1992 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.1

Summary:

The car has NEVER let me down

Faults:

Other than general maintenance issues, the car has had NO major problems. The wear on interior of the car is minimal, especially considering the age of the car and the fact that I ride horses and constantly have horse tack and dirt in my car!

General Comments:

I would buy Grand Prix's for the rest of my life and I only hope that I can. I recently purchased a new vehicle, a Sebring Coupe LXi... I have owned it less than a week and I am not sure if it is going to nearly as wonderful as my Pontiac. I predict it won't be too long before I am back into the GM family!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st September, 2005

1992 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.4 liter

Summary:

The 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix handles very well

Faults:

It has a fuel injector leak. It needs to have the spark plugs replaced.

General Comments:

I have a question that involves replacing the spark plug wires and also and injector.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th July, 2005

27th Aug 2005, 22:13

When you replace the spark plugs I suggest you also seplace the plug wires. I learned that the hard way one wire arced and caused my ignition module to go. It cost $1100 parts and labor to replace. So Iwould do those wires as well.

1992 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.1L V6

Summary:

Good ride

Faults:

When I bought the car the transmission was bad so I replaced it myself.

Then later on a road trip the heater core hose blew a hole in it. It was my fault because it was jammed under the power assist when I put the new transmission in.

General Comments:

It's a very dependable car, drives great and smooth.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th December, 2004

1992 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.4 Liter DOHC V6

Summary:

The car has excellent styling, exceptional performance, but needs better durability

Faults:

Right after I got the car, the air vents started blowing everything through only my defrost - $500.

At 102,000 miles, needed new transmission shifter solenoid - $650.

At 104,000 miles, needed new alternator. I bought the part from O'reilly's with a lifetime warranty because AutoZone didn't have one with a lifetime warranty available. Was fixing to install it myself when I looked into the engine bay & couldn't find it until I looked at the bottom of the engine! Cost $220 in labor to replace it. Three days later, it went dead. I did it myself this time and got a replacement from O'reilly's. The 2nd one lasted a week and a half. Had to replace it myself again and got a refund this time. I went and bought the 1 year warranty alternator from AutoZone and never had another problem with it.

Shortly after my alternator troubles were over, the catalytic converter had to be replaced - $125 parts/labor.

At around 109,000 miles, my rack & pinion had to be replaced - $350 parts/labor. After I drove it out of the shop, I stopped for gas down the street and sprung a power steering fluid leak. Had to take it back and the lines blew which had to be replaced, but only at half labor cost.

At 111,000 miles, my transmission no longer operated in 1st gear or overdrive. (Taking off in 2nd gear every time is no fun). This lasted until 115,000 miles when I finally had enough money to get it rebuilt. It came with a 6,000 mile warranty. Cost $1,200 - which was the cheapest I could find.

Shortly after that, my steering wheel radio controls quit working. Dealer estimate to fix it - $400. I decided I could reach and turn the knobs for that much money.

Rear struts gave the car horrible road noise - $375.

At 120,000 miles, the top radiator hose broke off along with a little piece of plastic on the radiator. Had to replace the entire thing instead of just the hose - $300.

Around 130,000 miles, I had a friend who had a 1996 model Grand Prix with the same 3.4 Liter engine. His had 65,000 miles on it and the timing belt broke. It slapped a valve which cost him over $2,000 to have fixed. I figured I better replace mine pretty quick and did so at a cost of $425. (mechanic said it was no fun to time this DOHC)

All these repairs were in addition to normal wear and tear stuff: new battery, new tires, new brakes, new spark plugs and plug wires, and all new fluids and filters.

At around 134,000 miles, I had a feeling the transmission was starting to act up again and might need more work done to it. I really wanted to keep the car, but I just couldn't afford all the repairs. The dealer I traded it into sold it in less than a week. The people who bought it had it for two days and it went completely out! They called me to see if the first warranty was still in effect, but it expired over 10,000 miles ago. LUCKY TIMING!

General Comments:

It may sound like I had a lot of problems with the car, but I loved it.

The car was not the fastest off the line, but at about 15-20 mph it had incredible pick-up and could overtake or at least hang with just about anything.

I wish the car had been more dependable so I could have afforded to keep it longer. The car I traded it for was a Mercury Grand Marquis with 150,000 miles and a fast V-8. Now it has over 202,000 miles and I have done NOTHING to it at all!

I will one day buy a newer Grand Prix with the 3.8 Liter engine. I just hope they are much more reliable than the 3.4 L.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th December, 2004

19th Dec 2004, 02:57

I'd keep the Grand Marquis.. besides being a reliable car, it could save your life in an accident. Unfortunately I've totalled 2 of them.. the second wreck was so bad I would been killed had I been in a smaller car. Both times I came out unharmed and I credit it to the Mercury's large size and a strong frame (these cars are basically a Crown Victoria like the cops use, what does that tell ya).

21st Dec 2004, 11:04

Sounds like your GP was not properly maintained... hope you take better care of your Mercury!