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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  Why the GTO is a sleeping Giant - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By mock52 - August 9 - 9:20 am

  In, my opinion the 2004 Pontiac GTO is very underestimated. The Car exudes inpressive performance for the price and the interior is spot on. There is no other way to discribe it. Many people argue that its not a muscular as they wanted. My question to them is have they actualy driven one? Now i agree that it seems as thought it could have a faster 0-60 time or that the engine could have put out more, but and this is a big but if you could ever take one out on a track you would see where Pontiac was trying to go. It seems as though you and the car are comunicating with one antother. It was one of the best track cars for the money i have driven. It gets a big two thumbs up from me.

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  Does what a GTO should - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Darrell Burns - August 6 - 8:13 am

  Kept driving past the dealer looking at it. Put off driving it for a couple of months, but after a test drive the car sold itself. The 2006 GTO is well styled, extremely solid, very comfortable, and handles smoothly. The interior is attractive, yet appropriate for a muscle car. I drive it daily, and the only negative aspect is fuel economy. I get 16.5 based on half highway, and half stop and go driving. As far as the small trunk goes, this car is built for driving, not utility.

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  Beware of what Pontiac doesnt tell you! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Chris - August 5 - 2:46 pm

  If you like Toyota/Nissan or Honda DO NOT buy this vehicle. I had 3 problems with my GTO at only 1300 mies. One and two were with the LSD/Differential making a whining noise, plus when you shift it occasionally, it will make a knocking sound. Three, had to do with the clutch sticking a lot. The LSD/Diff problem apparentally has been around since the Camaro/Firebird days and now affects the GTO too. To have those problems with it at only 1300 miles and for the LSD/Diff problem to have been around in GM for over 10 yrs. It just shows to me that GM has a very poor quality control program. The end result is, I will never buy an American car again.

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  Dream car for under $29,000 - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Doug - July 30 - 3:40 pm

  Just got an 05 cyclone grey w/ 6 speed- -it rocks! Ive had Mustang GTs, a Z- 28, Grand National and other "enthusiast" cars, none are even close to a GTO in performance, comfort and overall enjoyment. Apologies are in order to the motorists Ive no doubt scared w/ the outrageous passing power and noise, but thats about the only downside Ive seen yet. It is also cool how much respect this car gets, lots of looks and compliments and people asking what 400hp feels like. Traction control and abs allowed for a real fun ride recently in the rain, which was a big suprise recalling other muscle cars complete inability on the wet. Gas mileage well over 20 on a recent tank w/ mostly hiway miles.

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  Gto performer - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By MIKE TESINSKY - July 19 - 3:40 am

  Great performace vehicle. Well built,with no problems after 9,000 miles. Fun to drive.

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  a true sleeper muscle car - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By PJNLS2 - July 12 - 7:30 am

  All I can say is go test drive one and you will know all there is to know. Dont be afraid to get on it when test driving. This car dominates the road. I love when the imports pull up on what they think is some regular everyday car only to see the tail lights disappear into the night!!

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  Could be better - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GTOBoy - July 8 - 6:03 pm

  Definitely could be better. The GTO name did not bring out the best in this car, it is more of a tag glued on. Performance is not the best, the exterior has that "Grand Am" feel. On the plus side, the fuel economy is pretty good, though it could be better for the lack of performance.

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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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  Pleasantly surprised - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By eddie gomez - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Bang for my buck, endorphin inducer, im am very happy with my purchase

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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!