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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  What a Blast! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By 2005 GTO - May 29 - 7:03 pm

  I was very happy when GM decided to manufacture another modern day Muscle Car. I had a 68 Impala with a 427 when I was in High School, so when the 05 GTO came out with the 400 HP 6.0 I had to have one. This is the second car Ive owned that makes me smile the minute I turn the key. The big 6.0 V8 jumps to life and the low rumble of the dual exhaust starts your adrenaline flowing. The rest is just pure excitement, amazing acceleration, the sound of that V8 and the brakes reel it in with confidence. The car is also quite rare, you only see a few GTOs a year. I am averaging 20 MPG even with a heavy right foot. So if you have a chance to test drive one, do it, youll buy it.

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  The best car Ill ever own! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By jere - May 25 - 8:20 am

  Ive only owned my 04 GTO for a little over a week now, but have loved them ever since they re-released them. In this short time, Ive come to the solemn reality that this is the best car Ill ever own! Everything about the way the car drives, handles, accelerates, brakes, was designed to perfection. Everyday I make a boring drive to a boring job, but Im smiling ear-to-ear both to and from! My GTO is black, with black windows and black rims- very sleek. Anytime Im just cruising around, I constantly see people turning their heads to watch me drive by and listen to the wonderful low rumble. I havent pinpointed it yet- but there is just something about this car that is just menacing.

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  Wow - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GoaTlOver - May 16 - 11:06 pm

  After spending 6 years in Italy, I was looking forward to buying a new Mustang. Boy, am I glad that I found a GTO still sitting on the new car lot in early 2007. This is an absolutely outstanding vehicle. The 6.0 and 6 speed tranny are a blast to use on a daily basis and they still get respectable mileage. I really cant believe that GM could not sell more of these. Thats ok though, I got mine brand new and saved about $5000 off of the sticker price.

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  The best car Ive ever owned - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By IRINGEM - May 9 - 2:00 am

  The 04 GTO has to be the best car Ive ever owned. From its understated exterior, to its Corvette underpinnings, to it excellently appointed interior the GTO is the perfect car. The $33,000 price tag is a real bargain given the performance and total vehicle package. In the interior you will not find another vehicle with better seats. The controls are clearly marked and easy to operate. There is not a lot of "fluff" inside to distract the driver, just a great stereo, good HVAC control, a non-GM cruise control (this is good) and a trip computer with meaningul information.

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  05 GTO review - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By David Kulha - May 1 - 7:20 am

  This is the best performance car that I have ever owned for under 30k. Gut wrenching acceleration, great handling, good stereo, comfortable interior, quiet on the highway. An A+ for GM.

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  A Collectors Item - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Gary Hooper - April 28 - 9:00 pm

  I have one of the last Monaros (Pontiac GTO) to be sold in Australia. I am disappointed that this car will no longer be produced in this country as its build quality and muscle car character make it the equal of many cars costing considerably more. Ill save it for my grandchildren so they can appreciate what it was like to drive a car with more than 2 cylinders!

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  In a class of its own - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Charles Goin - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Some find the design bland, I find the clean lines to be perfect. Not too busy, and very The interior is fantastic and the seats are the best I have ever sat in and yet hold you firmly. The fit and finish of the interior is by far the best I have seen in a GM product. Suspension is tight, and yet on the highway is smooth as silk. Reminds me of a 8 series BMW, but with a better overall ride. With a fully independant rear end with posi-traction grip and handling are well communicated to the wheels. While the suspension may feel German, the sweet sound and powerband is all American V8. The horsepower is right there, with a ton of torque that will put you in your seat.

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  2004 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By symir - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I am very happy with my 2004, GTO. Every time I get into my GTO I am just as excited as the first time I drove it. The car is extremly fun to drive, and the power is awesom. The pick up you feel when you accelerate really puts you back in your seat. I have had my GTO up to 145 mph and it drives just as smooth as it does at 65 mph. Though I do not recomend driving that fast. In my opion I would recommend the GTO to anyone who is looking to buy an affordable sports car that does not sacrifice on power or comfort to keep the price down.

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  GTO---Gas, Tires, and Oooooooooooohhh - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO DAN - April 2 - 7:26 pm

  I have owned 3 GTOs....1968,1969,and a 1970. I have owned the 70 since 1979. My son and I are rebuilding the 70 from the frame up. This will take several years and I need horsepower!! When I first saw the 2004 GTO, I was upset! It was missing all the markings of a GTO (single exhaust,no hood scoops,etc..etc.)When I saw the 2006,I test drove it. What a ride!! I love this car!! Please dont tell my 70. The build is perfect. No flaws,tight fit,comfortable, FAST and gas mileage!! I chose the automatic and it shifts perfectly and matches the engines output no matter what the throttle position. I cant believe they stopped making it! The best way to describe the car is a 4 seat corvette!! GO GTO

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  Just try one, once. - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Lothar34 - March 30 - 9:30 am

  This car is an absolute blast to drive. Drive one just once and you will be hooked. The 5.7L V8 is a great engine thats well-suited to this car. It handles great for a large coupe and delivers better performance for your dollar than probably anything else out there. The interior is very nice, especially for a Pontiac. There is nothing cheap-looking about it. The seats are large and supportive. Ive had mine now for 6 weeks and cant think of a thing Id change.