Are Pontiacs Good Cars? What To Know
The allure of buying something that isn’t widely available anymore can be intoxicating for many consumers. That seems to be the case with many automotive lineups and brands that sadly went out of production for various reasons. One of the many defunct brands that still generate buzz among automotive fans is Pontiac.
Are Pontiacs good cars?
The Pontiac brand ended in 2010, but we’ve seen people expressing interest in buying one. Thus, if you’re looking to buy a used Pontiac car, you need all the information you can get – lucky for you, we’re here to help.
Today we’re highlighting the Pontiac brand and see if it’s a good investment to buy a used model. Are Pontiacs good cars? Let’s answer that question below.
A Brief History of Pontiac
The Pontiac company has a long and storied history dating to its foundation as Oakland Motor Car in 1907 in Pontiac, Michigan. Interestingly, Pontiac was a horse-drawn carriage manufacturer. In 1909, the company became part of General Motors or GM. The original Pontiac was released in the 1920s, with a 6-cylinder engine. Eventually, the company dropped the Oakland Motor name, and the Pontiac brand emerged.
By the 1960s, Pontiac was known for producing sedans, but its claim to fame was for its fast and sporty muscle cars, including the famous Trans AM, GTO, and Firebird. As stated by The New York Times, the Pontiac brand is GM’s attempt to highlight “performance, speed and sex appeal.” If you’re familiar with “Knight Rider,” you’ll know that the star of the show David Hasselhoff drove the iconic Pontiac Trans Am.
During the 80s, Pontiac was one of the best-selling car brands but has since peaked. By 2008, Pontiac vehicles weren’t selling well, especially with the recession. On April 27, 2009, GM announced that it would cease all operations of its Pontiac division by 2010.
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Are Pontiacs Good Cars? A Quick Look At Its Latest Models
The primary marketing strategy of Pontiac is about the lifestyle associated with its vehicles instead of selling the vehicles themselves. The company sold muscle cars at its height but later pivoted to more mainstream and family-friendly vehicles during the late 90s.
For this section, we’ll highlight the last five Pontiac models that were released before their eventual discontinuation:
Pontiac G3
The Pontiac G3 is a rare vehicle because it was a one-and-done model in production for only a year. Also known as the shortest-lived Pontiac, the G3 is a five-door subcompact hatchback with only the 2009 model year under its name.
Edmunds.com gave the Pontiac G3 a respectable 4.1 out of 5.0 rating and commended it for its strong powertrain warranty and good fuel economy. However, many critics were not thrilled with the G3’s 1.6-liter DOHC engine, which feels slow at 106 hp. Many reviews stated that the G3 gets the job done, but not in a memorable way.
Pontiac G5
The Pontiac G5 fared better in the market and was sold in 2004-2009. More observant consumers will realize that the G5 is mainly identical to the unpopular Chevy Cobalt. While the G5 has some styling advantages over the Cobalt, most people feel it’s nothing to be excited about. With that said, the G5 is one of the many examples of GM’s knack for taking a model and rebadging it for another brand.
The G5 houses a standard 2.2-liter engine across the board with 155 horsepower and comes with Variable Valve Timing (VVT), which helps fuel economy. The G5 also comes in a slightly upgraded GT version for better performance.
Pontiac G6
Until its discontinuation, the Pontiac G6 was the car manufacturer’s go-to option for midsize cars. Critic receptions were positive and praised the car’s attractive exterior styling and agile handling. Unlike many Pontiacs of old, the G6 features a discreet design and a V6 engine that delivers a solid performance. In addition, the G6 also comes in a four-seat retractable-hardtop convertible body style.
The G6 is available in two four-cylinder or two V6 engines and a choice between a four or six-speed automatic transmission. Some critics appreciate the fun-to-drive personality of the G6, but the overall performance is uninspiring.
Pontiac Solstice
The Pontiac Solstice is an underrated gem that will likely remind you of the Mazda Miata. The Solstice roadster brought real excitement to the Pontiac with its striking exterior styling and turbocharged power. It was also available as a Targa-topped coupe for a while. Like the Miata mentioned above, the Solstice offers fun-to-drive dynamics and sporty handling, which is rare.
Under the hood, the Solstice comes with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine which produces 173 horsepower and is appropriately perky. Overall, the main selling point of the Solstice is undoubtedly its excellent styling and fun driving dynamics.
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Pontiac Vibe
The final 2010 Pontiac Vibe was based on the Toyota Matrix, a solid foundation for a compact hatchback. Unlike the Matrix, the Vibe stood out with its unique exterior styling, especially with Pontiac’s signature dual-grille design. The Vibe benefited from intuitive cabin controls, ample cargo capacity, and a compliant suspension system.
The Vibe comes with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine which produces 132 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. A higher trim Vibe will get you a 2.4-liter four engine with 158 hp. At a fundamental level, the Vibe is more than competent but had to compete with the likes of the Hyundai Elantra and Subaru Impreza.
Are Pontiacs Reliable?
Are Pontiacs good cars? Since you’re likely buying a used model, you must know about its reliability track record. In terms of reliability, the newer should be as reliable as the existing GM vehicles at that time. Thus, we recommend buying the latest versions you can find for every model. However, it would be best to remember that you’d be buying an “orphan,” which means you’ll likely have difficulties finding the body and trim parts for repairs and replacements.
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If you’re looking for a fun-to-drive Pontiac with distinctive styling, the Solstice is a solid option. Meanwhile, we highly recommend checking out the Vibe for customers who prefer versatility and practicality.
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