1998 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.8 from North America

Summary:

Looks good, but doesn't stand the test of time

Faults:

Oil is leaking into the coolant (but there's no coolant in the oil at this point) ---110,000 miles (maybe earlier).

My heat/defrost don't work continuously (105,000 miles).

My battery/alternator went out (while driving down the highway) @ 95,000 miles.

The car burns oil (since before I owned it).

New transmission added to car (before I purchased it).

Automatic starter died (est. 100,000 miles).

General Comments:

This car is aesthetically pleasing.

I enjoy the Cd player and steering wheel radio/volume controls.

Handles well in the rain and snow compared to a smaller vehicle, especially thanks to its wider track.

At the end of the day, I would not recommend this vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th November, 2005

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8L V6 from North America

Summary:

Good performance for the price

Faults:

Only real one thing went bad with my Grand Prix and when I got the car it had 88000 miles on it. THe alternator went out, so I had to get a new one, and thank god it had a 90 day warranty on it. I got the car used at a Chevrolet Dealership.

Some of the interior lights on the controls have gone out, but the car is getting old and those are easy to replace.

General Comments:

THis car has amazing torque off of the line. This car has nice acceleration, handling and makes good for what it has cause the speed governor always holds the car back. I beat a Nissan 300zx, eighties firebirds, and other imported cars.

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

Review Date: 17th November, 2005

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8 from North America

Summary:

Looks great, low quality, low mpg, and mfg. unwilling to publicly recognize and fix the problems

Faults:

Left headlight lens fell off (around 40+K miles) (Fortunately, dealership was running a "sale" on headlamps - "sale" seemed to be sponsored by mfg. I think the price was around $30 vs. outrageous $.)

Right headlight lens started separating and water got inside (around 50+K) (Paid retailish price for replacement.)

Alternator (failed around 38K)

Main oil seal (small leak since around 65K or so)

Coolant smell in interior since around 65K.

Uses too much gas (waits too long to up shift).

Needs another higher gear and a fuel economy "switch" for earlier shifting.

General Comments:

I love the look of the car.

With new (good) Goodyear tires it handles super.

At 87K miles it sounds like it is running out of energy (kind of like it is making an effort to accelerate) but, if I hit the gas the acceleration is quite good.

Previous to this 98 Grand Prix I had an 89 Grand Prix and before that it was a Grand Am. Each time they got better, but each time they were disappointing, but had so very much "potential". I may (/probably will?) buy a Japanese product next time. I work in Detroit but not directly for one of the big 3.

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

Review Date: 10th November, 2005

26th Mar 2006, 00:29

I have a 97 with 227000, engine never opened, trans never opened minor fixes, alt, water pump, headlamp lens, would love to get another.

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3.8L V6 from North America

Summary:

This is a great overall car gives you a little bit of everything

Faults:

I got this car with 88300 miles on and I had the car about a week and the low battery light came on, but the dealership told me the owner before me had put a new one in before they gave it to the dealership so the alternator went bad and got that replaced. That is the only thing that went wrong with the car so far.

General Comments:

This car has great torque off the line which gives it good acceleration.

Since it is a automatic transmission its acceleration is limited to a point.

When I push the car to high speeds it takes forever to get it up to a hundred-ten miles per hour. I've beaten Nissan 300Zx's, eighties firebirds, and other imports in this car.

I love the way this car handles it has a really nice stick to the ground.

This is a good first car for someone to own. I get about 22 miles per gallon so it isn't bad on gas fillups.

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

Review Date: 10th November, 2005

11th Apr 2007, 21:47

The non-turbo 300ZX is not a very fast car. I've beaten them in my old 1972 Plymouth Duster with the 318. Most late-model GM V-6's are adequate to beat a non-turbo 300ZX. The turbo version is faster, but the turbos were so unreliable that I doubt that any of them are still around now.