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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  GM should Be ASHAMED - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By jcc - August 20 - 7:06 pm

  I have owned gm cars for over 40 years this is a piece of #### water leaks when it rains hard, dealer unable to find leak, unable to remove key from ignition at any given time, wind leaks it has very cheap interior, drive train is solid however this not an America made vehicle no parts made in USA zero

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  Danger!!!!! walk away from the looks! - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Sissymlb - July 31 - 9:16 pm

  I bought this car because it looked so good on the lot.(big mistake) 1 week after i bought it the window motor went out then the alternator went i have replace it 4 times about once a year average the ignition switch has broke 3 times ? (over 400.00 a time ) the water pump, the power steering pump, i have replaced the brakes 3 times i have to replace tires twice the whole front end, the straps on the muffler have broke 5 times my cd player quit 6 months after i bought it if you have seen the movie the money pit. im living it with my car like i said when i seen it i had to have it because the looks ....for your own sake keep looking....

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  Cant wait to sell - 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
  By Gayle - June 22 - 5:43 pm

  Manifold repaired, electrical problems everywhere, interior heating and cooling does not work, engine light, air bag and abs sensor lights on, worst vehicle I have ever owned The handling however is the best I have had even over a Honda Civic Family owns a 2000 Montana - same problems so GM is not listening or caring

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  Problem after Problem - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By tpdixon - June 3 - 2:00 am

  My alternator had to be replaced twice in less than two years. The brakes barely last past a year. And the worst problem I have had that has yet to be fixed by the dealership, when I try to turn the car off, the key gets stuck so my lights and battery stay on (but the motor is off), and it stays that way for about 15 minutes before deciding to let go. I took it to a pontiac dealership and they charged me $213 for the problem NOT to be fixed and refused to give me my money back and I have taken it back several times and they still cannot fix the problem.

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  Not a great Vechile - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By Frank Weir - April 17 - 12:23 pm

  Bought it used last year. First rain storm found out how poor it handles in the rain. Traction control is scary when it comes on. It came with four good snow tires but is total useless in the snow. When on ling trip this summer and had reasonable trip except when it rained. Found that the spare tire compartment fills with water when it rains. Lost right side from stereo and the turn signal has no sound. First and last GM product.

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  Should have bought a Honda... - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Kccase - April 11 - 10:00 am

  This car really isnt worth what little money it is worth anymore. A 2000 model year car that is worth under $6000 is worth under $6000 for a reason. The Sunfire is slow and unreliable umong many other downfalls. Last time I ever buy a domestic...

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  This car fell apart on me. - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mloes - April 6 - 9:13 pm

  I bought this car in 2002 when it had less than 30,000 miles. By the time I got rid of it at 130K, both side mirrors were held up with glue, the bottom of the car was held up with a clothes hanger, the front dash was cracked, the security system cut off the fuel system at random times, the fuel gauge was broken, it burned a quart of oil every 200 miles, the power steering fluid would spill out about once every few months, all windows were broken, the shocks were shot, the fan would only work on settings 3, 4 and 5, the knob for the fan was broken and ABS light would come on went I made sharp turns and the car would skid on dry ground regularly. In short, this car was a piece of garbage.

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  Poor Quality - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By JNas - April 3 - 10:03 am

  I bought this vehicle for my son back in 2000. Its done nothing but cost me money. Things that normally dont tear up on vehicles fall apart on this vehicle. From the power windows going bad, emission problems, replaced fuel tank and pump, replaced rear diff, pinion seal, replaced numerous lights switches, power steering pump leaked and on and on. Ive spend almost as much money in keeping this car running as I did when I bought it new. This car has only 68,000 miles on it. My toyota 4 runner has 165,000 and Ive only had to replace the brakes. Ill never buy another American made car.

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  My Lemon - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By sv6regal - March 26 - 10:10 am

  This van has been a POJ since we bought it.The build quailty is bad (paint flaws,poor plastics)@20km the drivers sliding door rubs on wheel moulding (replaced)door adjusted(2xs) defective plastic door cover inside rear hatch area replaced,drivers window run channel replaced,steering shaft replaced(rattle)sway bar link replaced(still a rattle in the steering wheel)drivers sliding door moulding replaced (2xs)peeling,tire noise(crappy GOODYEAR tires)poor fuel mileage,wind noise,not enough leg room for anyone,cheap plastics inside van,could have used a 5spd transmission,the only good thing is the DVD player for the kids.Hard to find snow tires and rims due to odd ball wheel bolt pattern(6x115)

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  1999 Grand Am SE Review - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By paramedic423 - March 23 - 4:53 am

  I have owned my 1999 Grand Am since 2000. It now has 72,000 miles on it. Having problem with rust along the side by the rear wheel wells. At about 50,000 miles the intake gasket went out and needed replacement. Mechanic said that is a typical problem for this car about every 50,000 miles. Radiator also started to leak around 55,000 mile. The front and rear spring rusted thru and broke around 65,000 mile also another typical problem for this car. Have had to replace 2 fuel injectors also. Radio control knob does not work very well any more. My car likes to go thru brakes also. Dont know why. Will be getting rid of this car soon. Other than that not to bad of a car.