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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  Better than Memories - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Little GTO - July 3 - 5:20 am

  The new GTO is a true modern muscle car. Yes, I remember driving the original GTOs, and my 2004 is as fast or faster than the best of the 60s. The difference is that it handles better than most sports cars and is quiet and relaxed on the highway. Ive owned mostly BMWs, Porsches and other euro cars, and the build quality of this built down under GTO is as good as any of them. With a 160 mph top end, 14 seconds flat in the quarter, and real world economy of 18 to 24 mpg this is a great car.

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  Nothing like it on the road today! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO48 - June 9 - 11:40 am

  This thing is bad to the bone! I have owned numerous "fast cars" Buick Grand Nationals, Mustang GT, as well as a 427 powered 67 Chevelle for old school muscle. Nothing comapres to my GTO. The fit and finish are outstanding for $30,000. Oh and did I mention 400 HP? Disappointments are few and far between... Small trunk space, slow seat movement for rear seat ingress. Who cares! I didnt buy it to haul stuff in the trunk or the back seat. Which by the way will fit a 6 foot tall passenger with ease once you do get the front seats out of the way. Pontiac hit a home run with this bad boy. If other car makers followed Pontiacs lead, Id need a bigger garage!

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  2005 Pontiac GTO - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Rick - May 29 - 3:46 am

  I ordered the 2005 GTO with all of the features seen on the new 2006 GTO. In addition I ordered the 18 inch factory wheels and tires. The car arrived in July 2005. I is the best handling most powerfull car that I have ever owned. I would strongly suggest that it is the most exciting car that one could purchase for the money. The interior is excellantly styled and comfortable. The seating is satisfactory for four adults.

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  Great Car - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Bryce - May 17 - 9:26 pm

  This is by far better than my 04 vett. I am going to get rid of my BMW and Vett, this is two cars in one, for faction of the price. I was forced to rate Reliabilty, Ive only done 700 miles in it, so how can I rate this.

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  Missed Opportunity - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Brien - May 11 - 1:46 am

  If you like American muscle combined with sophisticated styling and handling, you should have purchased a new GTO. Ive had my manual six-speed for three years now and its been everything Id hoped. A bonus has been that I dont pass myself coming and going. The car is so rare that people often tell me mine is the first GTO theyve seen. Its been trouble free and its a kick to drive. I wouldnt sell mine but if you can find a used one, I recommend putting yourself in the drivers seat.

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  Fantastic car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By obiwan - May 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much better than anything Pontiac has ever produced. Plenty of power on tap. Superb handling. Well appointed interior with top quality materials. Fit and finish is above and beyond any GM car Ive ever owned.

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  Thats mr. Goat to you - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Lahrma M - March 19 - 7:30 pm

  GREAT CAR!!! way too much fun for one share the love with the roomy bakseat you wont find in an 05stang. Nice clean refreshing design, no need for tack- ons with 400hp power at your disposal. In short-drive it, youll love it, end of story. If ya dont ya dont.

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  Thunder from DownUnder - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GTOZ28 - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I have had my 6 speed GTO for 10 days. It is simply awesome. It sucks $2.50/Gal 91 octane like a banshee, but what do you expect? Lots of wheel hop when shifting because of the torque/hp. Have to get a CAGS (skipshift), eliminator like my 95 Z28 6-Speed LT-1 Ragtop has. Where is the oil pressure gauge? I guess in the computer. Computer takes time to learn. But when all is said.. What a car!!!! You buy one and... "Good on ya, Mate!!!"

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  Not much to complain about - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By aaronstoke - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my GTO for a little over a month now and have read a lot of reviews. Its discouraging to read many of consumers negative low-blows to this GTO, but then again, I have seen just as many positives from people that actually own them. Everyone has an opinion... I am sufficiently satisfied with my GTO. Performance- wise...couldnt ask for more. Exterior, I could agree that more could have been done, but then again, if GM built the car to have louvers, scoops, vents...etc then what would car owners get to add?? I look at my GTO as a blank canvas for me to custom. GM did the hard part by installing a killer interior with performance that sends riders to the chiropractor.

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  Sweet Car! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By ScottB305001 - March 3 - 10:00 am

  The car is fun to drive and it gets alot of looks from the ladies.