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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  Awesome 04 gto 6 spd - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By kell75ss - April 27 - 6:00 pm

  I bought my 2004 gto 6spd with 28,000 mi. The car has been running great ever since I bought it. No problems at all and for one of my cars to have that last that long with no problems. That says a lot about the car, I like to drive the car the way that it was meant to be driven if you know what I mean. 175 mph stock and I was just shifting into 6th gear at 160 it was still pulling for more. Tires dont last the longest but you have to do a burnout here or their its a muscle car. Everyone underestimates the car until they go for a ride in it a true sleeper around town about 19 mpg on a recent trip up to Canada I was getting about 26 mpg doing 80 mph+. The 6 spd tranny really gets the job done.

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  Corvette for the family - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By bdavis - April 25 - 9:26 pm

  After buying the wife her convertible, I had eyes on a new Vette, but with a 12yr old still at home 2 seats just did not fit. Have had performance cars all my life (from SS402 Chevelles to 5.0 Mustangs, Shelby Z Daytonas, Turbo 350Zs and still have a 76 vette )and enjoy a car you dont see every day. Researched and found the GTO, power, handling, comfort and different styling. Found a 7500 mile 06 6spd (owned for only 3 months) and have smiled ever since. It is not a BMW M5, but the performance numbers are close enough, and my son enjoys riding in it as much as I enjoy driving it. Not to mention it is less than half the price of the M5 and a lot less to insure.

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  Please Bring it back Pontiac - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Proghartedo - April 24 - 6:10 am

  Most reliable fun to drive car I have had to date. The interior quality is one of a kind for a Pontiac. The six speed is a blast to drive.

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  Goat - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Patrick Devenny - April 3 - 9:13 pm

  The new GTO is a big improvement from the 04 model, the 05 has a 6.0 liter v8 at 400 horses, this car really flys. its one of the best on the road and theres not many cars that will keep up with it

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  Now you see me, Now you Dont!! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Clyde Harris - March 25 - 5:33 am

  I did some research before buying this car. I wanted something fast but inexpensive, normally that is an oxymoron when it comes to cars. My prayers were answered when I saw the GTO, I cannot say anything negative about this car at this time. I am truly happy with my purchase. the torque/horsepower is definitely "head pinned to the back of the seat" Fast!!! I am 6ft 2 in and weigh 220 lbs and this car is still roomy, not the comfort of my Expedition, but I have traveled over 300 miles and the ride was nice. I cant wait to add mods.

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  Wow - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By paul5671 - February 27 - 2:00 am

  A thrill to drive, excellent handling, smooth ride, comfortable. Poor fuel efficiency, but what do you expect? Small trunk, but not a high priority for this type of car. Exterior styling is a bit conservative but Im much more glad it is not overdone.

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  NEW PONTIAC GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By ROBERT PERRYMAN - February 16 - 10:00 am

  FUN TO DRIVE. ALOT OF POWER AND LOOKS. THE INTERIOR IS THE BEST LOOKING THAT GM HAS PUT OUT TO DATE.

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  once again - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By h2osgto - February 10 - 10:13 am

  i have had over 400 cars numerous performance cars the 2004 GTO is one of the finer ones 60s performance,handles great,STOPS! styling grows on you get with the times A LOT NICER CAR THAN I EXPECTED

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  The GTO returns - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By tahvette - February 7 - 4:10 pm

  Being of the age, that experienced the original muscle cars, I had to look into the GTO. In the market for a new car, but not willing to shell out for the mega-buck C6 Corvette, I test drove the 05 GTO. Not quite refined as the vette, it is still a blast to drive. Handles well, very comfortable and is very fast. Very fast. It is a real kick to blow away the boy-racers, but still take my wife to dinner in a very civilized car. Love it!

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  The best muscle sports car around! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By s - February 6 - 11:00 pm

  My 06 ls2 Pontiac gto is an automatic and its great fun to drive with the 0- 60 at 4.4 sec and runs 12.8 1/4 mile down the track. it can pretty much beat anything out there!