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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  Awesome - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By hack - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I drive 40000 miles a year with work, bought my first gto when they first arrived, didnt have it long before my wife took over, just bought my 2nd just last month. totally awesome. people knock the fuel, but if you want performance, power, and the enjoyment of it, then you cant beat it. its actually quite acceptable on the highway with the 6th gear, in town not so great if you like to play, but its worth it. a few complaints about the sound system, but unless you are looking for maximum, its fine too. just take this care anywhere, and for all the plain styling so many criticize, people just beg to look and ask questions. ill keep it til it drops and then put it back together. love it!

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  2005 GTO - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Roger - January 18 - 5:20 pm

  The most enjoyable car Ive ever owned. I had muscle cars in the 60s but this is a far stronger machine with the LS2 and 6 speed. I like the fact that the new GTO is rare - not many around (GM probably doesnt think this is a positive). All that and reasonable gas mileage to boot.

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  06 Pontiac Goat -- awesome - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By RidgeGoat - January 5 - 4:56 pm

  What a fun car to drive. I wanted a daily driver with some kick. Have had all the BMWs,Mercedes,Audis etc.... This car is power (400HP). Its just a great, comfortable car. I would rate it 10 in everything except gas milage (of course), I drive it 70 miles a day and its a pleasure. Has a great engine rumble to it. Stereo is pretty good, I do miss a compass and outside temp (loking to buy aftermarket rear view mirror that has it built in). To sum it all up, this car makes driving what it should be FUN! Plus there are loads of aftermarket goodies to buy. Go get one a have the next american classic. Sorry to see Pontiac saying goodbye to this rocket.

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  gto is great - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By mr borla jr - December 31 - 2:00 am

  the 2004 gto is much better than any import it has that new age american style mixed with the muscle car feel

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  Awesome Modern GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By shafman1 - December 21 - 10:00 am

  I Love this car! It is so fun to drive! The seats are more comfortable than my Tahoe seats. Nothing like raw horsepower with the suspension to match. The interior is beautiful! Im over 6 foot and with my seat all the way back, there is still plenty of leg room in the back. 350 horsepower. 0-60 in 5.3 secs. (Less with just a couple of modifications)

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  Refined Muscle Car w Subtance over Style - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By StealthLS2 - December 14 - 8:53 pm

  Re-introduced in 2004, the GTO early press reviews raved about the driving experience, interior and build quality, but the exterior styling left everyone underwhelmed. Many of us who fondly recalled the GTO’s of the muscle car era felt the new version didn’t live up to the memory, and sales didn’t meet GM’s expectations. Oh so many missed a great car. Open the hood and you will find one of the best motors on the planet, the General Motors LS2, a 400 horsepower V8 that can motivate you to 60 in under 5 seconds. Stealth looks combined with the LS2 power plant make for a modern muscle car with capabilities that require you take a deeper look to fully appreciate.

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  The Australian M3 - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By BRMike - November 20 - 4:20 am

  I had named this review the American M3, but that would not be entirely accurate. I purchased my GTO late in the 2004 model year when GM was offering great incentives. The GTO has been a joy to own. I now have just under 21,000 miles on it and I couldnt be happier. This car has plenty of power on tap, yet can achieve over 30 mpg on the hwy. (6- speed manual). Around town, driven with care, I average 21 mpg. The interior is among the finest GM offers with a clean design and rattle-free construction. The handling is decent for a car this size. The car offers a comfortable ride and feels solid, as it should with the weight this car packs. Overall a nice, clean powerful car.

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  Great car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By ls1goat - November 9 - 5:33 pm

  Bought car used with around 29,000 miles. I have put almost 10,000 miles on it and have had only one problem--gas cap went bad (???). car runs great. Its a blast to drive. The interior is good too. The styling isnt great but it grows on you. Also gets pretty good gas mileage (around 20 city/hwy avg).

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  GOOD TIMES ONLY - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By STIFELGUY - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE JUST TAKEN A LONG TRIP WITH MY GTO AND FAMILY. A COMFORTABLE TRIP WITH GOOD GAS MILAGE OF 21.90MPG WITH THE AIR ON AND AN AUTOMATIC. IF YOU LIKE GEARHEAD GET UP AND GO NONE BETTER. IVE HAD THE BMW M3 TOO SMALL, HARSH RIDE, NOT THE SAME POWER. GO GTO. GREAT AC GETS SUPER COLD. I HAD A LEXUS FELT LIKE DRIVING IN YOUR LIVING ROOM VERY BORING. GREAT SEATING IM A BIG GUY AND HAVE NO COMPLAINTS, I CAN EVEN STRETCH OUT MY LEFT LEG FULLY, WHICH IS GREAT ON A LONG TRIP. NEED TO PACK LIGHTER ON A TRIP USE COLLAPSABLE LUGGAGE. ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS IS TWO GOLF BAGS FIT FINE. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT CAR FOR THE MONEY, MY WIFE LOVES TO DRIVE IT.

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  I love my goat - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Ron - October 24 - 2:30 pm

  I was in the market for a G35 initially, but the performance, style & relative rarity of the GTO was a combination that was hard to beat. I have the red on red M6 with chopped mufflers. I cant tell you how many compliments on the car I have gotten. Shes great on long trips as well.