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 for the Money - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Jack11 - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Just bought a 2002 Grand Am GT in Sept. I currently have 3,500 miles on it. My experience has been great so far. The car has sufficient power and bold looks. The interior is roomy and sits four adults. The Monsoon stereo is great. The car ride is smooth and it appears to be well made. Very nice sporty sedan for the money! Its a passenger car with a little attitude that makes it fun to drive.

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  Great car - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By trav8600 - December 5 - 9:03 am

  Bought my 06 g6 gtp sedan 3 yrs ago with 49,000 miles. I now have 80,000 miles. My breaks needed changed after awhile and I put the best ceramic pads on and cheaper rotors. Had loud squeky brakes til I put acid wheel cleaner on the rotors to get the glaze off. Wheel bearing hub assembly went out around 60k on front passenger was $120 to fix myself wasnt hard. Thats the only thing thats gone wrong. Get your transmission fluid and filter change at 50k and every 30k after. Its only $80. Changed spark plugs today cost $44.88 dealer reccomends changing at 100,000 miles but mine were definitly due at 75,000. Use the oem ac delco plugs "iridium". Replace all parts with acdelco or you will have prob

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  Love it! - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By firebirdemt - December 4 - 12:03 pm

  In 2007, I was looking for a camaro as I had had a 1973, 1978, and 1989 in the past and loved them. Then I saw the red T/A sitting at a buick dealer. A 1999 with only 34,000 miles on it. T-tops, leather power seats with power lumbar support, auto-trans, 10 speaker cd stereo, I was in heaven! I love that when you tromp on it, it plants you back in the seat and the tires chirp in the first 3 gears even when you leave the trans in Drive. She is beautiful. As for repairs, I have had to replace one head light motor, one power window motor, two modules, and for some reason, multiple turn signal bulbs. I try to keep the milage down, but I love to drive it so it now has 65,000 miles. I adore my t/a.

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  Standard Solstice still Fund to Drive - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Mike G. - December 3 - 4:50 pm

  I picked up my standard Solstice even though the GXP has now arrived. At first drive I felt the acceleration was a little less than what I wanted, but it does actually have good thrust when you need it and step on the pedal to tell it you mean business. I also owned a GTO, so it is not in that league, but after a few hundred miles in traffic, as this is my daily commuter, I am more than satisfied with the cars performance. The styling also has created a lot of whiplash around it with craning necks to see what just went by. Nice ego boost. I will keep it.

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  How To Get Toyota Performance in A GM Product, Better Styling & All on a Solid Frame - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By zoezmom - December 3 - 1:30 am

  I bought this for my 63" husband to commute from MD to D.C., brand new in 2003 - Trying to figure out how to please a guy, who drove a Camaro for years, but, who only believes in paying for GTO (Gas, Tires & Oil) & is a bad owner (I take care of scheduling all reg. maintenance on our cars), I knew that this would be a perfect choice. Lowest Cost of Ownership, ever! A $1K Ox Sensor, Cat Converter & Exhaust was needed by 150K Miles & just dropped her off for her first Clutch & Full Assembly & 2nd-Ever Tune-up with an Odometer Reading of 241K Miles, which will be $1500-$1600. My Mechanic stated that it has a Supra Engine & I have to tell you, it handles like an Dream Fast, Fun, Smooth & Solid

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  I love this car - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By IMSL - December 2 - 2:40 pm

  I had an 05 Vibe that I loved, but had to trade-in after accident. The 09 Vibe has everything I loved about my 05 Vibe, and more! The Stereo is excellent, the handling and power is awesome; too awesome, I got a speeding ticket before I hit 1000 miles on the car. I like the standard roof rack; the new cup holders are perfect, and I like the fact that the cargo area has anti-slide strips. Also a nice addition is the recessed cargo hooks. Its a fantastic car for the price!

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  Great Vehicle - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By LuvAztek - December 2 - 2:00 am

  This has been the best automotive experience Ive had since I started buying 30 years ago. It rides great, handles very well, was a great value with lots of amenities and "looks" good too. I am truly impressed with the cargo space after having owned an Explorer Sport. Ive only had it for two months so I havent found any true weaknesses yet.

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  2001 Pontiac Grand AM V6 SE - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By pontiacmp - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Excellent vehicle all around. Handles well, very comfortable, very stylish.

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  If you can find one, buy it! - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Herk Loadmaster - December 1 - 6:50 pm

  I purchased this vehicle in December 2009 after my 2008 Lancer got totalled in an accident. I could only find about 10 in my area when I was looking. FANTASTIC car for the price! I cant believe how fast it is. I have the gas pedal on the floor at every on ramp I encounter. I had the dealer install 17 inch winter wheel and tire package before delivery because I live in the northern US. I have no problems getting around during the cold winter months. This a drivers car for sure.

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  Why not?? - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By jdb1601 - December 1 - 2:57 pm

  I bought this van 2 years ago with intentions of using it as a beater, Well this van now has 140,000 miles on it and i have drove it the last 40,000 miles (20,000 a year) heck with only one oil change. It is more reliable than any other car i have owned. I read others reviews but come on seriously people usually only write a review when they have problems. I would absolutely buy another at the drop of a hat!