This car is a monster. They just won't stop running! Unless you don't change the oil or service it like it says in the manual. I've had the car for seven years, put 150,000 miles on it, and still have only taken it to the shop for two things: I put a new 92' engine in it, and put new tie rods on it because I jumped a curb to avoid an accident. It will still blow 120 mph away! The body and interior look great. Never had a problem outside of the car.

The take off time slows down after it gets older.

I LOVE THIS THING!!!!!! I recommend all GT users look in their manual to see if the engine will run on 93 octane. I have 195 horsepower because of a tank of gas. It will also decrease your 0-60 time to 5.0 seconds!!!!! Some people just gotta take care of their cars. Buy it if you like speed for a good price, plus you can't beat the looks too!

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TOYota Carolla, I hate foreign cars.........

The look, I love the sporty look and family style room!

BUYER BEWARE! WERE DO I BEGIN! I have been at the dealership at least once a month. First the rotors, second the rotors, third the mirrors fade (pontiac doesn't put a clear coat on their mirrors, dealership repainted, no problems since)fourth the ROTORS (they promised me no more after this time, yeah right) fifth, door panels bubbled (replacing on friday) and also on friday they are replacing the rack and pinion stering. This car is not worth the trouble. I know the dealership like the back of my hand. I have checked into the lemon law, and after friday they may be keeping it! I've had it!

I guess as the old sane goes "you pay for what you get!"

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I'd take a forgein car in a second! I had a Mitsubishi Eclipse for 4 years and never had a problem, I never even seen the dealership, unless it was for an oil change.

The car has nice styling, decent sounding stereo and OK power.

I'll tell you all about this below.

Let's see...I decided I want to get a new car. I have been in love with a the new Pontiac Trans AM since I was a little boy, so this was the car I tried so hard to get.

After being turned down for financing again and again because I have "limited" credit, I got into a mindset that I should take what I can get. A dealer finally got me approved for a 2000 Grand Am SE. I figured, hey, it's either this or nothing.

The first few weeks were great. I was so glad to be driving a new car that I was completely blinded from the reality of my situation -- I bought a piece of trash.

The first thing you tend to notice when driving this car is that it rolls on even the slightest turns. Turns that most cars can take at 30 MPH will cause the Grand AM's crappy tires to squeal like your doing 70 MPH.

ABS and TCS? Yeah, it has that...does it work well? Not really. ABS is meant to prevent wheels from locking up when braking on slippery surfaces. If you try braking when it rains, you'll notice the tires tend to lock up unless you brake REALLY gently.

TCS, which is traction control, doesn't kick in till after the fact. It is supposed to limit wheel spin during acceleration in order to preven loss of control. It does, in fact, limit wheel spin AFTER you stop skidding.

Tires...BF Goodrich T/A Sh*t. Tires have no traction. This car handles on dry surfaces as an average car would handle on slick, wet surfaces. Want to replace the tires on a BRAND NEW car?

Suspension...the worst...TOO soft. That's why the car rolls like a fat guy in a canoe. The car feels like it will tip over as you are turning, causing a natural response to understeer. This makes it dangerous.

Quality of materials used...very cheap feel. The plastic trim in the trunk cracked, as if it were dry-rotted. The lining came out from the seals too.

This is pretty much how I will remember my Grand AM. I decided that $350 a month is way too much for it, so I dropped it off and got me a Maxima GLE instead. Love the Maxima...instant and dramatic improvement. That was the first American car I owned, and based on my experience it will probably be the last...at least GM. Trans AM, I will get it someday...even if it is crappy. ;-)

The V6 engine cranks out a puny 170 HP which scoots it to 60 in about 8-9 seconds. You really need to jam the pedal down to move this car. It seems to struggle to 30 MPH as if you are trying to make it get to 100 MPH.

I recommend considering all options before buying a Grand AM. I think the car would be fine to someone who has less discriminating judgement and wants a fairly stylish Sedan. For most people who care about value, pay the 4-5K more for a Maxima or something.

I cannot speak for the Grand AM GT, which looks like it would be better. I test drove a Grand Prix, and that does handle better than Grand AM...but it's long and heavy so you don't really feel like it has 200HP under the hood.

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Volvo 240 - Volvos are volvos. Slow, reliable and slow.
Toyota MR2 Supercharged - Awesome car, but not comparable to a Sedan.

