1992 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.1

Summary:

It would be cheaper to buy a newer car, than to keep repairing this one

Faults:

The car overheats unless the air conditioner is on high, so I freeze in cold weather. It gets so hot that it won't start again.

Cable from the battery to the starter won't stay tight. I have been stranded many times because the cable works its way loose, then the car won't start.

Heater/air conditioner seems to get stuck and fan won't come on for several days, then it will work fine for 6 months.

Passenger seat will only move back one click.

Right mirror won't move.

Had to replace both outer door handles, in same week.

Right turn signal won't work unless I hold it up.

Replaced battery twice, the last one actually melted on one side.

Headlamp replaced.

Drivers window came out of track.

Cable to open hood broke.

Brakes.

Gasket in transmission replaced.

Trunk leaks.

Now loud squealing/squeaking on left side whenever I am driving. It stops when I put on my brakes.

I have had this car for 9 1/2 months, and the minute I fix something, something else breaks!

General Comments:

I have spent more than double on repairs and maintenance compared to what the car cost.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th November, 2007

1992 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.1L V6

Summary:

Pontiac...the only thing I will ever buy!!!

Faults:

Car was unbelievable never been so happy with anything, my car was near 200K miles and the only things that had ever gone wrong were.

1. the alternator went out.

2. the battery died.

3. it idled a little high especially in the cold.

General Comments:

If it weren't for a tree getting in my way I would still drive it today. It was quick enough to enjoy, big enough for a 6'2" guy to fit in, (which is harder to find than it sounds) it ran like a car. not like some fancy Mercedes; when you drove it you had the control, and it was durable! this car got wrecked into a tree an a mailbox before I got it, we pulled it out of a yard where it had sat for 2 years, I started driving it and got rear ended by a motorcycle which didn't change the handling or performance of the car. and the only thing that could kill this car was adolecent ignorance going around a curve... hitting a tree a 60 mph. can kill this car.

Beautiful car both in looks and performance and I will never buy anyting other than Pontiac again!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th October, 2007

1992 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.4 liter V6 DOHC

Summary:

Fun to drive, expensive to keep running

Faults:

Where to start, lots has gone wrong with this car over the last 8 years. I replaced the water pump a month after I bought it. Without going to the car and getting my 6" thick stack of receipts from the many visits to shops, I can't recall when everything broke, but following is a list of what I recall having replaced and or fixed.

The fuel pump, alternator, starter, struts at 84,000,driver side window track, grommet in the gear box, all 4 rotors, rear brake callipers, 2 new batteries, idle air control, 2 drive belts, timing belt (after it broke), and it took the mechanic over 8 hours to get it timed correctly. He tried to get me to take it back twice, but it sounded awful. He finally got it timed correctly, and I paid 2 hours. labor. Will never take the car or any car back to that mechanic. The oil pump drive o-ring started leaking around 70,000 miles. Replacing it correctly meant lots of labor cost. Therefore mickey moused it by cutting the gasket sliding it around, and using lots of gorilla glue. No oil leaks since. It needs a bearing replaced in the one of the pulley things for the drive belt, doing that tomorrow. It also has a high engine idle problem that I can't figure out, which is how I got to this site. At a cold start it idles around 22-2500rpms until the engine warms up (about 10-15 minutes). Replaced the idle air control as mentioned early, but it did no good. The air conditioner is showing low pressure on the scan tool, and doesn't cool. A luxury I won't be fixing.

I love driving this car. It has great power, lots of room, good handling, and is fun to drive. Although if I could have predicted how much money I would have to dump into the car I never would have bought it. I feel stuck now, and hope once I fix this idle problem nothing else will go wrong for awhile. I did have a nice 2 year stretch with no problems, and hope that will happen again.

General Comments:

The car is fun to drive, fast and handles great.

Very roomy, and comfortable.

Expensive to work on, lots of labor costs.

Not very durable.

I wouldn't recommend this car to anyone who doesn't have the extra cash required to keep the thing running.

I consider the car more for someone who wants a nice fun car to drive on a Sunday. This isn't much of a commuter car, do to it's lack of durability.

I estimate that I have put over 8000.00 into the car over the last 8 years. Not a good value, obviously.

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

Review Date: 20th January, 2006

3rd Feb 2006, 11:16

I am a previous owner of a 92' Grand Prix SE. The car looked great, leather interior, moonroof etc... But, the 3.4 is a money pit. It ran like a raped date when it was up to snuff, but it spent more time in the shop then on the road. Great car, bad engine. If you are buying a used grand prix then stick with a 3.1 or 2.8.

28th Jan 2009, 10:01

I have the same car, it has VERY high mileage... I've replaced a lot of little things recently (fuel filter, battery, starter, alternator, spark plugs. costing me around $200 because I can do that all myself.)

But recently it's been idling low, 1000 rpm then it will bounce low then normal for a while then it will stall. I don't know exactly why it is doing this, the car has 218,000 miles and I need a quick fix til I can get a newer car.

The motor and tranny still run excellent so I don't want to take it to the junker just yet... any suggestions?

8th Oct 2010, 19:37

Your car is doing the same thing mine is doing. I took it to the Pontiac dealer and they said it needed a new ECM. My husband is going to put mine in for me.