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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  raynez - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By raynez - April 22 - 3:33 am

  I am 80-yr.old. Ease of entry, head room, cargo space, are just what I needed. The dashboard is easy to read day or night. My family members are all over 6, and they fit well in the front and back seats.

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  Just buy one! - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By Pushrod - April 21 - 11:03 pm

  The ls1 is a world class engine that no other manufacturer can match for the money, BAR NONE. It is more reliable, makes more power,& responds better to modifications than any other engine Ive seen. There is no better bang for the buck, PERIOD. END OF STORY. There are better cars out there, Sure, but Im not gonna pay TWICE the money or more for the same performance this car offers. Its had a couple headlight motors go out, two headlight bulbs, and a couple window motors fail. Its not a 100k dollar car though, so I cant complain.

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  The odds and ends just the ends - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By bob - April 21 - 10:00 am

  fuel pumps go bad, and my chain snapped at 120,000 but other than that lol, my advice change fuel filter every 30k and change your timing at 100k

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  My first new car - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By kev2kool - April 21 - 2:06 am

  This was the very first time that I purchased a new car. I have only had the car for a week but I love this thing! It even came with free maitainance for a year. Be carefull though it drives fast with no problems. Love the red lights at night and the audio system rocks!

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  MY G6 GT - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Mauel - April 19 - 6:00 pm

  Bought it as a demo vehicle. Great deal for a demo. Great value for the toys included.

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  My Favorite Car! - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By calmann - April 18 - 10:20 am

  Tough car! I have always taken care of it and it has done the same for me! Bought it with 57k on it and it now has 135k. For the money, the best car Ive owned! Ive spent 400 bucks on it besides reg maintenance. Been back and forth between coasts and would still trust it to go right now! Windows are slow, has a water leak in the interior. Has never been in a garage since I have owned it. I still beatrun it to work and dont ever have a problem! I would buy another in a minute. I have had people ask me to sell it more than a few times!IE. A note on my window after being in a store! Not selling! Gonna keep her till she drops!

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  Disappointed in my Pontiac :/ - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Meg - April 17 - 8:40 pm

  I have had my g5 gt for 2 years now and it has given me nothing but trouble!! dont get me wrong i love my lil bumble bee!! shes fast and cute and has appealing features! but its not worth it!! so far i have had a blown amp, replaced a/c, replaced radio for AUX jack, power steering failed while driving on the highway!, and most recently a gas leak w/ noise coming from front driver side and a starter elated issues!! i love my car but im just dissapointed that all this has happened...i never drive far with her nor take her on tough roads...it makes no sense....guess i just have bad luck.. but good thing i have a 10 yr warranty or Id be screwed!! goodluck!! :/

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  Great buy! Lovin the Vibe for 1 1/2 yrs - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Kim A - April 17 - 3:33 pm

  This was my first NEW car purchase and Im VERY PLEASED. My husband & I were originally looking for a small SUV, but when we compared them all (Rav4, Escape, Liberty, CRV, etc...) The Vibes stats were better. Its got a great, unique look - drives great (very smooth), AWESOME on gas mileage (we always get at least 30 mi per gallon, & its an automatic) We have 2 big dogs that love to ride in the back, weve hauled a lot of stuff... I will keep this car until it dies on me. Only quirks have been the front center storage compartment under gear shift pops open, wont stay closed. Right front window starting to make a click when its rolled up, havent had it looked at yet.

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  Best Car I Have Ever Owned - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By wilbnel - April 17 - 11:45 am

  I bought my 2007 Grand Prix in early 2008 with around 20k miles on it. It now has 205,000 and I just took it in for my first repair - a small transmission leak that causing a slip. $300 later and it runs as good as the day I bought it. This car is a rock-solid, no-issues, dependable automobile. I drive it over 100 miles every single day and it has never let me down. I have the oil changed every 5k-6k miles and it I would drive it across the country tomorrow.

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  Intake Manifold - Why Plastic? - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By bobwill@Sask - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used at 140,000 kms, now at 186,000 kms, only minor mechanical work required - new plugs and wire set. However, one large problem as others have eluded to, the plastic intake manifold (upper plenum) which corrodes and leaks coolant into the combustion chamber. Despite being documented by GM dealerships under a service bulletin, GM has not recalled these vehicles (1995 - 1998 Bonnes and other GMs), have not redesigned the part and will provide no financial assistance. Next car will be an Acura TL.