Faults:

Front brake pads where worn through, replaced the front rotors and pads with ceramic, very nice.

Replaced the alternator at 145000.

Replaced the front struts with KYBs.

Water in the tail lights, replaced the tail lights with custom and sealed with dialectric grease. A neoprene seal on the factory lights would stop the leaking.

The rollers and guides for the front windows where either lacking grease or sticking, lube'd them up or replaced.

Service Light came on for the rear O2 sensor. A wire was frayed so I installed a new one.

Rear synthetic leather was de-laminating, re-glued and is staying on.

General Comments:

The car was not well taken care of before I purchased it. I was aware of some of the problems and have fixed most of them.

Still need to change the rear struts and some of the sway bar bushings. Added a front strut tower bar and that reduced the body roll significantly. I really enjoy how the cars corners now even with 15" rims.

I've installed iridium plugs, synthetic oil and a cold air intake which has added some more performance to the engine. Accelerates very quickly for a four cylinder.

The factory seats where very uncomfortable. I replaced them with some Grand Prix seats. Those are much nicer on long drives.

I removed the factory shift know and installed a smaller straight up shift knob to give the cup holders more room, looks better also.

The front headlight covers are roughed up. After I replace those I will put clear headlight covers on them to help them last longer.

I commute in the car a lot and really enjoy driving it. I've put 20K miles on it in the 6 months I've owned it. Considering the miles, the car appears to be holding up quite well.

Faults:

The Power Steering Unit and the Brakes have been a big problem with this model. Any one know what model of Mity Vac to use, to purge the power steering system. I was told model J35555 and J43485 (adapter), but I can't find them anywhere. Is there a different part number for these tools, or a similar tool that can be used to do the same job? Any suggestions or answers can be emailed to beauporter@hotmail.com

Faults:

My alternator went out at about 60000, my back driver side ABS went out around the same time. My powersteering pump went out also. The noice from the steering wheel grinding is a sign that you may need a new one. My radio also has the evil thing of turning up when I want it turned down. I found that if you pull the knob out then turn it down it will work. I have also found that investing in the car maintenance book that there are a lot of things you can work on yourself. Changing the brakes is easy along with the oil/filter and the spark plugs.

Now I am having a problem with when I am on the freeway doing a steady 70 there is a jerking feeling every once in awhile. I was thinking either the transmission or the lifters... the jury is still out on that one.

Faults:

Constantly replacing wheel bearings.

Rotors replaced 3 times.

Drivers window will not go down when it is cold.

Requires three front end alignments per year.

Pass lock sensor.

Intake valve.

Rear suspension problems.

General Comments:

I have been replacing parts all year in the hope that I can drive this car to 200G miles. The security light just came on yesterday and I am anticipating problems as I'm sure it's the passlock sensor. I was amazed to read the posts here about wheel bearings. It's nice to know I'm not alone. The 99 is my third Grand Am. I had an 89 with paint delamination problems, a 95 with a quad four *terrible engine* with head gasket problems. Sad to say, I'm actually thinking of not buying another Pontiac.