Before its abrupt demise in 2010, Pontiac had proven its worth, producing everything from high-performance supercars and muscle cars to dependable family trucks and personal luxury automobiles. And when it comes to the best American cars, Pontiac sports cars models have their first name.
Pontiac was an automobile subsidiary of General Motors that was introduced in 1926 as a partner in the Oakland automobile brand. This lasted until 1933 when Pontiac overtook Oakland in popularity and was independently branded by GM.
But in all that time, many of Pontiac’s most successful and acclaimed models have been performance cars. The brand reached its peak in the 1970s with the success of the Firebird Trans Am, but that wasn’t the only cool Pontiac sports car ever produced.
In general, Pontiac was known for offering sportier options for both coupes and sedans and was a popular brand among sports car enthusiasts. Want to know more about Pontiac sports car models? We’ll see.
Table of Contents
8 Best Classic Pontiac Sports Cars Models For You
Pontiac has produced its fair share of high-performance best-used sports cars over the years, but few make good choices for used cars today.
And with a great range of high-performance cars to choose from like the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP and 2009 Pontiac G8 GT, making a Pontiac your next fun car can be a wise decision. These are the best-used Pontiac sports car model options.
1. Pontiac Fiero GT
- Price: $20,995
- Production Years: 1984-1988
- Engine: 2.8-litre V6
The Pontiac Fiero GT is a mid-engine sports car with all-new advanced suspension and a powerful V6 engine. It looks as good as any other performance car of the era, including the Mazda RX-7 and Toyota MR2, and features a rear-engine layout not common in American cars.
The Pontiac Fiero used two engines during its brief lifespan from 1984 to 1988. The first was a 2.5-litre inline four called the Iron Duke. It produced 92 hp and propelled the 2,580-pound car to 60 mph in 11.3 seconds.
A second engine was added in 1985 in the form of a 2.8-litre V6 for the Fiero GT. It produced 140 hp, which is more than a Toyota MR2 made at the time. The Fiero is generally considered unreliable, but it can last a long time as long as you fix these issues. It will forever be known as an American classic.
2. Pontiac Firebird
- Price: $6,995
- Production Years: 1967 – 2002
- Engine: 3.4-liter V6
The Pontiac Firebird is a classic Pontiac sports car, a compact sports car with exotic looks and a lot of power. A direct rival of the Ford Mustang, it opted for the same long hood, short-deck appearance, and performance-oriented image designed to appeal to a young market.
It was available in two-door hardtop and convertible versions and was available with a choice of engines from a 230-cubic-inch SOHC inline-six producing 165 hp to a 400-cubic-inch 345-hp Ram Air IV model.
In the middle were a Sprint model and two smaller V8 engines. The Pontiac Firebird has lived an exciting life of fast driving, great public interest, and plenty of movie features. But sadly, GM ended production of the Camaro and Firebird in 2002 and Pontiac went out of business in 2008.
3. Pontiac Solstice
- Price: $9,950
- Production Years: 2005–2010
- Engine: 2.0-liter V4
With sexy styling, satisfying performance, tenacious road manners, and a bargain price, the Pontiac Solstice is certainly tempting. It has a 260-hp turbocharged engine, a sports chassis, and stability control.
While the Solstice GXP may turn heads from the outside, the inside of the car is nothing special to look at. The cabin’s key tech feature is a GM-standard stereo head unit that’s a lot more sophisticated than it looks.
From a control point of view, this little two-seater is agile and forgiving. It gives the driver a lot of confidence both entering and exiting corners. GXP details include extended front and rear skirts, gleaming 18-inch alloys, polished stainless steel dual exhaust tips, and of course badging.
Although the new clapboard-coloured hood gives this roadster a nice finish, it’s still a bit of a hassle to manually fold it under the trunk liner.
4. Pontiac G8
- Price: $15,000
- Production Years: 2007–2009
- Engine: 6.0-liter V8
If you want an affordable full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan with American muscle and European oomph, the Pontiac G8 is the only match in town. The G8 is handsome, sleek, and muscular with an unmistakable classic Pontiac sports car.
The interior is comfortable and uncluttered, with good instrumentation and materials. The G8 comes with a 256hp V6, the same engine found in the brilliant Cadillac CTS. The performance of the V6 engine is sufficient.
However, the base model lacks the enthusiasm of the GT model, partly because its five-speed automatic transmission is less responsive. Still, it costs $3,400 less than the GT and offers better fuel economy, earning an EPA rating of 17/25 mpg city/highway.
