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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  Buy a Vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By KRB - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The Vibe and the Matrix are basically the same car. Up until 2003 I was a faithful Toyota consumer; not after seeing the Vibe. I bought my Vibe 4 days after it was introduced to me! I love it!!!

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  Vibe Review - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Jill Jackson - June 27 - 2:00 am

  We have had our Vibe for a year now and have been COMPLETELY satisfied with the car. It has been a pleasure to have a new vehicle that we have not had to keep taking back to the dealership!!!!

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  Great Car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By PViber - June 27 - 2:00 am

  We bought a Vibe for our teenage daughter just before she left for college. Its unbelievable how much it holds with the rear seat folded down! Its a sturdy, safe car, and we feel good about her driving it.

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  my vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By j. tracey - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I brought this vehicle in Sept 2002, trading in a 2000 Chevy Cavalier. I loved the test drive and came home with the Vibe. I took the Vibe on a road trip to the New England states via a scenic route thru the mountains on back roads. It handled wonderfully and got great gas milage on the trip 33+mpg the whole trip. Its the perfect car for me and my auto insurance went down almost a $100.00 per year. Id buy another Vibe in a heart beat!

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  Love my vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By nosredna - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I have always driven big cars, Cadilac, Chev Lumina, Chev suburbans, my wife said try it out. I drove it but said it was too small. A week later trial drove again. Needed a car so thought I would try it. Fell in Love. Use it to drive all over grass delivering stuff on Golf course. Never out of room with lay down seats. A real blast, and a head turner also. Fun to drive, and great to haul everything.

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  2004 model - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Busta Capps - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Its Great to drive fun to look at and gets everyones attention I love it

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  Great car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Steveinglin - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The VIBE is a great vehicle, a sleeper car as it looks great, handles well and is fun to drive. I tinted the windows and took the plastic appliques off the car and cleaned it all up and people turn their head and look and dont know what it is. The interior cabin is big, the fold down seats make the inside very accomodating for any situation, and the hatch is there to load whatever you need to haul. Overall, a great performing car, handles great, fun to drive.

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  great car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By jgb - June 27 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car before the sales crew knew much about it.it has been very reliable. i was an on the road salesman and gas milage became an issue. the fold down seats and 115v outlet was a selling point as the toyota frame and motor with the pontiac styling. good combination.

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  vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By chevy16 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  What a fun car to drive. I have never had a car thats felt like I am in complete control with great handling and control and a really different design thats nice looking.

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  Fun, but interior needs work - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By rtxxt - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Great car! I love driving this car, and how it handles. The acceleration is quick and smooth. It is very comfortable for long distance driving.