Pontiac's Last Stand
Pontiac spent decades as GM's performance brand. Its final chapter came down to three V8 cars: the last Trans Am, a GTO revival built in Australia, and a sport sedan that arrived just in time for the brand to die. All three were fast, critically liked and slow sellers, and all three now have loyal followings.
- 1Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am (LS1)1998–2002 · up to 325 hp WS6
- 2Pontiac GTO2004–2006 · 350–400 hp · built in Australia
- 3Pontiac G82008–2009 · up to 415 hp GXP · 1,829 GXPs
The theme: the performance brand runs out of road
When the Firebird ended in 2002, Pontiac had no rear-drive V8 car of its own. Instead of designing one, GM looked to its Australian division, Holden, which was already building exactly what Pontiac needed. The result was two imported Pontiacs built in Elizabeth, South Australia. Then the 2009 bankruptcy arrived, and GM shut the brand down.
Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am (fourth gen, LS1)
1998–2002
For 1998, the Firebird got a refreshed nose and, more importantly, the Corvette's new all-aluminum LS1 V8, still one of the most popular swap engines around. The Trans Am made 305 hp, and the WS6 Ram Air package, with its functional hood scoops, added more. Power crept up over the next few years, and the 2002 WS6 was rated at 325 hp. These were seriously quick cars for the money.
But buyers were moving to trucks and SUVs, and GM said sport-coupe demand had dropped by more than half during the 1990s. The plant in Ste-Thérèse, Quebec, which built every Camaro and Firebird, closed in 2002. Pontiac sent the Firebird off with a yellow 2002 Collector's Edition, and 2002 turned out to be the WS6's biggest year.
Owner's notes: Fake WS6 cars are common, so check the SPID label in the door jamb for the WS6 code. Pop-up headlight motors strip their nylon gears, and power windows fail. Look for rust behind the rear wheels and in the floors, especially on T-top cars, which also leak at the seals. Early LS1s can have cold-start piston slap. Many parts are shared with the fourth-gen F-body Camaro, which helps when you're hunting.
Watch it
An 8,000-mile 2000 Trans Am WS6 reviewed. Video: Collectible Motorcar of Atlanta on YouTube
Driving a 28,000-mile 2002 WS6. Video: I-95 Muscle on YouTube
Pontiac GTO
2004–2006
GM product chief Bob Lutz pushed to bring Holden's Monaro coupe to America as a new GTO. Built in Australia with a 350-hp LS1, it arrived for 2004 with a famous name and a problem: it looked like a regular coupe. Critics called the styling anonymous, and a stronger Australian dollar pushed the price to around $34,000, well above the original plan.
Pontiac answered for 2005 with the 400-hp LS2 from the C6 Corvette, plus hood scoops, split exhaust and bigger brakes. Car and Driver measured 0–60 in 4.8 seconds. But new U.S. airbag rules for 2007 would have required expensive changes, and the last GTO was built on June 14, 2006, after just over 40,000 cars.
Owner's notes: NHTSA investigated GTOs for front struts rubbing and wearing through the inside of the tires, so inspect the inner sidewalls and the suspension. On manual cars, the clutch slave cylinder is a common failure. Ignition lock cylinders bind and LCD odometers fail. Worn rear differential bushings cause clunks and wheel hop. Body panels like bumpers are Holden-specific, so used OEM is often the only practical source, and factory wheels come up regularly.
Watch it
The truth about the 2004–06 GTO. Video: akidnamedsage on YouTube
A 2006 GTO six-speed reviewed. Video: Shooting Cars on YouTube
Pontiac G8
2008–2009
The G8 was a rebadged Holden Commodore, and it was the best sedan Pontiac had built in years. It replaced both the Grand Prix and the Bonneville and was Pontiac's first rear-drive sedan since 1986. The G8 GT used a 361-hp 6.0L V8 with an automatic, and for 2009 the GXP added the Corvette's 415-hp LS3, Brembo brakes and an available six-speed manual. Wikipedia lists the GXP at 4.5 seconds to 60.
Its timing could not have been worse. GM announced on April 27, 2009, that it would phase out Pontiac, and G8 production ended that June after roughly 38,000 cars. Only 1,829 were GXPs, which is why clean ones now command real money. A planned G8 ST car-based pickup was cancelled before it ever went on sale.
Owner's notes: Front lower control arm bushings wear early and cause clunks; GM issued a service bulletin on it, and we stock G8 suspension parts. Driveshaft vibration at highway speed is another known complaint. Owners have reported cam and lifter trouble on some 2009 V8s. Check for open recalls by VIN. Many drivetrain parts, including differentials, overlap with the Chevrolet Caprice PPV and Chevy SS, but the G8's body panels and trim are its own.
Watch it
The G8 GXP, the forgotten V8 super sedan. Video: Discerning Cars on YouTube
A 2009 G8 GXP road test. Video: Autoline Network on YouTube
By the numbers: peak horsepower
Highest factory horsepower rating for each model.
Where Pontiac's performance went next
Pontiac closed in 2010, but the G8's Holden platform lived on in the Chevrolet Caprice police car and the 2014–2017 Chevrolet SS, until Holden's Australian plant shut in October 2017. The LS engines in all three cars are still among the most popular swap engines in the world, and the cars themselves are now collector territory.
Pontiac parts at J&J
We part out Firebirds, GTOs and G8s and list every part with its donor year. Browse Pontiac parts, F-body parts in Camaro parts, and tested LS engines in Engine Swaps.