1993 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2.3 Quad 4

Summary:

Fun to drive, yet unreliable

Faults:

The car eats through brakes, as I've replaced them every 18 months.

The driver's side front power window started sticking at 80,000 miles.

Stalling problems twice.

Short somewhere that causes the battery gauge to go all over the place and also the fuse for the horn to keep breaking.

Replaced the solenoid switch January 2001 ($300 - from what the dealer told me this is common).

General Comments:

Some parts of the car are put together well -

- for example, I replaced the original muffler at 97,000 miles and the suspension still shows very few signs of wear.

The car is fun to drive and handles/responds fairly well, but hasn't convinced me that I made the right decision (I'm switching back to a Ford).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th June, 2001

1993 Pontiac Grand Am SE V6

Summary:

Decent value for the money spent

Faults:

This car has a history of short brake life under normal conditions. Have replaced them four times. For the last 50,000 miles, there is a hesitation problem when starting out from a dead stop. After about five miles of driving, it's gone. The dealer cannot correct.

Other than that, the car is fairly reliable. The paint finish is excellent considering the hot Las Vegas sun that beats on it.

General Comments:

I believe this car has inherent defects, but generally is a decent car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 3rd June, 2001

3rd Dec 2002, 05:27

I have a 1993 Grand Am, SE two door coupe. And I also had a monster of a hesitation problem. The car would run fine when I initially started it, but after it warmed up it would hesitate badly, to the point I thought I might get hit at a traffic light or two.

Turns out after some testing, that the wire assembly that runs from wherever to the spark plugs had reached the end of their life. It's a harness type setup so I had to replace all of them, but they weren't fully transmitting the electric signal from whatever controls them to the spark plugs to spark. And when they were they were doing it intermittently so the cylinders weren't sparking in the right order.

I forget how much it was to replace them, and like I said the shop that I did it at (which I trust) said cause of design changes in the 93-95 model years, they're replaced as a one piece harness. After I replaced them however, my hesitation problem has gone away and not come back since.

Bello

Bello@Webtv.net (if you have any other questions)

1993 Pontiac Grand Am SE Quad 4

Summary:

It was nice while it lasted

Faults:

Recently had the tie rods etc. replaced (probably not bad for 55,000 miles or so?).

Just blew the head gasket at approximately 57,000 miles. Have religiously had the oil changed and other maintenance work done to maintain what I knew to be a hot-running engine, to ensure a long life (ha!).

Overall, I really liked the car prior to this...

Now I am told that the engine is damaged so badly that head gasket replacement is not recommended - only engine replacement. Also, the only engine recommended is a GM rebuilt (no used ones to be trusted) for $4,700.00. What causes this in an engine taken care of so well?!!!

Will probably have to junk it and move on.

General Comments:

Not sure whether I'd ever buy another Pontiac...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th May, 2001

18th Jul 2001, 16:18

I replaced the head gasket on a ford Ltd. I know, "different manufacturer" but I doubt you'd need to replace the engine unless the block is cracked. Find a good garage, replace the head gasket. I had a guy tell me "Oh, you'll need a new engine." Yeah...right. Someone wants to make there commission on your car.

8th Jan 2002, 07:31

I've replaced heads on these with new and used before with no problems. Thus getting more miles from an otherwise great car. The head in these engines is a GM week point and is fairly common. If you get a used head be sure and take it to a machine shop and have the head crack checked first. Regardless if you use a new or used head the labor can be a bit pricy to have it installed but you will need to decide. Not as much as a new motor for sure. Most repair shops will stand behind their work for 30-90 days.