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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  Drive it you will buy it - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By WHTODD - October 12 - 2:00 am

  One month into 24 month smart buy on red 6 speed GTO. $7500 off msrp and high residual made this an easy purchase, ($114 per month!) Interior is extremely comfortable, power is immediate, shifts very smooth and wonderful braking action. Averaged 24 mpg on 1000 mile trip running 75. Solid, confortable, fast and rattle free. Higholy recommend any real car enthusiast drive this and you will want one, expecially with the heavy discounting on 2004 model. Only saw one on the road in TX, so it is also a unique car to own. Friends who drove it cannot believe the power and sheer performance of the GTO. As a 60s teenager, this car has the spirit of the original

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  I love my GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By danright - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I love the car

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  Happy with mine - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By George Smallfield - October 11 - 1:56 am

  I purchased my GTO instead of a Infiniti G35 coupe after driving both. 8K miles later I cant imaging how wrong the G35 would have been, my GTO seats 4 comfortably (granted getting in the back seats is difficult, but comfy once youre there), is MUCH faster, more comfortable ride and saved me some money.

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  06 GTO - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By rick - September 25 - 9:43 pm

  i purchased my GTO in june of 06 i was pleased in the comfort of the interior and performace but not blown away. cant get much better for the price range unless you are willing to spend an extra 10 grand on a corvette or mustang shelby GT500

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  best car ever!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Viper1234 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  The Pontiac GTO is the best car in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Kickass - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Fardoe - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I think this is the best sport car a person can get without dropping 50000 on a Corvette. I was driving it the other day a some kid pulled up next to me a a highly tuned compact. When the light turned green I was half way through the intersection by the time he got moving. This car is truely kickass.

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  Its back!!!! Go for it!!!!! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By rusty stevens - September 8 - 11:33 pm

  This gto made me feel young again! And, i am past 60! I owned the first model ever built! Cant beat the big v8 made by g.M.!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Only two problems - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By bobs - September 8 - 10:03 am

  Great car with enormous power and spectacular performance. Can not use tire chains which limits skiing trips. Gasoline mileage is poor but about what expected for a 6 liter high performance engine. Seats are extremely comfortable and interior noise very low at highway speed. Good sound system. Wish it had exterior temperature indicator and mp3 input jack.

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  2004 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By sparke - August 15 - 5:56 am

  I bought this car as a 30th bday present to myself. Got it in silver, had only 800 miles on it for an awesome price! Wasnt too impressed with the looks until I drove it. Also looked at other cars in similar class but realized this car was in a class of its own. Love that there arent very many around town. I have only seen 5 others during all my travels in various states. I am the only one in town. Had it up to 156 at the last glance against an 06 GTO. The car has alot of power and a good driver is a great combination. Love this car.

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  Love this car - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By speedy goat - August 3 - 1:33 am

  This car is incredible! For the money that I spent; the performance, build quality, and interior amenities - WOW. This is NOT a replacement for the old F Bodies. This is what they should have been. I would definitely recommend this car.