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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  Ode to my Pontiac - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Noumenon - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Sunfire used in Dec. 97, w/30k mi. I drove it to 112k mi. and it never broke down or needed mechanical repairs. Just normal maintenance. Most reliable car I ever had. Made it through 6 accidents. The metal body had a good heavy weight to it and I always felt safe in it. (It was finally done in on the 7th accident by a Suburban traveling 50+mph). Excellent gas mileage. Las Vegas to Phoenix on one tank of gas. Hugged the road in tight turns on a mountain grade at high speeds no problem. It could pull a U- turn on a dime. It would accelerate on command in an instant without hesitation. I will truly miss this car.

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  built to put a smile on your face - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jmdz06 - June 1 - 10:00 am

  it took 6 months for me to decide what my next car would be. i looked at everything from the 99 impreza 2.5, to the firebird formula-then i test drove a 1997 gtp coupe. simply put, the car is fabulous. yes, the firebird had more grunt, and yest the impreza is more fun to drive in rain, but the gtp combines excellent performance, good looks, and provides a level of comfort foreign to both of my other choices. not to mention that you can speed past a camaro or firebird in a red gtp, and watch the other chump get pulled over!

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  Bang for the Buck - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By gcatena - June 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most fun car I have ever driven the power of the V-8 is superb. Im surprised with some of these reviews saying they had major problems. The only problem I have had in three years is the clutch sticking and that just turned out to be a bushing that was out of alignment. Maybe I was lucky, but my Formula has been prefroming like a champ since purchase and I ride it hard. Could use a little sprucing up with the interior, but what do you expect for under $30K.

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  2002 Trans Am, Ram Air, Hatchback - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Black_Bird - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I knew I wanted a sports car for my next vechile. I drove a GT Mustang and then the Trans Am (with Ram Air). The Mustang just didnt compare to the Trans Am. The Trans Am is just a pleasure to drive. I use the car as my everyday car and I look forward to getting behind the wheel and driving to work (or sitting in Washington DC traffic more apporiately).

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  Fun vehicle - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mike s - May 31 - 9:53 am

  Have enjoyed this car from day one. As a automotive mechanics instructor I know cars and this is a good one. This thing has give me one problem wheel bearings the left bearing got loose at 45000 well out of warranty but Franks Pontiac in Lyndhurst,NJ repaired it at no charge even though I could have fixed it myself. The handling is great for a decent sized car as are the brakes. The engine is GMs bulletproof 3.8 Normally aspirated V-6. I replaced the tires with BF Goodrich Traction T/as at 39K the thing handles like a sports car great in rain/snow and NJs horrendous roads. Still looks good and runs great after 75000 miles. I plan to buy another in a short time.

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  Love the car, but hate the interior!! - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By Theresa - May 31 - 3:40 am

  I love the vibe, but I always get shocked by the interior everytime I exit the car. And it is very rough! The gas mileage is excellent! I have no idea why but we just had to replace the computer because our check engine light was coming on and they said when it shows the code it was showing, GM said to replace the computer, so were hoping thats not an on going problem. The brakes do squeak, but not all the time. Over all the vibe is a fun car to own!

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  4 door model - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By steve b. - May 30 - 2:46 am

  Our car is a 2003 4 door model, which i guess was sold only in Canada. Its actually been pretty reliable except for the power windows. Ive had to replace the motors in several of the windows,some multiple times, and now this spring they are acting up again.Its about $300 a shot for the motors. Two of the interior door panels have popped loose and the digital clock/radio light has died. Ill be getting rid of it soon.

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  No wonder they stopped making pontiacs - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Brian - May 29 - 9:26 am

  I brought my car to the dealership to get 4 things done. Oil change, replace windshield, fix my back seat b/c it wasnt going down, and fix my break lights. My break lights were reversed. They would always be on and when I hit the breaks they would go off. Really safe. They had my car for over a week and didnt give me a rental. When I got it back 2/4 things were done. They forgot to replace the windshield and never fixed the back seat. A couple months later, the break lights reversed again. Im a school teacher and if 25% of my students were passing Id be fired.

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  Last of a great car - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By grand prix no more? - May 28 - 9:30 pm

  I am on my third gran prix and wish they would keep making them. This is a good car is you drive 20k miles a year. You can drive it for 8 years, get 160k and move on. You can not beat it for the price. Everyone raves about the foreign cars in this class but those cars cost $8k more and those owners put money into the car. I will miss this one when it is done.

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  Ive died and gone to heaven!!!! - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By Carla V - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I just got this car, but have been dreaming about it for years!! My 3rd firebird and my favorite!! Took me a long time to find exactly what I wanted...black, ram air, WS6, 6 speed, t-tops. I cant wait to race it!! Anyone who thinks their luxury car is better can kiss my butt!! Im sad they dont make them anymore, so if you want one better get one while you still can before they are all worn out and used up!!