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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  I will never let it go - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By PBMGTOM6 - December 4 - 4:50 am

  As the title reads, this vehicle will be with me as long as it runs. Sleeper look with raw power. I get pure respect everywhere I go from people who know what this car is. The ones who dont know and test me, soon find out as they fade in my rear view mirror. The interior is amazing, best in its class. Its rare to find a performance vehicle with a nice interior. Very comfy seats with a high quality look and feel. The GTO is a sheer thrill to drive. Beware: If you drive one, you will buy one! Very rare car and hardly see any driving around. Get one while you still can!

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  Fun & Fast - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Carlos - December 2 - 6:03 pm

  I love to drive this vehicle. It has plenty of torque at any speed. Some people complain about the look, but I love it. I test drove the Dodge Charger, the Toyota Avalon, and the BMW 645. The Avalons acceleration compared to the GTO is like comparing a bycicle to a motorcycle. The Avalon feels sluggish. The BMW has excellent handling, better than the GTO, but performance-wise it is not a stand- out. The Charger is pretty quick and has more room, but it is not nearly as much fun to drive as the GTO (or as quick). Bottom line: I love my GTO.

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  OK DESIGN BUT KO PERFORMANCE - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Mike - December 1 - 7:36 am

  When I first test drove the God-like car in the GTO, I fell in love with it. I first looked at whats under the hood..and boy it was beautiful. The engine itself was proably the size of the Goats trunk..Once I test drove the car, I realized that the pickup was incrediblely fast. The steering was responsive and tight.. However going over bumps knocked the car around a little bit. but how can I complain with 400 horses and 385 torque at a resonable price? I feel like a king driving around in the GTO. Most peoplem have never seen one which is a good thing, its not like a WRX STI or Z. And for those who do. They understand what its capable of. For those who dont, well theyre in for a big suprise

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  Too new to know - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By wahikan - November 30 - 10:33 am

  I just got the GTO, after 3 Bonnevilles, the last was an SSEi. My GTO is smaller and has a few less gadgets, which I actually like having less of. This is my first true muscle car and my first new car. Its going to be interesting to see if a stick shift will become a pain, but for now its fun. By owning the Bonni’s I suspect bakes will become an issue but Ill offer a follow-up once I drive this puppy a little more. I plan to never ever sell this car. Im hoping that because of the short life this latest genration of GTO will prove a good investment in 30 or so years...

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  Great Adult Sports Car - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Kent H. - November 25 - 7:26 am

  Wonderfull performing handling and looking modern performance car.This car is quiet smooth quik and solid.Im 50 yrs old and this is only my second new car, it takes a lot to get my attention but this car did.I bought it without even test driving it i knew i would not be disapointed and it was better than i expected.I have owned several muscle cars including a 70 chevelle convertible with a 540 bbc in it that i still have.The old cars are great but this 06 GTO is by far the best all around performance car that i have owned.A corvette driveline with a different body on it for under 30k thats hard if not impossible to beat.

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  Great Car - NOT Dime-a-Dozen - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By ChevySmallBlock=HP - November 4 - 3:16 am

  More horsepower easily accessible without SC. A ton of performance parts available for small block Chevy motors. I love the sound of this car, especially when launching or serious downshifting. This motor is HIGH quality and will take what it was made for.

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  Power to spare - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Steve - November 3 - 6:43 pm

  This a quick car NOT for the teenager too much car for the person that wants to relive the 60s muscle car.

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  New GTO Rocks! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By DrSBSNYDER - October 29 - 2:00 am

  After a 30 year absence, Pontiacs legendary GTO is back. A trim midsize coupe, this car features the LS1 5.7 litre engine, packing 350 horsepower driving the rear wheels (as a proper sports coupe should). The GTO sports one of the most attractive interiors ever in a GM car.

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  2005 GTO 6 speed - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Car Crazy Dude - October 21 - 7:10 am

  Awesome car, always eager to drive it! Needs nothing else added to it from purchase. Love the IRS and the 400 hp 400 ft-lb torque!! Price to value is definitely unbeatable, Go GM.

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  Drive it you will buy it - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By WHTODD - October 12 - 2:00 am

  One month into 24 month smart buy on red 6 speed GTO. $7500 off msrp and high residual made this an easy purchase, ($114 per month!) Interior is extremely comfortable, power is immediate, shifts very smooth and wonderful braking action. Averaged 24 mpg on 1000 mile trip running 75. Solid, confortable, fast and rattle free. Higholy recommend any real car enthusiast drive this and you will want one, expecially with the heavy discounting on 2004 model. Only saw one on the road in TX, so it is also a unique car to own. Friends who drove it cannot believe the power and sheer performance of the GTO. As a 60s teenager, this car has the spirit of the original