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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  been a pretty good car - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By shadetreemechanic - August 6 - 1:50 pm

  Bought vehicle @50k repair trans pressure solenoid @75k change plugs, wires, hoses, battery, tires, front wheel bearings @100k replace water in headlamps @110k change coolant and trans fluid @125k ac leak @145k squirrel cage fan squeal @150k lower intake manifold and valve covers @160k replace front brakes every 25k and rear every 50k change oil every 6k change air filter every 12k car has been maintained pretty well, and has performed acceptable. I have enjoyed the car, but am getting tired of it. The car now has significant squeak and rattle and the exterior is showing signs of rust. I will drive the vehicle until the next transmission failure, which I anticipate at 200k.

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  Vibe / Matrix Mediocre car at best - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By spark123 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Expensive car to maintain and drive. Maintainence parts hard to come by. Car requires special tires $125 each for cheapest. Poor fuel economy for size 28MPG Highway. Poor acceleration. Poor HVAC system. Harsh ride. Fair handling. Lots of squeaks and rattles. Found out after I bought it it actually was a Toyota. Reliability is good after 70000. Large blind spots at all 4 corners.

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  lovely - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By chelsie - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE IT... its the best care ever...and the dealer was awesome

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  GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By macgee - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I like the overall balance of acceleration, braking, and handling with the excellenct seats and stereo. Buy a leftover 2004 now and enjoy a boffo car at an unbelievable price.

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  Red on red. - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Doctor Dutch - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Much superior daily handling than the Trans Am it replaced. Its faster, has a drop dead gourgous interior and is tight as a drum. Driving it after owning two T/As in a row takes a bit of getting used to but its well worth the wait. It was like going from a shifter cart to a Formula racer. It has done things in the handling department the F-cars could never approach. The IRS makes a big difference in keeping the rubber on the road. This car seems German in its execution. Fit and finish is excellent, both interior and exterior. Materials and workmanship are the best ever for a GM car. Though the price seemed high initially, after living with the car, it ture out to be a bargain. Awesome!!

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  Wowo what a car!! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO Steve - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for about 6 months now and its performance is unbelivable.. I have to say that besides the high cost it was well worth the money that was paid. I aslo got a 6sp not the auto.

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  Very Disappointed - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By mad@gm - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Purchased vehicle new in Dec 03 from Conkle pontiac. Problems with interior features from day 1. Winshield leaked damaging the headliner. In the first month of ownership the van was in the shop 20 days. The dealership has never fixed the problems and are now refusing to work on it. My audio controls and all my interior lights are hanging down. Windows do not operate properly. it has a continuing popping noise that is very loud and now my engine has developed a knock. Would not recommend this vehice to anyone.

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  GREAT CAR have had 1 big problem - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By gmforever - August 5 - 6:03 pm

  i love the car to death i really do. great car and it does get attention even without doing mods or anything major to it. i got the car back in SEPT 2011 as a birthday gift from me to myself. 1 month after i got the car the number 5 valve bolt popped out and we had to rethread the hole which was a pain.but ever since i have had nothing at all just minor problems. headlights were too fogged over couldnt even get it cleaned up enough to make them look good or even improve driving at night. so brought new ones and thats really it. if anyone has had this problem tho please POST because seems im the only one so far with it thanks

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  Still Impressed - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By JB29MD - August 5 - 3:26 pm

  I purchased my G5 (Manual Trans.) in September of 06. 6 months later, I am still impressed. The fuel economy is outstanding. All of my miles are interstate/highway miles, and tank after tank I average 34-36 mpg. The pickup is sweet. Turns are remarkably easy and U turns still make me smile. Great car for the money.

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  Pleased as punch - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By rls1976 - August 4 - 2:53 pm

  I was not in the market for a GM product, but had to go with GM, liked the looks of this car and am in love with it. Fun to drive on my hour and a half commute, and comfortable too. Sporty. My boyfriend is a gearhead and he even likes this car. Everyone who sees this car loves it. My passengers are comfy. I moved after purchasing the car, and it carried my stuff like a dream, way better than my previous car, a 2004 Dodge would have. I feel very safe with the Onstar, and the airbags and all the safety features. Only downfall is that my boyfriend is 64" and he doesnt fit right in the car when driving. He is very cramped and says that the high panels on the doors feel wierd.