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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  update for GTP; keep looking! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Madusa - October 19 - 10:00 am

  Well, no further problems to report...just the same ones! The windshield is too low at the top (must scootch down to see the street light). the top of my head rubs against the ceiling (Im 64") but never had this problem with my 00 GT. Im hating NOT having an auto-dim rear view mirror. Night driving stinks when youre constantly blinded. People still confuse me with a Grand Am (including my girl friend)..YUK! Drove in the "Detroit Dream Cruise" all weekend and got my butt kicked almost every time. 0-60 in 6.6 NO WAY!! Seen 7.1+ on other sites and feels even slower to me. All talk and no walk. SLUGGISH! STAY AWAY. Dont be tricked by incentives(like me)

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  Do NOT buy this car! - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ladyjane - September 28 - 10:00 am

  The 1995 Pontiac Grand Am Sedan SE with a Quad 4 engine is a piece of junk. If you currently have this car, plan on putting a completely new engine in it in the very near future. It will most likely be the transmission or the head gasket that goes first. I bought the car for over $4000 two years ago and will be lucky to get $500 for it now.

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  Huge disappointment - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By NoMoreGM - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I have had EXTENSIVE problems (complete electrical system meltdown was the main one) with this vehicle. It had been in the shop 12 times in less than 15 months and 20000 miles. This car was recalled for a "battery discharge condition" (see NHTSA website for details). The dealership was useless to fix the problem; they just kept replacing the battery and cleaning the spilled battery acid off the engine and sending me on my way. I complained to GM and they refused to fix the car also. There are many good reviews from Aztek owners on Edmunds, so my case must be an isolated incident. But after my horrible experience, I can’t see myself buying another one.

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  Reliable as a Model T - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By Poor quality - September 21 - 7:00 am

  First thing the car did was the breaking and snapping off of the plastic parts inside the car. Cupholders, knobs, ect. Then the tail and brake lights. They dont just burn out, they fuse (melt) to the plastic tail lamps. This happens every 10,000 mi or so. Did I mention oil consumption? How about a quart every 2,000 mi. The electric rear windows leak also. Thats why there is huge stain on the rear carpet. A nice rusty color to boot. The radiator began overheating too (83,000 mi). When the van is started warm or cold, it likes to rev to 1500 rpm, so you have to turn it off and restart till it stays at 800 rpm. A mind of its own for sure. Will be buying anything but this, next time around

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  bummer - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By rjk - September 19 - 4:56 am

  an example why GM is having trouble selling cars without steep discounts -- a real disappointment. Needed a new manifold gasket at 40,000 miles, trim is falling part, one window wont close, power window grinds, etc., etc.

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  G6 GTP Unreliable - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Dave - September 17 - 5:30 am

  I have had my G6 GTP for a little over 8 months and have had it in for repairs 9 times. I have a manual transmission and am continually having problems with it. I have lost reverse twice and they had to replace the shifter The sun roof (not panoramic) has leaked 3 times and the dealer has had to replace the carpet. When the car works I love to drive it but it doesnt work long before it breaks. I have spoken to 2 different GM reps and they refuse to replace the car. I am just a few days short of meeting the lemon law requirements and will be asking that they buy the car back. It does not appear TO ME that Pontiac stands behind its product or cares about its customers,

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  2004 Sunfire!! - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Linda Owens - September 12 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased our sunfire 1 week ago and loved it the first drive!!! Surprisingly smooth and very comfortable ride for such a light- weight car and only 4 cylinders...havent had to shift gears in years but HOW can I miss w/ that cute little arrow to remind me if im not sure when to!!! It is GREAT!!!! (Wonder if Detroit Dragway still has the powder-puff derby ? ;-)

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  ABS Brake System needs work - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By Sgt. Crunch - September 12 - 10:00 am

  We bought the Montana AWD "Versatrak" system to give us a little more security on slippery roads.Never had any slipping problems while I owned this van. BUT I did have the ABS front wheel assembly replaced FOUR TIMES in 45,000 mi.(Wheel bearing and ABS sensor are one unit)It cost Pontiac $450.00 a pop under warranty. Hope this dosen,t happen without a warrany.Pontiac extended my warranty to 75000 mi, on the ABS sensor. But I just sold it. Good luck for the next owner. Needs more power.Milage goes from 22 to 12 mpg when towing a 17Boat-not good.

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  Beware - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Tucker James - September 5 - 7:30 am

  I got my 2004 Grand Am GT with SC/T package last November. When i first got it i loved it but two weeks into owning the car ive replace the EGR, two ABS wheel hubs, a water pump, and got a hole in the muffler, so replaced that too. The GM shop told me after fixing the water pump to save my money cause my tranny is going out and my mass control arms are going bad too. All these problems and not even had the car for a year. oh did i mention i got the car with only 30 thousand miles and i drive all highway!

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  Big Green Lemon - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By haugent - August 27 - 4:50 pm

  Bought this used, with clean CarFax and low miles. Put few miles on per year, and keep up with routine maintenance. Thank God I got an extended warranty. Thousands in repairs of all sorts in the 4 year warranty period, including a replaced engine - which lasted 5500 miles before the 3rd engine. Addl items not covered by warranty, like sunroof, gauges, fuel lines, starter, and on. Rusting in odd locations - under fuel fill, window pillar on drivers door. HUD is cool, but invisible on sunny days. Power is inadequate - couldnt outrun anything but a heavy truck.