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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  Grand Prix A.K.A Tranny Problems - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mishmish - March 15 - 11:20 pm

  I love this car but hate it at the same time. The car really is a eye catcher. This is my 2nd prix first one (96)tranny went out at 110k, my current one went out 111k and then went a 2nd time at 135k. I almost forgot I was told the 99 Prixs only fit 99 trannys. Fun fun. The frames on them are crap so if you wanna add more horsepower good luck on not cracking the frame. Headlights fog up with dirt. Good luck getting up any hills in the snow without all 4 studded tires.

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  Great car for the price - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By buster - March 15 - 9:30 am

  Purchased value leader sedan. Sure, I want a better car but this is all I really need and with the rebates, no car is more affordable, no way. Has all the basic features, performs well even with the 4 cyl and is reliable.

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  Sleeper GXP - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By wzntme78 - March 14 - 12:40 pm

  I purchased this car with about 12,000 on it, as a former program car. The car right of the bat sold itself as far as performance and comfort went. I fell in love with the rumble of the exhaust..And punch the pedal and you can feel the pull. As for torque steer, we are talking about an big torgue high hp V-8 in a car...Not some little handa with 200 hp and no real torque, so of course you will have this at times. Just hold on and make sure you are aimed in a direction other than whats desired! Torque steer can also be found in any Cadillac fwd with the northstar!

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  Please Dont Buy - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By jefferywayne - March 14 - 11:59 am

  this car is fast and fast to break down. problems started as early 30k mi. the water pump was the first to go. that was wierd cause the car was new.then after that it was the battery. mind you that every part that i took i replaced with the top of the line parts available. i finally came up with the rasio that for every 1 new part put on the car 3 more parts broke. then the lower control arm snapped.wheel hub assemply went out. oil drain plug decomposed and the list continues. from transmission shifting hard to total loss of horsepower and deallights failing. just dont buy the car. when it works the car is gorgious and fast.

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  problem with brakes and tires a lot - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By crisco - March 14 - 2:20 am

  It is 2009 now and this car was gotten in 2004. It only has 2900 miles on it and I have had to get the breaks replaced twice now. Both times the life time warranty pads have been replaced and the the rotors as well as some other things. There was a recall after a couple years as the check engine light will come on , but they fixed that. I have had to replace the tire a few times now , the front tires wear on this car very quickly as well as the breaks. Also the windshield wipers fluid doesnt last at all. Other than that I havent had any problems. Although that seems like a lot considering the mileage .It has good handling and looks.

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  Worst car Ive ever bought - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By pra22 - March 13 - 11:49 pm

  I bought this car used 3 months ago (with 118,000 miles), and in the 3000 miles Ive driven it, it has needed TWO catalytic convertors! It also needed repair on a window that was cobbled together (which of course, I couldnt see). It is also the NOISIEST car Ive ever had. It revs up alot each morning when it is cold outside until Ive traveled a few miles at higher speeds. I rue the day I bought this car and Im afraid to drive it for fear the transmission will be next. I clearly have a lemon.

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  Not very Fuel Friendly - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By ballbreaker910 - March 13 - 12:18 pm

  I purchased this car with 44k to replace a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant with 203,000 miles. It came equipped with a sunroof, remote starter, aux jack and onstar. Was excited to purchase this car especially since GM boasted that this car would get over 32 mpg hwy which was where this car would spend most of its time. However I was only able to get 17 mpg combined. I spoke to 3 GM mechanics & was sold a load of crap about winter air causing loss of fuel economy and trying to use Hess or Shell gas to get better gas mileage. Nothing worked. GM would do nothing to assist. This 4cyl car was a gas-guzzler. I also own a 2005 Grand Prix (V6) that gets way better gas mileage. Other than that, I liked it

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  Intake Manifold Stinks - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By Bummer2 - March 13 - 11:10 am

  Im seeing a repeat of complaints having to do with the intake manifold. Guess what, mine is shot too. DONT BUY GM ANYTHING. We will eventually be buying a Honda Odyssey.

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  Awesome - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By thehomechicken - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This car is incredible. It has the get- up-and-go of a sports car, the roominess of a family sedan, and rides like a luxury vehicle.

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  Upcoming! - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By GreatCar109 - March 13 - 2:00 am

  From all the reviews i have read on the Pontiac sunfire, i have decided to buy one. A red 1997 SE coupe 5 speed. I hope this car holds up as well as all the other reviews have said, and i am very anxious to purchase it. I have always liked Pontiacs because of the red lights inside, and they have always been peppy and fast.