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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  A Great Sportscar - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By ken32708 - April 7 - 11:08 pm

  I have owned this car since it was new. Although it has had some problems, it is after all a sportscar and you can expect them. With just over 100,000 miles on it now, I finally had the plugs changed and the second round of new coils and wiring. That and replacing the muffler with a Flowmaster have restored the old higher power capability again. Also, I replaced the Monsoon stereo with a Sony that has is XM capable and added a 10" bass tube that LOOKS LIKE a NOX tank. The kids and grandkids want to know what I want to do with the car when I die and I tell them, Im being buried in it. When all the Firebirds are gone, the world will be a dimmer place.

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  Good Value and Performance - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Dominickc1 - April 5 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Grand Prix GTP as this is what the company I work for issues (Revious years were 2000 and 1997). The 2004 GTP w/ Comp. Group Pack. is the way to go. A little more refined versus previous years though drivers seat is mounted way to high for a sports car. Tap Shift works well and is fun to operate although not required to get the performance.. The Supercharger (GTP) is and well worth it. Heads Up Display is great and controls are improved. I do miss the Auto Night Vision Review Mirror Light Dimmer though.. GM please send me one. Performance is excellent and very responsive, ride is stiffer, steering is tighter and brakes are improved.

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  Little Maintenance Requiered - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Corey - April 3 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my 2004 Sunfire since it had 6 miles on it; oil changes have been at 15,000 miles or more intervals (I use Synthetic. Today well driving to work she just hit 125,000 miles and runs like the day I bought it. The engine runs smooth, still gets 26mpg in the city and 31 on the highway. With all that said I have had few major issues. This year I had to replace the fuel pressure regulator, catalytic converter and the fuel tank purge solenoid. Other than that, 2 set of breaks, 2 ignition modules and 1 set of tires. The car is reliable and has never left me stranded, still has the factory exhaust, serpentine belt, spark plugs and transmission fluid. total Maint cost so far ($2200)

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  10 year original owner - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Eric D - April 1 - 2:33 pm

  Bought my Grand Prix Dec 26, 1999. Absolutely loved to drive it. The car was great until it hit about 75k miles, then things really started to wear down. Had one major repair of the rack and pinion and power steering at the same time. Was about a $1500 repair. Many other little things also began to fall apart since 75k. Driver power window quit working. Gas gauge began to malfunction and I had to track the fuel level with the trip odometer. Also, the low coolant light was always lit and even the fluids were topped off. The carpeting wore very early on. Overall, it was a satisfying ownership but mostly because I paid it off two years earlier then I had expected and owned it free and clear.

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  llllllllooooovvvvvveeeeee it! - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ruby718 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Just recently my Grand Am was totaled. I am quite sad to see it go. It had 103,800 miles and was still as reliable as the day we got it. We never had a problem with it. We even had a trailer hitch put on and would tow a trail every summer vacation. Still no problems. I just hope I can find a car as reliable as that one! I hope to stick with Grand Am. The only con seat could be a little more comfortable and a little more leg room in back for the kids in car seats.

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  Fun Sedan - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By ejant - March 28 - 10:00 am

  This was my third Bonny. 90 and 96 prior years. This it one strong sedan. Not too much out there can be comparable in performance for a sedan. Truly "Luxury with Attitude". The alternator went on it at 23,000 and the transmission at 34,500. other than that nil. Ya gotta drive it to beleive it.

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  lovin the ride - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ibike - March 28 - 10:00 am

  i took a chance on this car as opposed to the camaro. glad i did. with 200HP and 225 FPT you really cant go wrong. i have run a few times against mustang, BMW, Benz, acura.... beat em all with a stock domestic! the only thing i would have done differently would be to opt for the GTP. once you drive one you will wish you could add a supercharger!

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  hurrah - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By juniper - March 25 - 10:00 am

  its great: fast, reliable. i enjoy driving it and it is comfortable. the new design is way cuter than the older models.

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  POOR GM RESPONSE TO PROBLEMS - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By SIERRA - March 25 - 10:00 am

  OVERALL QUAILITY BETTER THAN PAST EXPERIENCE WITH GM.GREAT OVERALL PERFORMANCE AND FUN TO DRIVE.STYLING IS NEAT, CLEAN AND ABSENT THE USUAL PONTIAC CLADDING FROM END TO END.BRAKES WORK WELL BUT PEDAL TRAVEL IS EXCESSIVE AND TAKES GETTING USED TO

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  GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Canadiangirl - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Car is comfortable, sporty, great gas mileage, and fun to drive. BUT, there is always a but... 45000 miles and I had to replace the fuel pump module, an expensive job, thank God for extended warranties. Also had a bunch of wierd little electronic glitches, radio listens to what it feels like when I turn it on, dome light wont dim after I reset the change oil light.