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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  04 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Jack - March 26 - 9:00 am

  Im not crazy about the looks, for sure. It has plenty of performance but not much better then my 66 442. I think Pontiac ruined their resale value when they were selling them for $26,000.

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  THE BEST ONLY GETS BETTER (GTO) - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By mike D - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I was the previous owner of a 1967 Pont.GTO and I loved the car. This car I hope will only inhance the immage of the name Pont. GTO. I just hope its as reliable as it looks. The front looks a little like the Pont. Grand Prix. I presently own one, and its a Great Car and fun to drive.

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  Great Car - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By dkrii - February 27 - 6:10 am

  It doesnt look perfect, but I love the car. Put together really well, and very fast. Best car I have ever owned. I bought it as a weekend car, but I cant not drive it. It is my daily driver now. I will never sell this car.

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  GTO Got To gO - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By jake - February 18 - 10:06 am

  This was the most fun I have ever had driving a car. The sensation when you push the throttle is mind blowing. The steering is crisp and responsive, you definitely feel in control even when your slinging around a corner. Inside is roomy for a sports car (it maybe hard to get in/out the rear but its comfortable once inside). All in all the only complaint I have is there is a defect in the ignition that causes it to seize (mine was fixed by the dealership in an afternoon).

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  GTO bad to the bone - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By matthew - January 16 - 2:13 am

  This car is really fun and looks like a sleeper most people do not know what it is or what is under the hood (raw power baby)

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  4 passenger corvette - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By BCWatty - January 12 - 3:56 pm

  I am a car-a-holic, my last 4 were a Lexus, MINI, M-B, and BMW. Always valued handling over horsepower - I never knew what I was missing. Not sure if I can go back. I was glad to find a GM product with some appeal; unfortunately, the lower portion of my rear bumper keeps falling off and dealer states this design defect is not covered under warranty (a unique strategy, car falls apart, blame the customer) cannot imagine being treated this way at Lexus dealership. Car is never fixed the first time and the wait for parts is in terms of months, not weeks or days. Cool car, but not very stylish when the bumper spends more time in my trunk than on the vehicle. There is no viable alternative.

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  2005 GTO (a tiger in goats skin) - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Arch - December 31 - 10:36 am

  2005 GTO automatic in Cyclone Gray. A very nice car, nice cool interior and very comfortable. Holden did such a wonderful job on the interior, and it is quite obvious this is no ordinary GM car. Though I love the Mustangs outer skin, its the Goats interior and performance that have me hooked. For all those who cry "import". So what! Last generation F bodies were built in Canada and they kicked the Mustangs rear all over the place for approx 10 yrs. The GTO automatic will stomp a Mustang GT big time. Anyway, the exterior could have used better styling or freshening. Ram Air would have been nice, but this car has so much power it doesnt really need.

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  Its awesome - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By JJay374 - December 29 - 5:10 pm

  I was an avid Mustang guy until I drove the GTO, and I must say, I am hooked. The power, the handling are great. People complain the stereo being bland, I personally dont buy a HP sports car for the stereo, but thats me.

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  Car of my Dreams - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By spitfirefl - December 18 - 1:26 pm

  I am the original owner of my GTO and it fits me perfectly, It should have had two hood scoops, but it actually keeps me "under the radar". Great to drive, extremely reliable. Theyll have to pry it out of dead hands. Best car I have ever owned. If i get a new car, I will still have my GTO.

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  I will never let it go - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By PBMGTOM6 - December 4 - 4:50 am

  As the title reads, this vehicle will be with me as long as it runs. Sleeper look with raw power. I get pure respect everywhere I go from people who know what this car is. The ones who dont know and test me, soon find out as they fade in my rear view mirror. The interior is amazing, best in its class. Its rare to find a performance vehicle with a nice interior. Very comfy seats with a high quality look and feel. The GTO is a sheer thrill to drive. Beware: If you drive one, you will buy one! Very rare car and hardly see any driving around. Get one while you still can!