1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.1L from North America

Summary:

This car has served me very well for 11 years, and I am both blessed and proud to drive it anywhere!

Faults:

The first problem that I noted with my Grand Prix was the moisture that formed inside the head lights and tail lights. The dealer replaced the first headlight, but it developed moisture too. Issue was not able to be resolved. Lights currently are fine, and the moisture has not caused any decrease of functionality.

After owning the car for 9 years, the fuel pump went and that was repaired and no further problem. Other than that, it has been the most dependable car I have ever owned, and I am blessed to have it.

The air conditioner developed a leak and was repaired successfully, and the fan level control ceased to work and was repaired with no further problem.

General Comments:

This car has been a delight to travel in. My mileage varies between 25-27 miles per gallon on the highway, and drops to 20-23 with combination of city and highway driving. I do spend extra for the 93 octane, it is worth it.

It always starts for me in cold weather and handles extremely well on slippery roads, and handles well during emergency stopping. It handles nicely and has a comfortable ride; not as well as the 94' Grand Prix though I owned prior to this one.

This car is beautiful and bright red; catches everyone's eye on the road when it is freshly washed and waxed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th March, 2008

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8 Series II V6 from North America

Summary:

Looks good, but has a bizillion problems, and they are all expensive

Faults:

Intake manifold gaskets.

New battery.

Rusted out rocker panels under ground effects.

Both power window motors.

Strut towers rotted out.

Strut mounts and struts went bad.

A/C doesn't work.

Climate control bulbs burned out.

Popping noise when turning the wheel to the right.

Oil pan gasket has a small leak.

Dex cool sludged up in overflow tank.

Brakes are warped.

Battery has a drain.

Water in all four lights.

Speakers are bad.

Water leaks in from wiring harness tube from the back, don't know how to stop it.

Front seats are hard and cracked.

Only getting 22-23 MPG on highway, and I baby it and never drive faster than 65.

General Comments:

I know a lot about cars and this one still fooled me. When my father and I test drove the car none of these problems were apparent, or visable. Now it seems like every thing that could go bad is going bad. I fix one thing and another goes bad. Don't buy one with more than 140,000 miles. at this point they become a money hole. I paid $2,000 for the car and have 2,300 in stupid repairs. The motor and transmission are fine, the only good design on this car. these cars will rust rapidly do to all the seams underneath and on the body. It is ridiculus. the car looks sharp, but really has a lot of problems. I wouldn't recomend them at all, even though they look great.

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

Review Date: 6th March, 2008

27th Jan 2009, 18:52

I continued to drive the vehicle further and it continued to incur problems. My transmission is starting to fail, I had the fan speeds working only on 5 problem, replaced the ignition switch to fix that, just a royal pain in the butt. Tomorrow I'm getting an 06 Grand Prix, they are much more reliable than this generation. I hope it goes well.

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8 from North America

Summary:

Great car

Faults:

Fog light went out at 119,000.

General Comments:

The power is amazing.

Looks are great.

Handles like a dream.

LOVE my HUD.

Paint job is amazing, I live in the desert in the hottest part of the country where it gets over 120ยบ in the summer, and the paint still looks new.

Seats are very comfortable.

One bad thing about this car are the cup holders. I seriously don't even see any use for them because they suck so bad.

But overall I think the car is amazing. I have not had it that long, but all the miles I have put on it are VERY HARD miles and the car is still in great condition. I get my oil changed every 3000 miles. I have taken my car on a few road trips and I have never had a problem with it. My GP has never left me stranded on the side of the road. I have had a few minor problems with lights and such, but other than that the car is just great.

The best thing about this car, and the reason I bought it, was for the performance. I have raced several cars and I always come out ahead. Even at highway speeds over 75mph, the car still accelerates with ease and I have never had a problem passing people.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th February, 2008