Pontiac Grand Am Midsize | Compact

Pontiac Grand Am Midsize | Compact 

DESCRIPTION

The Grand Am is offered as a two-door coupe or four-door sedan with a 2.4-liter, 150-hp 4 cylinder or a 3.4-liter, 170-horse (175 horses in the Ram-Air-equipped GT) V-6. Choose between a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. ABS is standard.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 421-430 of 463  
[May 04, 2001]
Angela

Strength:

Great gas mileage for a sporty auto.
Very few problems for the number of years we've kept in servie.
Handles well in the city and the mountains.

Weakness:

Power window controls in the center of auto instead at each window.
A little harder on brake pads than other autos owned, but what to expect in city traffic...

Would recommend this year and model to others considering a nice size sedan. Consumer Report only recommends this year when buying a Grand Am - I agree.

Similar Products Used:

Saturn sedan - much better service than the Saturn. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles of other models, but dependability sure makes up for it!

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[May 09, 2001]
Phil
Model Reviewed: V6 3.1L Pontiac Grand AM SE

Strength:

For its price its a superb car I must say. The engine is great, never has any problems. A/C and heating are great. Comfort is good and so is response. The stock audio equipment is good but I still changed it for something a lot better. Acceleration is great until you reach around 60MPH, then it seems to die hella lot though.

Weakness:

The brakes are just so awful. They don't "squeek" or anything but aren't very strong. They were at first but they wear easily. The handling is not good but that's only if you drive like me (A madman). If you are a sane driver its more than good. For a V6, not so great torque. The auto transmission jerks occasionally at high accelerations but has never broke or needed any repair. The alternator needed to be rebuilt once but it's simply because my amp drains the battery so much and murders the alternator.

For it's price it can't be beat. Only major problem is the brakes but don't think they are so bad that you won't be able to avoid a potential accident. Other people have spoke of alternator problems as well so that might be something to worry about. In snow conditions the traction control button is more than to keep me from swerving all over the place (as your car loses traction you can't accelerate anymore, it helps.) All in all the engine never causes any problems and after this many years I've probably spent only $300 in repairs. Going onto 70,000 miles soon. But I say go for the GT with the RAM air.

Similar Products Used:

98 Nissan Maxima - Not really a fair fight, Maxima beats it in all possible ways.
96 Eagle Talon TSI - I'd take this grand am over this POS any day. Unless you want to buy a new transmission every year don't get this car... so so awful.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[May 02, 2001]
SHERRY
Model Reviewed: SE

Strength:

I LOVE THE ENTERIOR, VERY COMFORTABLE ON INSIDE, LOOKS SPORTY FOR A REASONABLE PRICE.

Weakness:

WINDOW GOING OFF TRACK, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO OWNS ONE! LOW TRACK LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON, AND ABS LIGHT. SHAKES WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES NO MATTER HOW FAST I GO!

I LOVE THE LOOKS OF MY CAR VERY SPORTY, AND COMFY! BUT I HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER GRAND AM OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS!!! ESPEACIALLY THE WINDOW! I PERSONALLY KNOW 4 PEOPLE OTHER THAN MYSELF WHO'S WINDOW HAS WENT OFF TRACK. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN PONTIAC AND THEY DO NOT AGKNOLEGE IT AT ALL! I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER PONTIAC. THEY HAVE MY MONEY NOW AND THEY COULD CARE LESS IF THE CAR BRAKES DOWN THE DAY AFTER YOU BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ALL NY LIGHTS LIKE ABS, LOW TRACK, AND CHECK ENGINE KEEPS COMING ON FOR NO REASON! I WOULD LOVE THE CAR, BUT IT WILL DIME YOU TO DEATH SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL SPEND A FEW EXTRA THOUSAND FOR A BETTER CAR, BECAUSE YOU'LL END UP SPENDING THAT MUCH ANYWAY!

Similar Products Used:

90 FORD TAURUS. FOR SUCH AN OLD CAR IT WAS VERY RELIABLE. MY GRAND AM PROBABLY WON'T LAST HALF AS LONG AS THE TAURUS!

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jun 18, 2001]
roger young
Model Reviewed: Grand Am se

Strength:

Very safe car. I was rearend while stopping to pick up a hitch hiker by a mid 80's cadillac going at least 25-30 mph at impact. The other car was totally destroyed and I drove off with only damage to my bumper and exhaust.Excellent pickup and a very nice drive for long trips.

Weakness:

The gas mileage is average. I think or hope this car is part of a passing generation of large fast american cars. The dash board squeaks and so do the front shocks even though they still work well.

I bought this car for long distance traveling to work and weekends. In ten months I have put about 16,000 miles on the car. So far no major problems. I've had to change the breaks once and the car squeaks up font inside and out. I'm not a big believer in gm products so I'm waiting for something to break now that its hitting the 100,000 mile threshold. But I admit it has been good to me for all the miles I've put on it.

