1999 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2.4L from North America

Summary:

Medium performance money trap

Faults:

Replaced the brakes and tires at fifty thousand miles.

Replaced the driver side window switch twice and the motor once. Replaced the back seat driver side window once.

The battery went out at seventy thousand miles and blew out the alternator.

Rack and pinion leaked at eighty thousand miles.

General Comments:

The car handles well and looks nice, but it is a money trap. With the extra money we've spent on maintenance, we could have bought a nice Honda and would still be driving it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th January, 2004

1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4L from North America

Summary:

Mechanical Nightmare

Faults:

The battery went bad and blew out the alternator.

The radio turns up when you try to turn it down.

The heater only works when you put it on 3 or higher.

Got brakes done 3 times in less than 2 years and still makes a squeaky noise.

Paint chipping on the outside of car by the doors.

Coolant light kept coming on because it was leaking water. Found out first the head gaskets were blown. Then the cylinder head. Then finally the block was cracked.

Car ready for junk yard now.

General Comments:

Car looked nice and drove fast, but was not worth all the problems and money spent.

Many very expensive repairs!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th January, 2004

1999 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.4 from North America

Summary:

Cheap, fast and reliable

Faults:

Calipers went at 70000k, they ruined the pads and rotors so those were replaced also.

Front driver's side wheel bearing went around 65000k.

General Comments:

This car has been a great vehicle to me.

It looks good, it has power and is more or less maintenance free.

Repairs on the car have cost me less than $500 in the two years that I've owned it.

No more has to be said about it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th January, 2004

1999 Pontiac Grand Am SE from North America

Summary:

Buy a foreign car, it will last longer

Faults:

Rack and Pinion replaced at 36K

Power Steering pump replaced at 36K

Alternator replaced at 39K

Fuel Tank replaced at 39K

Fuel Pump replaced at 39K

Power Steering pump replaced again at 39K, and at 58K.

General Comments:

I have had nothing, but problems with this car. Thank heaven I purchased an extended warranty! We calculated that we would have spent about 5000.00 in repairs within the first two years of owning it. I have owned two Honda's and we decided to purchase the Grand Am because it was a much lower car payment with our expanding family. I have spent more time in the shop than in my car. The road noise is ridiculous! And the cheap hub caps rattle so badly I want to junk them. It does handle pretty well in the snow though. I will never buy an American made car again. It just isn't made well, and certainly not to last. If you are planning on getting a new (and cheap) car every two years, this would be the one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th January, 2004

7th Apr 2004, 23:45

Thank you for the warning. It is a scary financial proposition to buy someyhing like this. Your information just adds to the terrible record of that car, as described by others unfortunate owners.

I just personally know about another one, with endless rotors replacements, weird grinding noises when turning and breaking, blown cooling gasket, with coolant leaked right into oil pan, creating owner's and mechanic's nightmare.

The endemic poor gaskets quality, inferior belt tensioner, electrical uncontrollable glitches, sudden engine shut-offs are topping the list. And there's more. Buyer, beware.

Question: why buy it?

Getting reliable so-called import is the answer. What about 100 to 150K problem free? I know it. I own one.

Honda, Toyota, and other quality vehicles with a touch of class are waiting for you. They have a top-notch finish.

Everywhere. Drive and smile.

13th Apr 2004, 10:53

No one in there right mind should buy a rice burner, i know I had a Toyota and a Honda, there nothing, but noise makers with no power, i have a 1999 grand am, i love it. I know you had problems with yours, but that's no reason to put down USA cars, theres other cars in the USA YOU KNOW.