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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  Good buy - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By LD - October 12 - 9:40 pm

  Purchased it with cash for clunkers plus the GM incentives $4500. great ride so far. Great value per dollar.

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  Good First Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Kshoes - October 11 - 10:36 am

  This is my second Grand Am, my 1st was a 1999 GT. The grand am was my first car since i was 16. Now 21, I still love my grand am. Its fun to drive and has an awesome stereo with XM! Great for a new driver

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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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  my vibe.... - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By pinkQ - October 10 - 7:16 am

  I purchasee my vibe in 2003 but that wasnt a choice... it is a great zippy car that can hold a TON of stuff... great on the mileage and the only drawback that I have found is a sulfurous odor when I use the heat on occasion.. I was told by the dealer that there would be solution eventually but still have not found it...

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  Nice little car - 2008 Pontiac Vibe
  By Wayne J. Erhart - October 9 - 8:03 pm

  I was on a business trip in San Diego and rented a Vibe in 2006. Before I arrived at my Motel, I was very impressed with this car. I am 6 foot 6 inches tall and fit very well in it. What really sold me was how little fuel it took. I now own a 2008 and average 33-35 mpg in town and 36 to 39 mpg on the highway. By the way it is a 5-speed, which is a hoot to drive, especially around town. Thanks for a great little car Pontiac!

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  Great Car!! - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By wild_166 - October 9 - 7:36 pm

  I got my car with 49,000 miles in 2003. It has been a great car. Yes I have had to do normal maintenance and a few extra but other then that It has done broke down on me. It now has 237,000 + miles on it and the fuel pump has finally died. Everyone about dies when I tell them its never been replace before now. The gas mileage is also great . The only downside is that brakes and rotors dont last long with the mileage I drive every year. Also If you buy one look under the spare trunk lid and see if it says NC1. I live in Indiana and my car has never been in CA and that is where it was built for so if you ever need to replace heads , and other parts you cannot buy them in other places in us.

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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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  Faster than a Civic - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By the mad hatter - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used about 8 months ago and was skeptical at first, but i was very impressed at the speed of acceleration, and with only a 4 cyl. i did some research, some on the street ;) and some online, and have learned that it is faster, (stock times), than the civic si, and the neon r/t. i have added a cold air intake, 17 wheels, spoiler, and pacesetter headers, and i love this car. it was faster than civics and neons when it was stock and now it blows them away, this car has excellent performance for the price and class. the seats could be more comfortable, but all in all, this is an awesome car.

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  Best F-Body Ive owned yet - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By Mike A. - October 9 - 10:00 am

  My 3rd F-body, replacing a 1991. Excellent overall vehicle for one person (two if you do not count entering and exiting the vehicle). The LT1 is still very strong at 87,000 miles without ever having consumed a drop of oil. Extremely comfortable seats, and very usable in the wet or light snow with the traction control. Problem areas: Driver side power window motor replaced at 60,000 miles, tear in the seat leather where it meats the hard backing, and a crack in the defroster vent during very cold weather. Still on original clutch with plenty of lining left.

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  Good, could be better - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By PGD - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I really like the car but I have had three trips back to the dealer for minor repairs: air bag recall, anti- freeze leak, trunk liner to back seat. All were fixed easily. My only real complaint is that a $30K car should not have any wind noise.