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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  A Far Cry from Driving Excitement - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By LCS - July 6 - 10:00 am

  This was my first new car and I was very excited, but in the past 3 years, Ive had too many problems to list. I held onto the car since I had an extended warranty, but when they refuse to honor this telling me that a water leak isnt a manufacturers defect, that is where I draw the line. Too many problems and poor customer service! Driving excitement? I think not!

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  junk - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Chris - July 4 - 11:03 pm

  Had trouble from the start. security light shuts down the engine. car wont start. tow about 17 times since I bought it in June 08. fuel went frame squeaks. not dependable

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  Good car but theres better out there - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mtnbiker44 - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Its a nice little car, but the quality could be better. Our company has leased many of these cars and we have had numerous electrical and brake problems. Other than that, not a bad little car. Personally I would get a Saturn, Honda, or Nissan instead (If I had to buy one).

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  Garbage - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By sixatbat1 - June 13 - 9:01 pm

  Bought used with 65,000 miles. 6 speed manual. It was a great performer and very fun to drive, but had a plethora of problems. After I got rid of my Ford Ranger 4x4 (daily driver) this became my daily. Whenever I would accelerate and bring the car to about 4300 rpm, all electronics would cut off and the headlights would get brighter, sometimes causing the bulbs to blow. Had an airbag light go on for no reason and it seemed to fix itself. Rode like crap, handling was mediocre, and build quality was less than spectacular. But it sure sounded good. I blew mustangs away all the time. It can also lay down rubber like nobodys business too. And fuel milage was surprisingly good. Almost 30 MPG hwy.

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  Fried - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Sorryiboughtit - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Major problems with the ignition & computerized parts. Replaced the ignition, body control module, fuel pump, master power control module(last one was still under warranty). Four major repairs between 40,000 and 45,000 miles.

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  Un-reliable and Un-Safe! - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By Zach - May 29 - 5:13 pm

  We loved the traction control, and the load leveling system at first. In Dec., everything went wrong! load leveling system stopped working in awkward stance and it was more up in the back then the front. dealer charged us $863.00 for that to be fixed. Then the headgasket went and the emergency brake failed when parked. After we got all of that fixed, an accident ouccured in January. We were on the NYS Thruway and we were going on a trip. Then we were hit in the back of the minivan by a SUV and then we slammed into the pick-up truck in front of the van and intruded into my wife and I and we were sent to the hospital, and my wife was in a coma for 4 months. Will never buy a GM again!

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  Never buying american made again. - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By bob - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I purchased one and all I have to say I will never buy a GM vehicle ever again. Im always on top of any maintenance and im not a crazy driver, this car has been a money pit, something breaks on it every 5000 miles, im on my third engine, and have had nothing but problems with the rest of the drive train. For the amount ive put in, to keep it going I could have bought a new car. next car will be a honda after seeing what American made can do. now I see why GM has had such low sales over the years.

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  Wish Id never seen this car - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By BadCar - May 24 - 5:30 am

  When I bought the car, it was just a few months old. It had been a fleet car and had only 11,000 miles on it. The main problem I have had is with the electrical system. It has gone out countless times at almost $400 a pop to get it fixed. The dash warning lights all come on at any given time, but then I can shut it off and restart it and they go out. The passenger side mirror fell off. The brakes need replacing every year. The drivers side power window went out. I was driving down the highway at 70 mph. and it just quit for no apparent reason. Of course it had no power steering or brakes, so that was fun trying to pull off the road. Also my CD player went out within a year of purchase.

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  Run Away! - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By jtexas - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Run away from this vehicle as fast as you can. Bought new, loved the features, but then the problems started. Power sliding door opened while vehicle in motion! Fixed by recall, but then 2 months later same problem, dealer wanted us to pay for repair! Raised heck and GM covered it. Intermitent electrical faults. Consumed 2 quarts oil per 3,000 miles; GM says this is "normal" consumption. Then I found oil in the coolant; discovered this is a cronic problem with this engine which GM refused to acknowlege.

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  Nightmare - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Dude - May 18 - 4:06 pm

  Ive had this car since it was brand new and its been nothing but a nightmare to own. Im now seeing many of the problems Ive had from other reviewers, including turn signal clicking when not in use,paint peeling, seals. Two weeks after purchase, the a/c went - needed air compressor and its been downhill ever since. I only have 31,000 but have had the brake pedal assembly replaced due to car picking up speed, even going up hill, needed 2 batteries replaced in less than 3 mos., sunroof leaked, had ignition cylinder replaced 3 times because car wouldnt start; 3 days after most recent replacement, security light has been coming on while driving and dealership says cant disconnect. Run!