These Are The Coolest Pontiac Cars Under $20,000
These affordable cars are from the legendary Pontiac brand, one of the most influential performance car manufacturers ever.
2005 Pontiac GTO At Mecum AuctionsMecum Auctions The late 2000s saw an economic downturn that caused several car manufacturers to declare bankruptcy. Pontiac suffered the same fate, having to close their doors by the end of 2010, thus putting an end to a career that spanned more than 80 years. Even though they went defunct, Pontiac left behind a legacy like no other. For example, the Pontiac GTO is still known by many as the best muscle car ever built, despite so many other iconic machines like the Challenger and the Mustang roaming the streets. That is just how impressive some of Pontiac’s machines were.
Today, gearheads hold Pontiac in high regard as one of the most impactful and innovative performance car manufacturers of the past. For anyone looking to purchase a Pontiac car for a cheap price, it can be difficult to pick one as several of these wonderful cars are roaming the used car marketplace looking for a suitable owner. This list has been compiled to aid the curious gearhead, allowing them to take a look at some of the coolest Pontiac cars under $20,000. Stats are taken from Edmunds, JD Power, Classic.
10.1996-1999 Pontiac Trans Sport – $2,215
Pontiac was on thin ice during the late eighties. The car scene had changed significantly, with performance machines getting ejected from the island of relevancy one car at a time. With fuel-efficient and family-oriented vehicles ruling the streets, Pontiac noticed Chrysler’s stellar rise to the top as a minivan. Having decided to follow into their footsteps, Pontiac developed the now forgotten Pontiac Trans Sport and released the radical-looking concept. The gull-wing doors and a V6 sitting under the hood meant it was an instant success on paper. But this was not the case in real life, with the minivan showcasing low sales for the GT model, eventually being dropped in 1992.
After several upgrades and design changes, the final product didn’t look nearly as attractive as the on-paper design. Nevertheless, the 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport minivan was their best model, with the production discontinuing in 1999. The European market received a 3.8-liter V6 engine, pumping out around 180 horsepower. You can find these cool minivans for as low as $2,215 on the used car marketplace. They’re fun to drive and offer decent power and longevity, which is a bargain for the price.
9.1977-1980 Pontiac Phoenix – $3,100
Unlike the bird it is named after, the Pontiac Phoenix had a rather short lifespan. The first generation was the only model that actually sold decently, and was thankfully built with superior quality materials than its fragile descendant. Starting out as a compact, rear-wheel drive car, the Pontiac Phoenix was eventually pushed into a messy X-body front-wheel drive system, something that led to its eventual demise. Nevertheless, the car had a really cool boxy design that made it look like a true muscle car, similar to the Ventura it was based on originally.
Along with its style, it had decent performance to offer, with the most powerful variant fitted with a 135 horsepower generating V6 engine. Selling for less than $5,000 in today’s used market, several of these can be found for as low as $3,100. To many Americans, this car is pure nostalgia, to others it is a headache.
8.2002-2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP – $4,306
An unassuming exterior but a high-performance beast underneath, the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix was the coolest American sleeper car to enter the car scene since the dawn of the 21st century. The Grand Prix GXP was fitted with a far superior 5.3-liter LS4 V8 engine than its predecessors and competitors. The Pontiac Grand Prix GXP was competent enough to generate around 303 horsepower and live to tell the tale. The car is not some high-value collectible, and is available on the used market for less than $10,000, and sometimes as low as $4,306.
Valued so cheap, only those gearheads looking to purchase a cool and unassuming Pontiac sleeper at an affordable price should buy a Grand Prix.
7.1980 Pontiac Bonneville – $4,725
The 1980 Pontiac Bonneville saw several changes to its build quality and aerodynamic refinement. Yet, it was not merely an aesthetic makeover that the cars had to go through, but also shedding the burden of excess weight. Pontiac’s nascent 301 cubic-inch V8 engine generated around 135 horsepower at the time. There were other available options too, with a 350 cubic-inch V8 engine generating 170 horsepower, or alternatively, a 400 cubic-inch V8 engine that mustered a commanding 180 horsepower. However, the uncompromising strictness of the fuel economy regulations in later years led to a relentless pursuit of fuel efficiency by all car manufacturers. This led to several under-powered V6 variants being brought into the limelight.
Today, the 1980 Pontiac Bonneville sells in the used car marketplace for less than $10,000, with several of them being valued as low as $4,725. Depending upon which variant you pick, these lightweight machines come with a spacious interior and smooth suspension systems, making them suitable for long trips and highway cruising.
