In the early 2000s, then General Motors chairman Bob Lutz sampled a VZ Holden Monaro and was so impressed with the sleek, low-slung muscle coupe that he went on a campaign to convince GM’s top brass that it was the perfect product for its North American customers. He eventually won them over and GM launched the Monaro in the United States and Canada for the 2004 model year, marketing it under the iconic Pontiac GTO nameplate.
A strong Australian dollar and other logistical headaches forced GM to price the reborn Pontiac GTO at a much higher point than it originally intended, leading to lower than expected sales. While the GTO was never a runaway sales success, its status as a low-volume, rear-wheel-drive muscle coupe from a now-defunct brand has made it a fairly desirable car among enthusiasts these days.
This 2004 Pontiac GTO, which is currently for sale at Motor Car Classics in Farmingdale, New York, is a perfect example of this relatively obscure two-door being offered for what we think is a reasonable price. This car is 1 of just 271 2004 Pontiac GTOs finished in Barbados Blue Metallic with a six-speed manual transmission and has just 489 miles on the odometer, so it’s practically brand new. The cabin, finished in Anthracite (black) leather, is also in near-perfect condition and comes with the original Blaupunkt head unit and 10-speaker audio system.
Apart from the aftermarket 18-inch wheels, the car is completely stock. That’s fine by us, though, as the GTO made a respectable 350 horsepower from its standard GM 5.7L LS1 V8, helping it accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in the mid-13 second range.
The dealership is asking $32,900 for this like-new 2004 Pontiac GTO, which isn’t far off the car’s original MSRP of $31,795. We think a car like this will hold its value quite well and could even go up in value one day if the new owner takes care of it, so this could be a decent opportunity for a collector. Check out the listing at this link for additional information and photos.
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Comments
Never know they might get it.
I remember right before I got married in 2007. I was at a local dealership with my cousin who was looking trucks. The dealership had a half dozen GTOs. I was just looking at them no intention to buy. Salesman comes up to me and says anyone of em 24k. Guess I should have bought one.
No you shouldn’t have. You know how much you’d have today if you invested that money in stocks?
The GTO was a flop just like the G8 was. That’s why the dealer had so many of them and the salesmans first words were to quote a 30% discount.
There may be someone willing to pay the asked for price, or something close to it, but I don’t see it holding value in the long term. It is, and was, a hastily arranged “phoned in” rebadge when new and such vehicles are not usually sought after by collectors.
I guess you’ve missed how well nice G8’s and GTOs are selling for on the market. I’d be willing to bet that other than the Corvette and some of the rare models that were known at the beginning to be special, the G8 and GTO have held their value better than any other GM, and most other brands. They couldn’t give away the Mopar winged cars in the 70’s, even removing the nose cone and wing to sell some. Those were disasters as new cars. Now they are very highly collectable 6 figure cars. Why not spread your bias and misinformation somewhere else.
I wouldn’t necessarily say the G8 was a flop, rather it didn’t have enough time to reach full sales potential. The first year sold 15k units while the second reached over 20k, and that was only a half-year of production. It’s not a lot yeah, but I think sales might’ve been way higher if full production continued.
Bought my 2005 GTO used back in 2007, was my daily driver (even in snow) for years, but now at 120k miles it only sees mostly sunny day weekend duty. The car has held up wonderfully, aside from suspension issues, it has been virtually bulletproof, no rattles or squeaks, the interior still looks awesome. I have noticed a BIG increase the past year in compliments and thumbs up while I’m out driving it, so I think this article has some validity…good luck getting $30k+ for a 2004…but I do think time is gonna be kinder to these GTOs than people originally thought
At the time the GTO and G8 were not big sellers. Much had to do with GM failing and then Pontiac going away. Dealer we’re giving away G8 models just as the Hummer dealers their models.
Today both are doing well as they are very popular today and good clean low mile examples are becoming rare.
It is all supply and demand.
I still regret not buying a new G8 GT for $24k when Pontiac was going out. It was a sweet deal.
FYI if you want a GTO get one of the other years. The 2004 lacks the scoops and exhaust split to each side.. Also it is easier on front tires.
And most importantly, it lacks the 6.0L LS2 that the ’05-’06 models received.
Thanks I forgot that point!
The GTO, G8, SS and Caprice were all very good cars but GM never put any effort into any of them, for some reason. If you like V8 rwd manual trans, here is your chance.
The were built in an era where GM had no money.
I asked Fred Simmons of Oontiac why no scope or split exhaust till 05. He said no budget.
Scott Settlemire said the entire budget to get the car legal for the states was razor thin. So that is why the gas tank had to go in the trunk,
GM was broke long before Lutz arrived and he tried to do what he could with little to pay for it.
I went to the local Pontiac-Cadillac-GMC- Honda dealer to see one of these when they first came out. I asked the salesman where it was. He replied right there in the 1st row. I couldn’t tell it from the Grand Am and Honda coupes it was in line with. Very plain, even to this day. Should have never called it a GTO.
