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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  fun to drive.... bad to wreck - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By erin - February 5 - 3:40 am

  I bought this car about 2 years ago first and last pontiac i ever owned. owned 2 different cavaliers previously both went to 180000 miles with only oil changes and alternator going out on both. the grand prix on the other had... it was a blast to drive great acceleration... looked great....automatic start wonderful... my husband was unfortunatly involved in a serious crash in this vehicle and was killed instantly... was hit in the passanger side door and the entire car broke in half... the sheriffs department,tow company and others that were at the scene stated they never saw another car split like it did. the weld in the frame came apart upon impact and possible was defective.

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  Great car that hasnt let us down - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By olivemcclane - February 4 - 5:45 am

  We bought this car new back in 2007 and it has been great ever since. We have 63k+ miles on it and have not had any problems. We bought the value leader with no frills (e.g. no cruise) at a very reasonable price. We have only had oil changes and recently a transmission flush and new tires. We get 30mpg with highway driving, 24mpg in town. Weve had the car for 4 years and hope to keep it for many more. The only concern we have is the car rattles a bit when accelerating from 40 mph to 50 mph. No one has found a cause yet. Overall it runs great and we are really happy with it.

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  One Headache After Another - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Stephanie - February 2 - 10:36 am

  Ive had more problems with this car. It is infamous for having coolant problems and can only be fixed by replacing lower intake manifold (not cheap, have to take apart entire engine) which I experienced, constantly leaked coolant and it you didnt add it would overhead in a 5 min trip, and on top of it the temperature gauge refused to work. Grand Ams also go through wheel bearings like theres no tomorrow, I replaced them at least 5 times. Minor things like the sunroof shade was stuck open, power window broke twice, has some of the hardest to find, and most expensive tire size. It is also one of the worst cars in the snow and living in Buffalo in the winter doesnt help things.

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  Sunfire in Michigan - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By jep42 - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had no problems at all with my 2004 Pontiac Sunfire since I bought it. Gas mileage has been close to 30 mpg either in highway or town driving which is a minor disappointment. Car is too small for a family but its great for just my young son and me. The sunroof should be lots more fun in the summer.

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  Its a car - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By HEAVENSPRECIOUS - February 1 - 4:53 pm

  When I first got my car I loved it but after a some months went by i started having issuses with my car, First i had to replace the gas filter and then the fuel pump. and the the odometer stop working. but all that is baby issuses. after i pass all that it is a good car to have. i love driving it school. it rides good the interer is ugly but all in all it is a good car.

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  My car is a beast for a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am se2 - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Steven - February 1 - 3:38 pm

  This car had just has a hundred 20222 miles on it, and its running stronger than ever I just replaced the subframe which holds basically the whole entire car together would a used one for $500 it cost me 2:50 to install this car is just an excellent shape this is a must-see they dont make these cars anymore so dont miss out

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  Well worth the money - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Super Charged Six - February 1 - 10:00 am

  You could not ask for more "BANG" for your buck. Many of aftermarket parts and websites to help you increase your HP. I could not ask for more.

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  99 Pontiac Grand Am GT (4-Door) - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By TBC - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Overall a good vehicle. I had a little problem with the rotars having to be turned once a year (the severe vibration during braking let you know it was time)but, hopefully that is fixed now. Other than that I have had no problems with the car. Smooth ride and great handling.

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  186k and still strong - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Sid - January 31 - 10:26 am

  Bought this car at 186k miles and the car still runs perfect, so far. Seems very reliable, pretty good on gas and fast. Overall not bad at all.

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  Still running like new - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By MadWoman - January 29 - 4:53 pm

  Bought brand new in 2003, and am aiming for 100,000 miles. Car is at 70,000 now, and only issue so far is the engine would get hot, but never overheat (cheap intake gasket in this car - needed replaced). Ive always had maintenance done on time, cleaned it often, and simply took greater care of it than others found reasonable. It still keeps up with my lead foot, is still running and looking like new after three fairly serious accidents, drove smoothly between California and Massachusetts four times, and its fun-to-drive rating becomes "10" with the right custom suspension and engine upgrades. The electrical, engine, and mechanics, overall, have yet to fail me.