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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  Pontiac .....Were Back! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By TNVet - September 7 - 8:00 am

  We sold our 99 Bonneville SE which we had been driving for seven years, with our ONLY mechanical repair being a defective fuel pressure regulator which ended up being a recall item, but only cost $70 bucks. Did I mention the car had 178,000 miles on it! We knew we wanted to stay with GM, and Pontiac, my wife is the primary driver and fell in love with the G6 as soon as she seen it. It has the 3.5 liter which has been around for many years, with two (2) displacement upgrades it is the old 2.8Lt v6, then it was upgraded to the 3.1Lt, now it is the 3.5 and the HP is awesome!

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  06 G6 With a V6 - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By KellyG - September 7 - 3:50 am

  Overall Great Car! I have only had this car for a month, and I love it. Although I have had 3 or 4 instances where my wheel will lock up when I shift out of park into drive and my check engine light comes on. I shut the car off and it turns on without the engine light coming on. Kinda weird with only 30,000 miles on the car. I love the way it rides, very quite engine!

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  Great Car Reliable and fun - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By aimee - September 7 - 3:40 am

  I purchased this car with 20,000 miles on it. I love it! It now has 112,000 miles on it. The idea of trading it in for a newer model saddens me. This car is perfect for a 16 year old or anyone looking for a reliable car with decent gas mileage.

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  I love this car - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By lillovebug09 - September 6 - 10:00 am

  It was a great car I have it right now but will be trading it for a newer car, havent had any problems with it :)

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  Great car just needs taken care of right - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By amariscruz - September 6 - 10:00 am

  Love my car its a 98 Grand Am GT. Handles like no other fuel economy is great. This car is good it just needs taken care of. Sounds like the guy above who had to replace all those things on his car a month after buying it had a leak in his radiator but kept trying to drive it like that thats why it messed up his head gasket. You"ll love to drive this car fast and fun

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  Great Car. Will Buy Another Again. - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By VazDdrae - September 6 - 10:00 am

  This is my first car, which was bought from a craigslist seller. At first I didnt care to much for it since it was common, but i later realized how nice this car really looks compared to others I see on the road today. The interior is nice, and easily customizable. The exterior of the car is nice, and looks sporty. I have had only one issue with it. It died once at a stop sign, it started back up and was fine and had not had this problem for over a year now. When my brother gets this car, I will probably just buy another (newer) Pontiac Grand Am.

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  Buyer Beware! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Worst Car Ive Owned - September 6 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my 2006 Pontiac G6 for almost 5 years. Very disappointing and lots of maintenance issues beginning at 12,000 mi. Engine, electronic steering, wheel, and paint issues. Very cheap interior plastic parts that continue to break or pop off, condensation in headlight, and now CD player has quit working altogether. I take care of the cars I buy but this one has been non-stop repair bills.

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  Uh oh - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Holly - September 6 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car with 19,000 miles on it. Replaced mirror covers several times. Uncontrollably shakes while breaking. Clicking sound when turning and now with 61,000 miles on it my engine smells of burning and a metal rubbing sound with acceleration. Highly upset and do not recommend to anyone.

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  Post recall thoughts - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By WTH - September 6 - 12:33 am

  Much better than the previous model. Much more comfortable. Much peppier. No problems merging on to hi-ways and fun on back roads. Great in rain and snow. If you have a strong ego its more car than youd ever need.

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  Super - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Carol - September 5 - 10:50 pm

  I love my G6!! It is the easiest car to maneuver. My husband cant wait til the weekend arrives so he can drive it too...