2004 Pontiac GTO New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2004 Pontiac GTO?
For 2004, Pontiac reinstates the GTO, a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe powered by a brawny V8 that stirs up 350 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. This muscle car features a lengthy list of standard features, including a leather interior; power seats, windows, mirrors and locks; 17-inch wheels with performance tires; and a Blaupunkt stereo system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer. The only choice is to decide between the standard four-speed automatic and the optional six-speed manual transmission.

Advantages of the 2004 Pontiac GTO:

• Sophisticated, well-balanced, rear-drive chassis is a brilliant match for V8 strength
• Amazing 29 mpg fuel economy when equipped with the manual transmission
• Room for four adults
• Extensive standard features list

Objections to the 2004 Pontiac GTO:

• Where are the hood scoops?
• High price tag
• Hefty curb weight

Editor's Advice:
Pontiac resurrects the GTO muscle car of the 1960s for a new generation of power-hungry performance junkies. Eschewing its iconic American heritage, the Pontiac GTO is built in Australia by Holden, which is a subsidiary of General Motors. With stout underpinnings, dynamic handling characteristics and, most importantly, an overhead-valve 5.7-liter V8 (sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette) that Pontiac claims will rocket the GTO from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds when mated to the six-speed manual transmission, the Pontiac GTO puts some excitement back into GM’s performance division. Unlike the recently deceased Firebird’s use of an archaic solid rear axle, the GTO rides on a fully independent suspension fortified by stabilizer bars and a limited-slip rear differential. Gone is Pontiac’s usual, overwrought exterior body cladding and bizarre interior layout with its myriad of tacky badges; simple and sparse seems to be the buzzword with the GTO, which sports attractive if staid exterior sheetmetal and a Germanic, no-nonsense cabin. The 2004 Pontiac GTO will be available in limited numbers, which may help to justify its $33,000 price tag. If you want hood scoops, wait until 2005, when a new hood is added to the Pontiac GTO.