Overview & Reviews

The Pontiac brand is part of the General Motors family, and is home to many of the automaker's more performance-oriented vehicles. Currently, the marque offers a broad range of sporty cars and SUVs. However, as part of GM's restructuring plan, the brand is slated to be discontinued by the end of the 2010 model year.

Pontiac originated as the Oakland Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan, in 1907; it was founded by Edward Murphy. Acquired by General Motors in 1909, Oakland introduced the first Pontiac vehicle in 1926. Dubbed the "Chief of the Sixes," the car was powered by a six-cylinder engine and made its debut at that year's New York auto show. It was so successful that the Oakland name was phased out in favor of Pontiac, the name of an 18th-century chief of the Ottawa Indians. Throughout the 1930s and '40s Pontiac made coupes, sedans and wagons in the low-to-mid price ranges. A unique styling cue of Pontiac cars from the mid-'30s to the mid-'50s was known as "Silver Streak," a set of art-deco-inspired chrome "speed lines" that ran up over the length of the hood to the base of the windshield.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the Pontiac Bonneville. The sprawling, stylish cruiser offered equal measures of performance and luxury, and was a breakout hit. But it wasn't until the 1960s that the Pontiac brand truly came into its own. American manufacturers had begun to offer downsized alternatives to the gigantic cruisers that had ruled the highways in previous decades. Pontiac came to market with the compact Tempest. In 1964, Pontiac made its biggest impact yet with the creation of the GTO option for the Tempest. By equipping the car with the powerful 389 cubic-inch V8 from the full-size car line, Pontiac created the first "muscle car." Phenomenally successful, the GTO helped define the burgeoning muscle car category. Pontiac also saw tremendous success during the latter part of this decade with its Firebird and Firebird Trans Am.

The oil crisis of the '70s made fuel efficiency a priority for many car buyers. Following the lead of its GM siblings, Pontiac made compact vehicles like the Ventura and Phoenix a major part of its lineup. The '80s saw the launch of the two-seat Pontiac Fiero. Despite its modest beginnings (it was initially marketed as a "commuter car"), the Fiero eventually blossomed into a credible sports car.

The '90s saw the launch of Pontiacs like the Sunfire and Montana minivan. Pontiac has slowly lost sales due to changing tastes and a lack of differentiation between its models and those of other GM divisions. In hopes of recapturing past glory, the division embarked on a plan to retire aged models and introduce all-new ones with distinctive styling and personality. For a while, the effort seemed to be bearing fruit. New models like the Vibe, Solstice and G8 made Pontiac a brand to consider in many segments. However, GM's financial troubles in 2008 and 2009 have resulted in the company's decision to phase out Pontiac as a brand. It's expected 2010 will be Pontiac's last year for new models.

User Reviews:

• Price of crab - 2009 Pontiac Montana
  By Hassan skiendh - September 26 - 5:40 pm

  I bought new one and put 3 transmission only one was under warranty paid for 2 . Went to junk yard with 100k miles only what a shame. Only buying from now on Japanese

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  My 99 Bonneville Was a Lemon - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Ray Williams - July 23 - 10:00 am

  This car was in the shop one day for each 287 miles. The windshield wipers intermittently didnt work, and GM refused to work on it, claiming I was making up the problem (the zone rep was rather amazed when the wipers failed to operate at the lemon law hearing with the judge present). It had numerous other problems, including turn signals, molding, trunk deck lid, horn, belt tensioner, compass, air conditioning, automatic light dimmer, head-up display, sunroof failure, peeling paint, interior trim falling off, and difficulty starting the engine. GM fought the lemon law process like a tiger, and treated us like dirt, but we finally won.

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  SO MANY PROBLEMS!!!!!! - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By Gavin - July 9 - 10:00 am

  Im so upset with my 99 base V6 firebird 5spd. Its had so many problems with it that I cannot stand it anymore! Ive had over $5,000 worth of repairs in a little over a year. This is not a sports car at all! People say "they should expect failures because its a sports car" I laugh at them in dispair! A Ferrari is a sports car....do you see multiple things on them breaking every month?!? NO!!!!! I rest my case and am selling my car!

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  Always breaking! Do not buy! - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By college4life - February 20 - 8:23 am

  This car is the biggest piece of junk ever made! Do not ever buy a Grand Am. Ive replaced so many things in my car I thought a longtime ago there couldnt possible be anything else that could break. I was wrong. Now its the stupid passlock system that just on occassion wont let your car start and you have to turn the key to the on position for 1min. to let it reset then start it. Do not ever buy a Grand Am!

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  Do Not Buy G5 GT!! - 2008 Pontiac G5
  By MuscleMike - January 5 - 9:40 pm

  This car has been a disappointment since the day I bought it. Bought it to save on gas, but I am still kicking myself today for trading in my 2006 GTO for this joke of a vehicle!

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  Wont get fooled again - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By mv - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Dont buy a Montana.Big Mistake.In the 3 years since Ive purchased mine Ive had to replace the entertainment system, the side door didnt close properly, and now the transmission is failing at 45,000 miles (all on a car which was bought new that has met all maintenance schedules).GM cares nothing about quality or reliability of their vehicles and their dealer service departments are incompetent at best and criminal at worst. My last vehicle before this was a new "94 GMC Jimmy whos engine seized at 60k under warranty and the dealers service department never fixed properly. Spend a few dollars more on a Honda and leave gm (garbage motors) alone

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  Worse car I ever owned - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Omar Hossin - February 21 - 10:59 am

  It is poorly made. It is manufactured poorly. Body parts do not align properly, the convertible top is frayed due to the window rubbing against in when I open and close the door. It rattles. the hood, fenders, trunk bumpers dont line up. It has 8k miles on it makes a lot of rattling noise, body parts rub around the hood and back fenders. The rims are pitted and peeling on the inner side. GM will not repair or replace them. GM gave me a poor explanation saying that there is a percentage allowed for flaws. I hate driving it. Resale is poor

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  Worst Car I Ever Owned - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Cyle - January 23 - 3:36 pm

  I have owned this car since they came out. The first time I got into the car the check engine light was on, right their I should have stopped from buying the car. The 4 speed transmission is a huge let down, the power is their but not when you need it. The interior is cheap, the fabric stains easily. The paint on the front bumper pits easily from stones,etc. The doors are huge and heavy, heavier than a truck door. In GMs attempt to get a better looking car into the market than the Cobalt they have failed on a massive level. Overall this car is better in the junkyard than on the road!

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  WORST CAR EVER !!!!! - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By cantonjh - June 4 - 4:19 am

  From the day I got this car I had NOTHING but problems !!!! first the rack & pinion ( right passenger side ) goes out then back window regulator goes out then countless converter replacements then 2 coils replacements then A/C goes out then countless sensors replaced then front wheel bearings replaced and both tire rods replaced then front passenger window regulator goes out then water pump and raidtor repleaced had to replace the tension pully then valve cover gastets replaced and now my head gasgets are leaking my car has been in the repair shops more then on the road NEVER again will I buy crap like this SHAME on GM !!!!!

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  poor quality of a car - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By michelle - May 29 - 4:36 am

  I have had this car since Jan. of 04 and it has been nothing but trouble. After 1200 miles the evaporator core started leaking and had no cool air. Now recently with 43,000 miles on it the right wheel bearing is out. For as much money as i paid for it...it would be better quality....boy was i wrong. I have talked to numerous people and they have same complaints. Another thing is the resale value of this car is awful........it has no resale value at all. Anyways good luck to anyone else owning one of these piles.