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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  Fantastic Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Jim Pesta - October 29 - 10:36 pm

  My 2004 GTO is by far the most refined, comfortable and fun to drive vehicle I have ever owned. It easily surpasses the performance of both the 96 Mustang GT and 98 Camaro Z28 I have owned previously. I do not miss the scary feeling of the rear ends of these cars trying to "kick out" every time a slight road imperfection would be encountered when cornering. The GTOs independent rear suspension (which, along with its motor, it shares with the 2004 Corvette) is a huge improvement over the live axle setup of many other muscle cars, including the 05 Mustang. While the new Mustang may have more flavor in the styling department due to its retro look, I have really come to appreciate the GTO.

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  I like mine black, please. - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Antonio de Armas - October 1 - 10:00 am

  Sunday morning coming home from Toys RUs drove past the Pontiac dealership and stopped just to look around. Never saw or heard of this car before. What is it? Had to bend down to see the side plate, GTO 5.7 L. What? Got behind the wheel, nice! Salesman comes out of nowhere and sits on the passenger side. Want o test drive it? Gave me the key and I started the dammed thing. Rooom! I could feel the power in my hands as the seat vibrated, room, roooom. Shifted to drive and the whole car tilted backwards. Stepped on the accelerator and I felt the G force as I was pushed against the seat. Awsome machine!!!! Bought it. Expensive and a thrill to drive.

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  05 gto - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By david baum - September 30 - 7:46 am

  car is way fast and handles like no othe pony car ever. right out of the box just all the car . big bang for the buck too.

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  04 Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Goat - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Great car to own. Gear shift is not as smooth as the Vette or other sports cars, but is still good. Handles well on dry pavement, but gets loose easy. Not good in areas with snow. It is great quick and is truly a sleeper. Most people dont notice the car until they hear the rumble. This a great car for a mature adult. DO NOT BUY FOR ANYONE THAT IS NOT MATURE. Performance, as stated before, is unbelievable. This car rates well in its class, but dont think it is as fast as Vette or Viper. It can be modified to push 600 hp for $6000 at some custom shops. Thank you for your time.

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  Beyond All Expectations - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By USA ZR-1 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I put a deposit down on this car 18 months ago without even seeing a picture of the new GTO. Were just thrilled with the actual vehicle. The fit and finish are supurb as is the quality of the interior. It is as exciting to drive as my first GTO was in 1964. The six speed is very smooth. The car is exceptional in all respects and Bob Lutz should be commended.

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  WOW - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By TJthrows - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Anyone who complains about this car must not have drove one. I bought mine and love it. Smooth but responsive ride and loads of power. Not many cars advise you to shift from 1st to 4th if you are not getting on it. Interior is superb. Exterior styling is sleek and looks great. I know it is not the eye grabbe the trans am was, but at every stop light, people stop and looks at what i am driveing. I have no complaints.

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  Bringing the fun of driving back - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Stang Killer - August 28 - 12:40 am

  Living in one of the most traffic congested in the country, I have forgotten what its like to have fun while driving until I purchased my Goat. This car is a true sleeper. It doesnt look like a muscle car but surprise. I have raced a stock 06 Vette, Charger SRT8, and numerous Mustangs and none of them can get me off the line. All the power you ever wanted is one mash of the gas pedal away.

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  Awesome! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By DAM - August 15 - 6:50 am

  This is just an all around amazing car. As much power as any ordinary driver would need. The interior is extremely comfortable and there really IS room for 2 adults in the back, though getting back is the difficult part. I gave fuel economy less than 10 simply because I havent been able to reach the numbers advertised (perhaps totally my fault). But you dont buy this car looking for fuel economy. Oh and Boo automatic, Yay 6-speed.

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  Comfort with "musclecar" power! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Walt - August 2 - 6:23 pm

  Just bought mine a few weeks ago. The engine is awesome, with a smooth, broad power band that lets you just drive around everyone else without a fuss. If you really open it up then hang on, because the GTO is FAST. The seats are top rate, the interior is very nice with excellent fit and finish. To me the suspension is a good balance of performance and ride comfort. The exterior is a bit bland, the trunk is small and the back seats are hard to get into, but none of that matters to me. Good hwy gas mileage, but uses fuel at a phenomenal rate if you romp on it around town. The GTO makes a very comfortable daily driver thats a blast to drive if you are into raw power.

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  Great Vehicle - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By CharlieJ - July 28 - 11:36 am

  An outstanding review. Handles nicely and very comfortable to be in. I take it everywhere. Puts the Mustang GT to shame.