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 IF YOU GET A GREAT DEAL. - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ARTIE - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I HAD THE 1999 SE GRANDAM AND WENT INTO THE 2004 GT. I REALLY LIKE PONTIACS GRAND AMS. CAR HAS A REALLY GOOD REBATE. HAVNT HAD THE CAR TO LONG BUT PAST EXP. WITH GRAND AMS IVE ENJOYED. OLD ONES ( LIKE MY 99 ) BRAKES WERE BAD. I CAN FEEL AN IMPROVEMENT WITH THIS 04. GOOD CAR FOR ALL AGES.

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  So- So vibe - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By bridgettg - November 29 - 3:38 pm

  I have mixed feelings about my Vibe because there are a lot of good that go with owning a vibe...gas mileage, lots of storage, comfortable. But the things I dont like about my Vibe are....air cond./ heater are very weak, doesnt have a lot of power, Rear vision is poor. I would definitely take these things into consideration.

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  It Doesnt Get Better with Age - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Ed - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new and put about 8500 miles a year on it. It isnt a bad car with lots a major mechanical problems but it just isnt a great car. The radio face shows up in red and cant be seen very well during the daylight hours. Also had LED light go out on radio. GM wanted $350 to replace so went to Best Buys and got by cheaper. I also use a pillow on the console armrest as it is too low for arm to fit comfortably without leaning to the right.

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  Pretty good for the money - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By chlywily - November 29 - 2:00 am

  The car has been very reliable, but has an intermittent knocking when started sometimes. Can be hot or cold and the dealer has no clue.

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  Check Engine Light - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Karen - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Pontiac for a year and a half. I love it. I do not love the problems. My check engine light goes on and off and the engine machines says it is fuses. We have had all those changed check eng light still on and still says fuses. Also my wipers stopped working and we do not know why. I have always bought a GM but now I am not so sure. My seat has already broke the water pump went what problems I am having. Should have bought a 1000 car instead of a 12000 car

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  Beware of Repairs - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By WSG - November 24 - 1:53 pm

  List of problems: EGR value replaced at 40k miles ($410), multi-function switch replaced (for faulty wiper blades) at 43k miles ($530), replaced brake rotors at 44k miles ($300), new catalytic converter and transmission at 53k miles ($4,900). Sorry to say, this has just not been a reliable car at all.

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  The affordable car with a big honking V8 - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By Kris Gillespie - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Overall its the best buy of any of Americas cheap horsepower. The 4- speed automatic is top-notch, but I would recommend the 6-speed manual over the auto. Its LT1 V8 engine has enough power for anyone except John Force. You couldnt ask for a better factory suspension, it has extremely good 4-disc ABS brake system that stops on a dime and gives you 3 cents back. The car has some weak points though. The quality of some of the build parts are questionable. The optispark ignition system is junk, but it works better than any OEM ignition put in a car in 50 years. The power window motors are prone to just craping out.

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  Had one, BAD IN A CRASH - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By SephirothJenova - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I had a brand new 2004 model GTP... Got into a crash at 35MPH and burned instantaneously! I think this car needs to be investigated for safety issues!

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  Fun to drive - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By gurgstar - November 20 - 4:43 am

  I leased a 99 Grand Am SE for 3 yrs. and was very happy with the car. The V6 engine was powerful, and this car really came packed with a lot of features for the price (power windows/seats, steering-wheel radio controls, cd player, cruise-control, etc.). My only complaint is that the car handled poorly at high speeds (it seemed to have a mind of its own). In the 3 years that I owned it, I had hardly any service problems (a couple minor things that were resolved with 1 trip to the dealer).

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  Indifferent - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By Bryan Wisconsin - November 19 - 10:00 am

  First of all, we like it because of the distinctive styling. Everyone we know has a Caravan and we wanted to be different. The Caravans were nice and truly Chrysler did "think of everything". However, the power of the Montana is much better. Highway speeds are very manageable and comfortable. My biggest problem is the workmanship. Sunglass Holder, Cig Lighter compartment, etc. Also, tires have 37K miles and they need to be replaced. They are cupped. Ill be happy when I have new ones. It has been in the shop several times. Thank goodness that Gustman in Kaukauna is such a good dealer.