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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  I have a question. - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By spike1 - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I have only had this car about a month. I love it a lot. The low traction light comes on even when it is dry out. It is only brief, it doesnt stay on the whole time, but it comes on when it has no reason to. It still works when it is supposed to. I just need to find out if I should have this checked or if it is normal. Can anyone help me?

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  AMAZINGG! - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By grandamgtlover - December 5 - 1:23 am

  This car is AMAZING!! I painted it and it looks like a race car! my car is so fast! I have a cold air intake and dc sports racing exhaust with a cat back. It sounds great. I run a 11 second 1/2 mile! It tops about 105 due to rev reduction. Trans spinns great!

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  Updated review- Still amazing - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By Slash8915 - November 30 - 5:43 am

  This is an updated review from the one I wrote back in 07. (Scroll down to see that one. Well, I still have the WS6. It now has 112,000 miles on it, and runs great. It also now has 548hp 516lbs. tq. Its WAY more fun to drive now, but quite a bit louder. My fuel economy is much worse now too. Try 12mpg and HAVING to use premium. Despite that, its still amazing, and gets looks wherever I go. One of the sexiest cars ever made. The prices on these cars is going down more and more, so if you havent picked one up yet, now would be the time.

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  boo-urns these cars stink!!!!!! - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By manderz - November 29 - 5:30 am

  I bought my 2003 grand am gt1 2 years ago. it had one previous owner. I have put so much money into this car. I take excellent care of my car, but everytime i turn around something else is wrong with it. Ive had to replace the electrical box in the car. fuel pump and filters, batteries, thermostat, and now something else is wrong with it.. ABS, no trac, service vehicle soon lights are all on. For some reason Im thinking it has something to do with the famous engine block. ive spent close to 4 grand on it in less than 2 years. yikes.

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  G6 - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By not happy - November 29 - 12:16 am

  Good looking car, agree with others, ergonomically, could be better, for the money, could have been better trimmed. too early to rate reliability, have only had this vehicle 3 weeks

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  Great Car - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Tappan01 - November 24 - 11:20 pm

  This is my "4th" Grand Prix - and have loved each one I had. I cant believe they have stopped production of this model. This car has lots of power for the V6. Love the road-tight feel to the steering, but the traction control is not good at all. The car handles well in all weather and gets good gas mileage. Beautiful looking car and nice wheels on the GT model. Radio could be of higher quality.

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  pontiac vibe - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By robin - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I love the car but the seats and dashboard get dirty quick. It is hard to keep clean. The trunk doesnt come with a rug and your stuff slides all over the back.

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  Great Car for the Money - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By rosey - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my car after crashing my brand new truck. It has proven to be a very reliable car. Aside from the usual wear and tear, this car has not given me any major problems like my other cars. Its great. Its affordable and nice sporty/family look to it. Nice. I would recommend it for a small family.

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  No fun in mountains, MPG false - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Denver Driver - November 23 - 5:36 am

  We got the AWD Vibe to take to the mountains but it is way underpowered and the AWD version doesnt come in manual transmission to help. Transmission actually feels like it slips when going up long hill, feels like someone has rear ended the car. Also we get about 22 MPG, Hwy or city. Other than that, the car is fine, roomy, I really like the air vents as they fully close.

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  Ill Miss Her - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Brittany Henceroth - November 19 - 5:30 pm

  I absolutely loved this car, it was my baby, my pride and joy. Mother bought it back in 02 and gave it to me in 07 as a graduation gift. We did spend X amount of dollars fixing the water pump, alternator, and the heater coil. Other than that, the car was everything I could have asked for. It finally broke 120k miles in the beginning of Feb, but on the 14th I lost control of it, barrel rolled it, and it was totaled. She was a very good reliable car throughout her 12 years she gave to me and the elderly couple that owned it before me.