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:
Showing 21 through 30 of 540.00-
Wowo what a car!! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By GTO Steve - August 6 - 10:00 amI have owned this car for about 6 months now and its performance is unbelivable.. I have to say that besides the high cost it was well worth the money that was paid. I aslo got a 6sp not the auto.
-
Best Car I have Ever had - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By wild willy - July 27 - 8:23 pmWith out a doubt the most solidly built car I have ever owned. I leased this car due to the fact that GM gave them away at the end of 2004 for peanuts. I am very sorry I did not buy it from the start. The car is an absolute dream to drive and I take every opportunity to get behind the wheel. If you have not driven one....Just go do it.!!
-
Contented Old Man - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By Heywood Wakefield - June 27 - 4:10 pmIve had this 6-speed GTO for only about 600 miles. So far, it is just great. It handles well and accelerates well. The stick shift, while not totally sporty, is fine. Car feels solid. I bought this car because it is beautiful looking to me (it has a quietly strong appearance) and because I did want to get the most power for the money. It being 60% Australian and 90s-looking were not an issue for me. Yes, the trunk is small, the power seats are slow-moving, rear entry is difficult, and this is no mileage king. What the GTO is: a pleasure to drive, a great car for my 60th birthday, and something very special. This car puts a smile on my face. I love to drive again!
-
Blue GTO - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By torridgto - June 27 - 11:49 amThis car is a screamer, I put a k/n CAI, and a borla exhaust in my car. Now it sounds great, it sounded good when i first got it, and could lay down some rubber but now i could burn the tires right off if i wanted too (not like i couldnt when it was stock). last year i went on a trip to Colorado and the ride just never gets old its such a comfortable ride i Just love this car. Everybody should have one!!
-
Grrrreat Goat! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By Blueberry - June 19 - 6:06 pmBland styling? No way! I get compliments all the time on how this car looks. Even I thought it looked somewhat bland before purchasing. It looks better and better as the weeks go by. But the performance is what I wanted and I got that in spades. What else you can you buy that comfortably seats four, has a fabulous interior, runs like a scalded cat & costs only $27,000? Nothing. The six speed is smooth and with the amazing torque I usually just go 1st/3rd/5th around town. The exhaust note is very cool, exactly right. On the highway its quiet and tracks very well. Im not a boy racer anymore at 53 but I love a hot car thats comfortable. GTO is a grand touring car with lots of bite.
-
gto - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By john deleone - June 11 - 3:26 amI have had this car for one year. no problems at all,, hiway mileage is around 25 MPG and city about 17,it is fun to drive and draws attention everywhere I go
-
Amazed! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By Valueman - May 24 - 10:00 amIve driven nothing but Japanese and German for 15 years.This car changed my view of what American cars can be! Everything says:"Quality":terrific seats,top-notch fit and finish,tasteful styling that lets the performance send the message. Engine response is "right now" and ferocious;handling tight and predictable, yet without screaming: "look at me". The normal American shakes,rattles and rolls, just arent there; but the "fun factor" is in spades.
-
The Blue Plate Special - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By The Old Goat - May 24 - 2:00 amI LOVE this car. It is all I hoped and more. Personally I like the stealth look, smooth and dechromed. It is nimble and quick, and VERY forgiving. The feel, sound, heart and soul are GTO. Barbados Blue was my choice and the A4 for the rush hour gridlock reality of life in Greater Boston. Advice for new owners? Leave the Traction Control (Training Wheels) on for a while..;>) The seats are the best I have ever sat in for a GM. This car is a Lumberjack with a haircut, shave, and manicure in a Tuxedo someone taught social graces..;>) Get one if you can!
-
All Go-Bland Show - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By OldSarge - May 13 - 1:50 amI bought my 2005 GTO in March 06 . It had sat on the dealers lot since the previous July. I got it for invoice plus $3500 cash back, plus $600 more than my trade in was worth. I had the intake, entire exhaust, sway bars, and shocks swapped out for high performance replacements, plus had the ECM modified to take out the 140mph governor. What a car!!! It will melt its rear tires!! Great seats, excellent forward view. Of course, very fast. I had previously owned a beefed up 69 Road Runner (during the early 70s), and a supercharged 94 Camaro Z28 (during the 90s). This car beats them both, hands down. Im glad it didnt sell well. The dummies dont know what they missed.
-
Biggest Bang for Your Buck - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By scott hall - May 12 - 3:20 amThis is one of the fastest cars i have ever drove. It rides and handles like a dream. The is only for drivers that have been driving for a while not for a teenager. It has plenty of room front and back and the back seat is very comfy...so give the GTO a drive..and you will buy it...and make sure you drive the 6-speed :o)
