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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  Traded my CTS for this baby - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Jenn - February 1 - 6:03 pm

  I was sold on this vehicle the first test drive. There was no lag in the response to the gas like in my CTS. I do not feel the roll as stated in some reviews, maybe I need to try the turns a little faster :) Most work days I spend 6-8 hours driving. This car is comfortable. The strong support of the seats makes you feel like the seat was handcrafted with you in mind. Fast, fun and made in America, what else can a girl say!

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  YES! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Austin - January 30 - 7:56 pm

  I wanted a GTO since they came out in 2004, I finally got one, in an automatic burnt orange. I couldnt be happier with this car. So far I have only put about 100 miles on it in town. It sure does turn some heads. This is pretty much the only sports car I can drive being that I am 67" 370lbs. I tried getting in a challenger, and charger, but the center console dugg into my leg in the wrong spot, and the insurance on the SRT8 was ridiculous. Plus the GTO will beat the 50k SRT8 all day long stock to stock. Hell if I put 50k into my Goat, I would have a 1500+hp car. In my opinion the GTO is the best muscle car. If you are looking at on, GET IT, if you have one LOVE IT!

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  Great Car, Greater Value - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By harpo - January 22 - 2:16 pm

  Purchased the car new for $25,999. Has been absolutely bullet proof ever since. Maintenance costs are nothing. Reliability has been perfect. Enjoy this car thoroughly. Installed an aftermarket transmission and bolted on plenty of Holden parts from Australia. Get positive comments from passers by constantly. Have no idea why this car wasnt a huge success for GM.

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  Buy it!!!!!! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By daniel - January 22 - 1:43 am

  I get lots of complements on the road."Nice goat" shouted one kid. Another time, a Mustang GT pulled up and the driver asked me what kind of exhaust I had. When I told him it was stock he said "dont change it, it sounds awsome". Im always getting thumbs up and people checking it out with a big grin on their face.

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  This Goat cant be beat - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Rodney - January 14 - 11:43 pm

  Anyone who has ever sat/driven a GTO always comes out praising the cars amazing acceleration, handling, and particularly its interior design. Youd be hard pressed to find a more luxurious inviting interior in a car within this price range. Its smooth enough for daily commutes and long trips, and can hit you with the violence of all 400 Hp at any moment. For half the price you get a Corvette with seating for four (real rear seats by the way, not the child seats other cars like the RX-8 and 350Z have), whats not to love about this car.

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  Goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Putch - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Great fun to drive! Im taking a killing at the gas pump but hey, I knew that when I bought it. Get it up around 75mph and this Goat really begs for more. 100mph comes up very quick. Pontiacs got a winner! Just go down to your local dealer, bite the bullit, and buy one.

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  2006 GTOs - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GTOs - December 30 - 9:13 pm

  The outside of the GTO is UGLY! It is to plain. If you see one going down the road no one turns their head and say ooo there is a GTO because the are not that recognizeable. They look to much like a Mazda 6, or and other sport sudan. Unlike the new Dodge Charger or Ford Mustang everyone goes ooo look at that. It is because they are very distinctive. There are no other cars that look like them. On a good note the interior and performance are perfect.

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  its all good under the hood - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By cadkins1990 - December 17 - 3:40 pm

  she is a muscle car for sure its all to mean if youre stuck in a family car from the 20th century

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  Awesome - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By DavidC - December 16 - 8:16 pm

  My first V8. Owned many 4 and 6 cyl and turbos. I Love it. Power at any time. Awesome sound under full throttle. Plenty of comments from bystanders. THey always ask "Is it fast?" My response. Oh yeah, plenty. The build quality is not typical pontiac for this is my third to own. Styling is sleeper which I like. Dont need hoodscoops and other eye candy. Glad there is not tons of them on the road which makes me feel lucky to own one. My wife even likes to drive it and she didnt care for it at first. I took the automatic because not interested in shifting gears anymore and can still get a nice chirp shifting into second gear. Way to go Pontiac with the GTO. Thanks.

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  STILL TO NEW - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By ITS RED - December 3 - 2:00 am

  SPEEDING TICKET (21 MILES OVER) 81 IN A 60 NOT EVEN 24 HOURS OLD. I DIDNT REALIZE I WAS GOING THAT FAST. I WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN I FIRST SAW IT, WAS EXPECTING TO SEE MORE OF A GTO LOOK, I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE THE HOOD SCOOPS ON IT LIKE THE NEW GRAND AM. FOR SOME REASON THE WINDOWS FOG UP VERY QUICK WHEN ITS RAINING OUT,AND LIGHTS AT NIGHT ARENT VERY BRIGHT. 1ST GTO IN OKLAHOMA.