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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  Not what I thought it was gonna be... - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Aysha - November 15 - 11:46 am

  I do lots of driving I put over 50000 miles a year due to work...I put over 100000 miles on my 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante. Decided it was time for a new car, went with the Bonneville. I enjoyed the car for like the first week, then came the unreal amount of creaking in the dash, a weird thunk in the rear everytime I go over a bump, broken horn, and broken heater... this car is not what I expected...only have 15000 miles on it. The car had good power when needed and looks good but thats about it. I cant wait to get out of my Bonneville.

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  This car has changed my views of GM - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By partsman99 - November 9 - 1:56 am

  I bought this car with 71K miles on it in 2009. The clock currently shows 137K, and I am fairly impressed with it. Starts every time I put the key in, no matter how hot or cold it is. The good: plenty of power with the standard 3.8, decent sound system, good fuel economy with the size of the car, the overall look of the car is pleasing to the eye. The bad: needed intake manifold and gaskets right at 100K, a solenoid in the trans is going bad, low roof line so my head is almost rubbing the ceiling (Im 61"), very picky about which alternator is in it. My overall opinion is this is a good car, and that takes a lot for me to say being a die-hard Mopar fan. Its old, and people still like it.

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  Great car at 9 years old - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By SMG_MP7A1 - November 8 - 3:30 pm

  This is an absolutely fantastic car. My GTP is 9 almost 10 years old and runs like new with 132,000 miles. I had a full run of tests done on this car when my a/c went out and it had only three problems 1.a/c pump went dead 2. small oil leak due to old gasket on oil pan 3. Not exactly a problem yet but i was told to keep an eye on the CV boot. Fun to drive, starts just like a GM should, 0-60 somewhere in the mid 6s. pretty comfortable on long drives except the leather makes your back sweaty. got the a/c pump replaced and i am going to put a new oil pan gasket on myself during next oil change. This car I think could benefit from a 5 speed instead of a 4.

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  Yikes, hang on - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By Neild17 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  WS6! Fast, fast, fast! Although I wish I had gotten the 6-speed manual. Micro racers will stall their cars at the light to keep from racing. But, mechanically, this one has been a nightmare. Replaced rear axles at 60,000, headlights constantly were being worked on, most inside lighting has already burned out or has been replaced, stiff ride which if not carefully lifts the rear wheels with the slightest bump - potential severe axle and diff damage if racing on bumpy road. Love the car, but wish Pontiac had done a little more homework on practicality and repair frequency.

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  2000 Granda Am Gt 4 Door - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Rnimrick - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Hardly ever had any major problems,Replaced Front Brake Calipers, Intake Gasket. Would purchase another one.

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  Great looking..big problems - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Carli - November 7 - 5:53 am

  I love driving this car yet have had many large problems with it. I have heard that Ponitac Grand Ams and Prix tend to have a lot of electrical problems, yet mine had many more than that. Six months into having the vehicle I needed to replace my power steering pump. I just replaced a fuel pump and a day later needed a new intake manifold gasket because my antifreeze was leaking (about a gallon or two a day). The fuel pump caused a lot of problems because my car continued to break down yet mechanics found nothing wrong several times. I have put as much money into fixing my car as I did buying it, and I still need new antilock brakes.I would suggest buying a newer year or different vehicle.

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  Refreshing Driver - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Rick - November 1 - 10:26 am

  We bought the Vibe and went from the panhandle of FL to PA non stop, and at 6 and 275lbs and a bad back I knew I was inviting trouble. Not at all! Got out of the car and felt great. Turned around and drove back to FL and then to IL. Seat adjustments are great! 30 mpg at 75 mph and much better in town. Traded in a 97 Grand Prix and although I miss the HP of the V6 this is not bad in town. On the highway it needs additional spunk. When in cruise it continually wants to downshift to go over the overpasses, so I disengage the cruise and manually feed it the gas before I get to the hill. Lots of standard options. Good feel and versatile. We tinted the windows though.

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  160,000 miles traded - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By 160,000 MIles Traded - October 31 - 12:33 pm

  Well we got over 160,000 miles out of the van. For the most part it has been fairly reliable, but it has many major design flaws that result in failures that you will have to fix (valve seal gaskets - $800 to $1,000; Front wheel bearings - $600; Transmission - $1500 TO $2000). The radio lights and gas gauge have not worked for years. We got $1250 for a trade-in, so if you buy one, you should plan on driving it into the ground.

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  A good car - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By coolkev - October 31 - 10:00 am

  this is the seecond grand prix I owned (prior 97 gt). The gtp is a big upgrade from the gt. I really enjoy the extra power this car has. It is also very roomy as well.

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  137,000+ and counting - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By LoveMyGP - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car 2 weeks after it was released. While I have had my share of problems, I think that this is my favorite vehicle ever. New cam shaft needed at 105,000. Small piece broke off. After minor overhaul, run as good as ever. My advice is to always keep up on the oil changes. Exterior finish still shines like new. I still get 30mpg on the highway at 65-70mph.