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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  Hands Down -- Best Car Ive Ever Owned! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Happy GTO Owner - July 10 - 11:06 am

  This car is awesome! Bought in Nov 2004, it just gets better all the time. It looks like a grownups car, drives (and sounds) like a teenagers car. Interior is roomy and extremely comfortable -- 2 day road trip with 4 adults was great (mildly annoying getting in and out of back seat). Best road trip car Ive ever had -- ride is smooth and all the power you need. Took it through the mountains in Colorado and never felt so safe -- barely touched the brakes going down -- mostly downshifted. Getting on the highway is like taking off in a lear jet. Drive it once and youre hooked!

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  2005 GTO Delivers - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Craig Lavin - June 28 - 5:10 am

  Ive had quite a few "Sports Cars" and this new GTO would probably rate the best that Ive owned. It has the handling, power and ride of a true sports car, but it has the front seat comfort of a luxury car. The plush soft leather seating compares to my 87 Corvette, but I dont have to crawl into or out of it. The biggest drawback is the $1400.00 GAS GUZZLER TAX. I average about 21 1/2 mpgs with my driving habits. I would also like to see abit more luxury items in the interior, more trunk space. And I would have jumped at a convertable if it was available.

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  A corvette that sits four - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Best All rounder - June 3 - 9:33 am

  This is what horsepower is all about. SMOOTH power, clutch & shifter. Wonderful sport seat with high quality gorgeous red leather. I specially like the plain Jane look housing the lion under the hood. Even though I am not too fond of the hood scoops, but who wouldnt welcome more direct fresh air flow to the engine. It gets better MPG than many V-6 out there. Fall in love with this car in one quick drive. Driving slow in this car is a life long skill to master. Dont be a cop magnet !!!

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  Great Car- - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Gene - May 31 - 1:13 am

  Great Car, have had more people approach me to talk about car then any other car I have owned. Power is awesome. Car is very easy to drive fast in corners. Best muscle car for the money.

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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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  Goat with Gremlins - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Louisville Car Fan - May 23 - 11:53 am

  As the owner of a Porsche and Nissan Z, I was innitially impressed by the quality and performance of the GTO. The power and torque are great, but the gas mileage should and could be much better. Im averaging about 15 miles per gallon mixed driving. Only 20 on the highway. The six speed manual forces you to shift from first to 4th at certain speeds. I find the feature annoying and dangerous. Its very distracting and requires too much effort. I hope no one has an accident. Secondly, my glove box fell off with fewer than 900 miles on the car. Bad sign. Additionally, the defroster does not defog the driver/passenger windows. And the paint is flawed on the front bumper.

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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.