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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  No wonder Pontiac is out of Business... - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By starlette46 - March 10 - 1:41 pm

  I would never buy one of these cars again, or refer anyone to buy one. I bought the car in March of 2010 with 30k miles on it. It was previously a leased car so I know the maintenance was kept on it. I replaced the tires, brakes, rotors all within a few months of owning the car. Pretty soon I replaced the water pump, tranny cooler lines, intermediate steering shaft, electric steering module, and some oil cooler lines. Just last week I had my car in the service department at my work, and all of my head gaskets needed to be machined and replaced, oil was leaking everywhere!! It was horrible, if I did not have an extended warranty if would have cost me close to $6,000 total for all of the work!

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  One of My Biggest Mistakes! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By LA - March 9 - 1:26 am

  I bought my car and not even two months later, "engine power reduced" appears after my engine light comes on. My engine power is reduced and I am at risk of getting hit on the highway and has to turn my car off just to get it going again. After $900, 7 times in the shop and not being able to drive it 9 out of 11 months, I still have the same problem. I have no more money to spend on it and after making my payments on it monthly for 12 months, I have stopped. I cant even trade it in because I owe too much on a piece of crap! It is about to ruin my credit by going back. WHAT A JOKE!! Never again will I buy from Budget Car Sales nor will I own a Pontiac. So sad.

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  Hate it! - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By ejglady - March 8 - 3:50 pm

  The first time I saw an Aztek I knew that one day Id have one. When I was 7 months pregnant I decided to buy one so that Id have more room for the babys things. Id previously had a Plymouth Breeze. Lets say I should have kept my Breeze. I hadnt had the Aztek a year and I had put over 1,000 dollars worth of work into it. Not only does it feel like its not going to stop, sometimes I think it may tip over if the wind blows too hard. Now it takes an extra few seconds to start and it has stalled several times while in traffic. Plus, the back seat needs more room. If your over 4 feet tall getting in and out of the back seat is hell. Your feet get caught on the door frame.

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  96 Grand Am disappointing - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Ken Stufflebeam - March 4 - 1:33 am

  I bought this car for my teenage sons to drive, 98k, SE model, 4-door, 4 cyl, auto. Thought it would be economical and practical transportation. Trans failed at 108k, no heater now - core failure, many repairs required, gas mileage not great for a 4 cyl, 21 city 26 hwy, squeeks, creaks, rattles. In all fairness it was worn out when I got it and you get what you pay for.

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  GM - NEVER AGAIN! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By "PATTY" OLOUGHLIN - February 23 - 10:00 am

  VEHICLE NOT BUILT FOR ENDURANCE. PURCHASED IN 12/98. AT 38,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT. GM’S ANSWER- “YOU SHOULD HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY!” NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM THOUGHT THE LIFE OF THE AUTO. AFTER 3 YEARS AND 120,000 THE ENGINE SEALS WENT RESULTING WITH WATER IN THE OIL. TRADED FOR ANOTHER MANUFACTURER AND GM WILL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN!

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  Worst car I ever owned - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ManofSteel - February 23 - 10:00 am

  We bought our Grand Am new in 99. Had troubles with it from the very begining. Brakes seemed to wear out almost endlessly. Had to replace a caliper just after warrany was up. Wheel bearings needed replaced in the second year wich is just ridiculus. Power widows on each side needed to be replaced twice. Also had to have the car stero CD replaced twice due to malfunction. the ride was very sloppy and bumpy. Engine noise was noticable. Just not a very good car.

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  Quick but not worth it - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By DJR - February 20 - 4:56 pm

  Purchased the GT with the Ram-air V6. Ill never forget how fun it was the 1st time I test drove it. Im a sucker for fast acceleration, and that alone attracted me enough to fork out the 3100.00 price. It wasnt long though before realizing what every one else does. Its an electrical nightmare and found out recently the 1998-2000 models have been known to catch fire without even being started (DO NOT PARK NEAR HOUSE) The cheap plastic control knobs break easy in cold weather. The CD players are famous for flashing "error messages" and quit working around 120,000 miles. Blown head gaskets are very common around 90- 100,000 miles. So yes, it looks good, drives tight but I wouldnt buy another!!

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  A Bit Concerned - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By John - February 8 - 4:03 am

  I took delivery of my 2006 GT Coupe about six weeks ago, but it didnt take more than a few days for me to recognize some design flaws: cheap, manual seat recliner, no heated side mirrors, cant close sunroof by one- touch, no rear window wiper, akward cup holders, awkward head rests, speakers vibrate with bass. I have to admit, I bought this car on impulse. I walked in to take a peek at the Solstice and fell in lust with the G6 coupe. Three hours later I drove it out of the showroom. Looking back I would not have bought this car (got lucky with this approach when I bought my Z3, so gave it another try!!). Now there is an interior leak that is causing the interior sidewall to collapse!! UGH

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  Overpriced Econobox - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By spark - January 23 - 4:43 am

  Once the novelty of the car wears off you start to notice the harsh ride poor cornering and all the squeaks and rattles. The car is difficult if not impossible to get like trans fluid ($12 a quart, filter not available)filters etc. Poor fuel economy for its size about 29 mpg highway and has poor acceleration. The car is about $4500 overpriced. Tires are are extremely expensive due to being high performance (why????) as the only ones that fit and wear very fast.

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  ok car-nothing special - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By gc22 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  basic car nothing special good mpg reliable