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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lic plate..Bcnyea - 2006 Pontiac GTO
By b_cnyea - February 18 - 9:53 am06 GTO A4 Cyclone Gray 6.0. When i was younger i helped restore my dads 67 rag top black on black..them wore the days! He let me take it to prom and every other Friday i got to drive it to school!! took the long road back home after school :) and now i got one of my own,hope fully i can keep it for many years and my son and i can restore it when its time.But for now its the best thing i have ever owned i have many stories to tell my son some day like my dad did with me his back seat has more room lol and when your 61 their is not much room in mine haha! its a fun car to drive and own and drive..keep it between the white lines!!
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Fantastic - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By Mike - February 15 - 9:46 amBought this used 05 with appx. 17,000 miles on it, great value for the package. Almost too fast! Have enjoyed every minute. I drive a company vehicle to work, and I can wait to get home to get back to this beast. May not be the best representation of the old goats, but that doesnt mean that it is not a superb muscle car.
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Great Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By JP - February 12 - 8:26 pmThe 2004 Pontiac GTO was built in Australia by a GM owned company called Holden. The car is well built with a tight body, a decent sport suspension which does make it ride a little rough and includes independant rear suspension. The car is equipped with the LS1 Corvette engine of 350hp which provides the GTO with good power. I chose the manual 6-speed for my transmission option. The interior is leather with bucket seats both front and rear. I have not had any problems with the car since I have owned it and I thoroughly enjoy driving this vehicle.
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Pontiac GTO excitement - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By Les - February 11 - 12:03 amThis car is a blast to drive; it is very fast, handles great, brakes are excellent and its comfortable, with plush bucket seats that support, interior finish thats well appointed. The value for the buck is terrific!!! Im very pleased with the GTO.
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Best Car I have owned - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By Ken - February 3 - 5:13 pmIf youre looking for a car that is fun to drive and youre not concerned about gas mileage, then youre looking at the best car out there. Youre looking at a 400hp ls2 that comes with the Corvette in half the price. I love it and with only a limited amount built, grab them while you can!
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Awesome - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By hack - January 27 - 10:00 amI 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 pmThe 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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GTO rating - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By Wyatt Smith - January 7 - 6:26 amThe GTO has strong acceleration and is a well balanced vehicle. Steering is nutural and the seats are supportive during spirited driving. The traction control system was inoperative when the vehicle was delivered. Took a week to repair.
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06 Pontiac Goat -- awesome - 2006 Pontiac GTO
By RidgeGoat - January 5 - 4:56 pmWhat 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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good car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By tom harris - December 31 - 2:00 amI like this car very much. yall do some good cars.
