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:

• 

  Sorry you guys have problems - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By jaydub - December 6 - 5:33 am

  Ive had mine for going on two years now and Ive put over 45k on it. Thing runs like a top. No problems with the panoramic sunroof. I get great mileage for a 6-cyl on the highway. City is not so great but I recently went on a 1500+ mile road trip and was getting 30+ mpg, thought the computer might be broke so I figured it out myself and I wasnt dreaming. Handles great and is smooth and reliable in these New England winters.

• 

  Look Twice... - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By grave555 - December 5 - 2:46 pm

  Ive owned and driven a truck for eight years. After finally getting a chance to get my long awaited sports car, I bought the Pontiac GTO. My 2004 model drives and feels like a European business coupe, but the pedal feels like good ol American muscle. The new GTO is a unassuming beast, only recognized when you hear it roar.

• 

  Go Fast Big Sedan - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Atilla - December 5 - 10:00 am

  I ordered by Bonneville SE with the supercharged engine and ride control. I liked the idea of a wolf in sheeps clothing. Shifting to peformance ride for mountain driving provides confidence and fun. Normal ride mode provides a comfortable ride for the long distance drive. The car has been very reliable with the expected repairs for a car with 120,000 miles. I consistently get 24 mpg commuting 100 miles per day. I love the tire wear. My first set went 80,000 miles and then I replaced them due to a nail in the side wall that no one would repair.

• 

  Getaway Car - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Bad Juju - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car used and have put over 50k on it in two years. It now has nearly 100k. Never needed an extended warranty. This car has taken us to 20 states. My 3 year old loves the big windows. The headlight lenses are a problem. The bodyshop at your dealer is the place to go to solve this. The first lens was over $100 as an assembly from a junkyard. The second lens was $5 from the bodyshop, and the manager installed it for free. The CD quit and had to get the factory CD, as you cant get aftermarket with both orange lights and steering wheel controls. Excellent family car, good in all weather and sturdy on gravel roads.

• 

  Take heed! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ravon - December 5 - 10:00 am

  I am very torn with this car. Replaced rotors at 27K miles that were overtorqued at manufacture. Had to pay for a complete brake job even though the rotors caused premature wear on the pads. Same dealership would not replace my bad radio. Glad that I purchased the extended warranty. Had to use it twice in the last month at 55K miles for almost $3000 in repairs. Both front bearings have been replaced as has strut mount and rack and pinion and a rear control arm. Complained to Pontiac Corp and have basically been told, sorry, at 60,001 miles when my warranty runs out, Im screwed. HOWEVER, when my car is not in the shop or on its way to the shop, I love it.

• 

  Great Car!!! - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Brian331 - December 5 - 10:00 am

  I absolutly love my Grand Am. I have had only one problem at the dealership - - clogged fuel injectors and (i am told) that is probably the previous owners fault in putting cheap gas in the car. Its a blast to drive and in my humble opinion, although I might be in the minority, it looks GREAT!

• 

  LOVIN IT SO FAR - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By pat - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive only got 1100 miles on my GA so far and I couldnt be more pleased. I initially had a problem with the brakes but the people at Suttle motors in Newport News took care of it post haste and there has been no re-occurance, The interior and exterior styling are out of this world (even though there are a lot of these babies on the road theheads still turn!) and the performance has been first rate.

• 

  ABS TCM - 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
  By adamsjjjr69 - December 4 - 4:30 pm

  Has 220,000 miles but recently the ABS TCM lights came on. When I stop to restart the car and clear the lights, the wheels "lock up" and it will not move. Had to have it towed twice. Had to have the ABS TCM module replaced ($1200) and it worked ok until yesterday. Did the same thing and the wheels lock up. Anyone else have this problem, because my mechanics cannot figure out why. They are replacing components but not sure of the cause.

• 

  Fun To Drive - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Rose - December 4 - 11:40 am

  Coming from a Saab, this car is fun to drive, top up or down. After some minor rattle repairs,very quiet and smooth ride.

• 

  Ill NEVER buy a Pontiac again. - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By graceangeleve - December 3 - 2:42 pm

  Ive driven this car for 5 years, so I know what Im talking about. My car has 70K miles on it, and Ive had more problems with this car than ANY car Ive ever owned. Essentially, everything under the hood has had to be replaced. Today they told me that my transmission is OUT, and I dont push or pull ANYTHING! Electronic steering is out, electrical problems GALORE, brakes are crap and constantly have to be replaced. (keep in mind, all of my miles are HIGHWAY miles ONLY!) I dont speed, dont drive crazy. I can say its definitly pretty to look at and thats it. Even my seats are squeaky, so is the dash. Its horrible. Dont buy this car.