Are you longing for the days when V8 engines reigned supreme in the power department? Are you annoyed that turbocharged four-cylinder engines are now the norm? Then you should look into a 2005 Pontiac GTO. It might be an older, used car, but it will bring back the nostalgia of old-school muscle mixed with new(ish) technology.

What is a Pontiac GTO?

The original Pontiac GTO was a two-door coupe produced by GM back in 1965 and was highly regarded as the first muscle car ever built. It was powered by a 6.4-liter V8 engine that produced 375 hp and had a top speed of 120 mph and could propel the car from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds.

We’ll spare you the lengthy history lesson, but the original GTO did undergo some improvements inside and out and even spanned four generations up until 1974 when it was discontinued due to declining sales and a declining interest in muscle cars due to updated smog laws.

Fast forward to 2004, when GM decided to bring back the Pontiac GTO, but this time, it was a carryover from the parent company’s Holden lineup in Australia. In fact, it was basically a Holden Monaro, in case you’re familiar with that brand.

What was so great about the newer Pontiac GTO?

Although it might have seemed like a cheap shot for GM to just carry over a current model and slap the heralded GTO nameplate on it, the newer model was actually fitting for the times. The 2004 Pontiac GTO was simple and sleek with an ascending beltline and small trunk that gave it a true sports car form. Upfront, the Pontiac grille was the same as the other car in the brand’s lineup, but it was wider to accommodate more airflow, and outback, the twin tailpipes not only finished off the look, but they also emitted the nostalgic V8 muscle-car rumble that fans knew and loved.

What was under the hood?

Under the hood of the Pontiac GTO was an all-too-familiar LS1 V8 that measured in at 5.7 liters and produced 350 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. The engine was hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission that transmitted the power to the rear wheels. For the 2005 model year, Pontiac refreshed the GTO by giving it a newer 6.0-liter LS2 V8 engine that pushed out 400 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque and complimented the car’s aggressiveness by adding a pair of hood scoops, an updated front and rear fascia, and a split exhaust system for a sporty character.

Motorweek tested the 2005 model GTO and was able to get the GTO from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds and down the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds, which was a far cry from the original model.

Is it worth it to buy a Pontiac GTO now?

When the 2005 Pontiac GTO was new, it retailed for around $32,000, but thanks to depreciation, you can now pick one up for anywhere between $8,000 to $15,000 nationwide, however, some really clean examples with low miles are still selling in the mid-$20,000 range.

Considering you’re able to get the V8 power that you’ve always longed for in a newer body style, we think it’s worth it to look into a 2005 Pontiac GTO if you want to relive the muscle car days without having to worry about a massive restoration of an older model or having to pay a premium for a pristine version of one.