1996 Pontiac Grand Prix SE Coupe 3.1 SFI from North America
Summary:
Great ride, affordable, sweeeeet. Recommend to anyone
Faults:
Head gaskets at 170k, and transmission at 175k.
General Comments:
When I bought the SE I only paid 250 bucks for it. Yes, you read right.
The head gaskets were blown and the previous owner had someone start to replace them, but never finished. So I thank god I found this car. I know a few people, and I bought a top half rebuild kit from a dealership for only 85 bucks; had to get head bolts for it and an alternator, cause they both were missing.
Got it running and was like WOW!!! The exhaust was rusted off at the beginning of the mufflers, but had this deep rumble; you might think was coming from an old school muscle car.
At 175k my transmission went somehow, and have no clue how the tail stock of the tranny broke and was still drivable, and so I didn't notice and it lost all tranny fluid, burning the clutches. So I bought a junk yard tranny with only like 60k on it for 300, and a rebuild kit for 200, and rebuilt it.
Other than that, this car has been a great car and I would recommend it to anyone.
Did I mention I have only put under 1000 bucks into this car, including the price for the car.
Don't buy from dealerships... waste of money.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th April, 2008
29th Jul 2007, 22:24
It is unfortunate that this person had bad luck with his Grand Prix. I personally, have owned my 1996 SE for 9 years with very little problems. I have put an alternator, water pump, and brakes on it since I purchased it. The car had 40,000 miles when purchased, now it has 90,000. I am currently deciding on what mufflers to buy for it. My car has the 3.1 engine, it gets 24 mpg around town and 32+ on the highway. I am sure it will need new struts in the near future, but for now they are alright. Remember, if you drive it like you stole it no car will last very long. My Grand Prix is the nicest car I have owned. To me it was the BEST America had to offer in 1996 for personal luxury!