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:

• 

  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.

• 

  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!!!

• 

  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.

• 

  Nice, fast, clean - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Nathan - August 25 - 6:56 pm

  This is my first GTO--the car was more than I could have hoped for. Pictures dont do this car justice. Its comfortable, fast, and looks good. This owner gives the 04 GTO two thumbs up. I am a large framed person, over 300 pounds and I fit in the car with no problems. Plenty of room for me and passengers. I would by another but I we get snow here in Ohio and sports cars dont do well in the snow. I have not had the chance to get this car on the track but I will the first opportunity I get!

• 

  The new and improved Pontiac GTO - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Brien Levy - August 16 - 12:43 pm

  For some reason, the new GTO has been ignored by the reigning car magazines but theyre missing a great machine for performance comparisons. The main complaint is the exterior styling when compared to the new Mustang GT. A point missed is that Mustang sells a ton of smaller engined units that look like the GT so owners see themselves coming and going. The GTO doesnt look like a kids hot rod but it runs like one and its handling is far superior. Its ride and comfort befit a high-end sedan. So, if like me, you were a teenager when the first GTO hit the streets but youd now feel silly driving a teenagers car, consider the 05 version. Youll get all the storm and fury and feel pretty cool.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Goatin - August 14 - 11:06 am

  Simple: Best car Ive ever owned. The performance and build quality are absolutely unmatched in this price range. I also love the uniqueness of this car. Ive currently seen only one other GTO on the road other than mine. Ive heard a lot of complaints about the styling, but Ive been getting constant compliments on how nice the car looks since the day I brought it home. Awesome car.

• 

  Joy Ride - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By STEP - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Its a complete joyride everytime I get behind the wheel. This is the smoothest manual trans - shifting is smoother than on some automatics Ive driven! The power is simply amazing. Granted, the fuel economy is not the best. But I have no problem paying an extra visit to Chevron... driving the GTO is an incredible experience. I think I need a cigarette... :)

• 

  Barebones Speed: GTOs BAAAAAKKK! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By spiffx77 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Quality + big engine = huge FUN!!!!

• 

  Most bang for the buck - AWESOME - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Jimmy - July 16 - 1:46 pm

  Recently purchased a Red 2006 GTO. This car is outstanding considering the price range. I can stay up with anyone on the road, including high priced Euro sports cars. Very fun to drive. Handles well, very rigid and well build, no sway whatsover. Test drove a Dodge Charger prior to purchase, and there was no comparison. I have owned and driven many Ford Mustangs, and other very fast vehicles, the GTO demolishes all of them. The one negative would be... the exterior could use a bit more styling and not look so much like a typical Pontiac. Although you can look at like this, it blends in with traffic, not to fancy looking, and it is a true SLEEPER. Beautiful interior!!!

• 

  MID LIFE CRISIS. - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By CARHAULER - July 15 - 8:43 am

  I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 6 WEEKS. I LOVE THIS CAR. I HAUL NEW CARS FOR A LIVING, AND WHEN I HAULED ONE OF THESE. I NEW I HAD TO HAVE ONE.A SILVER 6 SPEED BLUR ON THE ROAD. THIS CAR WAS JUST WHAT I NEEDED TO REVIVE MY YOUTH AGAIN. MY WIFE EVEN LOVES IT. SHE DID NOT LIKE MY VETTE. ITS LIKE VIAGRA FOR THE STREET. ANYONE LOOKING FOR A REAL RUSH SHOULD CONSIDER THIS CAR. ANYONE I LET DRIVE IT, CANNOT BELIEVE THE POWER. IT HAS THE BEST HORSE POWER TO DOLLAR RATIO YOU CAN GET.AS FAR AS THE STEREO IS CONCERNED, I WOULD RATHER HEAR THE MOTOR PLAY!!!