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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  Buy a different van - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By PatS - March 26 - 10:00 am

  This minivan is nice to look at but it pretty much ends there. I had to put a new transmission in it at 90k kms and just blew the second tranny 100k kms later. Wipers run into each other, intake manifold leaked, seat fabric is subpar and is starting to deteriorate, back door latch and key lock no longer work and the body has already shown signs of rust. Front bumper lost all its paint within the first 3 months of ownership. Airbag light comes on when it feels like it. All in all this was a very expensive dissapointment.

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  Pontiac Sunfire - 4 Door automatic - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Jeannie - March 24 - 7:06 am

  I really love driving my new car, I find it comfortable for drives that are not too long. The seating in long drives is not as comfortable, as the drivers seat doesnt adjust well for a short driver. My biggest problem with the car is a stalling issue, which has not been resolved in three trips back to the dealer. As it is intermittent, it never does it when the mechanics have it: however it is a constant problem for me. If this could be resolved, I would be happy with the car...however at this point I am considering trading it in on a make that has a more reliable rating, i.e. Toyota or Honda.

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  peace of junk - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Clifford H. Leighton - March 17 - 2:00 am

  under warranty 2 radios, 1 set of spark plug wires, water pump, 2 altenators, 1 battery out of warranty 1 battery, the altenator twice (the first replacement was warranteed)1 PS pump, 2 steering racks, the engine and transmission pan gaskets are leaking and the auto-dim rear view mirror is delaminating. GM will not help with any of the out of warranty repairs.

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  PROBLEMS PROBLEMS AND MORE PROBLEMS - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By montana aztek owner - March 12 - 10:00 am

  VERY PROBLEM PLAGUED FOR A NEW VEHICLE - - GM WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

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  Could Have Been Better - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Mel - March 11 - 8:06 am

  This is my 3rd body style of the Grand Prix. Im most disappointed with the ride. My last two have run to 125,000 miles and have had to nothing but replace the struts on the 99 model after 100,000 miles. Prior to replacing the struts, the car rode like an OLD Dodge pickup --- Every bump was felt. The 04 was purchased with 1,100 miles and rides like an OLD Dodge Pickup. I feel every bump. A dealership has aligned, balanced, etc. & still rides like a truck. Very happy with the 95 & the 99; Severely Disappointed with the 04!!!

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  Typical GM Car -- Fast until it breaks - 2005 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Roger - February 27 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this car for a few years now. Purchased in 2007 with 30k miles, now I have 80k. Nothing major has broken yet, but the car is such a pile of plastic junk it seems about as reliable as a childs toy. Everything under the car is rusting. The paint is fading and flaking. There is body rust on it. The headlights are hazy and fogged. The car has been through 1 battery and 3 CV boots. The brakes were so rusted I needed to have a mechanic fix them. There is this horrible annoying, nonstop clicking from the blinkers that is apparently common with these. Other than being a piece of plasticy junk, it is pretty zippy. If you dont need a reliable car, Id recommend getting one.

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  Take my advice! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By wingfan - February 18 - 10:00 am

  Where do I begin??? Four months after I bought the car, the power steering went out on me. I have had the power window motor replaced. The alternator is also new. The water pump had to be replaced. And twice now I have had to replace the headgasket. ( Which ran me in the neighborhood of $2,000 EACH time.) The brakes had to be replaced within the first year. And right now it is in the shop because I am having trouble with the transmission. I will never again buy a Pontiac. Plain and simple!!!

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  A lot of Mechanical Problems - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By vgopaul - February 13 - 5:16 am

  I have had this car for going on four years. My driver side motor window went out, I have had to replace the timing belt, ball joints, get a new radiator, replace my entire power steering, heater coil, rocking pena (however that’s spelled), not to mention typical ware and tare on the car such as brakes (which I expect to pay for). I couldnt believe it because I take really good care of that car. I had a Pontiac before this and experienced the same problems. I will never by a GM product again. It is a very nice car, but mechanically it has costs me thousands. My entire family buys Pontiacs, but after two experiences like this in a row- it behooves us to purchase these vehicles.

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  Problem Car - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By suzid - February 11 - 10:00 am

  The car has been in the shop every month for the last six months for something different every time. And it was in the shop at least every three months before that, once the warranty ran out.

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  Terrible - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By grandamgirl - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Read the consumer reports!! This 2 year old car is on 4 sets of brakes, a new set of wheel bearings and new electrical system. The complaints will tell you that GM brakes are terrible and and the bearings/electrical system is worthless. When the car isnt in the shop, it is slow, and forever shaking.