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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  Get the extended warranty! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By vsnow - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Two years after purchasing, the altenator needed to be replaced. The brakes have been replaced several times and even with heavy duty brake pads, it still makes noise. This year, the steering rack and pump needed to be replaced and the springs have broken off the struts. The rubber molding around the windows leaks when it rains hard. Get the extended warranty, youre going to need it.

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  Did i pay too much? - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By rich - February 2 - 9:40 am

  I bought a red g8gt last week. List with options was $31,345. I got it for $30,000 even. I was expecting more of a discount, this close to year end. So far my questions/gripes - weird noises when you put it in reverse, especially from the steering gear and rear suspension. No satellite radio available. Faux carbon fiber dash doesnt like Armour all. The seat controls are chintzy. The radio off button isnt on the knob. Interior is a bit dark and depressing. Acceleration and braking are terrific though. The paint is normal red, not metallic?

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  pleasant todrive, smooth - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Taylor - February 1 - 3:46 pm

  I have had an enjoyable travels and no problems that were major and is very stylish and kept fairly clean,car is a one owner seller,has given me great service and still has a while to go will be a pleasure to a new driver has been on many long smooth sailing and as of today I am still cruising it along.

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  I LOVE my Sunfire :) - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By kylo1201 - January 29 - 7:36 am

  I bought my 2003 Sunfire brand new with like 134 miles on it. It now has 106k and it still runs great! Its very reliable, I never worry about driving long trips. I know my baby will make it!! I had to get the left front strut replaced once while it was under warranty but no problems since. I replaced both window motors because they both stopped working. But my husband did it himself so it didnt cost very much. But other than that, No problems!!! I wish they still made this car so I can buy another one :)

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  Transmission failed - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Tranny problem - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I love my 2000 GT, and was very happy with the car until at 72,000 miles my transmission went. I had every scheduled maintenance (including the tranny fluid and filter being changed at 50K) done on the car as scheduled. Transmission place said the seal on the tranny was cracked, thus causing the fluid to leak out and burn out the transmission. $2200.00 later, I am the proud owner of a rebuilt tranny. I was sold on these cars until this, and now question the quality of Pontiacs cars. I called Pontiac about this, and got blown off. I would strongly suggest you have this checked on your next maintenance, and save yourself a big expense.

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  Fun to drive with minor problems - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Bus ODoyle - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Grand Am GT1 with 40,000 miles. Its the nicest car I have ever owned so far even better then my 95 Camaro. Lots of power through out the power curve. But around 50,000 miles I started experiencing the typ. rubbing brake noise, tire pressure light comes on(tires are fully inflated),CD player display doesnt work, fan setting 1-3 dont work, new battery, leaks water if parked at a angle (3 inched of water by my gas peddle),paint is pealing between my door window and back window, Other then that it has been a good car.

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  Steering Problems - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By alank - January 27 - 10:00 am

  1st problem was steering rack replaced at 9000 miles. 2nd problem steering pump replaced at 15000 miles. 3rd problem sensor for variable rate steering replaced at 19000 miles. Car now has 23000 miles. At 16000 miles also replaced front brake pads and rotors. This is the most troublesome car I have ever owned. I plan to trade it in. Lemon Law also crossed my mind.

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  New buyer needs help with quirk! - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By rodgerramjet47 - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Just bought for 15 yr old Son for him to drive in a 6 months, and wife now after some brainless driver side- swiped her beloved 2005 Screeming Yellow mustang! Bought cheap and car is absolutely like new red/black GT AWD. Got from original owner who has regularly documented maint hx and new guaranteed trans. SUV has intermittent very loud intermittent rattle that seems to come from left front. Rattle comes on more when air is on, maybe(?) Thought at first to be worn/loose shocks, but with all the A/C comments, wondering if condenser is failing and making grinding noise-- RPM drop? Note: Air bolws VERY cold!?

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  130,000 and it is dead - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Kasten - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I have my Pont for 7 years had no problem. When it hit 119,450 miles the transmission broke down. I sent it to mechanick and he said it was factory defect. He showed to me that old transmission and I could see that it cracked exacly in the middle all round the transmission. OK I asked him to change and get another one with 80,000 on it. Which hi did. I was driving it for a year. Big oil consumption. In 3000 miles i had to add 2.5 quars of oil. When it was 130,000 My motor broke down in the middle of the higway. I barely got to my brothers house. And I am not fixing it. What, Do i have to change motor and transmission every 130,000 Miles?

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  I love my new Torrent! - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Tammy - January 22 - 3:56 am

  This is a great auto for someone who likes the bigness of a SUV but wants the better gas mileage and size of a car.