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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  Love it - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Jeff M. - October 18 - 5:33 pm

  Bought used with 30,000 miles, best car i have ever had, Im over 40 and have had 3 Trans ams 2 camaros 2 chargers, more mustangs than i can count and this car is without a doubt the best of the lot, seats are out of this world, fun to drive, power when you want it and i mean when, like now power. Fuel mileage is about 20 on the hwy, could care less about trunk space or passenger comfort, good sound system, did i mention the seats, styling is fine for a guy my age. I plan on keeping this car a long time.

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  2000s Muscle Car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Ashs Dad - October 18 - 7:23 am

  This is the best new muscle car Ive ever driven. Interior is very comfort- able. The amenities are outstanding. The only bad thing is the gas mileage. You cant tweek it like the old Muscle cars. Saw the new 2005s and the scoops are great, but are they true ram? Reliability of the GTO is great. Only two probs to speak of. Seats started to make a ratchet noise after 2 months. (No fix yet per Pontiac), and on steering volume controls go up instead of down once in a while. (Cant determine prob). Car is stylish, mean and growls nicely. A head turner of today. The six stick and engine vet pack is perfect! Gotta get one for my mom. (Shes a motor head too!)

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  Best Car Ive Ever Had By Far - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Rick Francis - October 12 - 1:06 am

  Ive got the more rare Impulse Blue Metallic 06 and I love her to death. Aside from a few things breaking (Water Pump went out, Radiator died twice, gas cap lock popping loose) I absolutely love this car. Ive had several different Mustangs and once I drove this car I traded in the 94 Cobra I had to get this Lucky To Own car. I am actually designing a custom cold-air intake for mine and I hope to patent it and hopefully have it out for all you other goat lovers to buy at a much cheaper price than K&N intakes. Look for it soon! Ive had mine on the 1/4 mile twice and had a huge grin all the way down the track. Especially since I went up against a Mustang GT and won on my first pass.

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  Still in Love - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By BayouGoat - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my GTO since February,and still have the grin on my face. No problems after 6700 miles, and having fun safely and with authority on the road. I have the automatic, and after a recent dyno tune and tranny adjustment, the car has a performance level close to a manual transmission. The sleeper look keeps me out of traffic court, as does the necessary radar detector. This car is a bargain at MSRP--the deals offered right now make it an absolute steal.

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  Better than the Mustang - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By 17 Year old in a GTO - August 16 - 7:46 am

  Whether driving in the city, on the highway, or on rural roads, you know youre going to have a smooth ride. Waiting at the line of a red light always makes you feel uneasy with all the looks youll get-ranging from a thumbs up, or another hand gesture. It was raining heavily one day, and I was driving home. Upon turning a 90 degree turn to get on the on ramp of I- 5, the car started to lose traction. Luckily the TC kicked in, and stopped my wheels from spinning giving me the ability to turn out from nearly smacking into a barrier. The car has been great for getting me to school, and the Dragstrip uptown. Only complaints from passengers comes from the 5th man-only 3 passanger seats+driver

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  the gto - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By santacruz - July 9 - 6:43 am

  Everywhere i go i turn heads. the power of my LS1 put fear in every thing around me. i love my GTO. the feel of freedom and control.

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  Zachs opinion - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Zach Rubenstein - July 4 - 11:13 am

  The GTO is fun and exiting to drive especially taking turns with out using breaks and just downshifting. This car is excellent for pontiac fans who want a big v-8 with a back seat. They will also know that it will knock off the competition with the charger and the corvette.

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  Better than a Mustang - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By GTOawaywego - June 25 - 7:36 pm

  This is the best Pontiac has ever made, it is so fun to drive and yet so comfortable to be in.

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  Love my Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Charles Goin - June 24 - 10:26 am

  Awesome car, handling is on par with my 97 328i it replaced. Horsepower is more than you could ever ask for. Fit and finish are the best I have ever seen from GM, especially in the interior. Speaking of which these are the best most comfortable seats i have sat in.. Add to that the limited production its like driving a Maserati or somethign equally as rare. You rarely ever pass yourself, and when you do its an occasion.

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  AUSSIE SUPER EIGHT - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Graham Davies - June 7 - 9:16 am

  this car is a real performer, tried & tested for years in Australia this fully imported machine is awesome, being from Australia I have always been a HOLDEN guy, & when I heard they were being exported to th USA, I had to have one, who cares if they changed the name from HOLDEN MONARO to PONTIAC GTO this machine kicks butt !