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:

• 

  The Legend Returns - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By autopower - April 19 - 8:36 pm

  Acquired this car new after turning in an 04 BMW 330 coupe. Definitely great power for the money. It doesnt handle like a BMW or Porsche, but those arent muscle cars. Got the 6spd manual with the 18" wheels. Average 21 mpg in mixed driving, when I behave. The rear can get sloppy with slight road imperfections or slippery surfaces, but it teaches respect. After over 2 years I still dislike the gearbox, though. I despise the 1 to 4 lock-out in city driving, and it repeatedly pops out of gear. But just one stab at the throttle removes all frustrations. The exhaust note sells the car. It is quiet when youre cruising, but loud when you get into it.

• 

  Smiling Owner - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By New Goatee - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my Red Goat for about 3 weeks. It is true that the exterior is a bit subtle. But on the other hand, when you start it up, that is when you turn the heads. It is hard to keep from smiling when you drive it! And like another reviewer said, you find yourself turning down the sound system to listen to the engine!

• 

  GTO...YAAAH...THE REAL DEAL - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GTOGRRR - April 2 - 10:00 am

  The GTO is the real deal....a wonderful car...no problems after 6000 miles...good on gas....comfy...interior cabin quiet....a lot of bang for the buck...styling is subjective...i think its "gorgeous"....

• 

  In Love With My GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Lorraine Rosen - March 28 - 10:00 am

  The car is back! My son owns a Z-28 and is very impressed that Mom now has a Muscle car too!Its got the performance and handling to get out of its own way fast. Not since the 70s have I enjoyed a cars performance this much!Torrid Red and torrid fast!!!!!!!

• 

  Options required - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Jon Franken - March 27 - 9:43 am

  I bought the 06, but I wanted one without those ridiculous "nostrils" in the hood. GM says no. Straight line fun all day and all night, gotta love that. I can only assume other reveiwers praising handling have never driven a car that handles. My wifes VW GTI runs rings around this on any corner and my old Subaru STI would embarass it on any road circuit. I love the noise, I love the power, but Ill be spending a lot of money upgrading the suspension using GM Europe parts, adding sat nav and upgrading the stereo. I like the simple styling and, once I get my 2004 hood (no fake nostrils), I think this will be the finest looking coupe on the road.

• 

  stunner from down under - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By largeadam - March 25 - 5:10 am

  So, i am English with a penchant for American Cars; Compared the G35, the charger and the stang...clear winner was my new GTO. the g35 was average, well appointed but did not make me grin. the charger was made a nice noise, but i really wanted a stick (Duh!) the stang was a dissapointment; same money-ish but not a real contender. consider this....my GTO has a super sound system....but i still have not turned it on, i just drop the windows and listen...my wife has never seen me grin like the chesire cat from alice in wonderland....get on !!

• 

  Renesis - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By RENESIS - March 15 - 11:36 pm

  Well I kept the car for a little while and it was a good experience. I wouldnt buy it again though due to the following reasons. 1) the car has no steering feel and it doesnt communicate with you at all so you cant drive with precision 2) the back seat has a lot of room but getting in and out is big problem and trust me it is. 3) Resale values are horrible but I didnt look at this when I bough it brand new. 4) Moding can be expensive and there are some mods you need right away like shifter and springs and shocks/ struts. Better tires. Acceleration is great and so far its faster in STRAIGHT LINE than these: 350z, evo,mustang, srt8,E46 M3, Speed6, S4,C55 AMG. Its a lot of car for the money

• 

  GTO 2004 - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By cjvanho - March 15 - 4:03 am

  I found a few details in the body that seemed shoddy or badly painted. Aftermarket parts that were installed by Dealership really dont match paint from factory. The Mirrors have serious problems they have blind spots and are not either big enough or they are placed wrong. The car has some HP however its missing midrange torque.

• 

  Just so you know - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Mike - March 14 - 4:46 am

  I really hope this hits the top if the list lol. Car is awesome I love it, but if you dont know anything about cars these 2 things will save you a lot of grief and time pull the glove box in the top right hand corner under the dash is the bcm wiring harness put a wire protecter on it. it rubs on the glove box support beam causes a bunch of issues if you dont fix it. Secondly pull the driver side engine cover replace the fuel line with a steal braided one or else fire will probably occur besides those 2 issues 138xxx miles and shes still running strong with a stage 2 clutch header back exhaust stage 2 brakes and poly eurothane bushings gets ride of the body roll for most of your handling problems. Also the power steering line if not adjusted after about 100xxx miles will leak on your alternator but thats kinda just wear and tear

• 

  Not what I expected - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By CB - March 13 - 12:53 am

  Car has been back to dealership 7 times, 3 of those times towed in. Electrical issues, transmission wont go into reverse after sitting, rear end noises, coolant leaks, battery. What else can go wrong. Very disappointed. Paid 34K for car 2 months later they have rebates and incentives. You can buy them for 24K now. So Im 10K upside down from the start!!!