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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  Unreliable - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Pete - October 2 - 7:10 pm

  This car was a lot of fun when I first got it. I kept it for 8 years. It was never reliable. It had problems from the day I drove it off the lot. Eventually the warranty expired and I couldnt afford to keep up with all the maintenance. I kept up with reasonable maintenance and traded it in for a new Civic when it became too unreliable/expensive to keep.

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  A big worry on wheels - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By think twice - September 12 - 3:00 am

  I bought this vehicle as a certified used product. Only one thing was for certain and that was problem after problem.The front end was basically replaced because of the severe shuttering. This included replacement of both front hubs and tie rods. Since replacement the problem has returned over about 5000 miles.The brakes also shuttered when applied.I had the brakes reworked with the same results.All work was done at dealership under warranty.Now my warranty has expired and Im left with a Very unreliable vehicle.I bought this van to travel with my family.Now I worry taking it out of my neighborhood. The ignition sticks, the drivers side slider door has to be slammed to close properly, the engine...

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  ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES EVER MADE!!!! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By scholar65 - August 8 - 12:14 am

  I am not one to write reviews but I have to write a review on this car. I hate I ever bought this car. Unreliable is an understatement. After about 3 months the car began to shift hard. Had that fixed (so called), and about 9 months after that it is doing the same thing. Had brakes and rotors done on a car I havent even had over a year. My rotors were rusted for some reason. I have a camry that Ive had for 10 years and never experienced rusted rotors but I digress. Point blank, stay away from buying this car. It is a POT (Piece Of Trash)

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  poor car - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By me999999 - July 30 - 10:00 am

  trouble from day 2. required 2 trips one on a tow truck to get it properly repaired

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  This car is crap - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Dr Ratched - July 20 - 9:43 pm

  Gee. What DOESNT work on this car. Paint was peeling off after 2 years and now it has leprosy. Water pump needed replacing after 2 years. Its burning oil like a drunk BP CEO. The cheap plastic on the inside is worn off everywhere you put your hands. The leather seats are fading and tearing. Oh. And the stupid key fob wont work. Avoid this car. Avoid Pontiacs. Avoid GM.

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  Second Chance - 2008 Pontiac G5
  By staple_l - June 29 - 2:26 am

  So I gave Pontiac a second chance. I traded my 2005 Pontiac G6 in for a 2008 Pontaic G5. This car stinks. Been in the shop too many times for a new car. Motors replaced in windows and locks. Seat belts replaced, failed. And now with only 10,000 miles on it replacing brakes. The engine is loud for a 4 cyl. Chrome peeling off the door handles. Pontiac stinks. I gave them a second chance and I no longer will drive one. Gas mileage stinks, Im lucky to get 24 miles to the gallon, maybe, if I drove 55 on the California freeways, I think not.

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  Too many problems - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By RED 52 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Have owned car since it was new. Many problems including heater control switch on dashboard broken, brakes and rotors three times, sun visor falls off,etc. Just out of warranty and had to have intake manifold gasket leak - repaired for $800. Mechanic said, "poor design" and has had others with same problem. Not happy with car for what it cost new - $21,000. Ride is rough. Plan to sell soon and get something reliable, that is to say, something not GM.

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  3 - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Vanessa - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had nothing but trouble with this car from the moment I have bought including 1 recall for the starter. I have put $4000 worth of work into this car. I have had to replace the brakes about 4 times, replaced the manifold gasket, head gasket, fan belt, tires (twice) roters, strut mound, struts, trasmission line, a/c ...... Please be careful buying this car.

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  Piece of junk - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Crapcar - June 6 - 10:00 am

  I have had to have it towed to the dealership 5 times for various things breaking down(alternator, the oxygen sensor, computer, among other things). The starter went 2 times, the water pump failed, and the radiator had a leak. The paint started pealing off the car. The fog light have been replace 2 times because they keep collecting water. The interior is falling apart. The seams on the driver’s seat let go and all the padding fell out. The door panels are starting to fall apart. The CD player died. The tilt steering wheel lever broke off leaving the steering wheel to move up and down freely. Overall this is the worse car I have ever owned.

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  Montana - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By tricanis - April 15 - 12:20 am

  A shame that GM cannot make a more reliable vehicle! This would have been a great vehicle had we not had to take it to the service department once every other month. On average for 7 years of ownership I spent $650 per year out of pocket in repair costs. I had over $ 4500 in receipts that I turned in when I got ride of the montana. Yes....We purchased a Odyssey.