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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  Go with Toyota - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By 4nessa - December 1 - 10:00 am

  99 GrandAm purchased used in Feb. 01 in excellent condition (per my mechanic) since, the power windows have been replaced, the water pump, trouble with the breaks, the power mirrors dont work, and the cooling fan sensor has been replaced. It sure looks nice, but overall its not worth the trouble. Im buying a Toyota.

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  1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ferd0626 - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I got this car with 62,000 miles on it. Said goodbye when it reached 105 K. The car had good performance by late 90s standards, best 0-60 I did was 8.2 seconds. Steering was decent, but pedal feel was mushy and the headlights were very poor. Fuel economy was mediocre, about 24-26 hwy. Ride quality was average. Liked the exterior styling, especially the tail lights. Interior was not very good, the door and dashboard panels were cheap. Poor assembly, each power window went out at least once, and flimsy cup holders. Besides the windows, other issues included an intake manifold problem, loss of ABS and traction control after a couple of years, and the stereo went out.

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  GM Doesnt Stand By Their Products - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Kris - November 23 - 10:00 am

  With 20,000, our Montana failed inspection and needed all new tires, a new sway bar and new shock absorbers. GM is not standing by their product and refusing to reimburse us for the cost of repairs. I see this as a sign of things to come, so, were dumping this car as soon as we can and buying HONDA. The Montana is my fourth GM car, I would have been a loyal GM customer forever, but not after whats happened.

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  POOR RELIABILITY AND COSMETIC PROBLEMS - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By DISAPPOINTED - November 18 - 3:46 pm

  SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE GAS AND ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, A CLIP ON THE FUEL HOSE MISSING. HAD WATER COMING IN THE OVERHEAD LIGHT CONSOLE NOW I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION, PROBABLY THE TORQUE CONVERTOR. HAVE EXPERIENCED A GRINDING NOISE IN LOW GEAR, PRESSING ON THE GAS AND THE VAN DOES NOT MOVE, WHEELS SPINNING WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD AND CLUNKING FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN GOING FROM HIGH TO LOW GEAR.

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  Problems That Cost Money - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By pfcgtmw - November 14 - 10:00 am

  First, anyone who complains about the look of the vehicle was stupid for purchasing in the first place. 33,000 miles intake gasket leaked and was replaced. 35,000 air conditioner went out. Found a leak in condensor & put in new. 47,000 antifreeze leaking which has been estimated at $1300. drivers side door sticks. only had vehicle for a little over a year so I am not impressed. GM will not do anything about the problems.

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  Some Good-Some Bad - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Terry Sack - October 31 - 1:53 am

  I bought the Vibe because I have had a Corolla with 270,000 miles on it with no problems. Must have gotten a lemon as engine went out at 80,000miles ($5000 and GM laughed at me---never another GM vehicle for me). Also replaced 2 catalytic converters---never did this before on the many, many cars I have owned. Check engine light has been on more than it is off. Noted others had tire problems--so did I. Tire shop said camber was off from factory. Other than the expenses above the car has been fun to drive and gets great mileage---lots of room. I will never deal with GM again, however.

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  Well at least its good for one thing! - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By *GTSpeed* - October 25 - 10:00 am

  I enjoyed cruising on the freeway in it and driving around the city.The sound system was excellent, but a few things needed to be changed.The exterior paint was crap.The handling was probably the largest downfall expecting tight corners and confident manuverability.I recieved upredictable feed back at high speeds and body roll at low.The engine made the car quick and fun to drive, but handling almost got me in the end.I was driving at high speeds around an over pass and hit a bumb in the road that, sent the unsure rearend out to the side of me and I lost control.My passenger and I flew off the edge of the turn.We survived, but the car had poor handling.

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  My 3rd, and most likely last - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Josh Carter - October 15 - 10:13 pm

  No service issues until 40K. Now @ 50K: Transmission, Wheel barings, CV Joints, Tie Rods, Steering rack, Window motor, Dash gauges & lights, Radio, Heated seats, Converter & Exhaust, Rotors, Calipers, Strut mounts, struts, 02 sensors, A/C, mass air flow sensor, injectors and some other engine parts. Now the supercharger is dying, and there is a strong vibration during acceleration that no dealerships can seem to figure out. Also, the car is rusting in spots.

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  Junker - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By michigan - October 6 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new in 10/98 and traded 5/2002. It was loaded and we used it for travel. Had 65,000 primarily highway miles when traded. Had to have a new transmission at 48,000 miles and continual power door problems for 2 years. I had intended to keep but got tired of electical problems eg drivers power window and power door, shaking, bouncy ride. Glad to get rid of it. Always had it serviced at the dealership and they were good.

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  Let Down - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Not Happy - October 4 - 10:20 pm

  When I first saw the G6 I just loved the looks of it. After test driving one I decided to buy it. I have only had my car for nine months and I am very disappointed. I have had problems with rotors, breaks, turn signal burn out, passenger mirror cover breaking, CD player quit working, knocking sounds every time I turn left or right, squeaking sounds, and just today rattling sounds every time I step down on my gas pedal! I had this car in for service four times they say they fix it, but it just starts all over again. My warranty has expired I just want to get rid of it but I owe more than I have paid on it, so I think Im going to be stuck with my G6 lemon for sometime yet!