Pontiac Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.40/5 Average
8,540 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 3961 through 3970 of 8,540.00
  • Excellent Buy - 2006 Pontiac G6
    By -

    This is by far the best car that I have ever owned. I do not have one complaint about my G6. I would recommend the G6 to everyone who is looking to get a quality vehicle for a great price!

  • A Collectors Item - 2005 Pontiac GTO
    By -

    I have one of the last Monaros (Pontiac GTO) to be sold in Australia. I am disappointed that this car will no longer be produced in this country as its build quality and muscle car character make it the equal of many cars costing considerably more. Ill save it for my grandchildren so they can appreciate what it was like to drive a car with more than 2 cylinders!

  • Reliable for me - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
    By -

    Had my 95 SE coupe since new. 3.1 l with auto tranny. Unfortunately the 5 speed was unavailable in California. Only things I have had to do were routine maintanence. One battery, one alternator, and one set of tires, and one set of brake pads for 50k is totally within reason. Combined city/hwy mileage has been steadily at 22-24mpg. Had as high as 33 in straight Hwy miles. Reliability has been excellant. Cant see why its resale value is so low. Im saving this thing for my daughter.

  • Overall, it has been a great car - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
    By -

    I purchased my Grand Am GT in early 98 with 7500 miles. I now have 128000 on it and it has been very good to me. Ive maintained it well. I have had few problems. I replaced the water pump at around 65,000 miles. Both window regulators have went bad. I also just replaced the alternator. Overall I think it has been pretty good. It still runs, drives, and looks like new although now there are some rattles in the interior. The door panels are made cheep. The factory stereo/wCD sounds great although the display quit working. I have the 2.4/auto combination. It performs well. Power is good. It also delivers outstanding fuel economy. I recently drove half way

  • Love This Car - 2008 Pontiac Torrent
    By -

    Love how this handles-what a difference between the Torrent and my Jeep. Lot of room, comfortable and smooth ride. For the price you can not beat it.

  • right string and the WRONG YOYO :( - 2009 Pontiac G8
    By -

    have owned lots of dif cars.. after living with this latest GM wonder..(only decent car theyve tried to build in over 10 years). DRIVETRAIN: pretty good ! 4cyl. shutdown works!(23mpg@80 and under 14sec. darn good :trans- kinda close. suspension/steering..borderline lousy! steers hard at slow speed and too light at speed. rear end skips on ANY rough surface and the darn thing weighs as much as my previous crown vic..which with aftermarket sway bars, out handles it.... Interior sound system..1 on a hundred! other controls..fire the computer nerd !

  • pretty good car - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
    By -

    I bought this car in Feb. of 2006 and havent had any major problems to date. Although, within the first week of ownership, I had to replace all 4 speakers (front-driver side=blown and rear-driver side=dead) and my front-passenger side window motor went out (which I am still yet to fix). The rear struts also will make a crunching sound sometimes. Otherwise, I really love driving the car, it is very sporty and I do get occasional looks.

  • 2004 Grand Am 2.2 4cyl 4A - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
    By -

    Ive had the car for about 3 months now and have put a little over 3,000 miles on it. I bought it used with 98,000 miles on it. So far Ive had no problems with it. The 4cyl engine suits this car well, but sometimes seems reluctant to downshift. It has absolutely zero power at low RPM. The gas mileage I get is exactly as listed at 27 MPG. Love the way the car handles. The interior (especially light switches) are obviously cheaply made, and often pop in and out of their slots.

  • 02 NHRA Trans Am - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
    By -

    Man, I hate to see these cars go. 30mpg on the hwy and 312.5rwhp and 338rtq under your right foot. Those are bone stock rear wheel numbers. No wonder these cars propel you through the quarter in mid to low 13s with ease all the while let you park yourself in a nice power leather seat with the a/c on, cds jammin ttops off etc etc etc. Hell, the car is even great in the twisties. BTW, Imn ot a small guy by any means, 62, 285 and fit in her fine. People may not apreciate these cars now ,but they will in the future. I could not ask for more in an automibile. Its a 25k slap in the face to cars priced 3 times as much

  • I Love my G6! - 2007 Pontiac G6
    By -

    I have had my G6 for almost two years and I love it! I paid for the extended warranty, just in case, and have never had to use it once. Rotate the tires, change the oil...thats it. My only complaint is the terrible wind noise when just the rear windows are down. Its awful! Just never do it and problem solved.

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