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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  A bad bitty - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Dallas S - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 79 trans am for a while until an one day the car desided to blow up, literally. So I went into the market for a car, and found the GTP. I didnt think that a Grand Prix could take off like that. Coming from a tire eating monster I thought I would have been disappointed. I was wrong, this Pontiac hauls. And I love the mileage Im getting.

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  Unreliable - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By maliki304 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This has been the most unreliable car I have ever owned. In six months I have had to replace many things such as struts, washer pump, battery, alternator, along with several other lesser things. I will not buy another GM vehicle.

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  Montana - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By foster - October 22 - 2:00 am

  The electrical functions of this car were always a concern to us. Also the interior parts of the car that are made up of plastic cracked or broke and needed to be replaced.

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  Be Careful At 100,000 Miles - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ch7 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with about 90,000 miles on it expecting a few repairs. What I have replaced over the past year includes roughly $5,000 of parts and labor. Transmission, oil pan, 2 alternators, 2 batteries, power steering pump, alternator belt, and a number of other smaller things. The charging system seems to be faulty because I dont feel that its very reliable. Pontiac needs to seriously consider increasing their factory warranty because their cars sure dont hold up after the three years are gone. I think the Grand Prix is a GREAT car but the one I bought was a lemon. Just to be forewarned though, you might want to buy the extended warranty.

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  Test Drive One and Youll Buy It - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Jimmy L - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I was set to buy a sedan when I stopped by the Pontiac dealer on a whim, test drove an Aztec and I bought one that same day. Its the most exciting car Ive driven in years! It handles great, has nice power, is extremely comfortable and is laden with terrific features. Dont be put off by the styling - Im still getting used to that but the rest of the vehicle makes up for it.

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  Fun nice looking car - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By papasmurf - October 22 - 2:00 am

  fun and Reliable

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  Best full size sedan for the money - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By TheRook - October 22 - 2:00 am

  It is time foreign car buyers take a look at the Pontiac Grand Prix. I have owned three and they have been as reliable as any German or Japanese car I owned. I think that the Japanese cars are overrated and overpriced. A GP is under $30,000 and yet it has many features you will not find on higher priced cars. The 240 HP supercharged engine six gives plenty of power but it also gives great gas mileage. The GTP has leather seats, heads-up display, chromatic mirror, computer to indicate warnings, gas mileage, oil life, and more. The ride is very comfortable and quiet. The wide track makes you feel secure even on wet or slick surfaces.

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  Beats the Mustang GT - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By TheRookGRIMM - October 22 - 2:00 am

  My wife owned a Grand Prix GTP and she traded it in on a Mustang GT convertable. She misses her Grand Prix so she drives my 40th Anniversary GTP regularly. If they made a Grand Prix convertable she would never have bought the Mustang. By the way when we both opened them up on the freeway my 4 DR Full size sedan 240 HP Supercharged GTP engine stayed right with her compact 2 DR convertable V-8 260 HP GT. I am sure if added a couple of the available kits I would be blowing away most the hot cars. I have to laugh at the Hondas with their big exhaust pipes thinking they can keep up.

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  Maiden Voyage - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By blogan - October 21 - 12:46 pm

  First major trip, NY to FL to MO and back. What a hoot. Loaded down with golf clubs and luggage for two people, two climates. Wife managed to get her first speeding ticket in 20 years! Seats are incredibly comfortable, even on the first day, a 17 hour marathon! Were not youngsters anymore but no aches and pains from the ride. If it had another 12 inches in the luggage area, Id trade my Park Avenue for another one! Driving it like a sports car and still well over 30 mpg! Only other car weve ever owned that was more fun to drive was the original Toyota Celica GT we had in the 70s.

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  Crash Input - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Tony Milo - October 20 - 3:50 pm

  I owned my G5 for a little over a year, no problems & is used for a commuter back & forth to work. The best mileage I got was a little over 32 with the automatic. The second week of Dec/08 I was driven to work when a 05/G6 made a left hand turn in front of me. I was doing about 40mph & never had the chance to hit the brakes. I was wearing my seat belt & the air bag deployed, I was knocked out, fortunately when I came to I was basically OK. I did sustain some injuries,but nothing major! The G5 did sustain almost $6k in left front damage tho. So I was a crash test dummy & lived to write about it! My G5 should be repaied the second week of Jan/09. Thanks GM for a safe car!