1997 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.1 189 from North America
Summary:
Good to go
Faults:
Replace water pump. $20
Replace alternator. $80
Replace starter. $80
Replace both power window motors. $100
Serpentine belt. $25
Replace brake pads and rotors every 2 years. $80
Replaced drum shoes once. $40
Trans and radiator flush every 2 years. $90
Replace plugs every 2 years. $20
Castrol Syntec and long life oil filter every 8000 miles. $25.
Burns.cj@gmail.com if you need help with any of the above operations.
CV axle is in need of replacement. Water is getting in from somewhere after a long rain. Horn IN-OP. Shocks and struts are way overdue.
General Comments:
All things considered, this car has served me very well. I've had it 5 years now and put on nearly 85000 miles and have done only minimal repairs, and everything except the flushing can be done in your driveway.
I threw in a knock-off K/N air filter and get an extra 25 miles out of a tank of gas, and it gives the motor a nice throaty sound. I get about 26/28 miles a gallon at about 75% highway driving.
The red paint still glistens in the sun and I only wax once or twice a year with nu finish. The A/C is cranking out 53 degree air and it's never been charged, at least not since I've had it.
Not bad for a 10 year old car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th June, 2006
15th Apr 2007, 23:40
LOL Oh I totally hear that. I've had nearly all the problems you mentioned and more. Most notably the alternator which I have had to replace numerous times.
My intake camshaft valve gasket has also been leaking, but for 3 years. I'm too broke to take it to the shop and too busy to fix it myself. But this summer, my goal is to get that gasket replaced. The leak really isn't that bad considering how long I've had it.
The entire ignition system on this car is horrific. I have basically replaced the entire ignition and almost entire fuel system in hopes to fix some problems I've been dealing with and NOTHING. NO mechanic knows whats going on. Once in a while I would replace the coil housing, the plugs and coils sometimes and it would run well for a couple of months then it starts all over.
Also having major seal problems. It's sucking air somewhere. replaced the o-rings, it ran well for a week, then all over again even worse. NO ONE knows whats going on.
The last thing you mentioned about the car having no power and shaking violently in neutral and in gear is very familiar. In fact that one just happened to me last semester. Had no time so took it to the shop. They ended up replacing a bunch of sensors, module and etc. and NOTHING. Finally they just switched plugs and housing (which I'm having to do all the time anyway) and it starts running all of a sudden. Some problems still persist, but right now (knocking on wood*) it's getting me places. I'm determined to spend lots of time this summer and learn the car very well, work on it and try to get it running like it once was. Long summer ahead of me that's for sure.
P.s. should probably mention.. my GT has 200,000 miles on it. Major problems started at about 160,000.