There are more than enough strengths to go around. This vehicle has definitely topped my charts. The steering and handling of it are incredible. THere are very easy to see controls for everything in the car, including temperature and radio. The interior is spacious and comfortable, very comfortable. THe four door model should hardly be called compact, there is enuogh room for my over 6' friend to sit in the back comfortably. The appearance, in my own opinion, of the outside is great. THe sporty look adds a very nice detail in the world of compact cars. The trunk is SO roomy and to top it off there is a folding rear seat that folds down in a 60-40 split, which gives you much more option in hauling. I have found it GREAT this way becuase I have now helped my sister and friend move in, lugging furniture and luggage with ease. The sound system is very good. I am also happy with the options and features that you get for a very low price in comparison to other vehicles of this class. I get GREAT gas mileage which is a plus for the heavy amount of driving I do. I have to only fill up every so often. WHen something goes wrong with the car, such as oil needing to be changed, a low tire pressure, low traction, and such, a warning light comes on and every time you turn on the car a sound is chimed.

NONE (yet)

I would definitely recommend this car to any serious driver that wants acceleration, a good deal, and FUN FUN FUN! The chore of driving long distances seems to be a time that I look forward to now. I would also recommend the GT model of this car. I did get to drive one, but since I have many other bills, what you have to look at is affordability in purchasing the car and the insurance, so the GT's sidekick with the V6 seems a good choice also. I also am looking to upgrade my sound system. There is nothing wrong with mine, it's amazingly clear and can get very loud, so you choose. This car has put Pontiac's name back in my little black book. I love this car and that's the extent that I have words to say about it. Loaded with options and features that any person would love, building your own makes the experience more personal which can also make your driving more exciting. I plan to purchase another Pontiac Grand AM next time I am in the market for a car. (only differece is I will have the money to go all out and get the GT loaded with almost everything imagineable, so look for more reviews from me!)
Any person looking for a great deal with their first car and want to have the same deals in the future should go see pontiac. THe all new styled Grand Am is for the consumer that wants everything possible from a compact car. IT has style, grace, and affordability and is WAY up there on my list.

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I have not driven a similar car in the compact class. Before I was in a used 1998 Buick Regal. All there is to compare is that the ride in the Grand Am was smoother, less road noise and more FUN!

-Affordable.
-It started up everyday for 3 years and I never had any problems with it.

-No acceleration power in 4 cylinder model.
-Seats are are VERY uncomfortable. A physical therapist told me they were the worst seats she had ever seen in a car.
-Very dangerous. Judging from all the crash test results I've seen, this car is one of the most unsafe cars you can buy.
-Head and fog lights don't last very long before they blow out.
-Not great in rain or snow, despite tracking system.
-Body style is pretty ugly.
-Interior buttons are cheap (like all GM cars).
-Radio control knob dosn't work right after a while; music gets louder when you lower it, etc.
-Poor handling, even for an economy car.

PLEASE NOTE: BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I MUST SAY THAT AFTER SEEING CRASH TEST RESULTS ON TV AND IN MAGAZINES, I WOULD NEVER RECCOMEND A GRAND AM TO ANYONE. THIS CAR COMES IN BOTTOM OF THE BARREL IN SAFETY!!! DO NOT LET A LOVED ONE GET INTO THIS CAR! Do your research! This car is a death trap! After I saw the test results I never let anyone in this car with me. I saw on TV where an independent crash testing company hit the side door of a Grand Am with another car going only 30 miles an hour. The results showed that if you are hit this way in a Grand Am you will sustain very serious unjuries. They gave this car the worst rating they had! If I had known that in 1987, I never would have went near this car!
I only had my Grand Am for 3 years (I gave it back at lease end) and although it never broke down or refused to start during that time, NO CAR SHOULD HAVE THOSE KINDS OF PROBLEMS AFTER ONLY 3 YEARS. However, judging from other reviews I have read and other people I know who own this car, it breaks down way too soon and too often. I think GM cuts alot of corners in making cars and this does not help the bad image that American cars have. I traded my Grand Am in for a Grand Prix because I was tired of cramped, compact cars and wanted a midsize I could afford. The foreign midsizes were way too expensive, otherwise I would not buy or lease American again. Time will tell if my 2000 Grand Prix will have nightmare mechanical problems...But that's another story. Please don't buy a Grand Am until GM gets their act together. How do they sleep at night knowing they put so many people in danger because they want to cut some corners? Shame in you, GM. I would give this car more stars but based solely on the safety problem, I must give it only one star.

