1989 Pontiac Grand Am LE 2.5 Liter from North America

Summary:

Quality..

Faults:

I replaced the heater core recently.

Odometer stopped working at 125,000 and a squeal in the power steering pump.

General Comments:

I bought this car in 1996, and being in the military, I travel much of the time. I have traveled from California to Maine on several occasions, and she keeps on ticking. I would give this car three thumbs up if I had them.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th December, 2001

11th Jan 2003, 15:02

I agree with everything above. I also replaced my heater core recently and do hear a squeaking from the power steering. My odometer wasn't working after 115000 but now since I replaced the ECM computer in the car the odometer started working.

1989 Pontiac Grand Am LE 2.3 quad from North America

Summary:

A reliable car

Faults:

Bad rust problem on the bottom of the doors and wheel wells.

Engine putters.

Blown head gasket at 50000 miles.

General Comments:

This is great reliable car besides the obvious rust problems and head gasket.

Quick for a V4.

Comfortable and great gas mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th September, 2001

1989 Pontiac Grand Am from North America

Faults:

Since buying this car off a family friend, the only thing that has caused me a lot of problems is that I had to replace the catalytic converter with a straight pipe only days after my muffler rusted through.

A question that I have: Is anyone else experiencing the paint on the car 'falling/flaking' off? I have seen a half dozen other Grand Am's the same year as mine, and all have the paint falling off. I had heard that the primer and the paint that Pontiac used when making the vehicle were not complementary to each other... anyone else heard of this?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2001

17th Oct 2001, 20:52

I really like the 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. I would give the handling 9/10, the comfort 8/10, the reliability 9/10, and an overall rating of 29/30.

I purchased the car in Campbell River, British Columbia in the summer of 1993. The car had 98000KM on it on the date of purchase and we purchased the car for 7000 dollars.

The car was driven on an extremely rough road that most new trucks coudn't go over, on a strech of road 64KM long, once a week for 6 years. The road was very moutainous and lots of times the car was towing more than the towing capacity of the car. The car never once left me stranded.

In 1999 the car was in a pile up with the front and side smashed, and held up extremely well. We continued to drive the car for another 5000KM till 200000KM when the car was sold to a wrecking yard in the year 2000. I expected the car to only last one year. If I could have any car, I would pick the 1988 Pontiac Grand Am.

8th Aug 2002, 10:58

The GM cars from 1986 - 1991 with Red, Black, and Teal paint is the paint that peels off of the car. The reasons for this peeling is the clear coat is not completely finished. I own a 1993 Pontiac Grand Am and the paint is peeling off of the hood. Mainly the clear coat is peeling, but the paint is fading rather quickly. You can buff your car to where you get a nice shine and then add another coat of clear coat, that should restore your paint some what.

5th Jan 2003, 13:27

This car has a base coat clear coat finish. Do NOT buff base coat prior to trying to add more clear coat. The base coat needs to be clean dry and dust free, but since it is dull (even when sprayed on at the factory), you should not try to "shine it up" prior to trying to re-add clear coat.

1989 Pontiac Grand Am LE 2.5L fuel injected from North America

Summary:

Sweet car, but starting to cost a lot to maintain

Faults:

Blew a seal on the water pump housing.

Replaced the muffler.

Counter balance for the crankshaft blew. Replaced with U-Pull-It part.

Slippage in the timing gears. Not fixed.

Steering pump broke. Replaced with U-Pull-It part.

Fuel injector is starting to gum up.

Major pain chipping and peeling, and is starting to rust.

Exhaust gas re-circulation valve stopped working. Replaced with factory GM part.

General Comments:

This is my first car & I love it.

It handles like a dream.

I have taken it off road 4x4 & I beat the other truck I went up against.

Handles beautifully in the snow with just studded tires. Out performed most trucks going up mountains.

Lots of power.

Fairly good gas mileage.

Quick off the line.

Awesome car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th August, 2001