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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  Satisfied Buyer - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By Saundra Lockhart - February 28 - 1:53 am

  I bought my 99 Montana new as a demo. I bought the extended warranty bumper to bumper for 100,000 miles. I did have transmission problems at 95,000 miles but the repairs were covered under the warranty. That was the only major repair. Now it has 145,000 miles and I still drive it every day. Most of the miles are city driving, but I also make cross country trips every year. Now I am giving this Montana to my son who starts college this fall. I will buy a new car.

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  Cool Car - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By funloving - February 26 - 10:00 am

  All i can say is I have had this car for about a year and bought it with about 89000 miles on it. It runs great and over all is a fun car. I have had to fix a few things but nothing that would not be expected to be fixed at this kind of miliage. I drive the car over 150 miles a day to work and not yet once have had a problem with brake downs ect.. I would suggest this car to anyone.

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  Tremendous Budget Buy - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By Briandear - February 23 - 10:00 am

  I licked my chops over the 2003 Vibe, but then I was showed this 2001 clearance model. Once inside, the versatility and features won me over. Great for hauling my musical gear, and everyone asks me about it. Smooth quiet ride, really sits and drives more luxuriously than its outdoorsy interior. I couldnt find anything else in an SUV or wagon with leather seats, much less heated, for 23,000. Enough said. Also, Consumer Guide gives the FWD version the higher score, for better acceleration and ride.

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  Looking to trade it in - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Aresee - February 19 - 9:06 pm

  I have mixed feelings about my car. Ive had the car for 2 months. I love the way it looks, driving a manual transmission convertible can be fun. People in those BMW Z4s always look at me instead of me looking at them now But the transmission and gear ratios arent great with this car. Ask anyone that owns a Solstice about "the clunk" and the "differential" problems that they may have been having. GM claims the clunk is normal and has no remedy for the problem. A/C makes an annoying whine. Rear differential makes an annoying whine Also be prepared to pay a 3k-6k markup on this car like I did. If you want the car I recommend finding a dealership that will sell for MSRP It will be well worth it

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  Make Sure You Get A Warranty - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By kate_lyne - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 1999 Grand Am SE 4 door about 10 months ago and I have had nothing but trouble since I bought it. So far the transmission has been rebuilt, oxygen censor had to be fixed, brakes had to be replaced, the trunk leaks and the back floors get wet when it rains. I have also had problems when trying to acclerate-the car jumps and sometimes stalls. The dealer hasnt figured out what causes it. Do not get me wrong I like my car-it drives nice (when it isnt acting up) but I dont trust it at all. So do yourself a big favor-do not get a Grand Am and if you do make sure you get a VERY good extended warranty. Chances are youll need it.

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  1998 pontiac grand am - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Resstop - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Reliable, plenty of power, red exterior paint has faded in some areas, paint has oxidized badly in some areas.

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  been great so far! - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By alan2123 - February 13 - 6:10 pm

  We have owned this car since it was brand new. it now has 209400 miles on it! Ive out in an alternator, window wiper motor, and a new ignition. it still needs a couple things, like a new indicator switch because it makes a ticking noise while off, but for how long its lasted and the little work its needed, it has been a great car! it still runs great, and Ill probably get it up to 250000 miles before I sell it.

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  So far so good - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By gfarrell - February 10 - 5:33 pm

  I really like this car. It is fun to drive and I consider it a great value. Not the nicest interior, and doesnt have all the gadgets, but enjoying the drive is the most important thing to me. Every morning the commute to work is an adventure. So far it has been very reliable, and the dealer was easy to work with. I had a couple of issues that needed to be addressed the week after I got it, but they were fixed correctly and quickly. I do not miss the drama of the BMW service department.

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  Dont conform, think outside the box. - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Zephram Cochran - February 10 - 2:00 am

  I have been a long-time auto enthusiast and I get a kick out of the Aztek. Sure, it looks odd to some but thats what I like...it doesnt look like everything else out there (easy to find in a crowded parking lot). If you dont agree go along in your bland Camry or Accord or cookie-cutter SUV. It is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. At the time of purchase, it was the most powerful engine in its class. I went from FL to NH twice and I am still surprised by the comfortable...really luxurious ride that I am treated to. You simply cannot beat the price for what you get, conformists need not apply.

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  Grand Prix GTP - Best used car buy ever! - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By realsj99 - February 9 - 2:43 pm

  I use my car for business and do a lot of highway driving, so it makes sense for me to buy used and drive the car forever. My GTP has been my favorite so far! Fantastic acceleration, excellent handling and very comfortable heated leather w/ 8-way power seats. After 55,000 miles, I have has no major mechanical issues, leaks or failures. I put Michelin HydroEdge tires on it which made a dramatic improvement over the Goodyear Eagle LS tires with which it originally came. It returns about 18- 22 mpg city and 27-30 mpg hwy and still able to run high 14-second quarter mile times (comparable to stock Mustang GT performance). For the money, a well-maintained GTP is the best used car value!