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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  The 95 Purple HAZE - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By RedRocker - April 1 - 1:36 am

  Bought my Purple T.A. for my 40th b-day it is my sixth Trans Am and by far the fastest 375 H.P.It has a few extras, headers, B&M short shift for the six speed, and a custom dash plate that illuminates shades of blue or gray, also (HAD) a K&N cold air filter system which took out my Distributor $1200 bucks on a trip to california when in New Mexico the filter fell out allowing the rain storm I was in to suck water up into the air system causing A TOTAL OF $2300.00 DAMAGE I DO NOT RECOMEND THE K&N COLD AIR FILTER SYSTEM FOR THESE CARS. If you are thinking about one spare no expense. MINES a 95 with only 65,000 miles as my friends say when they get in were is the ejection button and the harness.

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  slipping tranny - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By tinhorn - March 31 - 3:53 pm

  the wife loves the van for its roominess lots of room for the grandkids, groceries, fishing poles and camping stuff. it handles good in snow and its only a front wheel drive

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  Lots of fun, but not worth it! - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By SilverBird0000 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I got this car as a gift when I turned 16.I am now 19 and wish I would have never saw it!It is an awesome car to drive,ive had alot of memories and fun in it.But Ive have to have it in the shop every other month for the last year.Ive had to replace the turn signals mulitple times,the catalitic converter twice,new battery,fuel injectors,plugs and wires twice,also had to have the O2 sensors replaced.The car has 72K miles on it and has had problems since 30K.Power window motors each replaced twice.The rotors also where shot at 40K miles.The speakers are also all blown.The car was fun for the first year now I hate it!

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  2004 pontiac grand prix gt2 - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By dpkoszyk - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Just thought I would drp in revview for the 2004 pontiac grand prix gt2. Since day one when i started looking for a new car i was looking at buying another pontiac.So i went to the selling dealer of my last 4 pontiacs and got some quotes on prices for the 04, the prices were not bad at all.Have not had any problems with the car since day one and it runs pretty good just wish there was a little more pep . Other than that I have taken it on long trips and it is comfortable for me and my family.I have hauled wood in it with the front seat folded down(very nice feature).Other than that thats about it.I would not hesitate to buy another one .

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  Excellent Car! - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Speed Racer - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Super fast! Nothing short of a genuine sports car with a semi-skilled driver can consistantly keep pace once you drop the pedal. Cruises effortlessly at speeds over 80 mph, and even at that speed there is still plenty of power for passing. On a lightly traveled backroad, I ran it up to 120 mph and it was still pulling hard by the time I lost my nerve. Gets 18 mpg around town, but a respectable 30 mpg on the freeway. This engine likes premium fuel. Handling is very good, but suspension could be firmer. Interior trim is fairly low grade, fit-and- finish could use some work. Overall, an excellent ride.

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  1998 Bonneville - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By JoeB. - March 27 - 10:00 am

  I have the standard model (SE), purchased as a lease-end car. I have seen some horrible reviews for this car, and I know a lady whose tranny went out over 90,000 miles. I have to say, though, that my car has been one of my all-time favs. It rides well, handles well, has adequate power, is reliable every day. It has 103,000 miles on it, still going strong.

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  Why did I buy this car?? - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By lrudd - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car before I checked safety rating and I would never buy another because of it - what was GM thinking?? The car is generally ok - but I hate having to sink money into a car that is less than 2 years old - had to replace fuel sender already and $75 for emission updates?? What is that all about? One good thing it gets great gas mileage.

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  Too Hot - 2008 Pontiac Solstice
  By Brotzy - March 27 - 7:16 am

  This car is a blast to drive. Everyone stares at you like you are driving a spaceship. Never get tired of driving this car. Stereo is awesome. Speaker behind passenger seat will rock you for sure. Im 57 and feel 16 when I get behind the wheel. The car is my wifes so I only get to drive on weekends. Should by another for me.

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  Pontiac Grand Am SE2 - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By cmcbmh - March 24 - 10:00 am

  We purchased two of the Grand Am SE 2 within a week. The first experienced a module going which affected the anti lock braking mechanism. The part had to be ordered. It also had th electronic board in the dash go after 2 months. This made the tachometer freeze. Tehb 2nd car went 3 months and then had the same antilock braking module go. Be wary of this.

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  02 Grand Prix - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Testerman - March 23 - 4:43 pm

  This has been the best car I have ever owned. Only problem has been with the front wheel bearings. Both have gone out and it isnt a cheap repair. Engine is exceptional for the performance you get and the fuel economy you achieve. It has also run flawlessly for over 60,000 miles.