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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  Nearly perfect! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By sspdfreek - April 17 - 5:16 am

  I love nearly everything about this car! The power is outstanding, the comfort of the seats and controls is fantastic. I love the fact that you dont see a lot of them on the road. My first time in the car, i drove it 900 miles to get it home. I averaged over 27 miles per gallon! The power is very addicting and that doesnt help with the rising fuel prices.

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  Best Performance Sports Coupe Available! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By DJ - April 13 - 11:46 am

  Overall the 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds (Ive gotten it to 60 in 4.3 seconds) and the amazing rush of performance every time I step on the gas makes this car an absolute dream! If you want big horsepower, big torque and a big engine then this is the car for you. The interior is extra comfortable (I could sleep in those seats) and the sound that comes from those huge tail pipes is a delight. Handling A+, Ride A+, Performance A+, what more do you want? This is at another level than what its often compared to, like the Mustang. Dont get me wrong, I like Mustangs (traded in a 2002 Mustang GT for my GTO) but this car is just at another level. Its the best way to get a Vette and save $15,000!

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  Blue GTO - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By bluegto - April 9 - 2:26 am

  This car is by far the best bang for your buck. It has a screaming 400 horse power V8 thats dripping in raw power. It has all the luxuries of a modern sports car with the feel and power of an old school muscle car. This is by far one of the best modern day muscle cars on the market.

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  Power - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Patrick - April 4 - 6:56 am

  I have driven 3 suped up mustangs during the 90s, I have driven many other fast cars as well, this is by far the beefiest damn car I have driven by far, and for $31,500 (my purchase price) who can beat it? I can stay up with all those fancy European sport cars for half the price. The only thing I would change is the exterior styling could be a bit more refined. The interior is gorgeous and comfortable. This is my households 3rd vehicle, so I dont need to much trunk space, I purchased this to commute to work with on nice days and for performance, period, all without taking out a second mortgage.

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  Lots of Muscle - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Richard Smith - March 31 - 4:06 pm

  Going from a 1991 Trans Am GTA to a 2006 GTO is like moving up to the penthouse suite. The GTO embodies raw power and a fun factor that is off the chart. Once you hit the gas in 3rd and 4th gear you had better be strapped in because the car takes off like a rocket; have some fun with a unsuspecting passenger. The ride is much different from other muscle cars, its nimble and handles the road like a mid size sedan. Thank you Pontiac for reviving a legitimate modern day muscle car.

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  Head Turner, Tire Burner - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Ramdy Walker - March 30 - 8:56 am

  I was actually waiting on the new Camaro, but have been keeping my eye on the "Goat" since 04. When they came out with the hood scoop and the 6 liter LS2, I could no longer wait. Extremely pleased with my decision. The GTO drives like a more expensive sports car, runs like scared cat and is priced like a family car. Ive had no problems, even though, Ive heard about the front struts going bad. What I really like about this car is, it is a real sleeper. I enjoy being on the road with a car that is virtually unmatched by other cars in its class. I would highly recommend a GTO to all my Dodge and Ford friends.

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  GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Ronald Hall - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I drive 35 miles each way to and from work. The GTO is a real fun car to drive. Its a fast car that will easily beat the Mustang GT. My brother has a 2003 Mustang Cobra and we ran them 3 times. I won the first one but unfortunately he won the following two but none of the three races were run away wins and 2 of the three were decided by less than a car length. My brother likes my car as much as he likes his and concedes that my interior is much better with the exception of the stereo. We both agree that the GTO stereo sucks and that my cousins Monte Carlo has a better stock stereo. In close I guess its like this. The GTO is a refined sports coupe thats fun to drive with great power.

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  my gto - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By 06goatman - March 15 - 5:03 am

  Absolutely love to drive this car. Punch the gas pedal and feel the smile on your face grow. The interior definitely was a pleasant surprise over other GM cars. The leg room in the back seats very surprising. 2 adults can sit comfortably in back. Getting into the backseats can be a bit of a pain but once back their its all good.

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  Very pleased - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Chris Guinn - March 14 - 12:56 pm

  Patience paid off as I waited to buy until GM finally offered incentives. Car is comfortable enough for my daily commute, yet still has the power available when I want / need it. The only drawback to this point has been dealing with every 18 year old kid in a Mustang wanting to race at stop lights - Im 32 and the tickets (and danger to other drivers) stopped being worth it long ago - although I have to admit Ive had it up around 120 on open roadways and it purred along at about 3,000 rpm - plenty left if it werent for the electronic governor! Ive owned lots of vehicles and this is the first one Ive had thats still a joy to drive every day six months later.

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  2004 GTO is Great - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By mdegran - February 18 - 10:00 am

  My Black with Red interior 2004 GTO is everything I was led to believe it was. It runs great, has plenty of power, and at 4000 miles Im averaging 24 mpg. I took delivery the middle of January and the only thing it does not do real well is SNOW. It corners well, brakes well and takes off well. If I had the spare cash Id buy one for each of my boys. Ha Ha!