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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  Love mine. - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Jason - May 5 - 11:43 pm

  I have loved mine since I have purchased it. Wish it had the 05-06 Ram Air hood and dual exhaust but other than that I love it. I have replaced the box air filter with a K & N cold air intake. Removed the stock exhaust and replaced it with a Corsa exhaust and replaced the stock headers with a set of Edelbrock and love it. Are there cars out there faster? Sure, but there are not to many and a lot of those have some form of power adder. If you purchase one be prepared to have Mustangs, Chargers, and Challengers want to see what you got. You can show them or do what I do, let em go, because they are not even worth the gas.

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  The best sport car ever - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Mike - April 29 - 12:43 am

  I love the gto and the car is just sweet. I love the power and exterior and interior design.

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  Plain Jane. NOT!!! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Vinnie C. - April 24 - 5:20 pm

  Ive owned Pontiacs, real Pontiacs, my 1st was a 69 gp. Had a lot of fun in that car at 18 yrs old. Now at 37 yrs old Im having more fun driving than ever before. The look might be plain Jane but the performance is not. Besides the original gto was an ordinary tempest with a 389 engine, not flashy just powerful. Ive driven lots of "performance" cars & this car performs with the best of them all for a $33k out the door price. I miss those old Pontiacs but I wouldnt trade this new one for one of them. They never got 24 mpg hwy with the a/c on at 75 mph, & not to many of them didnt overheat with the a/c on. Dont forget the 400 hp 6.0 that sends the car down the track at about 13.1sec. Awesome car!

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  the best - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By George Suarez - March 30 - 2:00 am

  The best ride i have ever taken on a car thats for shure!!!

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  Great car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By tank5805 - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Great car great speed

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  05 GOAT - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By 05 GOAT - March 22 - 5:36 am

  I remember getting a sneak peek at the "new" 1964 GTO back in the fall of 1963 at the local Pontiac Dealer with my dad. That was thrilling as a 12 year kid. The car was kind of plain but the first thing the dealer talked about was the "389" motor. This 2005 makes me think back to that experience the car, while attractive enough, does not get by on its looks ... its that 6.0 liter 400 HP engine. Having owned many cars from early Z-28 (1968), Corvette, 400 CI Firebird, Tuubo-Coupe Thunderbird, three 5.0 Mustangs (still have 2), that are considered performance cars this may be the best balance. Bought as a GM Certified Used car so far so good. Im over 64" & car is roomy for 2 adults.

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  Its a great car - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Brian Faust - February 29 - 2:20 pm

  I test drove the new GT Mustangs then decided to give the GTO a shot. Wow.. what a car. The quality of workmanship from the quality paint job to the stitching on the shifter boot and all points in between makes this a superior vehicle. The suspension is tight and handling on windy back roads is excellant. You will feel any rough conditions due to the stiff suspension. Breaking distance is good and acceleration through the gears is awsome. The Blaupunkt sound system is is top notch. The only negatives I have are the wheels are just so so..Im definately going to upgrade them and the trunk space is tiny-- golf clubs bearly fit.

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  back to my youth - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By tony - February 28 - 5:33 am

  just purchased the vehicle. one word to expain it, awesome. first timr behind the wheel i smiled and thougth about my youth when i owned a 1971 chevelle 454. not only does the gto sound better, it also does everything ten times better than my chevelle. for the price in this day and age, best buy possible keep your foriegn sporst cars and even the new mustange, 3000 over sticker. the GTO is back and better than ever. pure american muscle and sound.

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  Perfect to Me - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Shanes Silver GTO - February 27 - 12:36 am

  I only want to say that I am 100% satisfied with my 2005 GTO 6.0 liter. I drove alot of performance cars but always came right back to the GTO. Many dont care for it and thats fine. Everyone is entitled to say what they want. I just plan LOVE my GTO.

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  I Love my GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By moczy - February 9 - 8:30 am

  I bought my GTO with 18,000 miles on it. Took it to the 1/4 mile track in Ennis, TX. Ran 14s stock. Shouldve been better, but I guess my reactions are a little slower now that Im over 40. Ive had it up to 145 mph, knowing there was plenty more, but almost missed my exit. Looking at getting an 06.