1997 Pontiac Grand Am 3.1L from North America

Summary:

This car is a definite piece of crap!!!

Faults:

Radiator Cracked

Replace Alternator twice

Replace Window Motors four times

Replaced Head Gaskets twice

Replaced Window Switches

Replace Outside Mirror

Replace Fuel Pump

Replaced Fuel Injectors Twice

Replaced Rotors Six times

Replace Brakes Six times.

General Comments:

My problems started about a year ago. It started with the radiator. As soon as that was fixed and out of the way it seemed to me that everything went down hill from there. I have spent at least $3000.00 on this car so it would run. This car is not even worth a $1000.00.

I will never own a Pontiac again in my life.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st March, 2006

22nd Mar 2006, 19:38

Well I can answer that question for you. Most people don't bother to do the research on the vehicles they buy. Instead they either go with a name they trust, Toyota for example, buy what’s on sale, or just buy what catches their eye.

As a staunch believer in researching any vehicle in Consumer Reports, I can tell you that this little step has saved we a world of trouble. It is the #1 piece of advice I give to anyone that even mentions to me that they're looking to buy a new vehicle.

Incidentally, I was also the "proud" owner of a Pontiac Grand Am, a 1996 POS actually. It's the reason I now preach Consumer Reports and websites like this one to anyone that will listen.

25th Mar 2006, 18:33

Consumer Reports should stick with what they know: rating toasters and coffee makers. Have you read their latest ratings? It's pathetic. Unless they car is Japanese, they won't even give it the time of day. Don't reply saying that this is an obvious sign of Japanese superiority, The difference in quality/reliabilty of new cars is almost statistically insignificant. The ratings are totally subjective and could include such issues as difficulty in using radio controls and dislike of HVAC system. Consumer reports measures problems per 100 vehicles. That way when Lexus scores say an 82 and Chevy rates 110, the later rating sounds so much scarier. When you break it down per vehicle what is the difference between.82 problems and 1.1 problems per new vehicle? Consumer Reports is a joke. I wouldn't believe anything that comes from their pages.

18th Oct 2006, 16:44

Consumer Reports is a bunch of poop. I've owned nothing, but General Motors vehicles, the same ones Consumers tells you to run away from screaming. Each and every one has treated me well, as I did it. I have yet to turn one in with less than 225,000 miles and I drove, not towed, it to the dealer for the trade in. My '97 Grand Am is at 140K and running strong.

1997 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2.4L Quad Four from North America

Summary:

Treated me well with little invested!

Faults:

Not too much major stuff has gone wrong with my car.

Since I had the car the driver side power window motor was slow until one day it stopped working. Very hard to replace. Other motors are starting to slow also.

Alternator went at about 130,000 but that is something you can expect.

Power steering hose started to leak and needed to be replaced (2005)

Most recent was the heater core. The inlet and outlet to the heater core was plastic (stupid design in my mind) so it just had too much and the plastic broke and both hoses fell out. It was time consuming to change not necessarily hard.

Power door locks will unlock themselves at random. Fixed that by putting a switch on the power lock fuse.

General Comments:

That's all the stuff I had to deal with. That's not saying what was replaced before I got it. Like I said nothing really major has gone with it.

I love the 2.4L engine. It is so quick. It has 150 rated horsepower and the V6 has 155 rated horsepower. It makes sense to have the lighter, better gas mileage, peppier 4 cylinder.

I wish it had the 5 speed manual, but what can you do, you don't get a choice with a used car.

I am going to keep this car until the water pump dies. The engineers who designed this engine made the water pump driven by the timing chain so it's a 8-9 hour professional job!

All in all I am very satisfied with this car. I bought it for $2000 in 2003 and it was worth every penny. I'm hoping I can have many more fun miles ahead.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th February, 2006