1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2.4L from North America

Summary:

Great Car Overall

Faults:

The first thing that went wrong was my airbag light came on, I was told that it was two sensors and would cost around $1000 to fix IF I wanted to fix it.

Two days later all the dash lights came on, was told that there was a recall on the ignition and it had to be done, would cause all these lights to come on. After having this recall done the lights all went out... for about a week!!!

The window motor needs to be replaced for the passenger sides.

Brakes have been changed on a yearly basis according to previous owner.

General Comments:

Thank heavens that my brother-in-law is a mechanic, as most of the work will not cost much more than the parts.

I have to take it back to dealer, as they put in faulty ignition.

The car is really a great handling car, great on gas.

No problems with radio, or anything else.

Previous owner replaced motor at 120,000K, oil changed every 3000 etc.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th April, 2003

1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.1L V6 from North America

Summary:

This is a great, well-powered, very reliable, fun-to-drive, good looking mid-sized sedan!

Faults:

When I first bought the car, I had to replace the driver's side window motor, the alternator, and the battery all at once. The mechanic said the three problems were all related somehow.

At around 100k miles the front wheel bearings wore out.

Right now at almost 150k miles, it needs struts.

At around 125k miles the tensioner for the serpentine belt needed to be replaced.

Other than that, I never had any other problem with this car. It still runs like a top.

General Comments:

Once the struts wore out on this car, the ride obviously deteriorated horribly, but still handles quite well.

This car has been completely reliable, and any problem that I've experienced in 5 years can be attributed to normal wear and tear.

In the 100k miles that I have owned the car, I've only changed the spark plugs once (around 130k), and that was the entire extent of any "tune-up" that I performed.

I have done pretty well about keeping the fluids changed regularly, including the coolant and the transmission fluids, even though they are supposedly able to last much longer. I changed them for my own peace of mind, not because there was any indication that a change was needed.

This car has been driven hard, and not treated with any special care, except for trying to keep the fluid changes close to on-schedule.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th April, 2003

1996 Pontiac Grand Am 2.4 quad 4 from North America

Summary:

Great 4 door car for the money - $4500.00

Faults:

Radiator replaced at about 80,000 miles, cost 100.00$

General Comments:

The car is in very good condition. Interior is holding up very good even with 2 kids.

Great speed, transmission works great, great sound system, windows show no problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th March, 2003

1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.1 V6 from North America

Summary:

High performance comfort

Faults:

Wiring harness and electric fire at 106000 miles.

New brakes at 100000.

General Comments:

Reliable car for the most part. Used to be one of my favorites until I had the fire. I would like to have anyone else with a similar problem to email me at apocolypse2000@hotmail.com.

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

Review Date: 29th March, 2003

1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE coupe DOHC 2.4L 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

A very good handling, sporty looking, reasonable price car

Faults:

The front brakes wore out and the shocks and struts. It was just normal routine repairs. I can't complain about that. The alternator has went out twice, which is my fault for have a big stereo system in there. I haven't had any real bad problems. The only real repair is the ignition cylinder which I had to have a new one put in. Great car, in fact I am keeping it forever!

General Comments:

I like the car very very much. It is just like any other car, all you have to do is keep it up and it will work just fine. I know the head gaskets go a lot in the Quad 4 engine, but mine has not gone yet. It is not bad at all on acceleration for a 4 cylinder. My girlfriend has a 2002 Dodge Stratus 2.7L V6 that is slower! The Grand Am handles wonderfully. I would definitely buy another one. The problems with the car turning off and stuff is people putting in remote starters, the GM Passlock system has to have a certain amount of resistance delivered to a module in a certain amount of seconds, and it cannot do it right all of the time and causes problems trust me I had to have mine taken out! If car makers knew remote starters were any good they would make them with the car or offer them as an option. Most people that "upgrade" with aftermarket products think about this: why put in a cheap stainless steel muffler or K & N air filter, General Motors spends Millions I do mean Millions developing these parts and software for the computer in the car. You can only do so much before the "horsepower increase" takes no affect because the computer cannot compensate for the difference. That is where most problems arise from. I have basically only put in factory parts and routine service at mileage intervals and I have had no problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 2003