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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  Great Car After New Parts - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Caboosey - July 18 - 4:03 am

  I bought the car for $10,000 back in Oct. 2004. It had around 69,000 miles, I gave up car at 89,000 miles. Gave up car back to father. Overall its performance was very good. However the brakes were replaced a 2nd time within a month of 1st replacement. When it was replaced 2nd time, both front calipers, front rotars, new brake fluid, & new brake fluid lines. (About $600 between both repairs. Brake pads were under warrentry from first repair). After all that was taken car of, It was very reliable and safe. My mechanic found the cars calipers & tie rods to be defective original parts. Hard to believe the car has great quality sound for a stock sound system.

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  fun - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By Tori9299 - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I love my Tek it is so much fun. Im upset about the gas cap I wish they would have made a cover for it. I do also have a problem with the trunk release it stinks, the dealer is still not able to fix it.

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  Never again!! - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By tallwen - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I started to have problems with this car from the very begining. We have replaced the altranator 3 times, water pump twice, had a new head gasket put in, and several other small items. Every year it is something else. They look great but they have many problems. (like coolant mysterously leaking) I will never buy a pontiac again.

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  Ugly is good! - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Beskem - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Im an older (50) consumer and I bought this SUV because of price not looks. It has turned out to be one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. Zero problems, handles well, responsive, comfortable to drive. My wife drives it quite a bit and works at the high school, for the attention she gets she may as well be driving a Corvette. The younger generation loves this car. Our kids now think we are "Cool". ha ha

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  TRANSAM A CAR TO BE PROUD OF - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By firebatbird - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car from new in 1999 and what a great car it is, i had it shipped over to where i live in england and love it to bits. I cant understand why GM stopped production of such a beutiful looking car, and boy does it go it is very fast and the LS1 is one hell of an engine.

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  great car - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By jason vargas - July 17 - 10:00 am

  my car is the ram air trans am. and is powered by a powerdyne supercharger running 7psi. also exhaust and k&n air filter. i put it on the dyno and got it tuned. the car was pushin 500 horse and 425 horse at the rear. i smoke corvettes with it and the stock ram air looks like its not even moving. i still also beat the Z-06 too

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  True Muscle - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GaxiSS - July 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a car that deserves the GTO badge. I may only be 23, but I have been in cars a long time and have driven a lot of them. When I heard that GM was comming back out with the old Goat I thought that I would see if it would compare with the old classics. And I was suprised by the power and agility that GM has put in this car.

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  Practically Awesome - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Gavinneal - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Practical and an awesome amount of fun. I cant get over how much torque is always available anytime you need it. And that exhaust note - really cool. Extremely fun to drive and a very comfortable cruiser on the highway. Best seats I have tried. Fit and finish very, very good especially the interior.

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  GRAND-AM REVIEW - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ITSME - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY CAR.

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  Best American Car Ever - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By I love it - July 17 - 3:00 am

  I got my car on my birthday I have a maxima since 2001 I love that car with 200000 on it no problems. My Grand Prix drives on the highway better that any other car Ive owned. My max 8 years old but the handling is way better on the Grand Prix to bad pontiac is gone but maybe they might bring back the Grand Prix. I love the sterio the leather seats and traction control feels like the ground is dry in the rain and snow. I got a good one if your looking for one its a nice car. I have a 1994 BMW too I thought GM didnt compare I was wrong. My dealer got my to drive it I was hook since it hugs the road like a GT racing car.