Faults:

The only things that have been replaced on this car are the alternator and the battery. The alternator and battery were replaced at 85,000 miles, which is typical for a GM alternator, so it was not a surprise. I replaced the battery at the same time since that is the most logical thing to do after alternator problems.

General Comments:

This car is fantastic! I had a 97 Jeep Wrangler previously that I used for daily driving, off roading, and hauling. I really cannot compare the two because obviously the comfort level between them is like night and day. I love the Grand Prix GT Coupe. It's got plenty of room and comfort. I have every single electronic option excluding a sunroof and the Heads Up Display speedometer and information center. This car has all the bells and whistles and has held up tremendously. The car cranks out approximately 240-260 HP with the modifications I've done to it including a Cold Air Induction, Cone filter, and Stage 1 performance kit. It was money well spent. I can outrun most stock Grand Prix GTP's on the road, and it's a great feeling. The car handles beautifully with lowering springs, upgraded struts, and tower brace bars on the front and rear strut towers. I've added 17 inch wheels and tires from the previous factory 16 inch wheels and tires, and it really grips like a race car. Wet traction is fantastic, and comfort on relatively long trips is bearable, but not the best. It's very comfortable for local driving though... like a Cadillac!

The only complaint I have about the styling is that it's a little difficult to see out of the rear window when backing up due to the height and placement of the rear deck.

The praise that I can give this car above anything else is that every single piece of digital/electronic equipment on the car (i.e. power windows, power seat, digital temperature controls, steering wheel radio controls, and factory CD player) still work like new and have given me absolutely no problems. I have a great extended warranty from Accel Warranty company, and they cover everything from top to bottom, including electronics, so there's no worry even if it does decide to die on me suddenly.

Faults:

Starter.

Valve cover gaskets.

A/C fan control module (only worked on speeds 3 and 4); didn't feel like tearing the dash apart, just lived with it.

Head light lenses fell off. Can't buy just the lens, has to be the whole assembly.

Water leaked in trunk and passenger floor board.

Dex-cool coolant turned into mud at 60,000 miles, supposed to last up to 150,000. Very common problem with GM cars of the time with cast iron blocks.

Power steering pump shaft broke. Replacement pump leaked fluid.

Belt tensioner plastic pulley seized. Can't buy just the pulley but the entire tensioner set up which includes alternator bracket and coolant bypass outlets (dumbest design ever).

Plastic coolant bypass elbows cracked.

Clear coat on the trunk spoiler and rear bumper was starting to fade.

A/C started to blow on the warm side. Never even checked it, that was the last straw.

All this with under 85,000 miles. Good thing I did all the repairs myself, would have cost the average person a lot of money at a shop.

I ran it through an auction to get rid of it.

General Comments:

This was a very nice looking car. 2 door (the way a GP should be) Bronze metallic body color with matching honeycomb wheels.

The interior was nice with cloth seats and a cool looking dashboard.

Engine performance was pretty good. The ride quality was a little on the harsh side.

I've always liked the Pontiac GP's of the past (never cared for the 5th and last gen.) and have owned a 3rd and 4th gen. prior to this one. Even though they were totally different cars, they were so much better as far as build quality and reliability.

The mid 90s seemed like a time when GM went on a nose dive. Most of the problems listed above were also notorious on other vehicles from different divisions.

The 3800 V6 was a great engine, but the series II starting in late 1995 was nowhere near as good as the prior editions. Dex-cool and various engine parts made of plastic were no help either.

May Pontiac R.I.P.