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 car - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Angela - March 23 - 4:53 am

  I purchased this car in February 09 after trading in my 03 Chevy Impala. Im very impressed with it so far. It had 35,000 miles on it due to it being a rental car, yet I havent had any problems at all. It drives great and looks awesome. Ive had GM vehicles for the past 5 years and havent had any major problems with any of them. Now if only Ford could do the same. lol!

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  Best Reliable - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By B Boulch - March 23 - 4:33 am

  I have always owned a Grand Prix. Last year I purchased the 2004 Grand Prix GTP and love it. The looks, speed, performance and luxeries are great. My boss bought my 1998 Grand Prix and now he is hooked on the Grand Prixs. They have always been great cars.

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  Jeffs 6 year itch - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Jeffs 6 year itch - March 22 - 11:40 pm

  New 2 year old with 32k in 2002. 2 mnths later trans went. Dealer replaced at their cost, but forgot a few bolts during the repair. Yup fluids all over the engine and driveway. Rear window came off the track 2xs. Sunroof was completely replaced(glass and all) because of wind noise. Wonderful steering noise started just after 39k miles(sorry warranty done). After that my ignition key doesnt always want to turn (happens to both of my keys), and leaves the million dollar question- will it start today. 2 alternators later and 4 weeks after the last one car died again. To make if even better it was on my Birth Day (9/16). I only have 57k miles on a 6yr old car-why I ask do I have so many issues.

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  Fun to drive, but noisy - 2005 Pontiac Grand AM
  By john - March 21 - 8:50 pm

  Great Car for fun and curvy roads!! Not too great for road noise, you hear every change in the road surface.

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  My Pontiac Experience - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By fran - March 21 - 2:26 am

  This is the 3rd Pontiac Ive owned. I had a 1974 Grand Am, a 1989 Grand Prix and the 1998 Grand Prix which I am currently driving. The only complaint I have about this car is with the headlight lens. So far Ive replace one headlight and now the other lens cap has fallen off. As for the driving experience, the car has a lot great pickup and is nice to drive in either traffic or highway conditions.

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  not too bad - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By iag1 - March 20 - 3:10 pm

  My first car was a Lexus , so i am basically downgrading my ride to a more economical car that is a hatchback with a GM brand but with better safety features. The ride is actually pretty smooth but i sure miss the powerful engine. The cabin is pretty quiet and roomy. It doesnt feel like a small car at all.But the rear view needs work.It has blind spots.it needs bigger side mirror like the Scion. I had a bad experience after the sale was done, the dealer is not cooperative in canceling the extras I signed for.

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  One Hot Car! - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By brune55 - March 20 - 1:16 pm

  This car was a dream come true when I bought it and more of a dream to drive. Believe it or not, even the big blocks and new Vettes were envious of the style of the rear end of the car, which is all of what they saw. The car handled like a dream on the highway, side roads, country roads and laughed at the corners with no effort or a squeak of the tires coming loose. The only problem I had was one day I shut it off and about 20 minutes later I saw the whole engine on fire with flames shooting out from underneath the hood. I hadnt even traveled down to the end of my driveway or even warmed up the engine. I looked up online and saw quite a few people with the same problem

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  New car 2005 - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By A. J. Young - March 19 - 4:33 pm

  I like this car except for the price I paid for it. It is smooth driving and very comfortable on long distance driving. My 84 yr old brother-in-law finds it comfortable to ride in the back seat.

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  repairs begin - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Ronzo - March 19 - 3:46 pm

  At 86,000 km about 55,000 mi. the "big money repairs" have begun. A front wheel bearing at over $500! If I had known that the 07s had a 100,000 mile drive train warranty instead of 36,000, I would have bought a year newer-it was the end of the 06 model year anyway! Well, only 2 more years until it is paid for!

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  Good MPG - Piece of Garbage - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Hank Smith - March 18 - 8:33 pm

  I should have run far far away. The day I bought my base model 2006 Vibe we drive it off the lot and within 10 miles the engine overheats and spills coolant all over the place..needless to say we took it back to the dealer and they graciously exchanged it for another. So for about 20,000 it has been a good little car and then today it dies on me and I have to have it towed to the dealer. I am not real happy. 18 months and this little piece of crap leaves me stranded on the highway. I thought I was buying Toyota quality but its just another California bulit pile of garbage. Depending on what is wrong with this car I am going to buy a Honda. I hate this car.