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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  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.

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  F-Body convert - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By danno-SS - March 24 - 4:20 pm

  Traded in a 2002 A4 SS Camaro (SLP 335HP) for a 2005 M6 GTO, comparison follows: Engine: GTO. LS2 has noticeable better low-end torque than an LS1, . The LS2s electronic throttle body is responsive to even the slightest of inputs, ultra-smooth power delivery. Exhaust: GTO. True Duals give the GTO a deeper, more menacing tone than the optional SLP cat-back. Suspension: Tie. Much higher ride height and softer suspension in the GTO. The goat has great turn-in feel but not quite the same grip as the SS. The GTOs IRS does well in keeping the rear from skipping during maneuvers in broken pavement. Interior: GTO. No contest.

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  Ricks review - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Rick Joy - March 17 - 12:16 pm

  For the price this is the best handling fastest car I have ever owned. It is a super fun car to drive. With the options available it is really nice looking.

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  05 GTO Feedback - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By 05worldclass - March 6 - 8:40 am

  Previous Car to This was a BMW 740 I SPORT.An Excellent Car with Great Driving Manners. What a surprise the Quality/Fit Finish and Performance that the GTO offers.The Handling is Just as Good as the BMW and Includes a Nice Ride as well. Also had a Mint 2000 Mustang GT 4.6/5 Speed (NO COMPARISON). This Car is an Awesome Value and The Aussies Totally Have Their S-T Together compared to GM Quality Over HERE. Try One. You Will love it!

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  The BEST car Ive ever driven - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Michelle Alava - March 2 - 9:33 am

  Ive ALWAYS wanted a Corvette, but could not swallow the price tag... Now I have my Corvette engine, but half the price... Same leather,stereo system, performance as the vette,and to my mind a FANTASTIC looking car. LOVE this car... will probally stay with the GTOs for quite a long time.

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  Excellent Performance Coupe! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Phantom Black Goat - February 18 - 7:53 pm

  Excellent Performance Coupe! I had a Trans Am before I got my GTO. The GTO is superior in every way. Performance is top notch, handling is great, ride quality is excellent. Interior trim and design is probably the best GM has ever done. Downsides are very minor, one does not expect fuel economy from a car of this type, however my fuel economy has not been as bad as I had feared. I get around 19 to 21 in a mix of city/highway. That is good for a car with a large V8 and 400 bhp. My personal experience has been wonderful with my GTO and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking into a high-performance coupe.