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 love my GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By danright - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I love the car

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  Happy with mine - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By George Smallfield - October 11 - 1:56 am

  I purchased my GTO instead of a Infiniti G35 coupe after driving both. 8K miles later I cant imaging how wrong the G35 would have been, my GTO seats 4 comfortably (granted getting in the back seats is difficult, but comfy once youre there), is MUCH faster, more comfortable ride and saved me some money.

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  best car ever!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Viper1234 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  The Pontiac GTO is the best car in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Kickass - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Fardoe - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I think this is the best sport car a person can get without dropping 50000 on a Corvette. I was driving it the other day a some kid pulled up next to me a a highly tuned compact. When the light turned green I was half way through the intersection by the time he got moving. This car is truely kickass.

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  Only two problems - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By bobs - September 8 - 10:03 am

  Great car with enormous power and spectacular performance. Can not use tire chains which limits skiing trips. Gasoline mileage is poor but about what expected for a 6 liter high performance engine. Seats are extremely comfortable and interior noise very low at highway speed. Good sound system. Wish it had exterior temperature indicator and mp3 input jack.

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  2004 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By sparke - August 15 - 5:56 am

  I bought this car as a 30th bday present to myself. Got it in silver, had only 800 miles on it for an awesome price! Wasnt too impressed with the looks until I drove it. Also looked at other cars in similar class but realized this car was in a class of its own. Love that there arent very many around town. I have only seen 5 others during all my travels in various states. I am the only one in town. Had it up to 156 at the last glance against an 06 GTO. The car has alot of power and a good driver is a great combination. Love this car.

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  Love this car - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By speedy goat - August 3 - 1:33 am

  This car is incredible! For the money that I spent; the performance, build quality, and interior amenities - WOW. This is NOT a replacement for the old F Bodies. This is what they should have been. I would definitely recommend this car.

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  Wheres the aftermarket shifter? - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By darkitec - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This car is just a blast to drive. I purchased a 6 speed sight unseen. The vehical has turned out to be better looking in person that any of the photos that have been published. The interior fit and finish are better than anything Ive seen from any GM product in years. Unfortunatly the shifter is a piece of junk. Each and every morning its like arm wrestling a gorilla in an attempt to get it in gear. Thankfully my dealer has agreed to make any fixes that they can. If that dosent fix it Im going to look for an aftermarket replacement

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  GOAT - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By whitetygger - July 31 - 1:30 am

  This car is the best built Pontiac in years. It is very reliable. It is A BLAST to drive. My only complant is when my wife takes it. To all that complain about is fuel economy find a Sports car with better mileage. To all that hacked its exterior design why did you buy it?

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  What fun!! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By harmsaj - July 23 - 3:06 pm

  I love my GTO, Pontiac may have rushed this car to production, but I think they did a good job. Only irritation is with the dealer, tried some underhanded stuff and took their sweet time with the financial stuff. Car is a rip snortin good time though, and that traction control on the shifter makes green light tire chirping more tempting. Always turns peoples heads, especially when the exhaust note hits their ears. Loud Tim Allen grunts with every punch of the gas pedal. Gas mileage is as expected, also like the constant monitoring system and modes on the dash, fun to play with. Strero rocks, but would prefer Boston or Bose like my 2001 GP.