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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  End of an Era - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Jeepmanchuck - November 16 - 2:00 am

  I had looked into purchasing a Trans Am in the fall of 2002. However, at the inflated prices they were asking, I couldnt fit this purchase into my budget. In February 2003, a local Pontiac dealer still had a WS6 convertible 6-speed left on the lot that they were practically giving away. Needless to say, it soon found a home in my garage. No regrets whatsoever on this purchase. Incredible car in all aspects. This car brings back fond memories of the 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner 383 4-speed I owned in my youth. Except it is faster, more comfortable, handles 100 times better, and gets 20-22 mpg. What more needs to be said?

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  the review - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By stephms7 - November 16 - 2:00 am

  the gto has an exhilerating drive the speed and handling of the car is great and is fun to drive it is affordable and comfortable and has a v8

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  Fuel for the Soul - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Colorado Goat - November 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is everything I expected it to be and then some. Performance, handling, ride, and interior comfort are superior to anything Pontiac has produced previously. It is a joy to drive and does live up to its heritage of being the first true Muscle Car.

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  amazing - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By jch10 - November 16 - 2:00 am

  I just got this car today and i love it already. All the features are nice

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  One Awesome Car! - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By bowtiefan1 - November 15 - 4:43 am

  Ive owned my new G8 GT since December 08. Its mostly my weekend and pleasure ride and I can tell you, its more fun (and practical with kids now) than my last sports car, an 89 Corvette! Its too bad that Pontiac and the G8 will soon be history. GM finally got it right with this car and sadly, they are getting rid of it. My only hope is Fritz will listen to Lutz and will rebadge it as a Chevy or Buick and promote it, like Ford is doing with its Taurus SHO. No one, except enthusiasts, really knew about this car. Buy this car soon before it is gone! Its spirited performance and awesome handling will have you hooked! Lastly, everywhere I go, I get lots of positive looks and feedback.

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  Best performance sedan value period. - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Family man - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I love this Pontiac GTP. No car is perfect, this one comes close if you want low cost high performance. Stock, the GTP run hard. With small changes like a reduced diameter supercharger pulley and K&N intake you can run with Z-28s and Mustang Cobras. The GTP is the Grand National of the 90s. Im on my 3rd GTP and I couldnt be happier.

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  Hate to See it GO - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Top Off - November 14 - 10:00 am

  What a CAR, None like it on the road, for feel and comfort, I drive mine hard and fast. AND IT HANDLES IT. Been a Firebird owner for years and it just KEEPS GETTING BETTER, Shame it is not coming back, WAKE UP GM!!!!!

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  2004 Grand Am 260K plus and keeps on going! - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mikiejay21 - November 11 - 10:07 pm

  I have had my 2004 Pontiac Grand Am for 6 years now and I still love it! Up until this week, ive never had a problem until the climate control went out. Turns out that I blew out the blower motor, and blower motor resistor, along with the circuit breaker. It was about an $800.00 repair which isnt bad considering how many miles were on the car. Other than that, no major problems at all, and it still runs like its brand new!

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  Ah!.. The Bonneville - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Bviller - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new. Its been great since day one. It has a smooth comfortable ride without feeling like a boat. Its covered 110,000 miles and still running strong. We had one transmission problem which was repaired under warranty. The water pump started leaking at 102,000 miles. No other repairs. Getting 24mpg in mixed city/highway driving.

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  Awesome Aztec - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By C Robinson - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a vehicle with personality, so I chose a fusion orange metallic Aztec. People who havent even seen it yet tell me that theyve heard about my new car. Its a blast to drive. It has plenty of acceleration, even at interstate speeds. It handles like a much more sportier car. The gas mileage around town is so-so, about 18 or 19, but on the open road I get 25+ (as long as I keep my speed around 65). Theres plenty of room for the family and for hauling "stuff." My package has the roll-out floor in the back - a real plus. Its a lot of car for the money (With rebates, I got over $6000 off the sticker.) Id buy it again anytime!