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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  Hate this freakin car SOOOOOOOOO Much - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By P.O.S. car - December 25 - 11:50 pm

  Had this car for 6 years and have nothing but problems with this car. Initially, the car was fun to drive and fulfilled its purpose. After about a year and a half, everything started going south. This piece of crap has front rotor, rear drum brakes. As such, the brakes wear down pretty quick. Have replaced brakes/pads/rotors 5 times so far. Have also replaced entire ignition system, fuel tank, fuel pump, and various other things. Bought car new for $14k and, so farm have spent about $7- $8k in repairs over the life of ownership. DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT BUYING THIS CAR.

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  Problems All Over - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Really? - December 13 - 10:10 pm

  Where do I start. I purchased this car in 2000 and was initially happy with it. Then after 8000 miles the front brake pads were worn and badly warped. With brand new ones installed, I lasted another 22000 miles,while the rear shoes and drums never wore. The dealers response was dont ride the brakes. I downshifted every opportunity and with 90% highway miles, that never really was a problem. So after about 6 adjustments and rotors I purchased slotted rotors. 48000 miles and no problem. Brake bias problem some engineer overlooked I assume. 2 water pumps, starter, intake manifold gasket,etc. With all the preventative maint. done one can wonder what would happen if you slipped on one service.

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  as unreliable as a suzuki forenza!!!!! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By drivenitall80 - December 13 - 12:30 pm

  horrible car, my gf had one when she moved in with me and even before she moved in it was constantly in the shop for engine problems, wierd noises, no ac, no heat, stalling, power loss, i bought my gf a jeep for her bday and now the worthless piece of GM sits in our driveway, were trying to sell it, otherwise we let family use it when they come stay with us, she bought the car for 8000 we put 12000 into it.

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  POJ - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By deanke - December 4 - 2:36 am

  This was the biggest waste of money I have ever seen. I will never by a GM product again. I had to get the intake gasket replaced twice which was over $1200 each time. The headlights, heat, air conditioning, and windows stopped working. It burned anti-freeze and I had to replace blown-out tires 3 times. NEVER buy this car!!

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  Stuck with it and hate it! - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Jen - October 28 - 11:50 pm

  Got the sport edtion 10/07. Before the end of the year had door panel fixed (it was cracked) door handle inside was peeling, button on shifter knob and on shifter shaft both peeled,very slow acceleration,blower motor had to be fixed,speaker doesnt work in drivers door anymore,leak stain on my head liner by windshield, had to fix lower control arm bushings (after only a year), rims started peeling, center caps fell out, i am the only one ever in my car and the passenger door is cracked now, love the spoiler since i drive on the highway a lot ( it blocks the bright headlights from shining in my face)paid $18,000 and now only worth $5,000 and it is in great shape besides miles on it.

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  Dont Buy One - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Upset Owner - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Two blown head gaskets in under 30,000 miles, do I need to say any more? I forgot to mention that it had to be return after 4 miles for a loose wheel. There are too many small problems to list.

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  Dont Ever buy Pontiac - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Rodney Rollins - September 29 - 3:06 pm

  Car was a disaster from the first year owned. 12 visits to the shop for brakes, mirror knob kept falling off, and visor. I have gone thru 3 radiators, 4 alternators, 2 starters, then it was determined there was a recall on the starter switch, after years of turning key repeadetly on to start, it is determined to be a fire hazard, and needed immediate recall. You think that might have something to do with all the electrical problems. 1 month after fixing the switch the starter went out again, and Pontiac refused to believe the faulty starter switch was to blame. I have since had the seat fail (my wife who is 120 lbs drove this car), and finally the engine gave out at 106k miles.WONDERFUL

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  Look but dont buy! This car is horrible - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By pontiac no more - September 27 - 4:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this car since 2000 miles. Constant vibration and bounce that dealer cant fix. Got GM involved but nothing resolved. Recently had the rotors resurfaced, again, oil level sensor broke, seat weld broke and more rattles. 20,000 miles later and the vibration still there. Finally called a lawyer. Im just glad I leased! No wonder the big 3 are failing, poor quality and lack of interest in consumers!

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  G6 Never Again! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Brent455 - September 10 - 10:26 am

  This is the worst car I have ever owned. The Sun visors fall out if you try and move them to the side windows, the starter re-engages on its own after start up, the throttle sticks open from time to time, the wind deflector on the moon roof broke about two weeks after purchase.

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  Will never buy Pontiac again!!!! - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Kristina - September 2 - 3:46 am

  When I first saw this car, I had to have it. It was sporty, roomy, and a good affordable price. Well, you get what you pay for!!! I have had to bring it in the shop several times....a ball joint and power steering column replacement, random lights bulbs go out all the time, keyless entry failed all of a sudden, belt replacement, shock replacement. I mean come on!!! The car isnt even that old. Might I add that I purchased the model with the panoramic sunroof...what a piece of crap. The noisiest ride ever. It is so loud I can barely stand it. I think it was cheaply made...looks good from the exterior, but runs like a cheap go-cart!! Thank god i bought an extended warranty