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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  takes your breathe away - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By airf15692526 - July 23 - 11:30 am

  styling is awesome, and the comfort and ease of driving , and when you see the open road you are in comand, it gives you a feel of freedom and excitement at the same time ,

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  True Sleeper! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Phils06 - July 12 - 6:23 pm

  After a test drive I had to have it! Smooth ride very fast and big leather seats! I read a bunch of reviews on how this car is lacking well I have yet to see it that way. I have had my GTO for over 5 months now and still puts a smile on my face every time I turn the key. This is truly a sleeper and rare car on the street. So much power that makes a ford owner jelious!

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  Absolutely Impressive!!! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By MrMcCaff - July 10 - 7:33 am

  From the second that i test drove my GTO at the dealership, Ive been in love with it. In the past two years, Ive owned a 1998 Trans Am and a C5 Corvette and those are both great cars but I truly think that the overall package of the GTO is better. The quality of the GTO is amazing, I feel like Im riding in a high end BMW. This car is the perfect combination of style and performance.

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  my BA sports car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By hayden fuller - July 5 - 6:40 pm

  Wow my new Pontiac gto is the best car I have ever driving I am a 17 year old male and I wouldnt want another car I bought it last month after saving for 3 years and I wouldnt have bought any thing els. This is bye far the best car I have ever driven the inter is like nothing els im only a little skared of what im going to do in the winter.

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  Driver response - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Hapnyny - July 5 - 3:50 am

  The GTO is actually a hybrid in the sports car industry. The characteristics of American Muscle! The truth be told the European design becomes questionable with American tag on it. The GTO is much like Audi S4 or a BMW M3 as apposed to the Mustang and Corvettes. I further would like to add that I have had the privilege of running all the cars mentioned. For those who look for a performance daily driver this is a good reliable automobile. If you want to step it up a notch and have the coin. This car can produce 550hp to the rear wheels and handles it quite nicely with the traction control. In a nut shell this is a euro handling vehicle with American muscle. It is the best of both worlds.

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  2004 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By jgenestra - June 23 - 12:10 pm

  When I read on a car forum the amazing discounts on the 04 GTO I could not resist especially since I got a total of $10,000 in rebates and incentives!. The car is great, and I love the overall feel of the car. As a former 02 Camaro SS owner, the interior and build quality of the GTO is a huge leap forward. At first I did not like the styling, but its growing on me. Once again GM has dropped the ball on marketing their products correctly, because for the money these cars should be selling better.

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  Milestone - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By WESB - June 18 - 10:00 am

  The car is muscular, and a blast to drive. I have the 6-speed. Shifting is smooth and fun. There is so much torque. It feels like you are bubbling down the highway with lots more push if you want or need it. My 6 year old daughter thinks its cool. The 4 year old always wants to take the GTO whenever we go out. Priceless!

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  Good car! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By beef - June 4 - 12:10 am

  So far so good; I usually get 20-21 mpg in mixed driving. Handles good; great acceleration; decent braking; plenty of room

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  The GTO has finally here !!!! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Good Car, delivers 100% and more, great engine and manual transmission package, excellent interiors - got confused with the exterior - Plain looking but clean,not impressed with the jelly been design. GM keep the good work and brings us few more effordable cars with Power in the future.

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  pontiac man - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Larry Lee - May 10 - 4:56 am

  I love driving this car. The pure power of that LS2 is amazing. I have been a pontiac man my whole life. I have owned a 66 GTO, 71 GTO, 74 GTO and a number of Trans Ams including a 2002 Firehawk. My 06 Goat has neck snapping power that is a joy to drive. The interior is the best of any pontiacs Ive owned. I believe the exterior could be improved even though the sleeper look at times is beneficial. I hope they bring the goat back. I did have one problem which I learned about on other reviews. The problem with the struts. When I read there was problems I went out and checked my struts. Sure enough the strut on the right side had blowen. I took back to dealer and they fixed it.