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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  Faster please - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO06 - September 24 - 4:53 am

  Overall happy with the GTO would like to see some classic features highlighted.

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  Nothing else like it - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Bryan - September 18 - 3:33 pm

  For the price I paid just under $30,000 there is no other car like it. Better interior and seats than a Dodge Charger and Mustang GTO. Faster than both those cars and may be as fast or faster then my 2000 corvette. But still holds two 6.0 foot adults in the back seat unlike the 2005 mustang. Great car for traveling long distances.

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  Thumbs Up - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By TChicago - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I waited until I got some miles on my new GTO before submitting a review. I now have over three thousands miles on the odometer and I have not had one problem or any squeaks/rattles with this car. The car is very quick (I have the automatic) and comfortable. I can drive the GTO like a regular car 98% of the time (freeway commuting) I even have room for a baby’s seat in the back. When I want a sports car all I have to do is hit the throttle. This is the best car I have ever had in my driveway. I think the GTO most practical sports car on the market. I made the right choice.

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  2005 GTO - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By peterpoway - September 11 - 7:10 pm

  I just bought a 2005 GTO and have had it for about a week and it is great. I had a 1994 Z28 6spd. before this, and the GTO is more refined and considerably more powerful. This car is fun to drive, sold and begs to be flogged.

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  What a Car!!!! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GTOgirl - September 2 - 6:50 pm

  This is an unbelievable machine. It never ceases to amaze me with its power. The drive is just plain awesome. The 6-speed manual is a must. Just a few practicality cons, only because I use it for an everyday vehicle (which by the way I highly recommend). Access to the back seat is pretty close to impossible, in the rain the car is all over the place (which adds to the fun but takes away safety), and the trunk barely has room for groceries. But let me tell you Id much rather have that engine than trunk space. Its such a monster. Better snatch em up while you can. Unless the decide to re-release at a later date, the 2006 is the last model.

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  M6 Impulse Blue 2004 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Phillip Kelley - August 12 - 1:13 pm

  I purchased my 2004 GTO in November 2004. I have 2600 miles on the car and to date have had no problems with it mechanically. I do have a few concerns in the fact that the drivers and passengers windows do not defrost when there is inclement weather. Also the fact that you have to shift the 6 speed manual transmission from 1st to 4th (CAGS) under certain conditions is a pain in the neck! There is a bypass kit to eliminate this feature so I will probably install one soon. Also the fuel economy isnt close to what is stated on the window sticker. I thought that the power would be better but with a heavy car I guess its not too bad. In general I like the car very much and for the pricing it is great.

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  AWESOME - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By clayton900 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  this is the best car i have ever had in my entire life

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  Incredible Car! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Manimal - August 11 - 1:30 pm

  This car is a sleeper Mustang killer! Couldnt be happier with the 05 GTO! Every time I pass a Mustang (which is pretty much all the time) I cant help but smile. Mostly because my car simply powers by, but also because you dont see GTOs at every corner. I dont want to mod my car to separate it from the others (just search for Mustang mods and see how many returns you get). Sometimes subtle understated makes more of a statement. Loving my GTO!

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  Just a cool car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By lamadalton - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Great Car, does everything right. Sound is awesome, really adds to the experience of driving the car. This car begs to be driven. Torque up the wazoo, without high rpm driving, so it feels fast at all times.

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  GTO rules - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Acosta - August 2 - 5:33 am

  I love the sound of the motor at start up, crusing on FL turpike, Racing it at the track in Gainsville FL against imports espicialy The STi, I always seam to beat them, unlike your fake review "STi vs GTO" I have guys in Miami FL pulling me over with STis to ask me about my GTO, one guy even traded his STi for a silver GTO 05. I love everything about it.