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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  Great machine for an older car - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jazbo01 - January 11 - 10:57 pm

  Bought this car to drive to work, at first i felt i paid too much but after putting 20k on it and having NO issues.. and no rust, it was a great deal! Good fuel economy, good power-no fears when passing. Big, heavy, solid car..the way I like em! Has 140K on it and it runs, and drives like new, rides great and with snow tires will go where my truck will! Very glad I bought a Grand Prix, would do it all over again! you cant beat the 3.8 for power and reliability. if you are considering buying an inexpendsive used car definately look at a grand prix you wont regret it!

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  Junk - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By m.j - January 11 - 5:16 pm

  I bought this car with 63000 miles on it and has been nothing but headache. Window motors broke down, brakes, overheats; you name it. It is unreliable and very unsafe car.

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  Eco-friendly & Reliable - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Nevadasurr - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Compares well to Forester, which has poor MPG and $3+k more. Matrix less visually appealing; Toyota misled on low-cost financing; couldnt get ABS & SAB combo; forced to take standard options. After 6k miles, Vibe runs well, gets exc. mileage, Moons & Tunes stereo is a pleasure, plenty of room for big dog, guitar and gear. Paid ~$16.2 with rebate before tax: 5 sp., M & T pkg., ABS, SAB, bumper cover & cargo mat ordered from factory to specs (Salsa Red, black/gray trim and dark interior). Car performs well in snow and summer heat, gets exc. mileage (35-39 hgwy.) and has met expectations. Hoping for Toyota reliability over the long haul.

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  Red 97 GT - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By pontiac_gt97 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought it used August 1, 2003 with 116k I have only had it 5 months and now it has 122k..I like it so far I traded a 92GP for it and it was a reliable car so I decided to stay with a GP. I like the handling and the gas mileage but the window motor makes me mad because it takes for ever to roll the window up GM needed to put a better window motor in it. the oil pan leaked so I had to change the gasket and it hasnt leaked since then. It is a little rough on bumpy roads.Over all I really like the car.

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  This car is bleeding me dry - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mmyy66 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  The car us fun to drive, but the build quality is so pathetic. Ive put thousands into repairs ... and not just routine maintenance like new tires and brakes. GM still has yet to figure out how electronics work. Many lights in the dash dont work. The steering-wheel radio controls are kaput. The computer chips have gone haywire at different times. Both door windows have gone bad multiple times. Two weeks ago it was a fuel pump. A few days ago it was a window switch. Sorry to say, GM, but youre sorry-ass car will lead me to buy Honda or Toyota. The statistics bear out the undeniable fact that GM really doesnt build quality cars.

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  Sweet ride for a great price - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By SteveG2000 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Found one of these with low mileage, and I feel like I paid twice as much, this is a great car.. The outside design has hardly changed in four years so it still looks like a brand new car.

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  What a Blast - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By revdobber - January 11 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun Ive had driving a car in years. It amazes me the pick up this car has. You dont have to worry about getting on the interstate or passing another car. It handles like a expensive sports car and you cant beat the gas mileage. If you want to buy a great car youve found it.

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  loaded for the price, fun to drive - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By richb - January 10 - 10:00 am

  for the price, the GT model is fun to drive with a lot of options. Real value!

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  We love our Montana Mini Van - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By grisswalds - January 10 - 9:23 am

  We bought our Montana minivan new in 2003. It is now 2013 and were putting it up for sale. It has 260,000 miles on it and has been the best reliable vehicle weve ever bought. The only thing we had to replace was two hub assemblies and the alternator just went out last week. 260,000 miles on the same alternator.. Unheard of.. Just crazy. Weve been from New York to Texas to Florida and all parts in between. Its been a great family car. Thank you GM for making a reliable vehicle. Its been a great ride:)

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  Great Car - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By E. Jarolen - January 10 - 6:50 am

  Sleek exterior design. The car looks as well as it performs. Acceleration is brisk, performance and ride quality is outstanding. The interior was designed for comfort and convenience to instruments and controls. A pleasure to drive and an excellent compromise between a sporty hi-performance car and and a unit with consideration to fuel efficiency.