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 lot of car for the price - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By rick - January 21 - 1:43 pm

  The first impression I had was how quiet this car is. With less than 200 miles on it, we took it on a 300 mile trip. I couldnt believe a car that weighs 3400 lbs. could get 32mpg! This car is roomy and has every option imaginable, with the exception of a built in garage door transmitter. I have yet to discover any defects, inside or out. Handles well and has good performance. I couldnt be happier.

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  Fantastic Car! - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Motor75 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  This car -- the 2003 model -- is absolutely fantastic. It rides great, it has ample power and the interior options (mine is fully loaded) is fantastic. This car is great on long road trips and also the quick jont to the store. I have no idea why they redesigned it!

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  comfortable-fuel /elect/eng. probs. - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By poundcake - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I love the extended cab-the interior is comfortable...but alot of electrical problems ,a faulty fuel system and now a costly leaking gasket......

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  I HAVE ENJOYED MY GRAND AM GT - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By LADYBUGGIRL - January 20 - 10:00 am

  AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR A VEHICLE. VERY DEPENDABLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH MINE. DRIVES SMOOTH, VERY FUN TO DRIVE. I LOVE THE BODY STYLE. ABSOLUTELY THE BEST CAR IVE EVER OWNED. I HATE TO SELL IT, BUT I HAVE TO MOVE UP TO AN SUV NOW TO HAVE MORE ROOM FOR OUT GROWING FAMILY. I WILL MISS MY GRAND AM...:(

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  2009 Pontiac Vibe - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By jmklein - January 19 - 8:40 pm

  I have just purchased a new 2009 Vibe with optional auto/manual shift package, 17 chrome rims/rear spoiler, and other little misc. options as well. The car is definitely worth its weight in gold, I traded in my 2003 Grand Am, and am very impressed that Pontiac has stuck with the great responsive, sport like steering. The car overall has great body lines, interior is comfortable, and the fold down rear seats including the passenger are a great feature. The overall pick-up response of the car is very impressive, especially in manual mode where you can get the few extra RPMs when wanting to get that "race feel." Overall, you can feel the great quality everytime you get behind the wheel.

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  GT is an Awesome car! - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Frankie - January 19 - 7:06 pm

  I really Love the Grand Prix, as a former GTO [I have had four of them] owner I am very impressed with the performance of the Supercharged 6 cylinder. The car has a great stereo, dual climate control, heated sets and remote start. A lot of fun to drive! Awesome acceleration with the Eaton Supercharger! 17 inch wheels and wide-track provide a really nice ride.

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  Very Good Car - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Ozzie - January 18 - 10:33 pm

  I bought a 2005 Sunfire with 28k miles on it and after one year and 16k later my Sunfire is getting better despite considering that I bough it with a salvage title (the car was in an accident). I put $15 on gas and my Sunfuire is taking me to work all week and my job is 18 miles from home.

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  I simply like it - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Dimitri - January 18 - 7:53 pm

  I work for a car-rental company, and in the past 7 years I have driven hundreds of different domestic and Japanese models. I have to say that I love this car, and I cant get out of it. I am glad that GM has finally decided to compete with the rest of the world.

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  Please dont buy this truck! - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Naomi Milligan - January 18 - 12:54 pm

  I purchased my 2006 Pontiac Torrent used but GM certified the day after I drove it off the lot I had to take it back for an oil pan seal (luckily the dealer covered that since I had the car less than 24 hours) that was just the beginning and I should have RAN!! I have had this truck 3 years and thus far I have replaced the following: tires, 16 wheel bearings (all by different mechanics to rule out mechanics error), rear end, carrier bearing, CV axles (front and rear), brakes and rotors, 4 alignments (to try and fix the wheel bearing issue), ball joints, control arms, EGR tube, ABS sensor, factory radio (switched for an actermarket as Ive heard of sooooo many issues with the factory ones), cruise control, steering column, windshield washer motor, windshield (x3 dont let a pebble hit the glass, ever!), and after JUST putting over a grand in to it not even a month later (which seems to be about the timeline I get in between repairs) the check engine light is on, the alternator is going out, and there is an all too familiar grinding starting back up. I have actually decided to get a second vehicle as this one is in the shop SO MUCH and every time I go to sell it, something else BREAKS and I have to get it repaired. I am not one to beat my vehicles up (I hate paying for repairs!) and this thing STILL is nothing but problems! The interior is also cheaply made as there is paint coming off the door handles and the radio surround. Oh! And the bumper brackets broke about a month after I bought it (and continued to break) so I got innovative and started using cable ties, probably the most reliable part on this entire vehicle!!! STAY AWAY FROM THIS VEHICLE AT ALL COST!!!! Ive estimated about 8 grand (so far) in repairs and as soon as the check engine light came on it started idling hard (non-permissible content removed)!

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  05 Pontiac Sunfire - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By ladevic - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought my sunfire with 5,000 miles on it. It had done well besides some issues.. The first was the dash, had to replace that after two weeks since the gauges all fell.. now my problem is the electrical, things keep shorting out.. other than that the car is great. Drive to NY twice a year 700 miles each way, to Fla each year and to work each day. Knock on wood, it hasnt failed me yet. Great at high speeds, low speeds and gas mileage is the best. Oil changes every 5-7000 miles..