Faults:

Alternator at 60,000.

Timing chain at 65,000.

Brakes at 75,000.

CV joints at 80,000.

Fuel pump at 192,000.

Odometer stopped at 199,999.

General Comments:

I have two 1987 Grand Am's. My first one was purchased new, late in 1986.

This vehicle has gone somewhere in the 300,000 mile range (digital odometer stopped at 199,999).

I have rebuilt & restored this car twice, in the last 25 years. Underside rust is a major problem in the state I live in.

The second one was purchased in 2008, on eBay. It had 62,000 original miles on it, and came from Louisville, KY.

It was in beautiful condition, when I received it.

Even though I am 6' 5", there is ample room in these LE two door models.

The 185 HP fuel injected V6 power plant has excellent throttle response. Its automatic transmission is extremely smooth, when shifting, and the vehicle handles nicely in all weather and road conditions.

Both of these cars have undergone a rebuild to qualify them as a "show-car".

Approximate investment for car #1 was $25,000.00.

Car #2 so far, $18,500.00.

The second one features, a leather interior, factory cruise control, tilt steering wheel, delay windshield wipers, power door locks with remote entry, power windows, electronic rear view mirror, with temperature and compass, twin digital video cameras, one mounted on the dash, and the other mounted near the rear window. Both utilize a 12mp camera and a digital recorder onto a 64gb memory chip for external playback. The rear camera plays video to a 17" high def flat screen monitor mounted on the glove compartment door. The JVC in-dash AM FM GPS DVD Movie player also plays to the flat screen monitor. The exterior was finished with 2 coats of solid color, and 9 coats of clear coat urethane.

Photos upon request.

These are the only cars I will ever own.

Dick Page

Syracuse, NY

Thank you, GM.

Faults:

Replaced engine head.

Replaced rings and bearings in engine.

Replaced water pump.

General Comments:

This is the seventh Grand Am I've owned, and I've loved every one of them.

I gave $40 for this car and put another $500 in it. Well worth it!

Avoid 2.2L Quad 4 engines. They have a problem with blown head gaskets.

Getting in and out of these cars can be rough because I'm 6' tall.

Faults:

The first 10,000, the carb. was very dirty.

No other major problems, except for the fact it burst into flame!

General Comments:

This car handled like a BMW, looked like a Cadillac and got the gas mileage of moped.

My husband bought me this car as a present and I loved it. I felt cool driving it. Then, at work, it caught on fire and I watched it burn. It was so sad.

Later I found there was a recall that Pontiac did not tell its customers. I am just thankful I wasn't driving and my two daughters were not in the car.

Faults:

Replaced the alternator 3 times.

Replaced the starter once.

Replaced the water pump twice due to a bearing wearing out internally.

Had to repair the head due to the wife running it hot with the heater core leaking.

Repaced heater core.

General Comments:

All items that had been replaced are normal wear items in my opinion.

This has been the best car that I have ever owned.

This car keeps running great year after year.

Repair parts are readily available and fairly inexpensive.

I do agree that this car does make a bit more noise than other cars, but it runs great and has never left me stranded.

I would recommend this car for any one who is looking for a good reliable starter car for that new driver in the family.

I often tell friends that I plan on driving this car until the wheels fall off, or I get too old to drive, whichever comes first.