Faults:

To start with the first problem I had with the car was the transmission at about 100,000 miles two months after buying the car it went out. It took 6 trips to the mechanic for them to fix it "right".

The next problem was battery and alternator. Next was water-pump. Then the motors on both back windows. Stock radio has the volume problem. I have had new strut mounts upfront and struts all the way around.

I have replaced engine at about 125,000 miles. It has the brake problem with the cheap $16 rotors warping.

Currently the car needs all ball-joints, tie-rod ends, CV joints, wheel-bearings, and rotors.

General Comments:

All in all the car is junk, but when in running order a pleasure to drive. It has adequate pickup and braking, strong in corners.

The car is beautiful, yet needs more aftermarket parts. EX: tail lights, motor hop-ups, and brake hop-ups.

Faults:

First my alternator went out.

Then my water pump went out.

The panel is coming off the passenger door.

Paint chipping.

Belt tensioner went out.

Transmission messed up.

Strut busted.

Power steering pump went out.

Wheels are out of line.

Radio goes up when you take it down, and down when you turn it up.

Dashboard makes cracking noises.

General Comments:

This is a nice looking car if you have $500 a month to spend on it, then it would be awesome! I don't understand how a car can mess up so much though.

I have owned this car for 5 months and spent over $2,000 on it. I would never buy another Pontiac again.

Faults:

Since reading all the other entries I couldn't resist to tell you about my 1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.1L V6. It all began when the glove box handle fell off, a foreshadowing of things to come.

Then, along with every one else, my driver's side window motor went out, along with the passenger side window motor.

My starter and alternator have been replaced three times each. My radio volume knob is almost inoperative, and the CD player always ejects the CD's once before it will play them.

My radiator, and water pump were both replaced a year ago. My air conditioning works fine at night, if its cold outside. But living in California I have to keep my windows down during the daytime, which was a problem when the window motors died and the windows were stuck up. And I used to have refrigerant added weekly because the system didn't leak, but the refrigerant magically disappeared.

My transmission was replaced not too long after the radiator. Unfortunately I didn't get to use the new transmission for more than a month before my engine made a terrible clacking sound when my number one cylinder's piston rod broke, which also broke the camshaft. After having a new engine installed, the sensors started going out. First O2 sensors, then the throttle position sensor, then EVAP system. The "Check Engine" light comes on so often I bought my own OBDII diagnostic tool to check them. At any speed over 60mph the ABS light comes on, and the ETS shuts off.

My anti-theft system is more of an anti-owner system, cause it has a mind of its own.

I noticed the other day that my exhaust system is shot, because water drips out of holes that rusted through my mufflers, yes that's plural, both mufflers.

The side moldings on the door panels are coming loose so the doors make a popping sound when they are opened and closed.

What else could there be you ask? Well, the steering column has a lot of play in it now, along with my suspension that can't stay in alignment for more that two weeks at a time.

But wait there's more! My engine surges at idle, even after new vacuum lines were installed. And to top it off, my trunk light only works sometimes, when the trunk is closed.

I try to sell it in between the work done to it, but it's in the shop so much they call it the nightmare. I don't even tell them my name when I call, I just say, "I have the black Pontiac", and they know which one it is. They probably have my number on speed-dial for their phone.

General Comments:

I know you're probably thinking this all can't be true, but I've got all the receipts to prove it. Oh, and there's 51000 miles on the odometer, and my seats and carpet haven't worn out, but that's probably because I can't drive it enough to wear out the seats. "Driving Excitement" for me is how excited I am when I finally arrive at a destination without having to pay a tow truck driver when I get there.