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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  Im done - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By neveragain - August 4 - 2:40 pm

  Well, I love the interior and the sound of a V8 and that’s the extent of my love affair with this car. I have been towed to the dealership twice. Steering issues at the shop three times. Two additional home steering repairs. Serpentine belt tensioner rod broke… towed again! Multiple broken rims and blown tires… low profile and Michigan bad combo. Average MPG 21. Not great, since I drive 90 miles round trip to work daily, of which about 70 is hwy. I am actually paranoid when driving it now waiting for the next break down. I owe $11g on this beautiful heap and gotta get rid of it! Thanks Motor City!

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  Looks nice, not so reliable...... - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By California - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Luved the car at first, very first new fast car... Have always done regular maintance,used only fully synthetic oil,treated this car like my baby, Have brought this car in more times than I want to admit, luckily the dealership talked me into the full warranty or I would have been hosed, the power sterring pump went out, alternator at 60,000, abs light has come on twice to be fixed,anything that was electrical went out!!! signals, daytime running lights,fuel gage, and of course the most expensive the tranny... I luv the looks of it and it got me lots of looks, fast, but just really dissapointing with everything that has gone wrong with it.

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  Same problems - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Jae - July 25 - 5:16 am

  I have had my car going on 2 years, and the major thing I have replaced are thee rotors. However, I do hear an popping noise whenever I am turning the steering wheel, and this happened just a couple of months after purchasing it. My car does tend to shake when stopping, I hope its not the tire rod end. The interior paint is already fading. I do like the acceleration of the vehicle, the style, and the appearance. I just wish GM had put more thought into the other qualities of the vehicle.

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  Never Again! - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By Never Again! - July 22 - 7:20 pm

  Have had nothing but issues. I take it in at least once a month to be fixed, mainly with Brakes and Power steering. Brakes replaced twice fixed four times. First set of brakes were replaced at 9,000 miles. Power steering sensor fixed once then replaced once because it would lock on me while Id drive. Feel very unsafe in this car. Dealership wont do anything for me. Trying to argue the MI Lemon Law with Pontiac Corp. Have also had issues with tire pressure. Lets just say, I will never get a GM again... doing everything I can to get out of this lease!!

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  Not happy - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Okay - July 22 - 1:46 am

  I have had my G.A. for 2.5 years and have had many problems. I have had them replace the radio 2 times for skipping, still skips. The suspension went out in the front a couple of months ago, and it is starting to rattle around AGAIN! When I hit a bump or RR tracks...it jumps around. I have to take it in again because my power steering fluid is leaking and the wheel is making a grinding noise. I have taken it back 3 times for GM to fix the back door, it rattles. GM had to replace the windshield molding bacuse it came off! I took it in FIVE xs because the seat belt light wouldnt turn off (even when buckled). They finally found a short under the seat! I have 35k and looking to trade it in!!

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  Needs improvement - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Bware - July 18 - 3:53 pm

  My wife bought this car before we met. It gets good gas mileage for a car of its size and I like the way it drives. However, she has had a lot of problems with it. There has been 3 recalls for her car. The security light used to come on and the car wouldnt start. The check gauges light comes on and off and the suspension is poor. Ive had major repair done to her car twice in the past two years. Neither of us will buy another one due to the poor quality of the one we now have.

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  Can you say "loose tolerances" - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By WS6er - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Fully loaded 6spd Ram Air WS6 Dissipointed. Suspension is set up for drag racing, not road racing (salivion life). Anoying "squat" when on gas or brakes (car is LOOSE). PISTON SLAP problem at cold startup and lifter noise! At startup 5-10 (hollow scrap/knock) This is your pistons cocking sidways in the cylinder bore until the pistons expand enough to narrow the tolerance. Also, the 6spd manual is a P.O.S. It shifts harshly, binds up, and you can directly from 6th to 3rd to pass someone! It also exibits gear rattle at the bottom of 1st and 2nd

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  Awful mistake - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Collin Wilson - June 1 - 11:03 pm

  So I bought this car used. Had it 3 days the frame broke. After that its been all down hill. The frame then the alternator then the battery then the radio. 3 months and I have to get rid of it! It started out great ended awful!

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  4 door model - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By steve b. - May 30 - 2:46 am

  Our car is a 2003 4 door model, which i guess was sold only in Canada. Its actually been pretty reliable except for the power windows. Ive had to replace the motors in several of the windows,some multiple times, and now this spring they are acting up again.Its about $300 a shot for the motors. Two of the interior door panels have popped loose and the digital clock/radio light has died. Ill be getting rid of it soon.

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  Good Basic Economy Car - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By ClaireW - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Decent economy car. Doesnt have all the bells and whistles but dependable transportation. Sound system package well worth the price. Not as smooth and quiet as more expensive models but good basic transportation. Good in snow and on wet roads.