1993 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.0 V6 from North America
Summary:
Absolute money pit
Faults:
Each year I save enough money to take this car into the shop to have something fixed. The latest, a head gasket. This makes the 2nd head gasket on this car. The first head gasket went at 65,000 miles, the second just occurred at 108,000.
Between the head gaskets, I have had all sorts of problems with the car stalling, poor idling, overheating, and the car has eaten up brakes. Also had the front struts replaced.
We have also had problems with a plastic overdrive piece getting hot and warping. This caused the car to shudder when slowing down. The car would eventually stall and not start until it cooled down.
The driver's and passenger front power windows do not work. The knobs have broken off the temperature gauge.
Overall this car kills me each year in repair bills. Luckily its paid off. I would feel too guilty to sell this to anyone!
General Comments:
When I first got the car, it was the best. Ran great, looked great. I have not had the best "servicing" schedule, but it is nothing outrageous. Once I hit 50K the car was never the same, and has gone down hill.
Very disappointed in this car. When I talk to mechanics, they just laugh when the find out is a Grand AM. This car is nothing but a money pit. The mechanics have seen so many of these problems that they know exactly what the problem is. How pathetic is that, to describe a problem and have the car diagnosed in two words or less.
Will never buy another GM product.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 30th October, 2001
21st May 2003, 11:30
I have a 1991 Grand Am (2.5l 4-Tech, Manual Trans) that I bought used two years ago. I had no idea of the bad reputation until a year later.
I have had very little trouble with this car, except for the clutch, which had to be replaced a few months after purchasing it, and right now I think the oil filter is clogged or something. Also, as is common, the head gasket blew, but that was some time after it hit 130K miles.
I am sure I am the exception, not the rule, but this thing has 157,000 miles on it and still works pretty darn well. The engine power is great (until the filter thing) with accelerating and decent at high speeds. The engine never shakes, but the electrical system seems flaky as heck. I blew fuses all over the place when replacing the battery & alternator one time, but it's possible that was due to my own inexperience (although replacing those is pretty easy).
I bought it for $1200 and drive a whole lot, so it I have definitely gotten my money's worth from it. Just thought I'd mention that not everyone has really bad experiences with them.
15th Nov 2003, 18:41
I just bought a 1993 Pontiac Grand AM, I expect to buy new parts for it. Especially a new engine or rebuilt one. Every time I buy a used car I can expect the worse. You just have to inspect the automobile and perhaps look it up on the web, to make sure you want it first. By the way, I only payed 200. dollars for this car and I only pay on average about 200 to 400 for used cars.
15th Dec 2001, 16:53
I think I know exactly what you mean. A friend of mine has a 1993 Grand Am and it is exactly what you said, "a money pit". She is always having problems with it. It spends more time at the shop then in her driveway. She goes through brakes all the time and she has totally lost her brakes a few times. She has also had some major engine problems, and I know that when I drove it I could feel that the engine pulls very unevenly when accelerating, it's hard to explain but it was not a good thing.
Now don't get me wrong there are some good things with the car, like... um.
Well, it get's good gas mileage...
I'll have to get back to you on that one.