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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  Love this car......... - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By diesel - January 15 - 4:06 am

  Ive owned a lot of new cars and old muscle cars, this GTO drives and rides solid. Lots of fun (and power) too. Will likely get the 05 or 06 at some point.

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  GTO - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Jess - January 5 - 12:06 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned. It is super fast but costs only a fraction of many other muscle cars (i.e.: Cobra Mustang, Corvette, Viper). The gas mileage isnt as bad as I had originally expected. This is a fun, fast, reliable car that you can easily get used for under $27k or new for under $35k.

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  Just Bought - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Goatman - December 20 - 7:13 pm

  I have had my 2006 GTO for all of two days now. I took the day off work to just drive it around. I had a blast with it and plan on having many more days just like today. I recently sold a 1971 Oldsmobile 442 with a slightly built Olds 455. I restored the car and it was my baby. When I found myself in the market for a new car I needed one with power. I found out the Challenger if coming out with a 5.7L and was turned off by the thought of the price for the upgrade when it becomes available. I tested the Mustang GT and the GTO and immediately knew the GTO was the better of the two. Considering where the market is going, the exterior styling could be better, but I still love the looks.

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  Had it a month, its PERFECT - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Wayne - November 30 - 1:16 pm

  Ive had it a month and I LOVE it. Its fun to drive, comfortable to ride in, and unbelievably fast. Its not for everybody (family with frequent use of the back seat, someone who needs a large trunk, etc...). But, if you want a fast, fun car in a 2+2 configuration, this is the car. For me, its a dream car. Ive wanted a fast car for 30 years. For me, this one is perfect. Even the stereo is fantastic... 6 in dash CD, 200W and 10 speakers... I look forward to driving it every day.

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  New Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By 50+ CPA - November 13 - 10:00 am

  This is a true throw back to the muscle car era. It both sounds and performs better then my 426 hemi, 440 Plymouth GTX, and firebird trans Am that owned in prior years. Being in my fifties, I must say that the seat is extremely comfortable and after exiting the car my back feels great. This adds to the overall driving experience.

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  Return of the Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By fronkie - November 10 - 12:56 pm

  This GTO is the best GTO ever built. My dad bought this one and let me tell you it drives like a dream. My dad also has a 1966 GTO and he definitely likes the new one better because its better, faster, more fun, an more reliable. All I can say is that its awesome, and I sure as hell hope that GM builds their Ram Air 6 concept as the next GTO Judge. THE MUSCLE DAYS ARE BACK AND HERE TO STAY.

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  Fantastic Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Jim Pesta - October 29 - 10:36 pm

  My 2004 GTO is by far the most refined, comfortable and fun to drive vehicle I have ever owned. It easily surpasses the performance of both the 96 Mustang GT and 98 Camaro Z28 I have owned previously. I do not miss the scary feeling of the rear ends of these cars trying to "kick out" every time a slight road imperfection would be encountered when cornering. The GTOs independent rear suspension (which, along with its motor, it shares with the 2004 Corvette) is a huge improvement over the live axle setup of many other muscle cars, including the 05 Mustang. While the new Mustang may have more flavor in the styling department due to its retro look, I have really come to appreciate the GTO.

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  I like mine black, please. - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Antonio de Armas - October 1 - 10:00 am

  Sunday morning coming home from Toys RUs drove past the Pontiac dealership and stopped just to look around. Never saw or heard of this car before. What is it? Had to bend down to see the side plate, GTO 5.7 L. What? Got behind the wheel, nice! Salesman comes out of nowhere and sits on the passenger side. Want o test drive it? Gave me the key and I started the dammed thing. Rooom! I could feel the power in my hands as the seat vibrated, room, roooom. Shifted to drive and the whole car tilted backwards. Stepped on the accelerator and I felt the G force as I was pushed against the seat. Awsome machine!!!! Bought it. Expensive and a thrill to drive.

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  05 gto - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By david baum - September 30 - 7:46 am

  car is way fast and handles like no othe pony car ever. right out of the box just all the car . big bang for the buck too.

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  04 Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Goat - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Great car to own. Gear shift is not as smooth as the Vette or other sports cars, but is still good. Handles well on dry pavement, but gets loose easy. Not good in areas with snow. It is great quick and is truly a sleeper. Most people dont notice the car until they hear the rumble. This a great car for a mature adult. DO NOT BUY FOR ANYONE THAT IS NOT MATURE. Performance, as stated before, is unbelievable. This car rates well in its class, but dont think it is as fast as Vette or Viper. It can be modified to push 600 hp for $6000 at some custom shops. Thank you for your time.