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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  Dont delay, get yours today! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By PeterGTO - June 13 - 1:40 pm

  After years of driving compact cars or full size automatics, this GTO is a thing of beauty. Absolutely a blast to drive. The 6-speed shifter takes a little getting used to if you have never driven one before but other than the heavy clutch, it is very easy to drive even in rush-hour traffic. If you can afford one, get it! Only 12000 scheduled for 2005 model year.

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  Great car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GOAT CONVERT - June 9 - 6:50 pm

  Excellent car, everything the edmunds review says it is. Great handling, power, comfort, and surprisingly fuel economy( 28 mpg hwy ) understated appearance, much like the first generation gto looked like grandmas tempest with a hot rod engine. Love the car !!

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  GTO to Go - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By H - June 1 - 10:06 pm

  I searched over 4 months for a new vehicle. Looking at Fords and Chevys. Heard bad reviews for the 2004 GTO. Waited for 2005 for improvements. Searched over a 100 mile radius to find the right dealership. Tested and enjoyed the performance. Same drivetrain as a corvette, for lower price plus it can hold two more people. Held out for the one color that would work. Cyclone Gray, which does not look like gray. Plus I wanted the Sport Appearance Package.

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  Pimp - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Aaroncam - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Fast as hell. Gets going fast and stays going fast

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  A Wonderful Ride - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Margaret Kelley - May 14 - 10:00 am

  As usual, GTO handles fantastic, has a quick start and is a joy to drive. Gas, well, being an 8 cyl., not to expect a 4 cyl. mileage, but driven conserverately, is fine - sure but then who drives conservately. Sound system is great!!

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  Refined Muscle Car Defined (2006 GTO) - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Tom Miller - May 4 - 4:53 pm

  Love my 06 GTO. Truly a refined modern muscle car with comfort. I now have 64K miles on my black/black Goat (have both factory options: 18"wheels and 6-Speed manual trans). First thing I did was replace the stock shifter with a HURST billet short throw unit (chrome flat handle/black knob). Other upgrades include a VOLANTE Cold-air intake, Magnaflow cat- back exhaust system, 180 degree TStat, E3 Sparkplugs, MSD plug wires, Royal Purple synthetic lubricants throughout and Diablosport tuning. The original 400HP/400TQ is estimated to be about 445HP/450Torque. Current best fuel efficiency is 28.51 MPG at 75mph sustained on a 1,360 highway trip. I average 19-20 city and 25-26 highway!

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  My Blue Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By BlueGoat FL - May 2 - 10:00 am

  The torque...the speed...the handling...Need I say more? This car pretty much has it all!It is by far the coolest and most fun car I have ever owned. I will admit the exterior styling is a bit lacking but once I got behind the wheel none of that mattered. The car speaks for itself.In mine opinion its destined to become a classic.

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  Mustangs? Where? - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Meti - May 2 - 9:16 am

  Its just nice to be one of the owners here. I love this car to death and anyone can talk smack but for $29k I think its worth every cent. I drove it from Lansing, MI to Miami Beach, FL. This was a good ride fully loaded. That is 4 ppl with full truck and even back seat floor with bags. Rear fender was covering tire more than 1 inch. Lovely car.

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  Love my 06 and my previous 04 - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Charles Goin - April 28 - 4:10 am

  Loved my 04 enough to buy an 06 both Blue with Blue interior. Absolutely love the car. The interior is my favorite. Its like a cockpit very well executed as well. As for "ugly" I like the smooth euro look.. It was not discontinued due to poor sales.The platform is was built on (The Holden Commodore Sedan) was slated for replacement in 2006 before the first GTO hit the US. It was going to be built for 3 years to fill the gap between the Trans AM and Soltice.. Which it did excellently.

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  Fast, Comfortable, Reliable. - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By ultraworld - April 19 - 9:58 pm

  I have owned my 05 GTO since new, It has a 6 spd man trans & 30k miles on it. I have changed the exhaust system, added a CAI and stereo. The car has not cost me a dime other than gas & oil changes. It has never been to the dealer for a repair, not once. I have had a bit of trouble making back tires last, its so much fun to drive. On the highway, its a pleasure to drive. Its very smooth and quiet, it gets 24mpg on the highway and about 15mpg in the city. I average about 17mpg in mostly city driving. These are the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in, they are both 8 way power adj. w/man lumbar adj. Theres a lot of rear seat room too, but its difficult to get in/out of.