1993 Pontiac Grand Am SE from North America

Summary:

A great car for someone wanting to learn mechanics

Faults:

Coolant system fails at least twice a summer.

Alternator has gone three times.

I've replaced the fuel pump twice.

I'm now on my third main coolant hose.

All motor mounts needed to be replaced at 100,000 miles.

Trans-axil replaced at 100,000 miles.

Water pump has been replaced twice.

Front ball joints have needed to be replaced twice.

Coil pack just went at 136,000.

The power steering pump died at 136,000 as well.

Power steering rack on passenger side has been replaced.

Car has had problems with condensation in the oil since 20,000 miles and has got much worse.

Front brakes replaced twice in the last 36,000 miles.

Check oil light goes on and off regardless of oil level.

Cruise control no longer works.

Fly wheel has some teeth that are pretty chewed up.

General Comments:

I would not keep the car if I was still making payments on it.

I have put $1000.00 into it this week for the coolant system, coils, front brakes and alternator.

It is an extremely comfortable ride in the sense that one can really appreciate the seats on a long trip and good leg room.

Truck space is more than you would think by looking at the outside.

Gets good mileage when running well which of late has been to few and far between.

This is not the car for you if you're one to ignore clunks, temperature level or the smell of coolant in the hope that it will go away.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th April, 2002

1993 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.3 OHV 160hp V6 from North America

Summary:

Proper maintenance is crucial (satisfaction is NOT guaranteed)

Faults:

3 Wheel bearings.

Driver side window motor seized.

Passenger side window regulator now crooked.

Changing brakes on a consistent basis (once or twice a year).

Check gauges and check oil light keep coming on.

Engine always has a loud metallic grinding symphony caused by the fuel injectors and overhead-valve train.

Exhaust switched from dual pipes to a single muffler because of the money GM wants to replace the exhaust.

Fuel pump decides to stop.

Intake manifold gasket (which has cooling jackets... leaking coolant into the engine) is starting to go.

GM made the 3.3 liter engine with an oversize number 1 main bearing in the engine (why?). engine has a knocking to it. Had this problem since new.

Driver's side lower control arm broke.

Torque Converter Clutch solenoid started sticking, however, I corrected this problem by driving down the highway, hitting the brakes and holding them down while hitting the gas. Has not started sticking since.

Motor mounts are bad now.

Seats are all warped-looking now.

General Comments:

Mass Air Flow sensor needs to be cleaned out every once and a while. If you experience hesitation, try this.

Decent power...still.

Maintenance of this car is a must. If you try and live with a problem the car is having, it will lead to a bigger, more expensive problem. When a problem occurs, you gotta fix it.

GT FE3 suspension handles the road well, but is way too stiff, and rattled my car's dashboard to death.

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

Review Date: 19th April, 2002

24th Mar 2007, 21:58

Everything I just read, sounds like my '93 Grand Am and need to dump it fast! I've only had it three years from the original owner, but feel like I have been swindled and don't want another such car in the future.

1993 Pontiac Grand Am 3.1 from North America

Summary:

Should have had a 9 year lease with it

Faults:

1. The belt tensioner seized up causing my serpentine belt to fall off and tear up.

2. In the first 3 years of warranty we replaced 2 sets of tires that were splitting around the outer sidewall.

3. In the 2nd year the air conditioner went. After taking it to the dealer twice and them telling us that there was nothing wrong. So in year 3 we bought a rebuilt one that lasted about 2 months. We still have no air up to now.

4. In 1999 I took the car in for some kind of knocking in the engine. After removing the valve covers, he told me all 6 lifter springs were broken and that some of my my valve stems had been mushroomed. Getting costly.

5 About 1 year after the car started overheating a lot, so now I'm back at the garage. This time he tells me there's water in my oil and it would be very expensive to rebuild my engine. I gave him the go ahead. Now he calls me back saying all my 6 lifter springs are broken again. He then ordered the 6 new springs along with the rest of the parts to rebuild the engine. Now again after he rebuilt it, 2 more lifter springs broke. This time he phoned the manufacturer where they told him they knew these were the wrong springs, but not enough for a recall. Well I now have the right springs and I'm broke.

6. Now it's the year 2000 and the motors in my front windows don't work and they still don't work. Maybe this year we'll have a bit more cash.

7. Well it's 2 weeks to Xmas and my battery has passed away.

8. One fog light out and rear window brake light out.

Thank you

John Thibodeau.

General Comments:

The car is very quick and holds the corners good, as well as having nice tight steering.

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

Review Date: 28th February, 2002