6.2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP – $5,695
The Pontiac Solstice GXP is a two-seater convertible sports car that was produced from 2006 to 2010, with many costing as low as $5,695 in the used market today. These are high-performance machines that look absolutely stunning, and are available as convertibles. The machine was competent enough to propel itself from a standstill to 60 mph in a mere 5.6 seconds. The reason for the Pontiac Solstice GXP’s low price tag is the fall of Pontiac, as well as the low sales that this model saw in the later years of its development. Most of it was due to the economic crisis, but some credit also goes to the reliability issues in these models. Anyone willing to overlook these and maintain their Solstice GXP regularly, would have a stunner of a car in their hands, with great performance for a cheap price.
The GXP was fitted with an efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that generated a respectable 260 horsepower, which is enough to push a lightweight machine like this to a top speed of 155 mph. Anyone that wishes for a super cheap sports car that is quick and agile should get their hands on a 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP.
5.2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – $6,321
The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP is a very special car, with a top speed of around 155 mph, stylish looks and a price tag of less than $10,000 on several used car market outlets. If that doesn’t make you want to look for your checkbook, this car has an insane acceleration, even by modern standards, allowing it to catapult to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Some of these are valued as low as $6,321, which is an insane bargain.
The Pontiac G8 GXP was generously fitted with a powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine that pumped out a ridiculous 402 horsepower. Being a traditional rear-wheel drive, the car had stable handling aided by a well-tuned suspension. Looking for used cars for sale? A 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP in good condition is worth every penny.
4.2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am – $6,516
The 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was a very quick and agile machine, partly due to its amazing aerodynamic build, but that was not all there was to it. With around 310 horsepower to show for its 5.7-liter V8 engine, if you’re looking for used cars for sale, the Pontiac Firebird’s evergreen popularity in the car scene is a testament to its timeless charm and competence. A Firebird Trans Am can stand still and already look menacing, but add to that the fact that starting the engine and pushing the accelerator to the ground will propel this machine from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5.1 seconds. That kind of acceleration is unmatched by many modern cars.
The 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is a cheap way to obtain a reliable and affordable Pontiac muscle car, available for as low as $6,516 on the used car market, with the typical listing price being at around $12,229 according to Kelley Blue Book. A collector’s edition of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is also available at auctions, but may be priced much higher due to their relative rarity.
3.1987 Pontiac Sunbird – $8,369
The four-door sedan version of the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird is the cheapest variant to buy on the used market. Valued as low as $8,369, this machine had a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivering around 165 horsepower. The Pontiac Sunbird went through a bit of an identity crisis in its second generation, with several names and perpetual design changes. The J-Body swapped to a FWD layout, while maintaining the compact nature of the Sunbird.
The car could accelerate to 60 mph in around 7.2 seconds, which might not be anything impressive in modern times, but was quite respectable in the late ’80s considering these machines were rather economical on the fuel end due to new emissions regulations. Out of all available Pontiac used cars for sale on the market, the ’87 Sunbird is the most diverse in its range of design options, available as a coupe, convertible, hatchback, sedan, and station wagon.
2.2005-2006 Pontiac GTO – $10,534
When bought from a dealer, the 2006 Pontiac GTO can be expected to cost around $10,534 on the used market. The classic GTO models were as bare as they come in terms of interior features and safety systems, but the 2006 Pontiac GTO was different. It possessed all the standard features one might expect to find in a modern car, whether it be dusk-sensing headlamps or the remote anti-theft alarm system, etc. The 2006 Pontiac GTO’s interior design and quality are considered more than worthy of the price tag it comes with.
The 2006 GTO could accelerate all the way up to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, thanks to its LS2 6.0-liter V8 that generates a ridiculous 400 horsepower, which is widely considered to be one of the best V8s ever made.
1.1965-1970 Pontiac Catalina – $18,400
Several V8 engines found their homes under the hoods of different variants of the iconic 1970 Pontiac Catalina. Some of these were fitted with 6.6-liter V8s that produced around 290 horsepower, while others were 7.5-liter V8s that were proficient enough to generate around 360 horsepower. Those are not numbers to scoff at, considering this machine comes from the late ’60s. Unfortunately, the abysmal fuel economy of this car makes it quite impractical to drive around regularly in modern times. However, as an occasional commuter, these machines are stunning and powerful, and can be tuned as project cars.
The Pontiac Catalina is one of the most iconic affordable Pontiac machines to have ever graced the car scene with its presence. Its classic look is to die for, and the power is ample even by modern standards. The fact that it is available for $18,400 in great condition on the used car marketplace is a welcome surprise for any classic muscle car fan. If you’re looking for classic used cars for sale and come across this machine, don’t hesitate to put your name down for it.
