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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  Leaking Struts - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By jcoyle - November 22 - 2:40 am

  I purchased this car new on 6-30, noticed it leaking on 7-1. Both front struts blown. Cannot drive car and still waiting on parts as of 8-8. Fluid leaked onto front brake pads and rotors making dangerous to drive. GM knew this was a problem with all 06s and continues to sell them without fixing this first. Pontiac has been a nightmare to deal with. Refuses to extend warranty to cover time Ive been without car. Do a search for 06 gto leaking struts and read others stories. Terrible customer service.

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  Fun and Fast - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Bruce M - November 16 - 6:33 pm

  Great car all around so far. Plenty of power with decent mileage. Six speed is a lot of fun; the only way to go. Havent owned long enough to gauge reliabiltiy, but to date very good with 9000 miles. Stereo is good with fair equalizer features (would like to do more manual adjusting). Front seat motors are very slow so backseat entry is a pain. Trunk is small but dont really use it anyway. Front seats are excellent.

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  new toy - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Robgotone - November 13 - 1:36 pm

  Wow, what a blast to drive. This car gave me a midlife crisis at 33! Its quick and handles great. Im sure the fit and finish is less than the Benz i traded but the benz will see nothing but tail lights! Who said you have to grow up? Bring on the young punks in their tuners! IM waiting!!!!

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  What a Machine - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By robertkcal - November 12 - 2:00 am

  No matter what the magazines say, this car was worth every penny! Ive gotten alot of positive comments on its looks, and the enterior is really nice. And of course the power is the icing on the cake. The things I look for when purchasing a car are: Looks, power, good radio, and quality. This car has them all. With only 18,000 built a year, for 3 years, Im totally happy that I have mine now.

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  I Love My GTO? - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Chi Chi - October 26 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. I just love the power and handling. The interior is very comfortable. I get looks every time I go out. I have seen people almost get in an accident while looking at my car. I love my GTO.

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  04 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By 24gto04 - October 24 - 1:33 am

  I bought this car with 20 miles on it and have loved it ever since. Decent fuel mileage for the power. Comfortable and affordable, I paid under 23k for it, technically used but new. I didnt realize all the wheel hop everyones talking about. CAGS is annoying and there is slightly too much body roll, but what do you expect for the ride you get. Brakes could be improved as well as the sound system. Overall very easy car to drive and Im sure glad I got the 6 speed. Love the styling, and I just laugh at the people who say it looks like a cavalier b/c they dont have any taste. Overall a great recommedation and car for the money.

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  Goat is back, Mustangs cry... - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Zmangto04 - October 20 - 7:20 am

  Of all the bad things Ive read and heard about the styling this car packs a punch. Not to mention the aftermarket parts are a plenty and this car holds alot of power! Love the car, I cant get enough of crusing in it. People dont really know what it is and I get questions a lot. I have no problem showing them what it does and I bet they like the way my back end looks pulling away!

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  2006 GTO Struts problem - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Josefina - October 20 - 7:10 am

  2 weeks from purchase my daughter drove the car to later find that she couldnt drive the car because it was making a very loud noise on the passenger side. of course we scream and question if she did something to the car. of course not . We found that the strut was defective we figure ok is a defective strut no big deal. The car started making the same noise on the left over the weekend of course is going in tomorrow for another strut I told the dealer to check the other 3 struts but they said they dont have anyting from the manufacture for a recall. a little frustration having a new car

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  The beauty is also a beast - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Tom - October 19 - 1:03 pm

  My is a 2005, 6 speed w/18" wheel package. Ive owned 80+ cars and yes one of the orininal GTOs (1970 Ram Air III 4 speed) as well as Corvettes, Trans Ams, Z28s & etc... I am very impressed with the new leftover 2005 GTO that I purchased in March. The car is great, powerful, soild, great handling and brakes. Ive driven a 2005 Mustang GT 5 speed and was disappointed with the Mustang. The GTO is hands down a better car overall. It does come up short of the Mustang in two areas: #1. Exterior Styling is not quite on the mark. #2. the front seats are not as comfortible as the 05 Mustang GTs are. The lower seat cushion hits me in the back of my leg and feel akward when depressing the clutch.

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  GTO rocks - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By dmglobal - October 8 - 8:20 pm

  The 2005 Pontiac GTO is quite possibly the best built car ever offered by Pontiac--and a worthy successor to the GTO name. Its styling is understated yet aggressive, the fit and finish impeccable, and the performance shames sportscars twice the price. This stealth fighter packs a 400- horsepower 6-litre V8 (the Corvette LS2 married to a Tremec 6-speed)that rockets it from zero to sixty MPH in four and a half seconds. A thoroughly satisfying drive that handles and brakes as well as any domestic and many European sports cars. It leaves Ferraris, BMWs, Mustangs and Porsche Boxsters standing still. The best part is surprising exotic drivers who dont know what it is. The new GTO rocks!