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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  Loved my car, now having major problems - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By P. Kobasic - July 14 - 6:36 pm

  I have had my car for 4 years and loved it when I first bought it, but now I am having problems. I just had to spend $500 to get the brakes fixed and I only have 44,000 miles on the car! The cylinders were cracked and brake fluid was leaking and the brake pads and shoes had to be replaced. Now, my window doesnt work and it will be another $400 to replace the motor. After reading others comments, the windows are a problem with this car. Beware that your brakes may be a problem too, even if your mileage is less than 50,000. I will never buy a Pontiac again and hope I can hold off having anymore major problems with this car for another year or so.

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  Great choice to drive - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By KATI - July 14 - 2:23 pm

  I love my vibe. My daughter thinks its great. We both like the moon roof. I compared and looked at many vehicles and finally decided on the vibe due to gas mileage. I drive to work 65 miles 1 way 4 or 5 nights per week. It actually gets 32-33 mpg, but then again i dont drive the speed limit all the time. For a 4 cylinder it does have a lot of pep!!!!!!!! Its the best!!!!

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  99 3.4L v6 2 door GT - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Jay - July 14 - 11:50 am

  My wife bought the car before we met. In the last 3 years the car needed new brakes and rotors, intake gasket(which cost $863), and it had an ignition/ electrical problem. The security light would come on and the car would not start. We would have to leave the key in the on position for 10 minutes before the computer would allow the car to be started. It cost just over $200 to fix with no guarantee. Brakes are starting to go out again. Overall its an ok car.

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  My first car... - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By tinakilznuts - July 12 - 9:46 am

  I bough my 2006 grand prix in 2009..it was clean title, excellent condition I got a carfax report & it showed it belonged to a rental & leasing company then later repoed by an owner I am the fourth owner but it had 101849 miles even though people say its bad to buy a car with high mileage I still did it & its going on two years 134,000 miles later & I do not regret it at all I get its regular oil changes & i havent needed to make no major repairs.

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  love my grand am - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By paulette - July 11 - 6:30 pm

  I bought it 2 years ago and I love it and dont what to part with it I am keeping it and passing it on to my kids

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  Front Seats are Torture - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By CJ73160 - July 11 - 11:30 am

  The only real complaint I have with this car is the front seat design. It is very uncomfortable to me. I prefer a more flat seat. The side supports in the seat and back begin to bother me after about half an hour of driving. They are helpful when cornering fast, but they are a real pain otherwise. The bottom seat surface is hard and uncomfortable, too.

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  Not a happy customer - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Chris - July 11 - 2:50 am

  I bought this car used and I think it had around 45,000 on it. One month later I had to have the transmission replaced. Needless to say, I wasnt too happy, but I did end up getting a GM warranty when I purchased it. Now, about 11 months later, it sounds like its acting up once again. Get an extended warranty, unless you dont plan on keeping it for very long. And like with all warranty work, the dealers like to take their sweet time getting your car repaired...

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  One Of The Best All Around Sedans Ever! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Steve S. - July 10 - 9:06 pm

  The 2004 Grand Prix GTP is one of the best all around cars I have ever owned! It has the power of a V8, the gas mileage of a 4-6 cyl, handles curves and looks great. I am a Pontiac enthusiest who loves to drive my cars, I not only drive this car to work everyday (28 miles round trip) and get 23 MPG and 28 MPG highway, but I drive on twisty roads and even around Road Atlanta. I purchased this car new and just turned over 45,000 miles and have had 3 small problems since new (intermiate shaft greased, a couple of rear defrost lines out and water leak above reading lights). It has been a great car and I cant say enough about it, very fast, handles, great looks, cool interior and options.

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  Happy with my Pontiac - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By tad0729 - July 10 - 5:46 pm

  I have had my Pontiac for almost two years now and have had no issues with the car. It runs well, has power, and is fun to drive. My average gas mileage is about 22 miles per gallon which is decent considering that fact that this is a 3.5 liter 6 cylinder engine. With almost 95K miles on my car, stills runs perfectly.

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  Fun,fun,fun - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Ronald Clement - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I used to own a Geo Prizm, (a rebadged Toyota Corrola), and I liked it. (A woman hit me and totaled it.) I then bought the Vibe (built on the Toyota Corrola frame). And I love it. I can fold down the back seats and fit all my band equipment and still get 35 MPG! Try that with a van or SUV.