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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Better than I had imagined - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By My Goat - December 3 - 2:00 amI have owned several Corvettes and a Z28 and was looking for something that was a little more livable. When I saw the GTO I thought that was exactly what I was looking for. The car handles great, is very comfortable, does not have the typical tacky Pontiac design "features" and has a wonderful engine. Some argue that the car does not look like the original GTO, but few cars look like the cars from over thirty years ago. I also like the somewhat conservative styling. The more I drive it the more I am impressed with it.
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Great! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By GoatMan - December 3 - 2:00 amGreat performance and handling. Very nice interior but truck space is limited due to moving the gas tank. Styling is too conservitive but oncce behind the wheel that goes away. This is what the GTO is all about lots of HP in a small passenger car.
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A total pleasure! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By MartyB - November 29 - 10:00 amSitting in the drivers seat is like coming home. Once you find yourself there, it can be difficult to remove yourself. The comfort found in its wonderful seat is almost therapeutic. The feel and location of the wheel and stick are right on key, and a pleasure to hold. Once on the road, you forget yourself. Acceleration and handling manners that ask "How much more would you like?", and willingly comply to your every whim. The smooth ride makes any journey comfortable and tireless. I find myself taking the long way home. This is one classy vehicle, and I fall deeper in love with it after every mile!
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Great car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By CMADROZ - November 29 - 10:00 amThree mustangs and one trans am later the gto is hands down the best ride:performance yet. It almost looks like three different cars at the front back and side angles. A performance car without a oil pressure gauge is a little disapointing. A higher geared O D would be nice for those long trips. Overall its a pleasant driving experience.
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GTO: Everything expected found - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By rgray - November 29 - 10:00 amMy new GTO is one great muscle car. I am 55 years old. I owned a GTO in 1970. Since that time, auto mfg has produced gutless cars. Nice bodies and creature comforts but no muscle. Ive waited for the new GTO for a while. Its 350 is all there. The comfort is truly Pontiac. Thank you for bringing raw power back to an American automobile. By the way, my other car is a Porsche.
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Buy a goat - 2006 Pontiac GTO
By kpdremn - November 23 - 4:16 amawesome car wish the steering wheel went down further. has tire hop...
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Everybody should have one! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
By Jam - November 23 - 12:20 amI have owned a 350Z, Acura, and RX-8. When I traded in my mazda for this car I was a little hesitant, but I am glad that I did. Aside from the power, the car is very confortable and roomy. I feel as though I am driving a cadillac the ride is so smooth. Many have said that the cars looks dont appeal to them, well it looks much better from behind the wheel. I am lucky enough to have gotten a 6-speed and it has been a pleasure. Oh, and by the way it has a 6.0 liter V-8. Enough said. If you are in the market for a practical rocket, this is the way to go.
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A Sleeper - 2005 Pontiac GTO
By mdavis - November 18 - 3:43 pmI love it! Where else can you get a quality fit and finish, 0-60 times in the mid 4 second range, 400HP, 25 mpg, independent suspension, quality leather seats and pay less than 33K? This car rivals the best of the imports minus perhaps some of the trendy gadgets that have little to do with driving, and will run away from any of them priced under 50K.
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Truly Madly Deeply - 2006 Pontiac GTO
By Doug Myers - November 9 - 9:20 pmin love with GTO. Performance amazing, fit and finish perfect, interior appearance and quality excellent, understated external beauty, gas mileage very good for 400 HP and 400 lb/ft of torque, did need to upgrade stereo. That is my 2006 GTO experience. Do not test drive if you hope to sleep at night without owning one.
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I Love My New 2004 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
By Packerman - October 11 - 10:00 amI just bought my GTO 07/31 and it is a BLAST to drive, the power is great and the throaty sound of the exhaust reminds me of my High School days when everyone had a muscle car. The rear bucket seats are cool and the instrument cluster is very impressive I almost forgot the suede on the doors and in the front. I like the brushed aluminum finish this is not my Fathers Pontiac. The interior is also made with very high quality parts and materials unlike other Pontiacs which kept me from getting a Grand Prix last year (I am very thankful for that). The GTO is PURE MUSCLE with a little luxury thrown in to keep you happy. It is a mixture of a 67 Firebir