Similar Products Used:

97 chevy cavalier- I think the grand am is superior
99- chevy (the comparable model- the name escapes me right now) The Chevy was a little roomier but handling and pick up were equal.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Jun 20, 2001]
Raul Violante
Model Reviewed: Grand Am SE

Strength:

Well built car: Several months ago, when slowing down, a Ford Ghia rearended my car at 35 mph; mine, only had minor damage in the bumber while the other car broke his lights and the bumper fell apart.

Excelent handling: Much easier to drive than many other cars.

Good gas mileage considering the engine (V6, 3.4 liter): My brother drives a four-cyl Tracker, and there's not much diference.

Roomy: Even my younger brother (almost 6 feet tall) feels confortable in the back seat.

(The best part is that) The car has been in the shop, only for the basic service (changing oil, brakes adjustment, etc) or minor things, unlike other cars.


Weakness:

Minor problems that don't fit in this category; the only thing is about the car's top speed (106 mph or 170 km/hr) being limited; 125 mph or 200 km/hr could have been better.

So far, I'm delighted with my car: Safety + Handling + Confort + Price.
That's definitive: A Good ride for the money.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 21, 2001]
Sue
Model Reviewed: Grand Am

Strength:

The car looks good and I haven't had any exterior work done on it. The paint has held up very well with extreme temps. (winter down to -40 and very warm summers)

Weakness:

Well, short of writing a book I'll try to cover the problems. The brakes only last about 2 years with minimal driving. I have had water in my trunk since almost new but all the seals appear to be fine. The dampers keep closing so I don't get heat/a/c. My car heats up something awful - everything's been checked and appears to be fine though. I can't go 10 miles without anticipating a problem. Once it's turned off it won't start again for about 1 hour so I have to plan my trips or leave the car running and worry about overheating. The dash squeeks loudly.

I would never recommend this car, unless you have a cell phone and can call for help when you're stranded. It has been a huge nightmare for me since I bought it. I have had problems with the heating/cooling, starting, water in the trunk, service lights on when there's no problem, interior noises (dash).

Similar Products Used:

I've driven a Mustang, Subaru, Nova, Honda Civic and the only one that was worse was the Mustang.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jun 28, 2001]
Matt
Model Reviewed: Pontiac Grand AM

Strength:

Engine, not the most powerful, but the darn thing still idles soo smooth you can't even tell it's running. I'm not sure if he even changes the oil!

Weakness:

Brakes - even after new one's are installed, they squeek and don't work well.

Well I've read alot of other reviews on the Grand AM and it is very surprising to find out most people don't like/have many problems with their G/A and wouldn't buy or recommend the car. I'd like to start by saying this isn't my car, but one of my friends I'm writing about. He's owned his G/A for about 4years and done nothing but beat the heck outa the car and it hasn't broked once. This kid drives his car like it's a racecar, the pedal is always to the floor, he takes corners very fast, were we live we have to cross a bridge that's about 1/2mile long to get back to the "mainland". Almost every morning on the way to school he runs the car to over 100mph on this bridge. We live near the woods too, and at least once a week we go "four-wheeling", well "two-wheeling" I guess. We've gotten the car stuck in dirt, ride over 30mph through major dirt "pot-holes", and through mud holes, and other than a new alternator/fan belt was just replaced and new brakes every other year, he's never had a problem with the car. I'm NOT telling other people to drive like this, I think he's an idiot for driving like he does, I personally DON'T drive my car like this, but it is kinda funny he's never had a problem in 4 years w/the car.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jun 27, 2001]
Brandon Tyler
Model Reviewed: Pontiac Grand AM SE Coupe

Strength:

Pretty decent gas milage.

Weakness:

The engine head cracked at 60K which is common for the 4 Cylinder GM engines. Both the drivers side door and trunk have leaked water and caused rust damage. I have to replace the brakes constantly. The ABS system is constantly going out and I have to replace the tires often as well. The altenater went out at 70K. It now runs very rough with lots of creaks and cracks coming from the dashboard. The drivers window does not not roll up or down correctly and I have to use both hands to roll the window up to get a tight seal.

I think that this would be a good first car until I look back on all the problems I have had...

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jun 27, 2001]
scott
Model Reviewed: Grand Am GT

Strength:

looks great
good on gas

Weakness:

the electrical system
brakes wear too soon
too low to the ground
tires are not the greatest (need air all the time)

Not to impressed with this car. Seems to have electrical problems,
check engine light is on all the time, had to have a new clock/radio put in. replaced the ERG valve twice to no avail. Paint has come off the side
mirrors as soon as I bought it. Have owned this for 3 years and looking to
trade it in because I'm afaid of future problems (no warrenty). also
the brakes need replacing all the time.

Similar Products Used:

owned cavaliers prior and never had problems with them

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jun 29, 2001]
Blake
Model Reviewed: SE Coupe

Strength:

Speed, This car goes when you tell it to, Accelerates great. Sound system is pretty much factory, but sounds great. And overall everyone i have shown it to loves it.

Weakness:

None

This is a great Car!!

For a V-6 it has great features, its quick, it accelerates great, Mine happens to be loaded, except for power windows, with which who cares if you have power windows if you have A/C.

It looks Great, its comfortable, and most importantly its fun to drive, even for an automatic.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 421-430 of 463  

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