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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  2000 SE (Automatic Transmission option) - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By teravain - March 2 - 1:11 pm

  Over all the 2000 Grand Am has been an excellent car. Mine has over 200k miles on it with 185k of them put on by me. The car lasted up until about 189k then one of the cylinders dropped to 60% pressure and I cant use the AC when I am stopped at a stop sign or the engine will stall. Paint started peeling at the bottom of the front doors after 8 years of driving on a dirt road at 45 miles per hour for 2 miles per day. The front dash has started to lift a little from the sun light hitting it the last 11 years, and driver side window button is finally starting to act up. At 13k this car has lived up to all my expectations.

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  do not buy this car - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By barefoot67 - March 2 - 12:06 pm

  i would warn anyone against buying this vehicle. I bought mine a year ago with very low mileage and still in warrenty. recently I noticed the service airbag light coming on and also that i could not get the car into 4th gear. took it to the local GM dealer and was told it would cost $700- $800 to fix the airbad and another $1500 to fix the transmission. I am looking at $2500 or more to get the car back to where i can sell it or trade it. the car has a rough ride and no trunk at all. it is not a very practical car. they said the transmission is made in Taiwan so no telling how long it will be before i get parts or my car back. this is a nightmare. stay away from this car.

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  GM Night Mare - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By wilfred63 - March 2 - 11:03 am

  I HAVE A PONTIAC G6 GT HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE 1.Transmission repaired then Replaced 2. Exhaust system replaced 3 times 3. Waterpump replaced 4.Cable to XM needs replace 5. Top gromitts replace 2 times 6. Key Remote Replaced 13 times and even more 7. CrossOver Gasket Replaced coolant 8.Replac Rack-n-pion & outer tie rod ends (Thats why your going through tires GM WILL NOT HELP JUST KEEP YOU IN A CIRCLE THERE #1-866-790-5700 PROOF #21124 NUMBERS THEY GIVE YOU TO NOT HELP

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  Excellent car at an excellent price - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Vince - March 1 - 6:50 pm

  I was a very content foreign car owner until I purchased the Grand Prix GT1. The few American cars I had never seemed to peak my interest. Until I saw the Grand Prix. Not only does it have the feel and the ride of a high end luxury car, it grips the road like no other car in its class. The roomy interior and sporty exterior make this car an excellent car at an excellent price!

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  Best inexpensive car ever owned - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By JOHN HAWKINS - March 1 - 12:03 pm

  I have driven this car for over 30,000 miles with not one problem...And it keeps going...I use only synthetic oil and change it every 7,000 miles...

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  G6 GTP 6 speed manual - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Dave - February 28 - 3:26 am

  I just purchased a GTP Coupe w/a manual trany. Love the car and the ride, not too crazy about the way the transmission shifts as its a little notchy. The car looks like a Accord and Solaria mated and the off spring took steroids. Im getting approx 23 mph in mixed driving. I just figured out the sweet spot for mileage is between 1500 and 2000 rpm. 2000 rpm in 6th gear will get you 70 mph and 30++ mpg (red line is 6300 rpm). The front seats have a lot headroom even with a sunroof, the headroom in the back is tight (Im 6) for me but the wife fits fine.

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  my gtp - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By chris5 - February 27 - 2:00 am

  i have owned my gtp for a year and a half now, and i have been extremely happy with my car so far.

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  used to love this car! - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By disppointed - February 27 - 2:00 am

  This was a great car until it turned over 75,000 miles. Have had some very expensive repairs in the past few months (EGR, fuel injection system) and at 80,000 miles it just doesnt drive so well anymore. I am going to sell it ASAP before it costs me anymore money!

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  Shame its gone... - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By nemeses - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Purchased vehicle used in 2003. Still looks and drives great with 48,000 miles. Only issue I have with the vehicle is the weak rear differential. Went out once and is going out again.

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  I love it - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By bojo - February 27 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car for me and my family...roomy..comfortable...and fast