One likeable piece of machinery
Air conditioning was dead at 170000 km.
Door locks were really bad.
Power antenna gone after 3 years.
Rear lights covers lost their colour fast.
I like this particular car very much and I spend lots of time working on it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th January, 2002
A fast car
Had to replace the alternator at 72,000.
When you open the front door on the driver's side, the lights don't turn on.
Car has rust by the wheel well.
Replace an air conditioning hose.
The car has good throttle response and is very fast and reliable.
It also has good speakers.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th August, 2001
This car loves to roll !!!
I replaced the condenser at 92,000 miles for the A/C, and then again at 96,000 miles. After that I said forget it, now I just roll down the windows.
I had to replace the transmission with a rebuilt one at 112,000 miles.
Replaced the muffler system with a stainless steel one at 98,000. It was replaced 3 times - thank god for the lifetime warranty.
Transmission started to slip again at 247,000 miles.
This was one of my best vehicles I have ever owned. My uncle got it new as a company car when he worked for GM. He then sold it to my other uncle at 44,000 miles. He in turn sold it to me at 88,000 miles or so. This car is fast! And as a college student this car was perfect for making the long distance trips from college back to home.
After 3 girlfriends, 2 colleges, and 1 IT school later, I put 174,328 miles on it from 1992 - 2001.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th August, 2001
The one I owned was a real lemon!
Driver side power door lock switch grounded out twice.
Replaced rear door latch posts 4 times, continually recurring problem. If you attempted to open the door with the doors locked, the linkage would come off the post and make the door inoperable.
Alternator/voltage regulator replaced twice. One time was while on vacation in Canada.
Power antenna would not shut off with key removed from ignition. This happened twice, both times needed antenna replaced.
Clear coat was peeling badly and then the gray base coat peeled off of the hood. First car I ever had that developed racing stripes on its own!
Driver Information Center replaced and then it went again.
Compass only worked half the time.
Power window motor on the driver side replaced.
Power window motor for passenger side was really beginning to slow down.
Sunroof leaked.
Top of front windshield leaked.
Replaced fuel lines and fuel sending unit.
Replaced front and rear brake rotors twice and the calipers once.
Hood liner was starting to fall down, acted like a sail in the wind with the sunroof open.
Rear ball joints replaced.
With the exception of the car being a total lemon on the mechanical side, I really enjoyed it.
I find it hard to believe no one else had as many problems as I had.
Car was very comfortable to drive and the handling was awesome.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 31st July, 2001
Fast, reliable, cruising machine
This car tends to eat an alternator about every 2 years, but if you get a Sears warranty you won't have problems. I talked to my mechanic and he said it's a known problem. Not much in the way of specific upgrades for the engine (turbocharger etc...)
If you're looking for a fast, nimble mid-size car - this is it. I have been known to eat many rice burners, and more expensive sports and luxury cars with this baby. The 3800 V6 is a powerhouse stock and very reliable.
Since owning the car I have only replaced the thermostat, alternator, and starter. About $300, but I got the car for $5000 when it was listed as $7500 so it evens out.
The windows are starting to slow down, but that can be fixed by cleaning the motors.
This is my second Pontiac, and after test driving many cars I am convinced that nothing handles like a Pontiac.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th June, 2001
18th Sep 2006, 16:17
About the lights thing; mine did that too until I realized it was the little switch thing in the door jam sticking and lubed it with some WD-40. Now it works all the time.