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:

• 

  Engine Problems Beware - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Mmalchow - August 7 - 8:26 am

  When I bought this car I thought that I was getting a pretty good vehicle. Well that was until the engine started leaking antifreeze from the head gasket, which is pretty expensive to fix and if done wrong could cause more serious problems. The type of antifreeze that they used in this vehicle caused corrosion and ate away at the gaskets and seals in the engine. Most of which are quite expensive to have replaced and/or serviced, but in order to maintain this vehicle you end up sinking hundreds even thousands of dollars into it. Also, if you are ever in an accident, regardless of the severity, this car will fall apart. It has a horrible build quality.

• 

  Cheap = Expensive - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Dave - July 29 - 11:53 am

  Last winter the heater blend door and actuator broke. $1300- the entire dash has to be removed to fix a $60 part. Leather seat has split. Front right wheel bearing needs replacing.

• 

  Worst car Ive owned. - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By P - July 14 - 8:26 am

  Bought used with a little over 80K miles on it. Has had nothing but problem after problem since the week I got it. Needed to be in the shop for something at least every other month, at times it would be every 3-4 weeks. Had at least 4 different problems at various times that caused the engine to over heat. Transmission has needed to be replaced, now needs a new head gasket along with some other issues. If not for a used car warranty wed have payed double what the car is worth for all the repairs, as it is the out of pocket repairs cost about the car price over the last 2 years. The plastic inside the car rattles loudly when driving over 40 mph. Horrible car, I will never own a Pontiac again

• 

  Great looking car, crappy build - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By ZDW - July 7 - 12:20 pm

  I purchased this vehicle because I liked the outer body design, however I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. I have had to replace the sway bar link twice, replace the brakes and rotors numerous times, the wheel bearings are shot, the bushing had to be fixed, the shocks are shot, and it is difficult to start. Additionally, the automatic door sometimes refuses to close and there is this annoying ding sound the entire time we are driving. This car was purchased for me to drive my family around and now it looks as though I am going to have to trade it in for a better car.

• 

  Pure JUNK - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By molady - July 5 - 1:20 am

  I bought this car used. I guess that was my first mistake. I have had numerous problems. Fuel leaks, brakes, water outlet valve keeps blowing apart, over-heating, now it has been in the shop for a month, replaced fuel pump and filter ($350) and it still wont start. Now while at the shop something with the security system is locked up. The security light is on and the car will do nothing. Anyone wanna buy it? Real cheap!! Pay it off and its yours!!

• 

  Car Needs A Major Recall!!! - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Agitated - July 3 - 4:56 pm

  Purchased brand new! First, my tires did not last anytime-they were "chopped up" to quote the dealer and I had all the scheduled maintenence. The valves had to be replaced and the transmission has not been the same-I expect it to go out anytime! Goofy things inside have gone wrong, the controller for the windows had to be replaced, the strip on the driver side window broke, among other things. The cruise control only works part of the time and the accelerator for it never works. This week my passenger tie rod had to be replaced and universal joint is going out! You pretty much name it, and Ive had problems with this car. I love driving this car, but its a pile of junk! CurrentlyCarShopping

• 

  deeply irritated - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By irritated - June 28 - 12:03 pm

  We bought this car after trading in a xcab f150 ford truck,which i loved. But owning two trucks was not fuel wise! After looking for a better gas milage vehicle, but still didnt want a "granny car", this sporty looking car caught our eyes! The car has every option including a moonroof, except leather interior,i don"t like leather. The seats are horribly uncomfortable, especially the passengers.Drink holders are a joke!! Oh!!! Let"s don"t forget that great transmisssion. They"re so great i have to have it replaced for the "4th", i said "forth", time.This is not a car to keep. After 58,000 miles,trans went out, again at 82,000 miles, but returned witin days for more repairs! And now at 88.000

• 

  Problems!Problems!Problems! - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Billy G. Tinker - June 26 - 2:50 am

  Stranded on road one month after purchasing due to dead battery. In shop x4 due to vibrations, pulling to the right, surging when stopping, then the smell of raw gas. Three sets of nes tires have been put on the car in nine months. On the fourth time in the shop, we were told by phone the car was fixed, but was still vibrating and GM was having problems with the engine. I have been very frustrated and displeased with the Pontiac G8 GT.

• 

  Dont every buy one of these!!! - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By DCPontiac - June 24 - 10:00 am

  This car stinks. I had to take it in for minor repairs and fixes about 10 times within the first year. 49,000 miles on my car and the brakes have been changed 3 times. Once in rush hour traffic my brakes just plain went out. Last month both of the power windows fell off their tracks within a week of each other. Other troubles too numerous to list. The ability to have fun driving this car is limited. Dont even think of trying to use the manual shifting capability on the automatic models. Remotely sporty driving results in a foul smell every time. However, the downshifting option is nice for slowing in traffic when you dont have your brakes.

• 

  Cheap, but cheap - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Cavea T. Emptor - June 17 - 7:40 am

  Im amazed by the generous reviews, but I guess buyers want to be happy. Shoppers should be more critical however, so beware. It has the usual hundred little fit and finish flaws that typify domestics, which should not come as a surprise. However, the ceiling is lower than previous models, and although Im only 6, I have to slouch to avoid hitting my head on the center console and outer pillar. Leg room for driver and front passenger is barely adequate. Same old silly under- the-hood wipers are impossible to clear without lifting the hood. At least they moved the grille off the hood assembly so you might not shatter it in cold weather. It runs, but you get what you pay for.