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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  Dont buy the 2000 Grand Prix - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Bill12215 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  My 3rd GP - getting worse. My 1990 was a good car traded in at 60,000 miles. My 1994 developed transmission problems at 50K miles but toughed it out until 100K when it finally failed. My 2000 is terrible. The front windshield gushed water when it rained after 2 weeks - was missing about 4 inches of caulk. The radio died. The replacement died. After 2 years more water leaks coming in from the roof. The interior lights will no longer go off - fuse pulled. At 50K miles this cars transmission is failing worse than the previous one. Its made it to 60K miles but it wont make it to 70K. Its a fun car to drive but I would not recommend it.

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  Good Car - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Rume75 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  i just bought my car a couple of days ago so i only have a few coplaimants or wishes, I think they should have given the seats more cushion, i wish my car had cruise control

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  Avoid - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By nothappy4321 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The trunk leaks. I used a garden hose and found that water is making it through the weather-stripping and streaming right down into the spare tire well. The back passenger floor also gets wet when it rains, probably bad weather -stripping. The drivers side window makes a groaning noise when I power it down. The car clunks when making turns. I thought the clunk was due to the intermediate steering shaft which the GM claims he fixed but now Im being told its a bad front strut bearings.

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  Nice Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By bean - March 21 - 10:00 am

  My last vehicle was a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I was tired of the ride and the poor mileage. The Grand Prix has been a nice surprise so far. I get lots of comments on how sharp the car looks (red Metallic exterior). The ride is smooth and the mileage accepable (24mpg city/country). Im anxious to see how the car responds in the snow.

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  Steering Wheel Problems - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Carla - March 20 - 9:53 pm

  My husband and I purchased the g6 gt less than one month ago. It was love at first sight until it was time to parallel park on the streets of New York/New Jersey (which is a must living in the City). After a few left and right turns the wheel suddenly got extremely stiff that it was nearly impossible for my 63" 200 lbs husband to turn the steering wheel any further to park properly. Took the car back to the dealer to have it tested and he found the same problem. He contacted GM about problem waiting for a response since it seem to be a manfacture problem. The dealer also test another car but the wheels were not as stiff.

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  Great Car - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ken - March 20 - 2:10 pm

  great looking car, great handling, the 3800 V6 has everything you need, very reliable motor, not a sportier looking car on the road for the money

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  Great car - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By serbear4u - March 20 - 4:03 am

  This has been an excellent car for me. The only times its been in to be repaired were after it was hit in accidents. Regular maintenance is easy and has carried this car a long way.

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  Nothing can top this - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By Airez - March 19 - 8:20 pm

  I got my car as a certifiedused vehicle from GeneralMotors. I love the whole Firehawk appearence package. Car is even better in stick. This car does 14s with ease, if you put some slicks, even low thirteens.

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  my g-6 - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By wflo - March 19 - 1:46 pm

  I will not buy another G-6 Pontiac, because of all the problems I have had with it! The body style allows the sand from the road to sand blast the lower parts of the car, especially the flare on the rear quarters! Had it painted at 17,000, and now at 35000, it is the same as it was! Have had the brakes worked on 3 times, and again another problem with them! Have contacted GM, and they just as much said sorry about that, we will not buy it back!They need a new design, or some type of lowers body protection! Plus a larger brake disc and pads!

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  Nice CUV - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By Mark C - March 18 - 4:30 am

  We have had this vehicle for almost a year now and have not had a problem with it. It drives very smooth, very appealing exterior which is hard to find right now.