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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  My Favorite Car - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By BryanSwann - March 14 - 10:00 am

  Still drives smoothly after almost 4 yrs of ownership. Only major repair was rotor replacement on front of car due to wear. With TLC along the way, the car still runs and looks like it did when I drove it off the dealer lot.

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  grand prix rocks!!! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By bandit64 - March 14 - 10:00 am

  This is everything ive ever wanted in affordability, and comfort, and performance what a car, if this is the beginning of THE NEW GM, watch out whata great start!!!!!

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  Love my Pontiac! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Diva - March 14 - 5:56 am

  I absolutely love my G6! I recently moved from the north, and when I bought it over a year ago, barely anyone owned this car. Now having moved to south, I see more people with it, but I still feel good driving mine. This was my fourth car in less than 3 years, and I love it the best! Like another person said, this is the first car I am not sick of driving within the first few months. I love the design because its sleek and smooth. I would not trade this car in for anything, and I can not wait to see how the G6 evolves over the next few years.

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  Stay Away!! from Pontiac. - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Darin - March 14 - 5:03 am

  I bought my 98 Grand Prix GT off my parents in 2004 for $8000 it only had 58,000 on in. Then I drove it cross country. It was ok untill every electric thing you can think of failed!! I havent been able to see what time it is and the Heads up display "caught on FIRE" kind of.. there was smoke coming out of my dash! Then soon afterward I rolled down my driver side window and it didnt go up! I took it to the dealer and they rolled all 3 remaining windows and they WOULDN"T GO UP EITHER. So now I made the dealer fix the other 3 for FREE!!! Because I only came in there for the driver window. Now the MPH and Temp displays come on when they want to and flicker!

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  Just so you know - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Mike - March 14 - 4:46 am

  I really hope this hits the top if the list lol. Car is awesome I love it, but if you dont know anything about cars these 2 things will save you a lot of grief and time pull the glove box in the top right hand corner under the dash is the bcm wiring harness put a wire protecter on it. it rubs on the glove box support beam causes a bunch of issues if you dont fix it. Secondly pull the driver side engine cover replace the fuel line with a steal braided one or else fire will probably occur besides those 2 issues 138xxx miles and shes still running strong with a stage 2 clutch header back exhaust stage 2 brakes and poly eurothane bushings gets ride of the body roll for most of your handling problems. Also the power steering line if not adjusted after about 100xxx miles will leak on your alternator but thats kinda just wear and tear

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  Loving The Vibe! - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Lovin My Vibe - March 13 - 9:00 pm

  I just recently bought a used 2004 Vibe. Originally i was in the market looking at Hondas or Toyotas... but one drive in the Vibe, and I was hooked! This car has everything, from a style that doesnt make you feel like its a Wagon. Everyone who has driven with me, are like, "WOW! we might consider getting this car too." It has it all, style, comfort, extra little perks, and a smooth ride, but doesnt break your piggy bank. I love that it has Toyota parts under the hood, & the interior of the car is Exactly! like that of the Matrix, which my friend owns. Now after having this car, a Honda or Toyota just look boring! Im glad I got this instead!

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  06 G6 GT - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By G6GT - March 13 - 4:06 am

  I have had my G6 GT for 2 and half years. I still love to drive the vehicle. I have around 67,000 miles allot of highway miles. To this point vehicle has been great and fun to drive. With only 201hp, this vehicle does have get up and go. The problem were the rotors, I guess Pontiac used cheap metal.

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  More fun for the buck - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Rod - March 13 - 3:43 am

  In my last post I mentioned that a Magnaflow exhaust system would be delivered the next day. Well, it was and it made my G8 even more fun. The exhaust made the car sound great, with out making everyday driving to noisy like other systems I have had. Another upside is that gas mileage has gone up from a average of 16.4 to 17.1 in every day commute.

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  Not what I expected - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By CB - March 13 - 12:53 am

  Car has been back to dealership 7 times, 3 of those times towed in. Electrical issues, transmission wont go into reverse after sitting, rear end noises, coolant leaks, battery. What else can go wrong. Very disappointed. Paid 34K for car 2 months later they have rebates and incentives. You can buy them for 24K now. So Im 10K upside down from the start!!!

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  It will do - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By bdp - March 12 - 9:23 am

  I read the other reviews about the wind noise, yes that was bothersome, but by using a little silicone down the drivers side rubber weather strip, problem solved. I do though have a leakage of some kind on the drivers side on the inside, my floor mate is soaked and I cannot figure where the dampness is coming from, unless the A/C line to the rear is under the flooring? I have worn a hole in the flooring from the foot action while driving. I do drive alot and it has helped on gas expense. Last I have some sort of electrical problem with the temp gauge. At times after drive for a bit and then shutting down, the gauge will max out. I have to turn the ignition switch back and forth rapidly.