1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT HO 3.4

Summary:

My 3.4L HO is mechanically reliable, but an electrical headache

Faults:

My head gasket blew around 70,000 miles.

The electrical system is screwed up.

The turn signals work when they want to.

The trunk button works when it wants to.

The cigarette lighter works rarely.

The car was brought to a electrical automotive shop, and they had to fix the security system on the car, which was not a promise it would not need to be fixed in the future.

General Comments:

I have the 3.4L HO, and it is still fast at 99,000 miles.

However the car has serious electrical issues.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd May, 2009

1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4 HO

Summary:

Junk, never buy another one, a Pontiac is an experimental car

Faults:

Let's see...

Bad intake gaskets replaced, $830.

Bad head gaskets, $1865.

Constant brake work rotors/pads calipers, totaling around $1400.

Transmission pressure valve, $589.

Annoying service vehicle soon lights, no way to keep them off!!!

Mechanics rebuilt the bottom end of the motor at 170K miles, because it spun a rod bearing and started knocking, replaced crank shaft and all bearings, $2150.

Motor turns over easy when cold, but once at running temperature, turns over hard, but always starts, undiagnosed. Alternator was checked several times, charging great. Battery replaced 2 times, starter replaced 2 times, still the problem persists.

Radio screen went blank one day, never came back on. Dealership wants $480 to replace the radio :-(

General Comments:

This car looks great and very sporty, but is built very poor, and unless you are made of money, leave Pontiac's alone.

The seats are comfortable.

Some interior parts are falling off "CHEAP".

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th May, 2009

19th May 2009, 22:52

I totally agree with commenter 09:29. People buy battered and beaten cars, have not the slightest idea how to do ANYTHING to them, then scream about them having problems.

I'm a mechanic and I drive and work on all kinds of vehicles. One of my personal vehicles (we have 4) is a near-mint 2001 Grand Am with the bullet-proof Quad 4 with mild modifications. After 9 years this car looks, runs and drives BETTER than new. I've been out a whopping $27 on this car in 9 years. I spent $17 replacing my front brake pads (the rear are STILL original) and $10 for a headlight bulb. This reviewer obviously does none of his own repairs, as you could replace EVERY PART IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM in one afternoon for less than $350 yourself. I replaced my front pads in 15 minutes on my lunch break!!

People buying older cars need to learn a bit about auto repair. It would save them a ton of money.

My guess is that this car had been overheated at some point, as most drivers are so clueless that they will drive a car after it overheats, oblivious to the fact that this warps engine surfaces and makes the car forever totally unreliable. To blame Pontiac for someone else's abuse is silly.

1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4 V6

Summary:

Great car; sporty, reliable, and fun to drive

Faults:

Only thing that has ever gone wrong with car were the usual intake manifold gaskets, which 3100, 3400 and 3800 V6's are known for. Replaced them myself, cost me around $65, and the coolant temp sensor cost me $12.95, replaced myself. Otherwise nothing but general things like brake pads.

General Comments:

Car looks great, paint is still in great shape. It runs like a champ, no issues, just general maintenance such as spark plugs and wires, oil changes, filter changes.

Handles like a sports car, love the four wheel disc brakes, very fun to drive.

A/C will freeze you out.

Pontiacs are good cars, but beware, don't buy them before they have 120K miles, + all cars have kinks when they are new. Usually after 120K miles they are worked out.

My car has been great. Very low cost to maintain, but I am a mechanic so intake gaskets at a shop are around $1200, so I did them myself, cost me only $65.

Chevys, GMC and Pontiac all have the blank radio screen issue and volume knob issues, no big deal, just put in an after market CD player!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th May, 2009