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:

• 

  Lost 60% of its value in two years OUCH - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By tniepoth - February 10 - 10:00 am

  It lost 60% of its value in the first two years. After only 30,000 miles, the A/C has gone out, the rear hatch hinge is defective, and the transmission whines terribly when its warmed up and goes uphill. Trying to get out from under this one. The only thing I like is the fact that the back seats come out giving a low, flat floor so that I can load my 3 big dogs with room to spare.

• 

  Only if you must - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By Skip It - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 2 of these vehicles. I had a 1997 model that was nothing but trouble and decided to give GM a second try by purchasing a second van from them. Biggest mistake I have made in major purchases. Not even 10000 miles in and the intake valve needed replaced. The brakes are squeeling and the front end is making some weird rubbing noise that the dealer has had no luck locating. Oh, the glove box latch has been broken 3 times already. I wont be purchasing another GM vehicle for quite some time. Next van purchase will be a Honda or Toyota.

• 

  Skip it - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By CS400 - February 7 - 4:36 am

  Overall I had a bunch of problems with this car. The car is very electrical and I had two major electrical problems in the two years that I owned this car. The first time an engine lock fuse shorted and my car wouldnt start. Luckily I was still covered by my warranty or else I would have had to pay over 400 not including towing. The second time I paid about 400 again to have the thing fixed. This car isnt so great on gas (but then again I did have a V6) Also I received a notice from the manufacturer that there was a malfunction with the hazard lights. I noticed this also with the signal lights every time I used the turning signal it would still click even after being put back

• 

  Never Agian - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Never Agian - January 28 - 8:33 am

  I will never own a Pontiac again. After buying my Pontiac G6 it was in the shop two days later: Brakes, and seat belt not working. few more weeks and the fan motor was replaced. now Im living with a hard start. Also the radio not being on with start of car which resets all my info in the radio. For you that dont own, one your oil life, trip mileage, temp, time, security items, set radio stations and many more things. Also had the deal check my shocks, struts and brakes again. car sounds like it will fall apart when i hit bumps in road. i know i did not buy a expensive car but come on Pontiac take pride in your cars. All this and on 38,000 miles on it now. going to buy a Ford Fusion next month.

• 

  Very Unreliable - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Sandy - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst car I ever owned.This car has lived at the dealership since week one.In the first 30000 miles I had replace the power steering pump,the coolant bottle due to a leak,the intake manifold seal due to a leak,rotors replaced once & resurfaced once,very rough idle that the service dept cant find,noise from front end that I am told the tires are walking on the rims. The check engine light has come on & off but they can find no stored codes.I could go on forever.I work on the road & this is very inconvenient.

• 

  SV6 nightmare - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By dartguy43 - January 1 - 5:06 am

  When I bought this van back in 2006 I needed a family vehicle that I could also have the room to move a few musical instruments around in. This van does about 3 to 4 long highway drives a year (approximately 1000 km there and back). The rest of the time it just gets driven around the city. I have always done the regular maintanance on the vehicle at the dealership and still this thing has been nothing but problems. They have had a steering column recall,comes with crappy tires (good for about 25000 km at most,has had to have numerous brake jobs, a transmission flush at 78000 km,bushing arms replaced, rotors replaced etc. \

• 

  2001 Grand Am SE - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By rocky - December 29 - 12:20 pm

  I would never buy another car like this. I have had problems with the fuel pump ( 2 times) and the security light 2 time too. I havent even had the car for two years. Dont ever buy this car

• 

  Major cooling system problems - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By Laura - December 27 - 10:50 pm

  As soon as this vehicle passed 60k miles it was all downhill. It is a sqeeky, noisy ride. Our fuel gauge went out and we are just waiting for the fuel pump to die, too. We have had problems with the cooling system and have twice replaced the water pump, the thermostat, the intake valve and are about to shell out more money for what remains to be determined. I wont be buying or recommending a GM product to anyone in the ever near future. For all of the people that ranked their vehicle so favorably when it was only 2 to 3 years old, Id be curious to see how their "later years" have panned out.

• 

  Hate my Bonneville - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By belyache - December 16 - 4:46 am

  Purchased used, after 2 years I started noticing some transmission slippage from 1st to 2nd.. Then came the the transmission not engaging 1st. I had the transmission replaced, it worked fine for about 5 months. Now it is doing the exact same thing. It also has an annoying steering grind. I would not recommend this car. I have also heard others complaining of transmission problems with this car.

• 

  Dont Ever Buy a PontiC G6 - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Nene - December 12 - 6:16 am

  I made the horrible mistake of purchasing this car 6-7 months ago. It was pre-owned with only 16k miles. . . BIG MISTAKE, HUGE! Aesthetically, it is a dream, really cute, but if you need more that cute, this is not the car. Power steering intermittently locks up,transmissions has delayed response, horrible handling, noisy sun roof. Learned today the car has a bum cooling system that leaks. I have been at the dealership so much I should be getting benefits or something. Save yourself time, trouble, money and lost time from work. . .DO NOT BUY A PONTIAC G6. I swear I bought a prototype or maybe Pontiac should still be considered a neophyte car manufacturer