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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  Never Again - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By kateandallismom - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Never again will I own a Pontiac Grand Prix. My 2000 has been nothing but one problem after another.

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  Miss my Aztek!! - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Trinity - June 26 - 11:36 am

  I bought the vibe wanting to get better mileage than my Aztek. Better mileage is about all Ive gotten. From day 2 Ive had troubles, constantly in the shop and theres no pep to this car. The front seat folds down for use, but doesnt lay flat, visibility is awkward also. Not great...although many people love them.

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  Lemon - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By cyclops24 - June 26 - 1:50 am

  I love my GTO. Unfortunately I got a lemon. Leaking head gasket, fuel injector wiring harness failure, numerous exhaust leaks and my biggest issue, paint flaws through and etching. I have been without my car for a total of 52 days in less than one years time. Currently in the process of lemon law.

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  If only I had known. - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Jaybaby727 - June 16 - 9:56 am

  I am so disappointed to see that I have all of the exact same problems that the folks here have had with their G6 4dr Sedan. I thought I was getting a really awesome car when I bought it over a year ago. NOT SO. Steering wheel pops& is hard to control (wobbles) brakes (front AND back) have been replaced, rotors, tie rod ends. YOU NAME IT, its gone bad! Im unable to trade it in because of the loss of value and I am sickened to think that I am stuck with this for at least another year. Its at the dealership NOW being evaluated - probably for naught, because I thought (stupidly) that after having all this work done at my local tire shop, THEY were the wrong ones. Now I see its GM!

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  car was free would never buy this after ownership experience - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By cannedbobs - June 10 - 11:37 pm

  so i got the car when it was 8 years old with 5,000 miles on it, previously owned by my grandmother as an extra car. havent had to do anything major on it since owning it, biggest annoyance is that every time i have something break and i cant figure out what is broken to cause my problem i find the answer online telling me that this crap happens all the time on this model. lots of interior pieces broke or warped due to gm using plastics that deteriorate after 5 years, as i was told by a gm employee. lots of little quirks, but car has never left me stranded. would be a solid first car for some teen, as fun to drive as a honda, which is saying something.

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  Age equals money pit - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mrtgman - May 12 - 7:40 am

  I am a GM fan. I purchased this car with 95,000 well maintained miles. On the positive, engine started every time in sub-zero weather. Otherwise, I never owned a car that has cost me so much in repairs. I have replaced, A/C compressor due to bad clutch, but now evaporator leaks. Steering rack blew a seal, intake maniford gasket replaced, heater core replaced, 2 motor mounts replaced, exhaust system, power window motor and recently, replacement of belt tensioner of which pulley froze. All these repairs within 15,000 miles and a year and a half. Ive owned many GM vehicles and expect maintainence repairs, but will never buy or recommend another Grand Am.

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  My 8-Month Nightmare - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By sinaskafitch - May 11 - 4:13 pm

  8 months ago, I bought a Grand Am off my friend at 140,000 miles. Turned out to be the worst decision Ive made since. If I wasnt friends with a mechanic, this car would already be in the scrap pile. Ive had to give it new wiring, a new starter, 2 new engine belts, a new mechanism that turns the engine belt, a new rear arm bar, and I had to remove the horn because it was faulty. The car also has a fuel pressure problem so now I pay out the nose for gas. I hate everything in this car down to the cup holders! Its cars like these that ruined Pontiac. This car is breaking my bank and my patience level. Hopefully getting a new car this week to get rid of this nightmare

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  2001 grand prix gt - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ct - May 9 - 10:00 am

  I have had a lot of trips to the dealer with this car. Trouble with power locks, defroster switch, fan switch, window rattles,and rear spoiler filled up with water. The car also has a rattle in the dash.

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  My 6th new GM vehicle and my LAST - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By UGH - May 3 - 8:56 pm

  The transmission failed at 58,000 miles. Dealer wanted $5000 for repair. Asked GM for some financial help, they said NO and that I was Hot Roding the car for this to fail.At 62 years old my Hot rod days are long gone. At 75,000 miles the new Orange Anti Freeze coolant ate thru some gaskets. I got to dig out my wallet again.Over $1000 for this one. The fuel gauge has not worked for thousands of miles, the dealer can fix me up for under $800 by replacing something in the fuel tank. No thanks, I will just keep the tank full. The power windows fail periodically, but reset themselves, must be a heat thing. Fortunately the dealer only charges me $30 when I bring it in for repair estimates.

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  Should have bought a CarFax - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Disappointed - April 28 - 12:30 am

  I bought my Pontiac G6 almost 2 years ago & absolutely loved it. My husband is 69" & could fit in it nicely, loved the sporty feel of it but you cant drive fast with the windows down because of the loud humming noise. About 6 months after, we began our many trips to the dealership for new struts, squeaky driver seat and now lower control arm and ball joint on both sides & swaybar. Im very thankful I bought an extended warranty. I have always owned GM vehicles but with the problems Ive had with this car and the trouble Ive had with more than one GM dealership, I will NEVER buy GM again and my grandfather and mother-in-law both retired from GM. This car was my worst purchase in my life!