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 - horrible to own - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By bcmtojm - August 30 - 2:00 am

  This car has been in for service more times than any of my previous cars combined. Twice the very expensive intake manifold gasket has been replaced as well as gaskets for the power steering fluid and transmission fluid. Ive also had to have the turn signal noise indicator replaced because it wont stop clicking(which is once again broken). Ive had a gas module replaced and the power mirror control fixed. This car is great when it it running properly but not worth the trouble or the money!

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  Mediocre Car - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By JaCarpenter - August 13 - 5:00 am

  The car is competent. Nothing more, nothing less. It handles well but not great, fits a good but not great amount of stuff, and gets decent but not great gas mileage. The engine is a real weak point. It is very loud but furnishes little power with the autobox. I live up in the Four Corners area so am often above 6000 or 7000 feet. It has a lot of trouble gaining speed on even moderate inclines at altitude. With the AC on or full up with people sometimes it has trouble keeping the same speed. I think the dash design is poor. It looks nice enough but the chrome gauges reflect on the windshield in any sunlight. Its very visible and very annoying. The interior materials are adequate though.

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  every thing keeps breaking - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By John - August 10 - 4:20 pm

  The car broke the third day we owned it. the fuel injecter went out then it was the coil pack, that went out. the the transmission is slipping and instrament pannel has allmost gone complety out.

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  Problematic car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By justin-vh - August 6 - 9:43 am

  Unfortunately, this car has been very problematic for me. Water leaks, Air Conditioner problems (noise and smell), many different rattles and squeaks in the car, damaged roof rack, missing some finishing details from the factory, like door stops. Car wouldnt start the other day. Ive only had the car for 6 months and bought it brand new. What made my problems worse were the poor GM service reps. One rep damaged the roof rack and interior when attempting to fix my problems. Other dealers simply were not interested in trying to fix my cars problems, even when the problems could be reproduced in front of the service reps eyes. Wishing I didnt buy this car....

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  Not terrible but I wouldnt consider this car a winner. - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By rocosoco - August 5 - 12:51 am

  I bought it used with 50k miles on it. Steering problem which the dealer fixed. The XM Radio transmitter on the roof leaks sometimes into my light and sunroof button and onto my shifter. Overall poorly build on the inside. The mechanics seem fine for now, no major problems...at 76k miles now. Ill probably keep it until it dies...maybe Ill be able to get it up to 120k...that would be ideal. Nice cheap car, but I should have done more research and I probably would have bought another car if I did...

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  No Help - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By lissabean2 - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I loved my car, until the engine blew in it. I found out that this is typical in Pontiac Grand Ams. Too bad I found this out a little to late. GM would not help me replace the motor because (1) I was not the original owner (2) I was over the warranty (BY 400 MILES). If I could do it all over I would NOT buy this car. My experience with GM has been horrible, I have never experienced such rude customer service before. I will never buy another GM and I will try to convince others of the same.

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  Good Car - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Tim_boo - July 22 - 2:00 am

  My experience has been a good one. The build quality is an issue with the fit and finish. It out-performs everything in its class regardless of cost. So trading a little quality for performance is what you have. My maintence on this car so far has been new tires and oil changes. I think this car is very good for what you pay. I dont see anything in its price range then or today that Id rather own. If your in the market my suggestion is test drive it. I thought of trading it in on a Maxima, I drove the Maxima and didnt like it!!! Also looked at a BMW 325 it needs more power and space.

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  96 Grand Am GT - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Daniel - July 19 - 5:43 am

  This is my first car, and its certainly fun to drive, but it has some issues. Window motors are absolutely terrible, had to replace the drivers side and will likely need to replace passengers soon. Several other minor issues, adding up to ~$600 in repair bills in a year.

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  Dont get me started - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By Susan - July 17 - 12:33 pm

  My advice - dont fall for the fact its a convertible! I bought my car with only 3000 miles on it. I owned it for 6 months and called it quits. I would have paid for the dealer to take it back. I did love it when the top was down but that is all I can say that is positive. The car constantly pulled to the right. The hardtop constantly rattled when it was closed. The breaks didnt seem to want to stop and forget trying to drive it in the snow. It scared me to death. I had to get rid of it. I now own an eclipse again. I actually feel safe again. Is the car cute? Yes. Hot? Not hot enough to stress over daily. This is my opinion. Others seem to love it.

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  Very Very Mediocare - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By speed devil - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Its braking is soft and very unpredictable. Ive almost been in serious accidents because the breaks did not respond.Handling is just okay but traction is good because of the widetrac. The paint is horrible and the dirt wont wash off the glued on side panels. All the instruments are cheap and the screen for the clock and cd player overheats and sometimes feels like it will light on fire. The only thing that is really good is the stock cd player. Safety wise its a tank, but I dont know how it would be in a big accident. Overall I would not recommend the car unless you will buy it, rip the system out of it and re-sell it.