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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  Practical to drive when it runs - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By GMIS GETTINGWEAK - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Great used buy. 50% depreciation after 2 yrs. Glad I never bought new. Also glad I took out a 3 year GM Extended, as it would have cost us $5,000 in year one alone. Power door module went, as did rear door seals, blower motor, coollant leak, pasenger front doorpanel fell off??? - Very, vey poor quality product. Will not buy GM ever again. Unfortunate since the van drives well and handles great in the winter.

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  easy on the eyes hard on the wallet - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Muss1 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  While it was still under warranty it was fine a few minor problems but nothing major. At about 40,000 we had to replace the intake manifold, then the driver side widow motor went out (riveted in not screwed like most other electric motors), water pump went out at about 50,000 alternator went out at 37,000, 60000 and 850000. We were unable to remove the key from the ignition; we found a solenoid under steering column was sticking (the dealership told us this model didn’t have this solenoid). The car is fun to drive and comfortable I’m just tired of having to fix it more then my 1987 Ford Bronco.

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  Unreliable - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By calisk8er23 - October 29 - 12:46 pm

  I bought this car and it ran great for a few thousand miles, and then I replaced the wheel bearings, water pump, two hoses, brakes too many times to count, air cleaner, flushed injectors twice, and traded it in with it still having problems. The front end hums bad and the engine clunks and bangs, and shakes. I never missed an oil change and always kept up ion maintenance.

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  Never Again - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By S James - October 16 - 6:33 pm

  OK, I was smitten by its good looks for a mini van. What a pig it turned out to be. I have sworn off any GM built vehicle for as long as I drive. (And I control the fleet at my work) Read each of the posts and I have had the problem. Fuel tank sending unit made the gas gauge quit. Head gasket blew out. A/C out (twice) Windshield wipers nesting in the "touchdown" position. My wife drove it that way for a month because two of our neighbors were having the same problem at the same time. (It was comical) GM dealers are lame. Could be the corporate policies. Still, they give you no reason to want to even look at another vehicle built by them. I give them less than 10 years.

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  Nice car at first, but just wait - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Scott Buechl - October 15 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoyed this car when I bought it used in 98. It is nice looking and comfortable. It drove very nicely with the V6 engine. But within the past several years, I have replaced window motors, door locks, alternator, intake gasket, timing belt, fuel injectors, and several other small things. I just had the transmission repaired! This car is a money pit!

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  Windows, Brakes, Steering, now what? - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Deb - October 10 - 1:36 pm

  My 2002 40,800 miles, Im the original owner. I commute to work via train so my mileage stays low & I only use it on weekends around town. It has gone to neighboring states for family visits & a trip from IL to AK once, hence most of the mileage. Ive been through window clip replacements, brakes, battery, tires/wheels, and thought I had the steering shakes corrected while under warranty but never could get to the bottom of it. The car shakes at 55 mph so we take my husbands car for trips that require high speed. Just this week I noticed a squeaking/rattle coming from what might be suspension/under carriage? I should have stayed with Honda. Again, only 40,800 miles!!!!!

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  Need to fix that security light issue! - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By thatsudduthgirl - October 9 - 5:13 pm

  I love my car, but lately, if I turn off the car to run into the store (example), I have to leave the key turned on for 10 MINUTES to get that stupid light to go out so I wont be late for work!! This is ridiculous! I have already planned to start leaving earlier for work, as I have kids to drop off and errands to run. Too costly to have it fixed and the gas mileage SUX!!!

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  My mistake - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By scott - October 3 - 8:13 am

  My mistake for buying a Pontiac G6. Clunking noise in front, had to replace front and back brakes and rotors. Leaking sun roof. After reading other reviews I think this will be my last Pontiac. And to think they used to be good. Bye bye Pontiac.

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  Not Happy - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Never another pontia - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I have a problem of overheating will idling. Nothing fixes this problem, flushing the system or new therostat hasnt work. Both power window have snapped, one at 8000 and the other at 38000.

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  Everything Brakes - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Sosa MKD - September 20 - 10:00 am

  In 6 months I had a power window control regulator brake and brake the window, then a coolant leak ( a whole load in 24 hours, Air Conditioner compressor died and a lot of other small things like that.