Last Pontiac GTO Rolls off the Line

It might have lived a short life, but the re-envisioned Pontiac GTO was the first of a new generation of muscle cars to take back the streets from import racers. Now the final 2006 model has been bolted together in Australia by GM subsidiary Holden and is on its way to a dealership near you.

While the GTO is unwieldy, unsightly and a bit of a brute, it sure has a lot of power. The 2006 model has a 400-hp V-8 engine and hits 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. That’s fast. Faster than a Mustang GT, faster than a Hemi-powered Charger. Fast.

Plus the GTO’s Australian interior is quite a nice place to be. But don’t think of buying one of these muscle cars unless you have money to burn for gas and speeding tickets. Current incentives on the GTO include only 4.9% financing and $500 cash back off the $33,290 MSRP. As of June 1 (the latest date with accurate data) there were 5,000 GTOs across the nation. The whopping 153 “days of supply” might mean better negotiating power but, like the last generation Mustang, enthusiasts often want to get the last of a dying breed. If you’ve been shopping for a GTO recently please tell us your stories in the comments below.

[Via Leftlane News]

Comments

To little to late, this car should of been imported years ago with a sunroof.

I've heard they can now be bought new for $28k in Florida. A very nice car they totally screwed up the styling on. It's target was 25-50 year olds I heard and it's tough to appeal to both ends of that crowd. While I'm 38, I found it looked too much like a "boy rocket" on the lines of previous generation Acura Integras. The GTO imprint on the bumper just screamed "cheap". Its a shame because I know the view out of the drivers seat was vastly different but today you have to have a total package to sell in volume.

beautiful car! great concept, remaking the old musclecar! just not great execution! I heard though that they are going to redesign it a bring it back in like 2009! hopefully!

GM HAD A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO RESSURECT THE GTO INTO A MODERN DAY CLASSIC UNFORTUNATELY THE STYLING WENT SOUTH AND IT BECAME JUST ANOTHER
"BUBBLE CAR" SIMILAR TO MUCH OF THE STYLING TRENDS SEEN TODAY. FAR TOO BLAH FOR THE GTO!

I'ts so funny. While I was not a fan of the way the GTo handled, I thought the sleeper look of the new model was perfect for the GTO moniker. I mean the original GTo was no looker, but it would paint beautiful black lines after every red light. So did the new one. And it wouldn't attract the wrong kind of attention. Yet as a driver you knew you could blow the doors almost everyone you met. I just think the price was hard for people to swallow.

I need a rear bumper for 2004 GTO electric blue ASAP! H E L P!

I haev just purchased a GTO, traded in my 03 Mustang GT for it and have never looked back. The quality and comfort are in a different league to teh mustang. Plus, you dont see your self comming and going like you do with the current generation of Mustang.
this was a true sleeper car and I am glad that only a few were ever bought. It just means that years from now, it may still be worth something.

I'm looking to trade in my 06 Grand Prix GXP for a 06 GTO. Does anyone know how bad it is in snow? I live in Chicago

Melissa: I haven't driven the GTO in snow, but cars.com is headquartered in Chicago, and I can say from experience with all kinds of cars that the GTO wouldn't be my first choice. Or my 10th. Or my 50th.... That's not to say it would be undrivable, especially equipped with the standard all-season or perhaps snow tires, but powerful engines, rear-wheel drive and fat tires are three significant strikes against you. Traction control has some value, but its action in snow often hurts more than it helps. I'm sure someone will chime in who has actually driven in snow. From my perspective, you have to _really_ want this car to buy it as a Chicagoan.

Melissa, the GTO is absolutely terrible in the snow. While driving my 06 GTO with the 18" wheels and tires in the snow, I could barely get started in anything lower than 4th gear while slipping the clutch really bad. It's a real handful in the snow, and the traction control is useless in the snow. I live in Kansas City, so we dont get a ton of snow, but I would not consider this car in Chicago or Detroit or where you get a lot of snow. Great car, just not the car to drive in the snow....

you don't drive a sports car in the snow...DUH!

I am a huge fan of the classic GTO's and even had the plesure of owning a 1965 hardtop. The price was fine. The only problem was the blah styling. It didn't look like anything from the outside. The insides were great and the motor too. As for Dave T. you must be totally blind the 1965-1967 GTO's were beautiful cars and so were the 1969 Judges. Better rub your eyes and take another look at a 1965 Montero red hardtop or convertable with some nice Hurst fice spokes before you write anymore. A fast motor alone doesn't sell cars. It takes both looks and good motor for most people.

I have a new '06. For background sake my favorite car EVER is the '66 GTO. It is all around a great old car. I have always been an old car fan, but when my truck died and I was in need to a reliable new car with a warranty, I was quick to jump into one 40 years younger. I can't complain one bit. It never turned my on much until I got serious about buying one, now I'm totally sold on both the style and performance. Sure it doesn't roll down the road screaming "everyone look I'm a GTO", but when I get close to the right people, or pull up next to them, they surly know what they are looking at. It is sleek enough to be a sleeper, yet powerful enough to scream by just about everything I pull up next to. Plus, it isn't a total police magnet, I haven't gotten a single ticket in it yet. Everyone complains about traction, but it is more than I expected out of it. But like I said, I'm used to the old cars with terrible roll and traction. Personally, I feel the new GTO is the Administrators muscle car. Power, luxury, 4 full bucket seats. Overall I love it and wouldn't trade it in for anything, plus the looks are growing on me every day. I actually park so I can look at it while I eat, not just to make sure no one dings it up but because I love to sit around and look at it when I can. Great Car.

This is Great! I have posted some related sites over here: http://todaytop10.com

I am 50 something so I do know a bit about the muscle cars of yesterday owning 67 Mustang S type (390ci), 64 GTX 440 6pk, 67 GTO 389, 62 Ford Falcon Sport Futura 289 hypo, 2006 SVT Mustang Cobra and most recently 2006 Spice Red M6 400 hp Goat and I love it. Yes it looks like a big Cavalier but so what the old GTO started out as a option pkg for the 64 Pontiac LeMans (Tempest)and in all honestly I do think if you took the last GTO in 74 (Ventura) and moved it along the way to today I think it would look something like todays Holden Monaro (GTO)

I of course ment a 1996 Cobra in last post, the Cobra ended in 2004.

I can retire in sbout 9 months and I am seriouusly considering treating myself to a '04 or '05 Impulse blue (with the blue leather) GTO as a retirement toy. I realize alot of people think the styling is boring, but I for one like it. It does have a sleeper look to it but more importantly to me is the fact that it is a very clean design. To many of todays cars have styling that to me looks to clutered, to many body lines or added aero pieces that detract from the otherwise clean look. The GTO avoided that pitfall, just look at some of the over clutered Pontiacs of the 90's

My last performance car was a 96Z28. That car isn't even in the same league as the GTO. I really have no complaints. It truly was, and is a sleeper. Mine is Cyclone gray with the 6 spd. It's a well made car. The only thing that I would change is the stereo....it's not up to the Bose offerings from GM. By the way, I'm 53. I see plenty of guys my age driving these cars...as well as a few envious looks from one's who wish they were driving one.