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:

• 

  Amazed! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Valueman - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven nothing but Japanese and German for 15 years.This car changed my view of what American cars can be! Everything says:"Quality":terrific seats,top-notch fit and finish,tasteful styling that lets the performance send the message. Engine response is "right now" and ferocious;handling tight and predictable, yet without screaming: "look at me". The normal American shakes,rattles and rolls, just arent there; but the "fun factor" is in spades.

• 

  The Blue Plate Special - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By The Old Goat - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE this car. It is all I hoped and more. Personally I like the stealth look, smooth and dechromed. It is nimble and quick, and VERY forgiving. The feel, sound, heart and soul are GTO. Barbados Blue was my choice and the A4 for the rush hour gridlock reality of life in Greater Boston. Advice for new owners? Leave the Traction Control (Training Wheels) on for a while..;>) The seats are the best I have ever sat in for a GM. This car is a Lumberjack with a haircut, shave, and manicure in a Tuxedo someone taught social graces..;>) Get one if you can!

• 

  Love it , but needs better fuel economy - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Big Red - May 14 - 6:46 am

  The GTO has more power than Ill ever need, and with a partial sports appearence package this one beautiful auto. Im 99% in love with the GTO with the 1% being poor gas mileage. The EPA rates it at 17 city and 25 highway, but Ive been averaging 11 all-around. I have a 6 speed and have driving very moderately as I am still breaking the engine.

• 

  All Go-Bland Show - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By OldSarge - May 13 - 1:50 am

  I bought my 2005 GTO in March 06 . It had sat on the dealers lot since the previous July. I got it for invoice plus $3500 cash back, plus $600 more than my trade in was worth. I had the intake, entire exhaust, sway bars, and shocks swapped out for high performance replacements, plus had the ECM modified to take out the 140mph governor. What a car!!! It will melt its rear tires!! Great seats, excellent forward view. Of course, very fast. I had previously owned a beefed up 69 Road Runner (during the early 70s), and a supercharged 94 Camaro Z28 (during the 90s). This car beats them both, hands down. Im glad it didnt sell well. The dummies dont know what they missed.

• 

  Biggest Bang for Your Buck - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By scott hall - May 12 - 3:20 am

  This is one of the fastest cars i have ever drove. It rides and handles like a dream. The is only for drivers that have been driving for a while not for a teenager. It has plenty of room front and back and the back seat is very comfy...so give the GTO a drive..and you will buy it...and make sure you drive the 6-speed :o)

• 

  Performance bargain - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Firstinlastout - May 11 - 8:50 am

  Ive had my GTO for 10 months now. Super reliable, not a problem at all. I do a lot of driving with it and have taken it all the way up to the mountains of North Carolina from Miami and back. Not one issue except for a burned out brake light. The power is amazing. The suspension is taught and sporty but not as razor like as I would like. The trade-off though is a super comfortable ride. If GM could have put some bigger anti-sway bars and stiffened up the springs/shocks/struts just a tad bit...I would be in heaven. Overall, I am very impressed with the GTO inside and out. Sound system is a little weak and there are no dedicated doorlock buttons, but overall I love this car !

• 

  Life with a Goat... - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Steve - May 6 - 8:03 pm

  Got my GTO (6-spd) in June 2005 and enjoy it. Its a comfortable hiway car with a decent ride and maybe the best bucket seats Ive found in an American car. Hiway gas mileage is pretty good (25 mpg for me) for a big coupe with a 6.0L V8. In town, its a hog (12-14 mpg for me), and the ride is more brittle on rough pavement or in City driving. Acceleration is phenomenal, and braking is good for such a heavy car. Handling is acceptable given that this is a 3,800 pd coupe, not a tossabout roadster. Mechanically, the "weakest link" is an awful shifter for the 6- spd, gated way too wide and with a rubbery feel. Conclusion: Go fast in comfort, dont worry too much about gas mileage, & have fun!

• 

  garage trophy - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By yuba4 - May 6 - 3:16 pm

  bought new in 2006, manual trans. After initial problems with front struts (bad oil from factory), and subsequent front anti-roll bar link failure, car has run well. Its basically an engine with a car tagging along. Shifter rattles. Otherwise, Im very happy with it. Love the styling and the ride, fuel economy good for a 400HP (typically 22.9 mpg). Low overhang in the back. I added a receiver (for bike rack), and it hits the ground on some driveway exits. Outward visibility is poor, but thats a style compromise. Ingress/egress hampered by low doorway - still hit my head on that. Love the car - probably keep 20 years.

• 

  First performance car! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By gto400 - May 3 - 12:53 pm

  From the day I bought my 06 quicksilver GTO had a smile on my face everytime I get behind the wheel. I like the fact that you do not see one on every corner and get a wave from fellow GTO owners on the road. Averaged almost 25mpg and 400 miles to a tank when I drove from New Mexico to Michigan.

• 

  Pontiac GTO - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Matt Jackson - April 29 - 3:36 am

  The gto drives unbelieveably smooth and firm for as much horsepower it has and for being a sportscar. It drives similar to my mothers cadillac sts 06. The response is awesome, and i like how they made it a 2-door not like the dodge charger which is a 4- door and i dont like it.