The Rare Pontiac That Was Actually Hotter Than the GTO

When people think classic Pontiac muscle, the GTO always gets the spotlight. But hidden in Pontiac’s history is a far rarer, far more extreme machine one that outperformed, out-handled, and out-muscled the GTO in almost every way. In this video, we uncover the rare Pontiac that was hotter than the GTO, why it was so special, and why collectors now consider it one of the brand’s greatest creations.

Pontiac Firehawk (the not-so-obvious hero)

I swear, every time someone says Pontiac, it’s like boom GTO, end of discussion. But dude, the Firehawk? That thing had something else going on. Almost felt like it wanted to fight the Camaro but knew deep down it had class. Those SLP-tuned versions? Wild. You can smell the gas and ego mixed together, especially when one starts up. I think one went for, like, forty-five grand or something now? Which is kinda nuts for a thing people used to just street race and crash. Still, that hood scoop, pure attitude.

Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2

So, this one’s weird. It looks kinda sleepy until you see it from the back. NASCAR vibes but like if your uncle designed it with a ruler. I used to see one near my college, faded red paint, smelled like wet carpet inside (fun times). Not fast, not pretty, but it was there, you know? If you find one for $20k-ish, buy it just to confuse people.

Pontiac Can Am

Ugh, this car’s a heartbreaker. Only made it one year, 1977. Big white body with that orange and gold stripe that looked straight outta a soda commercial. It’s got that “I want to be cool but my dad’s watching” energy. Honestly, if you’ve got like thirty grand just chilling, it’s worth the drama. My neighbor had one when I was a kid, loud, smelled like burnt oil and vinyl dreams.

Pontiac Bonneville SSEi

Fast luxury… kinda. It was that car you’d see with leather seats and someone blasting early 2000s hip-hop in the parking lot, pretending it’s a sports car. But it was fast for a sedan, that supercharged V6 wasn’t messing around. I think one went for fifteen grand back then? Felt like a deal compared to a BMW, and way more personality. Smelled like your aunt’s perfume and week-old French fries.

Pontiac Solstice GXP

Oh man, the Solstice. Cute little thing. Everyone called it “adorable” until they tried driving it on a bumpy road and realized it hates potholes like I hate Mondays. The GXP though… turbo magic. Looks great parked; drives even better if you’re under 6 feet tall. I saw one listed for $25k and almost talked myself into it, then remembered I like having room for groceries.

Pontiac Catalina 2+2

Muscle car vibes but with some gentleman energy, like a football player wearing a tuxedo. That big block engine just breathes testosterone. I rode in one once and felt like I was inside a baritone sax. Loud but smooth. They go for crazy numbers now, like sixty grand maybe. Worth it though, if you like collecting attention.

Pontiac Sunbird Turbo

Okay okay, people laugh, but the turbo Sunbird was charming in a broken sort of way. Kinda fun to drive, kinda always overheating. My cousin had one, it made this high-pitched whine that sounded like a dying mosquito. Still, cheap thrills, man, probably 5k tops now. But I wouldn’t trust it for a grocery run.

Pontiac Tempest LeMans

Tempest was like the GTO’s shy sibling. Sleeker maybe, but quieter. My dad had one when I was little, the kind of car that left oil stains in the driveway and memories in your brain. Smells like metal and cigarettes if that makes sense. Pricey now, maybe forty or fifty grand for a good one. Worth it just for the nostalgia fumes.

Pontiac Grand Am GT

You remember high school? Everyone’s buddy had a Grand Am with fake hood vents and subwoofers. It rattled. Constantly. But man, it felt cool at 17. You can pick one up for peanuts now, like $4k maybe. The plastic interior is basically immortal though, it’ll outlive cockroaches.

Pontiac Trans Am WS6

Now this is the one that felt alive. The Ram Air hood, the angry face, it was the kind of car that made you drive faster than you should just because it looked impatient. I always felt like it had an attitude, like “don’t baby me.” Around $35–40k now, which is fair. If you ever sit in one, that exhaust note will stick in your skin.

Pontiac G8 GXP

This beast came too late. It’s Australian, technically, dressed up in Pontiac clothes, but that V8 roar hits different. I test drove one once and it made me feel cooler than I actually am (which isn’t saying much). They’re expensive now, like $50k for a clean one. Totally underrated. You floor it and forget life sucks for a bit.