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1988 Acura Integra-The Acura went 130,000 miles with no problems ever except for normal things like brakes, headlight replacement, etc. I don't know how safe it was in crashes, though. Like the Grand Am, the Acura was also a 4 cylinder but a much lighter car and a much better engine; this is probably why the Acura was much faster and peppier.
2000 Grand Prix GT-The Grand Prix is faster, of course, with much greater passing power when you need it. However, the interior of the Grand Prix is also cheap looking. I think GM makes ugly cars except for the Grand Prix which I feel has a timeless, sexy body style (unlike the Grand Am-I even hate the new Grand Am models).

I think it handles well, it's safe at 80mph. Fairly smooth rides. Doesn't look bad, but doesn't look that good either. Reliable. The way the dash is designed it makes you feel like your're in a better car than you are. Good factory stereo.

not much power. It's a GM. Hate GM. Nothing is standard size in GM cars. A foreign Honda is more standard. Poor gas mileage considering the low power engine (17-19 mpg in town, 23-25 highway)

I wouldn't recommend it, but it's not a bad car. I do like it, but it's definitely not a Honda. My next car will be a Honda. Love Honda. I like driving my Grand Am a lot better than my parents Ford Windstar or the Chevy Silverado. My car rides smoother and handles much much better. I'll have it for a long time. Overall it's a good car.

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Dodge Shadow. Definitely nicer than Shadow. The shadow starts to shake at about 80mph

Big, American Luxo-musclecar with great power and good looks

Nothing other then always needing back tires

I paid $600 for it getting a great price for a almost rustless car its black with white interior a 455 bb 4bbl 4-speed transmission bucket seats with console it is a very rare car if you find one for less then $5000 grab it now and dont get the pussy footed 1987-2000's get a 1973-1980 model the 73-75 are the best and the 78-80 are good performers as well this is now a very desirable Pontiac A-body the next is the 77 Can AM

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1975 Hurst Olds-Alittle better being a specialty car

Pontiac finally matched the power of this car with its aggressive attitude. I had the 1996 grand am gt and this model cannot compare with the new one in terms of powertrain and overall performance. The power is excellent and it would be a good match with the ford probe gt, mustang v6, and monte carlo ss. The looks are unique and still people gawk my car even though it has been out for over a year.

too many blind spots like the rear spoiler. Too much unwanted attention from thieves. The gas is modest

Buy the hot grand am gt and see how much fun it is to drive this mean machine. Pontiac finally made this car live up to its name and appearance with a poerful engine.

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oldmobile alero is similar but a little less powerful than the grandam gt if you read the consumer reports and the looks are nooooooo comparison to the hot grand am gt. The Avenger, Couger, Mustang v6, monte carlo ss are all is no match in power and overall value.

I have the optional V-6 and that thing can boot with accel and speed.
I also have the SE-1 package which gives me a sub woofer and 6 premium speakers which can blast.

I cant beat the bottom line Grand Prix off the line.

I paid 23 000 canadian, and i would highly recommend this sport sedan.

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Oldsmobile Alero, is the exact same car.

The grandam gt is a unique looking car for its price. It has attractive rims, dual dual exhaust pipes, front and back fascia, and a great aggressive look. The interior is very classy and sporty at the same time. The powertrain is in a class of its own. I have to say that the 1998 model was aggressive looking but not powerful. However, this new model defies all the previous weak powertrains because this grandam has a natural proclivity to paste you back in the seat as it revs. I had beat mustang v6s, monte carlo ss(yes the ss version), avengers(no match), and the pontiac firebird v6 version. I am very very very pleased with the powertain even though it is a 4 speed automatic.

I think the seats could extend further back for tall people like me. The rear elevation makes it difficult to see behind you. The car attracts too much attention to the point of feeling uncomfortable. I wish grandam gts came with a convertable package.

Keep in mind that any man made products will have defects so having a lemon grandam is not an isolated case because Dodge vipers, corvettes, porches etc. can have mechanical flaws like any other car. If you can understand this basic concept then stop fiddling around and buy the grandam gt and experience "the experience" of driving excitement.

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avenger, accord, prelude, alero...all cannot touch the grandam gt in overall value and performance