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 LOVE MY BONNEVILLE - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By BEV12STER - October 2 - 2:00 am

  WE HAD A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX AND I WAS NOT SURE I WOULD REALLY LIKE A LARGER CAR LIKE THE BONNEVILLE BUT I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH IT. THIS WAS MY HUSBANDS CHOICE AND I WAS VERY CAUTIOUS AT FIRST THINKING IT WAS SO MUCH WIDER THAN THE GRAND PRIX BUT THIS IS NOT TRUE. IT IS VERY CLOSE IN WIDTH. IM REALLY GLAD WE WENT AHEAD AND PURCHASED THE 2003 BONNEVILLE SSEI. ITS A REAL EYE CATCHER BEING A BEAUTIFUL BLACK CAR WITH THE CHROME WHEELS. IM REALLY HAPPY WITH IT.

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  Happy Owner - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By LuciaA - October 2 - 2:00 am

  No quality problems whatsoever. I am enjoying this car. It feels safe and sturdy. I really like the cleaned up body style of the SE...not to mention the power of the 6 cyl.

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  Pontiac Grand Am 2003 - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By George Valenti - October 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is an excellent moderatly priced vehicle. It comes with many of the most asked for features standard. The most fun is when you step on the gas.

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  This car has been great to me. - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By seiichi79 - October 1 - 1:43 pm

  This car definitely served its purpose. Have 3 kids now so Im going to have to get rid of it. Which kinda stinks. Even though I can fit 3 car seats in the back its a little squished. Great power and pedal response. Lots more interior room than you would think just by looking at it and a lot of trunk space. The only problem I have had with it was the front brake rotors were warped when I purchased it but it only cost about $175 to have them fixed. Other than that this car has been awesome.

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  great car - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By MATT - September 30 - 2:40 pm

  Love this little station wagon great on gas very comfortable drivers seat. love the sunroof. no trouble yet and ive owned it for a year and a half. Oil filter air filter are easily accessed. Simple underhood design.30k with 0 unschedualed maintanence costs to date.

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  Spiffy, Sporty but worn out at 60,000 - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Linda - September 30 - 9:36 am

  Still looks good but mechanically is starting to cost me money. Had coolant leak fixed this year ($1,000) and it was not worth it; its leaking again. Also, the power seat feature gave out early.

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  Not So Grand AM - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Bill Mitchell - September 28 - 7:33 am

  This has got to be the poorest car investment I have ever made. My Grand Am 4 dr. SE as soon as I passed the 60,000 km Warranty the car has been biodegrading on the road. Paint has literally been flying off the bumpers and the doors as i drive At 70,000 Km my air conditioning quit and some type of relay switch in the blinker has gone when I turn the clicking noise of the blinker keeps going for 45-60 seconds after the turn is completed. The fog lamps in the front tend to come loose and point in strange directions I have used Duct tape to hold them in place When called the dealer and told them of my concerns she said Oh they are prone to those problems but bring it in Pay for an Inspection

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  HOPE FOR GM - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By BGW - September 28 - 3:36 am

  I just got this car and only had it for one day. Everything seems to be put together well. I always go with GM because my wife works for GMAC MORTGAGE and we can get a car at a great price without haggling. I opted for the regular sunroof because I heard too much negativity about the panaramic roof. Car rides beautifully. I am hoping it holds up with no typical GM dashboard rattles. Only time will tell. I am hoping for the best. So far I am very happy!

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  Ill never own a BMW again! - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Danevick - September 28 - 1:26 am

  Considered the G8 among others including MB C350, BMW 550i. MB too small, 550i too pricey and rode way too rough. The G8 is my Goldilocks car, just right, and 1/2 the price of the Beemer! Cant get over the value for the dollar. Have owned MB, BMW, Lexus before, every time I mash the go pedal the status issue disappears! Mileage on the road was actually 24.5, in town about 16-17 mixed driving. Cant tell when cylinder deactivation happens, but big v8 vibrates at idle like my old Camaro, shouldnt happen today. Lots of room in back for 6+ footers, huge trunk, a great family car that will still open your sinuses from adrenaline when pushed. compliant but firm ride. Buy 1, You wont be sorry!

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  i got a lemon - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By aaron - September 27 - 10:38 pm

  i bought the car bran new in 06 the car was great but at 60k miles the transmission went out first time left me stranded 50 miles out of town, sents then ive had replaced the trasmission its gone out 3 more times up to now it has 210,000 miles not to mention i had the motor rebuilt 2 times as well. on that note the car is only worth $4,500 and i have well more money in repair costs than its worth now but when its not breaking down i really love the car