I remember wanting a GTO back when they first came out but I couldn’t afford one at the time. I remember reading a review in either Car and Driver or in Motor Trend that compared the exterior of the GTO to the design of a late 1990’s Pontiac Grand Prix. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, though I did tend to agree with that opinion.
I have owned five Firebirds, 85,89 turbo TA, 94,98 & 02. Held onto a 1988 Fiero Formula for 28 years, 96 impala SS and currently own a 1LE Camaro. I still regret not owning a 87 GN, 91 Syclone, 06 GTO and 09 G8. GM has a homerun with the C8, the General has always given up on low volume vehicles. The Fiero and Solstice had a lot of potential, too little too late. I wonder what GM would have been like if John DeLorean had been allowed to develope GM thru the 70s & 80s. Wow, I can imagine and GMs demise would be less likely. Bob Lutz gave GM a car guy in 2001-2010, he made alot of instinctive decisions that kept GMs products competitive. Who is that truck guy now? EVs are the future and it looks promising for GM, don’t cut corners.
I remember asked about a GTO when new in 03′ and some tard salesman showed me a Envoy XUV, I smiled and left.
GMs investment into Zeta was pulled last minute to invest in the trucks and the BK which why GTO, G8 and rwd G6 (which is now CT4) never saw full potential by 10′.
As a dissatisfied G6 GT convertible owner I can personally testify any Poncho built after ‘00 is pure snap together plastic junk. They should be ashamed to use the marketing ploy that they used to push this junk. Fit and finish and electrical problems. Plastic interior pieces break down due to sunlight. Sound system plays when it wants to. As turds go this was a total piece of crap. Not to mention steering recalls. Body control modules…..etc. Trust me these were not your daddy’s Pontiac’s. Do yourself a favor and stay away from these cars. GTO my ass!
A g6 is not a gto your comparing apples to oranges. I doubt you even sat in a gto much less driven one
What self-respecting man bought a G6 convertible?
I bought a yellow 2004 six speed car when they first hit the dealership here in Reno, NV. Then the ls2 came out and I bought the 2006 six speed in Brazen orange. Loved both cars and would buy another if I found a nice one. Only problem I ever had was keeping tires on them.
Owned a 1966 GTO and was disappoint to see what is called the new GTO
I had a G6 GTP 3.9L Auto with a sun/moon 4 piece roof, and 83K on it. To me it was a well made car, with a fair amount of torque to get it up and moving at a good clip! Now I’m thinking on getting a G8GXP, and of course with the 6.2L Auto in Black or Dark Blue. Or maybe just a GOTE with the same same! Any recommendations for me? Thanks
No to this 2004 model. The 2005/2006 model with the LS2 is the one to have, especially considering the ridiculous price the dealer wants for this one.
I’m the original owner of a 2004 GTO. Bought it brand new at the end of the 2004 year for the price of a Chevy Cavalier. It’s like having a 4 seat Corvette. Barret Jackson 2004 sold for 23,000 and 2006 for 28,000. They will be future collector cars. Give it time.
Those cars—particularly the 6-speed-manuals—will eventually be collector cars providing they remain original.
I bought both new and still own a 04 GTO and a 09 G8GT. No issues with the GTO LS1 but the G8 GT (L76), at 52k, It had issues with cam shaft / bearings. GM covered half the cost of the repairs, which also included lifters, oil pump. Also, the G8 had multiple tie rods issues. I have replaced, upper and lower three times. I still enjoy driving them and they both remain tight and rattle free.
I have a 06 GTO and anyone saying it did not deserve the GTO badge is crazy. Best 0-60 time I’ve seen is 4.3 seconds. These cars are fast. Its a little heavy at 4200 lbs. but you can’t have it all. O yes the T56 6-speed manual behind the ls2 is magic.
I have a 2005 GTO ls2, 6-speed, 76,000 miles, torrid red, with the red and black leather interior. that’s the best color combo for a GTO sports car. The automatic gets 10 mph less than the 6-speed, that;s why there was a gas guzzler tax on automatics, not sticks. I bought new and sold my 1969 GTO Judge, Carrasel Red-Orange. Black int. 4-speed, 3:90 posi with the RAM AIR IV engine with 42,000 miles, in 2001 for $45k sight unseen. Probably worth $120 to $150k today. Its was a great car to sit in the garage. The newer GOATS are a different bread for sure, better road car for ride and handling. I will sell my 05 for $17,500 out the door no tax for private party sale, here in dry Arizona. Always garage keep, needs nothing, must let my prize car go now as i’m buying a new home. If your interested i’ll send pictures. 928-577-2368 or 760-917-4430
Dear Lord, someone screenshot this for posterity. This man sold a 69 GTO Judge Ram Air IV for a Holden with GTO badges.
I have a 2006 silver GTO sitting in my garage with 12,000 miles on it. With the long stroke 635HP LS2-402 I can get 28MPG on the highway in sixth gear. Lots of suspension and drivetrain features as well as tubbed rear wheel wells. With 255 series front tires and 295 series rear tires it handles real well. Too bad it doesn’t have the kewl electronic features of a new Camaro.