - February 6 - 7:20 pm

  I have owned 6 GTOs over the years (1965-1971) and I was sceptical when I first drove the 2006 version but after only a short distance I could tell that this car was NOT a 60s musclecar it was better...more power and torque better brakes and superior handling The build quality of this GTO is superb and the interior is the nicest I have seen in all the cars I test drove (Mustang GT ,Mazda RX8, Dodge Charger) I seriously doubt you could get a better car in the 30K range with its 400hp,6 spd trans and independent rear This car is a pure blast to drive and not every boyracer in town has one

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  killers gto - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By killer - February 1 - 3:30 am

  the gears are long 1st 20mph 3rd over 80, 4th over 120, have not tested 5th or 6th gear

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  04 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By jimibeaudry - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive at any speed. I have a good feeling that this "down under" car will keep its value. A very impressive car.

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  Whoa!!! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By buzznode - January 15 - 10:00 am

  I just got my goat and shes a keeper. This vehicle is awesome. The performance is outstanding. Interior and exterior finishing on the car is awesome. The comfort level is very high. This car is most definately a winner on all levels. Sure, it doesnt look like the "old school" goats, but does it need to? I think not. Awesome. Simply awesome!!!

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  Glad I bought it! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Love it. - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I got the manual 6-speed. Good Choice. Fun to drive. At any time I can push in the clutch and give it a rev and the sound of the downshift is incredible. I was anticipating that it would not get any looks because of its non-vintage look, but the opposite is true; people stare at the GTO/5.7 Litre logo as I pull beside them. You cant beat the power, speed and performance $33K.

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  An honest assessment - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By tim - December 29 - 5:40 am

  This car is addictive to drive. I have an Impala and the GTO and it is so much fun to drive the GTO that its hard to put it away when the weathers bad. I was addicted to it from the first test drive. I almost sold it due to the mpg but decided that anything this much fun SHOULD be expensive to drive. After the Pedders suspension, its been like driving a very expensive sports car.

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  Ultimate Sleeper - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By John Bruning - December 22 - 8:33 pm

  Okay, so the Monero didnt make it in the U.S. market. Under any other name, it would have been a hit, especially if the price had been competitive with the Mustang GT. Purists didnt like the exterior, non-muscle car styling, so the GTO died after 06. Those of us who own a modern GTO know the truth: this is one of the fastest sleeper cars ever built. The 400 HP V8 sets the Goat on its haunches with a toe-twitch. It handles superbly and the stiff feel of the steering wheel is a huge improvement over the numb and the mundane. Forget the Mustang GT. Forget the Charger RT or SRT8. None of those three muscle cars can touch the all- round performance, handling and power of the 06 GTO.

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  Bought used with 7,000 miles - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By kev924 - December 18 - 6:18 am

  I bought the car used in August of 2012 with 7,000 miles. It was the best bang (horsepower) for the buck I found while car shopping. I use the car as my daily driver. Plenty of power for everyday driving. Passing people is a breeze. No mechanical problems to date.

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  2004 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By dozlert - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I love it! Already have over 1000 miles on it. This sucker goes...in a straight line as well as the twisties. It is a pain in the but to wait for the rear seat to go forward or backward. Once again, handling and acceleration is unparalelled with any other car I have driven...which is a few.

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  Awesome Car - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Rob - December 8 - 4:13 am

  This car is totally awesome!! The power and handle are the main points for this true muscle car. Ive tested this car at high and low speeds and have not been disappointed at either end.