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:

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  GTP and FAST - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Andre - October 23 - 10:20 pm

  Bought the GTP coupe and it is fast and fun to drive! The GTP is a affordible and safe sports car with side impact air bags, stablity control, traction ect. Unfortunately, the 3.9L does like fuel. The first 1K miles best I got is 17.5 MPG and after that am now at 20.5 MPG. For me this is my personal car and not used for work so gas not a big issue. I keep looking foward to weekends to take my GTP back out on the road.

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  Stealth performance - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By david - October 21 - 8:56 pm

  Car is an awesome driving car. Quite comfortable for 4, though getting into the spacious back seat can be a challenge. If a trip anywhere is on the agenda, pack light... as the GTO has a shockingly small trunk. I have the 6-speed, and it shifts OK except when cold. But what I really dislike is the forced 1-4 upshift under light throttle.

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  The Great One - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By bigdawg - October 21 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome its got the pickup to compete with the best of them but, slow over time. Not good on gas but has size and luxary with SPEED!! Got a 3.5 liter and great for squealing.

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  LOVE THIS VAN - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By LITTLEPRINT - October 21 - 10:00 am

  IVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR JUST OVER 2 YRS AND IT HAS 40,000 MILES.THE ONE IRRITATING FLAW IS THE FRONT WIPERS.EVERYTHING GETS CAUGHT UNDER THE WIPERS AND DOWN INTO THE HOOD.IN THE WINTER IVE HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CLEAR UNDER THE WIPERS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO WORK RIGHT,BUT I LOVE MY VAN.I WISH REAR A/C AND HEAT WAS STANDARD ON EXTENDED VERSION,BECAUSE THE PASSENGERS IN THE WAY BACK DONT GET AS COOL.KNOCK ON WOOD I HAVE HAD NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS EXCEPT THAT MY A/C WENT AND I NEED TO BRING THE VAN IN.GREAT VAN.WOULD BUY AGAIN.

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  good car - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ronandmon - October 21 - 10:00 am

  I have only had my Grand Am for a week, but so far I can tell you that I love the exterior design and the way the car rides and handles. The interior seems to be cheap made, Compared to the Aztec I previously drove. The gas mileage is not as good as I expected but is still not bad. Overall I am satisfied.

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  Cant GM get it right - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By TOm - October 18 - 11:50 pm

  Looks good fun to drive; Many problems 1) pass lock 2) brakes 3)water pump 4) fuel pump If GM would make cars that did not continually FAIL. They could make money on selling cars. Brakes - were bad from fac. they didnt even clean the disks ( still greasy) ; Pass lock may have worked it they lubricated the cylinder: Water pump - they put this on the timing chain- Very bad design! Fuel pump - in the tank Very bad design. I think GM could design a good car they just chose not to!

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  96 4dr Grand Am GT, 2.4L, 5-speed - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By RavynX - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car now for almost 4 years; I purchased it back in 2000 @ 72k miles (its now at 115k miles). It has basically been my first car ever and its been a blast for this first 2.5 years. Thats when trouble started to hit near 90k miles. Ive replaced the transmission AND then fully rebuilt it a year later; also master and slave cylinders went out on me recently. Coolant leaks and water pump failures. Replaced the alternator twice already and many more repairs. Ive basically spent over $5000 in repairs this year. Im planning on selling it for a more reliable car in the next few months. Other than that, it has a great ride, nice sound to the 2.4L engine, and good seats.

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  2004 vibe replaced a gt mustang conv ? - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By gonz - October 16 - 10:00 am

  this vibe replaced a 97 gt mustang conv for fuel mileage and dependability dealership sucked but overall pleased with purchase and value

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  Good Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By timmarcy - October 16 - 10:00 am

  After 7 months and 12000 miles IÂ’m still glad I bought it. Had some serious fit & finish issues (listed below) but for the price (after rebates) I defiantly got my moneys worth. Very sexy looking car! Alot of fun to drive! Recommend the GTP with Monsoon sound system. Yes, I would buy again.

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  Buy a different car before warranty is up - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Brook - October 15 - 6:23 am

  I purchased this car new, I loved the inside/outside such a unique car & the heads up~wow!! But immediate problems, dealership gave me the go around & failed at their job, so took it elsewhere and the guys there do try! The car growls at approx. 13 mph in front. the spoiler holds water & leaks into the trunk. The wheel roters have been turned & replaced numerous times. The windows both broke within an hour of each other, $500 a pop to fix, extended warranty a must, now when I turn it/try to turn it over wont start, must turn part way wait 15 secs. before it will start. fuel filter & pump replaced, relay replaced, power steering pump replaced, sounds like crap back to shop, new foreign car!!