1994 Pontiac Grand Am SE 3.1 V6 from North America
Summary:
This car is a piece
Faults:
An hour after I bought the car, it wouldn't start. The dealer said it was a "sticky starter colloid." Actually, the starter needed to be replaced.
2 Days after I bought the car (in the middle of winter) I noticed the heat didn't work, at all.
The brakes made a grinding noise and got fixed, they didn't last a week. I keep fixing them and literally 2 minutes after the mechanic is done, the brakes go all the way to the floor to stop. The brakes don't stop well when the roads are wet, I usually skid all the way to the stop sign. When I step on the brake pedal, the wheel turns to the left some.
On my way home from school at 9pm the alternator died and I had no power in the middle of the lane where the speed limit is 50 and cars couldn't see me.
The ABS light is constantly on.
The airbag light flashes when I start the car.
The brake light flashes when I start the car.
The drivers side window loses power and will sometimes not go up or down.
Last night a disturbing thumping noise started. I can feel it under my feet in the drivers side and the passenger side. It sounds as if a large stick is stuck in the tires.
The engine is extremely loud. The faster I go the louder it gets. If the wheel is turned to the right the noise stops.
The engine has an oil leak.
The interior is falling apart. The top of the dashboard was never actually attached to the car when I bought it, it just rests on top.
The power lock buttons don't work.
The engine grinds when I put it in different gears.
The passenger seat has to be folded forward for the seat to move front or back.
The back of the seats don't lock in place, so when I step on the brakes quick, myself and the passenger get thrown forward by our seats.
The horn is extremely hard to press. I usually don't bother because when someone is about to hit me, I don't have time to find the exact spot to hit the horn, because I need to focus on avoiding the accident.
And the list goes on...
General Comments:
This car needs more work done to it, than it is worth.
I would never buy another used Pontiac.
I would possibly buy a new one with an exceptional warranty.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 8th June, 2003
8th Jun 2003, 20:39
I own a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Although I bought mine new, I too have had problems. Not to put down Pontiac because I love my car, but there's a reason they depreciate so much in value. When I bought my car it was 23,000 and now less than a year later if I tried to sell it I'd be lucky if I got 11,000. A good rule of thumb when buying a used car is not to exceed 55,000 miles if you plan on KEEPING the car, especially if it's an AMERICAN car. And mileage higher than that can't be blamed on the car, just the previous owner. I hate to say it, but you bought someone else's problem and I hope this doesn't change your opinion of an otherwise GREAT car.