1999 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.4 LiterV6 from North America

Summary:

A good ride as long as it lasts

Faults:

Head Gasket replaced at 85,000 miles. Brakes replaced at 83,000 miles.

Paint on spoiler has faded away.

Inner door moldings won't stay in place.

Minor oil leak at 84,000 miles.

Rear brakes lights on both driver and passenger burned out.

Power driver seat motor burned out.

Windows are scratched from just going up and down.

Left fog lamp burned out.

Left strut and spring broke for no apparent reason.

General Comments:

I bought this car at the start of my freshman year in college because I thought that it was a cheap and reliable mode of transportation. I was wrong. This car has been nothing, but problems. I seen to have to repair something every 3-5,000 miles. My previous car (Ford Taurus) never gave me so many problems. I wanted a more attractive car. I should have kept the Taurus. Bottom line is the car is nice to look at and fun to drive as long as everything is working properly. I am trading this car in as soon as I graduate.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st May, 2005

1999 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.4 from North America

Summary:

Really sporty and reliable (a must)

Faults:

There are just a few problems I have had with my car.

I'm on my third transmission, and on my second motor in this car.

I also think that the window regulators were very poorly designed. I have installed two in the passenger side, and two in the driver's side. Now I pulled the power wires in the passenger side, and completely outfitted the passenger side with manual, because I keep breaking the clips on the regulator itself, because my window likes to freeze to the door.

General Comments:

I really like my Grand Am, even though I had some problems with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd May, 2005

26th May 2005, 19:06

I own a Grand Am myself and I am glad that you are happy with your car. But, 3 transmissions and 2 engines? You must flog the hell out of your car. I've never heard of someone having to replace such major components on a late model car.

1999 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.4 V6 from North America

Summary:

This is the worst car I have ever owned and I would not wish it on my worst enemy

Faults:

Warranty Item (9700km) : The spoiler leaked and had water inside of it following a rainstorm or washing. After four tries, the dealer finally solved the problem...$0.

Warranty Item (27244km) : Front rotors and brake pads replaced...$0.

Recall (32135km) : Center console latch assembly replaced...$0.

48076km: Four new tires...$504.90CAN.

58783km: Front brake pads replaced...$29.00CAN (labor done myself)

58940km: The intake lower gasket was replaced. The dealer did this and said that they would give me a deal and only charged me half the cost since my mileage was below the warranty, but I was beyond the three year warranty time-line (not sure if it was much of a deal)...$281.33CAN.

59903km: New front wheel bearing/hub assembly...$391.43.

65000km: New front rotors...$60.00CAN (labour done myself)

67210km: New front wheel bearing/hub assembly...$242.39CAN (backyard mechanic)

67750km: New front wheel bearing/hub assembly (the last one was defective... I still had to pay my backyard mechanic to replace it)...$20.00CAN.

67976km: Replaced the battery. One of the poles literally fell off of the battery... good ole Del-co parts...$63.24CAN (labor done myself)

69083km: Suspension diagnostic check: There was an annoying sound coming out of the drivers side front suspension assembly. The problem wasn't confirmed, but was thought to be the strut mount. Nothing was replaced...$19.19CAN.

78300km: Brake job - new front brake pads...$177.93CAN.

84450km: New front struts and springs installed by backyard mechanic...$710.47CAN.

87856km: Front end alignment, replacement of both the inner and outer tie rod ends, new tire...$779.96CAN.

92000km: Install new front rotors (labor done myself)...$73.19.

97390km: New alternator and serpentine belt...$249.39CAN (labor done myself)

98250km: Four new tires...$441.32CAN.

103750km: The engine was racing very high, sometimes as high as 3000RPM at a stop sign. Computer reading diagnostic check to figure out why this was happening. The mechanic tried replacing a few things, none of which worked...$50.40CAN.

104182km: Another diagnostic check for the problem mentioned above...$34.70CAN.

104421km: Did the smartest thing I think I ever did. I traded in this piece of crap for a Toyota...$Priceless.

I will never own another GM product in my life. I would not wish this car on my worst enemy. A coworker had a 2000 Grand AM SE and had a lot of the same problems as I had. He is now driving a Honda and will never own another GM either.

General Comments:

This is the worst car I have ever owned and I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th May, 2005

16th May 2005, 09:30

The power seat height adjustment option stopped working at about 50000km as well, and didn't work when I got rid of this car.

The drivers side window is so scratched, you can barely see through it. This was a problem noted after year 1.

Some of the light bulbs, particularly in the rear, constantly burn out. I know that this is not just a problem with my car, as most Grand Am's I see have at least one tail light burned out.

The performance value noted should be higher than that noted. It is the only good thing about this car.