2005 Used Pontiac Montana Buying Guide
The model revolution at Pontiac continues with this year’s offering of the Montana. Not only does the minivan prepare for a complete reshaping, so too do a number of other Pontiac models, including the mainstay Grand Am, which will be dropped after 2005.
For the Montana, 2005 marks the end of the old era. It drops regular-length and all-wheel-drive models for this largely token 2005 outing. Later in the model year, Montana will be reborn as the Montana SV6. It will be fashioned with SUV-inspired styling and a different V6 engine.
Montana shares its design with the Chevrolet Venture, which unsurprisingly will also be revamped at the end of the model year. The Montana enters 2005 with a shortened model lineup that includes the base 1SA and better-equipped 1SE trims. Both have GM's extended-length minivan body and front-wheel drive powertrain.
Under the Hood
The Montana retains last year’s engine, one that has served it well over the years. It is a highly capable 3.4-liter V6 model able to produce 185 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 210 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. 4-speed automatic is the standard transmission used to get the minivan up to speed.
The V6 under the Montana’s hood is one of most dependable engines out there. It has just the right amount of power to handle even fully loaded vehicles. In addition, it gives the Montana a good fuel rating of 19/26 mpg (city/highway).
For performance options, Pontiac offers a Sport Performance and Handling Package. It includes traction control, load-leveling rear suspension, air-inflator kit and sport-tuned suspension.
Standard Features, Options Packages and Style
Safety is addressed with outboard seats that have three-point safety belts in the second row. The Montana also has dual-stage frontal airbags and available side-impact airbags for supplemental protection for front-seat passengers. The dual-stage frontal airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of airbag-induced injury. When the airbag system’s control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.
Many options are available, but the 1SE model has quite a few features standard. They include front and rear air conditioning with rear controls, heated power mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, rear radio controls, a rear-seat DVD player and a trip computer.
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