1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.1 from North America

Summary:

A bumpy cruiser

Faults:

My cars started making noise under the hood I took it to the shop, and my mechanic says it's going to cost me $270 dollors to fix.

This car shakes and rattles terribly when I drive over the smallest bump on the road.

My handle on the side use to control the lumber broke easy.

My paint on the mirrors is chipping away.

My check engine light comes on every-time I drive over 60 mph, and then would just suddenly go off by it self after driving it for another week weird!

General Comments:

This car has been pretty reliable for me besides the problems I mention it has never left me stranded.

This car is pretty quick too, and handles very well in my opinion.

The car has a sporty style inside and out the cock pit interior and the soothing red instrumental lights are cool!

The car also has a nice sound system.

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

Review Date: 19th August, 2005

1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.1L V6 from North America

Summary:

What a dollar eater..

Faults:

I have repaired the brakes maybe three times in a year, I bought new brake pads.

I changed the Brakes master cylinder, and the problem was no fixed.

When the brakes are applied a lot, the brakes fail (overheating), example: when driving down hill.

Problems with overheating, example when drive uphill, and with the A/C on.

I repaired the heads, and the problem (overheating) still exist.

General Comments:

I nice car... but what a headache..

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

Review Date: 8th July, 2005

1996 Pontiac Grand Am 2.4 liter 4 cylendar from North America

Summary:

The cars had some problems, but overall it's been a great little car

Faults:

A couple years back I bought the Pontiac Grand AM GT. I've had some problems with it, however most all of them have just been general maintenance issues. I've had to have the alternator replaced at about 120,000 miles. I had a waterpump at 140,000. The car is a 4 door, and 3 of the 4 window motors have gone out. That is the worst thing with the car. Pontiac I'm sure is well aware of this problem, and I feel should have recalled the cars and replaced the motors. However I can't complain, for less than 200.00 I bought 2 new window motors and had them installed.

I've had to put breaks on the car of course and I've had to replace the rear drums. That however was really due to my lack of respect to the vehicle, and allowing the brakes to get so bad.

The car has had the heater core replaced, however that was done under warranty, and by the previous owner.

General Comments:

I've read a lot of comments from people who are really knocking there Grand Am's, however I haven't seen one person mention mileage on their cars. The car can really only be as good as it's owner. If the owner takes care of the car, the car takes care of the owner. I understand that sometimes a car does come from the factory preloaded with a huge amount of problems, however that's what warranties are for! When buying a used car you have no idea how the previous owner cared for the car. If the car hasn't been cared for of course you're going to be buying someone else's problems.

Yes the problems with the power window motors should have been addressed by Pontiac, and it is a little troublesome that every single Grand Am from at least 95 to 97 had garbage window motors the are sure to stop working. However, new window motors can be bought at AutoZone for 44.99 with a lifetime warranty, so go buy a couple window motors, spend a hundred bucks getting them installed, and stop complaining about it. For 180.00 I have new window motors, and installation of them. And I might add, it's really nice to have working windows again!

For a car with 148,000 miles, my Grand Am has been a great little car!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st May, 2005

25th Jun 2005, 21:39

I agree completely with what you said. I have a Grand Am SE that has over 130,000 miles on it and it is my baby and I take care of it. The only real problems are the ones that you get with any car, the windows, radiator, things like that. But for what I have put into it, It has been an incredible car!!!

21st Nov 2006, 20:35

Hello... I just purchased a 1996 Grand AM SE with 139,000 miles that cost 200.00 yes that's right 200.00 bucks... The previous owner took really good care of the car... It drives like new the interior is awesome, the alignment is great, it handles well... the only problem is I had to replace the A/C compressor and the intake manifold gasket and I will eventually have to replace the drivers side window motor. I got a little scared when I started doing my homework, I can only pray that I don’t have the problems that everyone else has. Can anyone suggest what I can do to avoid some of these issues (i.e.) general maintenance?

27th May 2007, 11:27

My GA SE now has 270,300 miles. Window motors all fine. Have had 1 water pump and 1 alternator. Tail pipe hangars all let loose just last week. Steering pump may be the cause of the latest "growling". The 4 cyls kept shutting down one summer for no reason (that we could find). Pain while in city construction zone. Hope to go for 500000 kilometers.