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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  gto - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By jszjd - December 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is a great modern update to a classic vehicle. A lot of power with excellent handling and cool interior.

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  2005 GTO Sport Appearance Package (SAP) - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By chuckdi - November 23 - 1:19 pm

  I bought an 05 GTO with 18K miles with the sport appearance package or SAP which includes quad exhausts, cool side skirts, SAP front bumper and grills. Paint is Cyclone Gray. Added a JHP color matched gage pod for volts and engine oil pressure, chrome tail lights with red LEDs, chrome aluminum wheels, GM Performance high flow oil pump, headers and 160 degree therm. Use ALT friction modifier to engine oil (6 oz.) and 1 oz. to power steering. ALT claims 48% reduction in friction. ALT is Advanced Lubrication Technology. Removed rear spoiler and painted trunk lid. At 54K miles, replaced rotors and pads and replaced auto trans fluid and differential fluid with GM friction modifier.

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  Drive a GTO forget your BMW!! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By NoBMWforME - November 18 - 12:20 am

  I sold my BMW to get this car. I took a bath on the BMW resale, as they do not hold their value (mine had only 34K miles after 5 years!) The GTO has been a fantastic car. I find the styling appeals to me and my family and is, to us, more mature and, say, european rather than screaming "LOOK AT ME" that some others need. I get more than my share of looks from those that know what it is. I replaced the goofy rear spoiler with a more sedate spoiler. I love this car!!

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  One of the best cars for the money - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By MKG - November 5 - 8:46 am

  Great car. And the best part of it is that there are not many on the road. You can upgrade it w/ supercharger up to 500hp w/o problems and use it as everyday.

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  What a Driving Machine GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO Guy - October 26 - 10:46 pm

  I love this car, it handles well, its a torque monster, the engine note reminds me of the cars from my youth, and the interior is outstanding Pontiac and the Aussies got it right! I have driven my GTO from L.A. to Las Vegas twice what a blast (26MPG) I had the car up to 110MPH and I had plenty of pedal left. Ive had my GTO for 6 months and at least 2 times a week someone tells me how cool the car looks and sounds, bland exterior I dont think so. I just saw the 05 Goats at a local dealer and I dont like the hood-scoops. I have only seen 3 other GTOs on the road in 6 months but I see at least 10 to 20 Stangs a day on the road. Pontiac has brought the Muscle back to Muscle car.

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  Truly a bargain! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Mike Parker - October 11 - 8:06 pm

  The Pontiac GTO is a tremendous value. Where else can yu get 400 hp, nimble handling, nicely trimmed interior with accouterments, and that big-block burble that anyone who owned a 60s big-block knows so well? And get it all for UNDER $30 Grand? Its quick, and its fast. Its under the radar good looking, clean and smooth. It takes a supercar to out- muscle it. Its always fun to dust 100K BMWs and 80K Porsches, Benzes and whatever else comes along. The looks of amazement on their faces are worth way more than the price of this car. GM got the 2006 exactly right, then left it to wither and die on the vine. What A SHAME!

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  Better than expected - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By mn2006 - October 9 - 7:36 am

  I saved up a long time to purchase this vehicle. It was well worth the wait. For the money, it is an excellent purchase with loads of power and performance. It is difficult to go into the house once I get home. If you dont own one and are considering it, then hurry to your local dealership and make the deal.

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Kelly - September 28 - 8:56 am

  The car is fun and fast, a real head turner especially in red. Have only had the car for 2 months and so far the car is what i expected of it.

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  Loving my Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GTOTomP - September 15 - 8:56 pm

  I bought my GTO a few months ago and I love it. I have been a hardcore Camaro guy for some years now and I am happy with my change. It runs great and the interior layout is perfect for my taste. For the enthusiast who enjoys working on their own car the GTO has plenty of room under the hood to work. Great car!!!

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  Sleeper - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By blackgoat - September 3 - 7:50 am

  I purchased an 06 GTO over a year and a half ago and still smile every time I start it up. It is by far the best car that I have ever owned and a blast to drive. The car looks much better in person than in pictures and most people have no idea what it is. The engine sounds great and the acceleration is impressive. The car may have sold better if the styling was more retro and less European but it is nice driving a car that you dont see at every stop light. The seats are very comfortable and the gas mileage is not too bad considering the power under the hood. It has been very reliable and the car can be modded if 400 hp is not enough for you.