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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  POWER + LOOKS = FUN - 1998 Pontiac Firebird
  By FirebirdStud - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I am a firebird fan - always will be. My first car was a stock 1996 FIREBIRD V6, and I have loved the car ever since! The smell, the feel, the way people look at you when you cruise past. No other car replicates the feeling you get when youre in a Firebird. I bought my 1998 TRANS-AM CONVERTIBLE about 4 months ago, and absolutely love it! The first time I mashed the pedal to the floor, I couldnt help but smile! There is SOOO much power it is unreal.. even on the freeway, the car can rip up to 100 without missing a beat. It is a fantasticly redesigned exterior that absolutely SCREAMS, "Bad Ass" - this car demands respect!

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  GOOD TIMES ONLY - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By STIFELGUY - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE JUST TAKEN A LONG TRIP WITH MY GTO AND FAMILY. A COMFORTABLE TRIP WITH GOOD GAS MILAGE OF 21.90MPG WITH THE AIR ON AND AN AUTOMATIC. IF YOU LIKE GEARHEAD GET UP AND GO NONE BETTER. IVE HAD THE BMW M3 TOO SMALL, HARSH RIDE, NOT THE SAME POWER. GO GTO. GREAT AC GETS SUPER COLD. I HAD A LEXUS FELT LIKE DRIVING IN YOUR LIVING ROOM VERY BORING. GREAT SEATING IM A BIG GUY AND HAVE NO COMPLAINTS, I CAN EVEN STRETCH OUT MY LEFT LEG FULLY, WHICH IS GREAT ON A LONG TRIP. NEED TO PACK LIGHTER ON A TRIP USE COLLAPSABLE LUGGAGE. ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS IS TWO GOLF BAGS FIT FINE. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT CAR FOR THE MONEY, MY WIFE LOVES TO DRIVE IT.

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  Good Performance at Reasonable Cost - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Dale Hartough - November 7 - 10:00 am

  The Pontiac Vibe has very good performance for the cost. I drive a six speed GT version. It has amazing acceleration in passing situations. The loading area is very good. A very practical, performance option.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR! - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By cpando - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I WENT TO THE AUTO SHOW IN MOTION BY GM. I DROVE EVERY CAR THERE AND THE COMPETITION. I DROVE THE VIBE AND FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. IT HANDLES GREAT IT HAS A RETRO LOOK INSIDE. IT LOOKS LIKE A COCKPIT. IT GETS GREAT GAS MILAGE . I DRIVE MOSTLY CITY AND SO FAR I HAVE DRIVEN 258 MILES AND JUST HIT A HALF TANK OF GAS. I HAVE THE SUN ROOF WHICH I LOVE. IT HANDLES CURVES BUMPS YOU NAME IT. IT HUGS THE ROAD LIKE A DREAM, I LOVE THIS CAR.

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  warning-poor resale - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By car consumer 1 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I have had no problems with the mechanical parts of the car. I would warn anybody that is interested in purchasing one that the road noise is louder than most car. Also, be concerned about poor resell value. These cars are a dime a dozen. In 3 years the tmv of this vehicle went down almost %10,000.

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  2003 Vibe - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By GE - November 7 - 8:00 am

  Great car until the transmission failed at less than 60,000 miles costing me $3,500 in repairs plus grief. No help was received from GM after filing a claim. Ill buy a Nissan next time.

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  I L-O-V-E my Ponti-Rocket! - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Gredblg - November 6 - 12:03 pm

  I did a HUGE amount of research (read every Edmunds review) before buying an American car. Having Japanese cars for 20 years -- I wanted to be sure that the 25K/year I put on a car as a salesman would be done reliably. Ive had my Grand Prix GTP for 7 months now and its the fastest, most powerful, most comfortable, best looking and one of the most well-built cars Ive ever owned. No car from Japan can compare with what it feels like to slide behind the wheel of my beautiful, much beloved Pontiac to go out into the world everyday. Meet me at the next green light and Ill show you why its called a Grand Prix. Great job, Pontiac..Im truly, deeply in love! (never had that with a Nissan)

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  Pontiac Performs - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Raptor - November 5 - 6:20 pm

  The 2004 Grand Prix GTP combines high performance good looks and a satisfying road feel for those of us who love to drive and dont by into the myth America cant build a quality high performance road car any more. There are any number of BMWs and Infinitis out there wondering what went by them on the road from LA to Vegas.

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  Bad Manifold - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Rick Vines - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Somewhere between 63000 and 69000 miles, my intake manifold leaked enough collant into my engine to destroy my lifters. The repair cost over $2000. Even though this was due to a design flaw and is a common problem, Pontiac told me that its my problem and offered no assistance. The Pontiac dealer that did the repair said they have seen hundereds of these, and the replacement manifolds have been redesigned to address this problem. From what Ive read, complete engine failure is not an uncommon result.

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  gem - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By yo b - November 5 - 2:00 am

  great car everything i expected...low price great value