1997 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.1

Summary:

Great family car!

Faults:

I bought my car for $5,000 from the original owner. She had bought a new caddy and didn't have the room for the Grand AM anymore.

It had 45 thousand miles when I bought it bow it has 65 thousand and still running great.

She had it serviced at the dealer all the time. She had put new tires on it right before I bought it.

I haven't really had any problems with it.

The things that have gone wrong though have been cheap to fix.

The thermostat.

The radio lights went out (just annoying)

The drivers side window is going out.

The front rotors warp very easily.

The Battery went about two weeks ago left me stranded at work.

Just simple things have gone wrong with the car.

I have two little boys and my husband is 6ft4 and doesn't have any trouble getting in or out it sits a little low, but its been a great car.

I wasn't looking for a Grand Am, but my little brother talked me in to driving a 95 GT and I loved it. This one isn't as sporty, but its a lot newer and has a lot less miles on it.

General Comments:

If it weren't for my brother being a Grand Am freak I wouldn't have had the chance to own this great car. I would have ended up with a Buick Le Saber which is a little too Grand ma like for me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st December, 2003

1997 Pontiac Grand Am SE V6

Summary:

An OK car for the price

Faults:

Wow, so many of the quirks of my car are in other postings, too!

Strange volume knob behavior on radio (since I acquired it).

Have to replace the brake pads or rotors every few months, it seems (probably every 20,000 miles or so). Vibration while braking, though that might be a service issue more than a car issue.

Replaced battery and alternator (75,000 miles or so).

Replaced serpentine belt due to evident cracking (100,000 miles or so).

Replaced water pump (110,000 miles? For the life of me, can't remember when).

Occasional trouble starting the car (ignition doesn't seem to "take"), but haven't taken it for ignition recall repair.

Dash lights starting to go out one by one (starting at about 120,000 miles).

General Comments:

I put lots of miles on this car, especially in the last year and a half or so (60,000 miles in 17 months). For the abuse I put the car through, the maintenance isn't bad. Of course, my previous cars were auto auction death traps, so this is relative luxury.

Good handling in general.

I thought I was the only one complaining about the seats (I'm fairly short). Not the most comfortable car.

I keep the car well maintained, with oil changes at least every 5,000 miles, transmission fluid change about once per year, and coolant flush about once per year. Also keep good tires on and brakes checked.

Trade-in value not keeping up with my loan. I'll have to put extra money down so that I don't lose my shirt should it break down.

I'd like my next car to be a small SUV with 4X4, so I won't buy this model again for that reason. Nothing serious against the car.

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

Review Date: 15th October, 2003

1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT

Summary:

A great looking money pit

Faults:

Power windows have gone out 3 times -

Driver's side, passenger's side and sunroof have all been replaced more than once.

Alternator and battery have been replaced.

Ignition had to be replaced when we couldn't remove the key one day.

Car is now in service to have both the engine mounts and transmission mounts replaced.

All of this and the car only has 35,000 miles on it and was purchased for our teenage son from his grandmother who purchased it new.

General Comments:

The car is loaded with extras, looks great, but unfortunately, has been a repair nightmare.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th September, 2003

20th Oct 2004, 05:47

I have a similar ignition problem, but I choose not to pay money to fix it. There is a small release for the key under the steering wheel. You can stick another key in there to push a small metal thing toward you and it will release the key. I pulled off the small plastic on it so I can do this with my finger, because it happens daily.

Motor mounts only go because of a hot-rodding teenager :) (I know because I am one, and I have had to replace them myself)