The G8 GT features a 361-horsepower V8 that’s smooth and responsive at any speed, making it the most powerful sedan in this price range.
5. Pontiac Grand Am
- Price: $3,448
- Production Years: 1973-1975
- Engine: 2.0-liter V4
Used Grand Ams are widely available and convincingly inexpensive and in most respects enough to be considered for a small family car. It’s practical, especially in sedan form.
The Pontiac Grand Am is equipped as standard with a newly developed four-cylinder engine called EcoTec, which ensures good acceleration in the city and on highway ramps. It is one of the most compact four-cylinder engines in the world and the lightest engine GM makes in its displacement class.
The Pontiac Grand Am offers an interior that focuses on comfort and style. A relatively high seating position, along with a low hood and skinny A-pillars, offer good forward visibility, something Pontiacs aren’t exactly known for.
6. Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air III
- Price: $40,000
- Production Years: 1964 to 1974
- Engine: 7.5-liter V-8
The GTO Judge Ram Air III is one of the best sports cars ever released by Pontiac. It is equipped with the Pontiac 400ci engine and M20 4-speed manual transmission, including the standard T-bar shifter.
The Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air III was one of the last great muscle cars to enact stricter emissions regulations when it had poor fuel efficiency were punishing, and along with rising gas prices, muscle cars couldn’t topple it.
Muscle cars died in the 1970s, but muscle culture lives on today thanks to well-preserved cars like the Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air III. This classic muscle car is worth a look if you can find one today. They range from $40,000 to over $200,000 depending on the condition of the car.
7. Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix
- Price: $2,000
- Production Years: 1962–2008
- Engine: 3.1-liter V-6
Looking for a McLaren that won’t break the bank and dress like a quirky ’80s kid? Then your search with end with this bright red 1989 Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix.
Sure, it looks like an unusually clean version of a Grand Prix SE that you can probably find at any junkyard for under $100. Under its hood, the Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix ASC/McLaren features a McLaren-like turbocharged 3.1-litre V-6 that makes around 205 hp and 220 pound-feet of torque.
With fewer than 3,500 units built, this Pontiac is one of the manufacturer’s most sought-after old Pontiac sports cars.
8. Pontiac G6 GTP
- Price: $4,586
- Production Years: 2004–2010
- Engine: 3.9-liter V-6
The Pontiac G6 GT is an elegant two-door coupé and a spectacular convertible with a folding hardtop. The G6 sedan lineup was also expanded for 2006, with multiple trim and engine choices available.
Engine choices include a 2.4-litre four-cylinder for the base model, the GT’s 3.5-litre V6, and a 3.9-litre V6 with variable valve timing for the new GTP models. The G6 has good on-road manners, even when driven hard, and benefits from its long wheelbase and European-styled architecture.
The sedan is spacious and luxurious with excellent overall function, and its price point has made it a popular choice for a midsize sedan. The coupe is comfortable and sporty. The Pontiac G6 is fun to drive and very comfortable to ride.
FAQ Regarding Classic Pontiac Sports Cars Models
Q. 1) Did Pontiac make a sports car?
Ans. 1) Yes, Pontiac made some of the most remarkable sports cars in the USA automotive history. And The Pontiac GXP was one of the best and most powerful sports cars ever built.
Q. 2) What is the fastest Pontiac car?
Ans. 2) The following is a list of the top fastest old Pontiac sports cars made by Pontiac.
Pontiac GTO
Pontiac G8 GXP
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
Pontiac Solstice GXP
Pontiac Bonneville GXP
Q. 3) What is last Pontiac sports car?
Ans. 3) This new Targa-top Solstice is the last of the Pontiacs, the last breath of a brand that has failed to adapt to a changing world. The once-proud Pontiac will be phased out by General Motors, its parent company, and will be gone in 2010.
A fixed-roof variant of the four-year-old roadster, the Solstice coupe is Pontiac’s final new model.
Q. 4) Is Pontiac G6 a sports car?
Ans. 4) Yes, the Pontiac G6 sports car is a fuel-efficient mid-size car available as a sedan, coupe, or hardtop convertible. It has a satisfyingly peppy engine, an attractive exterior, and an affordable price tag. In other words, it offers tons of fun without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
The Pontiac name will always be remembered by car lovers who want a true sports car. And with our list of classic Pontiac sports car models, you can easily find the best-used sports car model.
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