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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  REALLY FAST - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By LILGTO04 - February 18 - 10:00 am

  ITS FAST AND IS COMFORTABLE. CHEAP ON GAS LOW PAYMENTS.

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  great car - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By jhh - February 8 - 4:56 am

  owned over a year now. had a few bugs to get worked out. r&r a/c conditioner twice, rf wheel hub asbly, paint on one of the rims was peeling,r&r steering wheel crome, door light asbly passenger door, all covered buy warranty. very pleased. i drive the car 2 or 3 times a week. mostly hwy. ave 24 mpg if i keep under 65, it realy likes 75 and 80 mph but then i only get about 18 mpg. i have had 97 trans am and a 00 trans am , just cant compare. the power is so much better in the gto. fit and finish, quality of metireals. it rides better and more room for passengers .

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  Best bang for your buck! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Wade Heavington - February 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is very powerful, quiet and comfortable. The fit and finish is better than most GM cars I have seen.Four 6ft tall adults can find comfort in this car. you can also add a rear facing car seat in back. Try either of these with a mustang.You will be sorry.I have the six speed Great gas mileage for a V8 with 350hp. Ive been getting 22 all around.My driving has a good mix of city and interstate.

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  Goat - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By BOB - January 29 - 4:56 pm

  Great performance; handling on par with european cars; acceleration fierce; excellent interior fit and finish

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  GTO Club - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Bob - January 24 - 4:23 am

  Either you "get" the last generation GTO or you dont. Those who "get it" almost feel like theyre in a club - theres that occasional eye contact from other GTO drivers that says "theres someone else who understands". The GTO is all about "stealth" - especially the 2004. Looks like any other car on the road (especially to police) while more capable than anything even remotely close to its price. Ive wanted this car for 20+ years - Im glad GM had the guts to build it. This is a BMW "6 series" for the masses.

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  The greatest secret of all - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By D - January 23 - 6:36 am

  This car is fabulous. Everyone stops and stares as I drive by them. Great car for the money. Such a good value.

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  You Auto Goat Buy One! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Jim P. - January 15 - 9:10 pm

  I like the style better than the 99 Camaro I traded. This car looks great in my garage, and goes like a demon on the street. Traction control is almost idiot-proof on wet roads. I will not drive in snow, so it will stay off PA roads until April. I have put 1100 miles on it in the 3 weeks I had to drive it!

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  Comfort with a kick. - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By JusFlyinBy - January 15 - 4:10 am

  I was shopping around most of May for Mazda RX-8s, BMW 3 series, Mustang GTs, Infiniti G35s, Nissan 350Zs and Subaru STis. I never gave the GTO a thought. I just wasnt interested. Thats until one day a salesperson convinced me to take a look and drive the GTO. I humored him and gave it a good look over and a drive and it just about changed my mind on the spot. Do a comparison, the GTO gives you everything these other cars have and more in some cases for the cheapest insurance and cost! Youll quickly grow on the bland exterior and start to see it as a clean, sharp design. Pics dont do justice. Go take an 06 out even if you arent interested, youll likely change your mind like I did.

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  Love this car......... - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By diesel - January 15 - 4:06 am

  Ive owned a lot of new cars and old muscle cars, this GTO drives and rides solid. Lots of fun (and power) too. Will likely get the 05 or 06 at some point.

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  GTO - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Jess - January 5 - 12:06 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned. It is super fast but costs only a fraction of many other muscle cars (i.e.: Cobra Mustang, Corvette, Viper). The gas mileage isnt as bad as I had originally expected. This is a fun, fast, reliable car that you can easily get used for under $27k or new for under $35k.