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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  What a great car! - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By VieraHal - November 15 - 7:36 am

  I bought this for my wife and she is very, very happy. Which makes me happy! But now I have to buy her a radar detector to help save money :-)

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  Great car! - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By cpet - November 14 - 4:40 am

  I bought mine new and have owned it for about 5 years - great, great car. I would definitely buy this again. Very reliable - never any major problems, fun to drive, large trunk, very roomy and comfortable even on long trips. Sporty look and quick pick-up. Great car to buy!

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  Not a good car! - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By tam - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 97 GA for 5 years, and Ive had only problems with it. I bought it used, and luckily I bought the extended warrantly with it -- the warranty paid for itself and them some. Just off the top of my head, I can think of several major problems Ive had with it -- the rack and pinion had to be replaced (big $-- happened after my warranty expired!), the brake rotors and pads have been replaced twice, two water pumps, an oxygen sensor, and several other repairs that I cant even remember had added up to big $ on this car! I will not be purchasing a GA again!

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  Good purchase....poor investment - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Rah Rah - November 14 - 2:00 am

  After 40,000 miles, my SSEI has proven its merit. I have enjoyed driving it but am disapointed with the resale value. The heating system has very poor venting . The air blows out weakly in numerous caverns and crevices and nowhere strongly. Dealership did not see anything unusual with this. Headrests are absolutely worthless. All else up to par or better.

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  2002 pontiac grand am se1 - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By yaddagirl - November 14 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle, I absolutely love it. The only thing I do not like is the fact that it comes in a 4- cyclinder. This vehicle is too big to be offered in a 4-cylinder engine. It seems as if the engine is working too hard to pull the weight and it will pass everything but a gas station. It should only be offered in a 6-cylinder, like the GT. It is definately more cost effective in the longrun.

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  Give me a brake....job! - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By F C - November 13 - 1:40 pm

  BOOO!!! 1st month = broken wipers, passenger visor broke off into my wifes lap (it wasnt even in use at the time), fog light switch burned out & the brake car shakes when the brake pedal is depressed. After complimentary a brake job, the car still vibrated when I pressed the brakes, just a few miles after leaving the dealership. I cannot wait until my lease is over next year to get rid of this problem car. domestic mess! Oh yeah, power steering is ineffective for first few mins of driving after a cold start on winter morning. I dont let my kids in this car. We take the family SUV, due the G6 brake problems. And I thought motorcycles were dangerous!

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  Super charged 05 GTO. - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By jrssr - November 12 - 1:30 am

  I really enjoy driving this car. It is a blast on the track and on the road. It handles very well especially with the right rubber under it. I have super charged the LS2 and it is a beast. The torque and power band is unbelivable. It is a true sleeper as the body style is under stated and there are not many on the road or track. I actually had a guy in a C-5 Corvette that got upset when I passed him and kept pulling ahead of him with 3 people in my car. He could not catch me let alone keep up. This car is the best deal on the market for the package that you get for the price. I have had no problems with it although I only have a little over 13,000 miles on it now. What a car it is!

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  Love That Torrent - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Mia - November 11 - 9:36 pm

  This is my first SUV. So far so good. I love the room in this vehicle. I love the console and that everything is controlled from the center even the windows. Gas Mileage is great. It costs no more to drive than the car I had. I am getting a lot of compliments. "Nice!"

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  Can not keep it out of the shop - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By ryant - November 11 - 8:46 pm

  I like this car very comfortable and convenient. It fits all the kids and dogs without a problem. I have found out however lots of mechanical problems with the Engine after lots of $$$$ and many days in the shop just after the warranty expiration I have decided to dump it and go back to gas guzzling SUVs.

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  LEMON, LEMON, LEMON - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Kelly - November 11 - 4:10 pm

  Ive had nothing but problems with this heap, and dont know many people who havent (if you havent, you will). Brake rotors need replaced every 10k mi, power windows replaced 2 times each, sunroof motor replaced, turn signal replaced twice, leak in fuel line, I could go on for days. Im only stuck with this car because I went back to school, but you can bet the minute I graduate that piece of junk is outta here. DO NOT BUY A PONTIAC...EVER!