1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT from North America

Summary:

Pretty sucky

Faults:

Things that have gone wrong with my car are as listed:

Brakes, oil pressure thing, coolant pressure, power steering shaft is going bad, and now worst of all, I think the heater core is gone bad from the research I have seen.

General Comments:

Like the car, but not all the maintenance required.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd June, 2009

1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT from North America

Summary:

Great for a teenager!

Faults:

Drivers side window has come off track.

Sunroof is stuck open partially.

Replaced the rack & pinion at about 129,000.

Fixed fuel pump leak about 130,000.

CD player volume knob is hard to turn.

General Comments:

My car runs great. It's reliable, small and compact, and pretty good on gas mileage. I have only had a few problems with it. The rear seats are a little low, and it looks bigger on the outside. All looks aside, this car has never let me down.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th May, 2009

1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT 2.4L twin cam from North America

Summary:

GM all the way, the only trustable auto

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

GM is the best there is, no contest. And I've had others, don't get me started on Ford, they are the biggest pieces of crap I've ever had (can't stress enough how much I hate Ford), cars or trucks, had to walk with both, and can never hold up to my driving, I beat the hell out of them and the GM's are the only ones that hold up completely. Junk Chrysler products (yeah right).

Take care of your car and it will last. I take care of my 2.4l twin cam GRAND AM GT and it has had only had 1 starter and front struts, the rest is all original, except brakes and exhaust, which is normal maintenance.

It has 156,900 miles and still runs top notch with not a lick of trouble. Added a INJEN CAI and HELIX throttle body spacer and dayum.

Previous car was a 1989 Buick Regal with 3.1 V6 with 300,000 miles, and still ran like brand new.

GM rated +++10 & Ford -100 & Dodge -1. (built Ford tuff (what a joke). If ya can't Dodge it then it's broke down.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th April, 2009

16th Apr 2009, 18:44

Lucky you, to have purchased one of a handful of good Pontiacs. My brand new 2000 GP/GT went through a transmission repair ($1000), four heater blower motors, and a steering rack; all before it reached 50,000 miles! Consider yourself very lucky.

18th Apr 2009, 23:07

I didn't realize there WAS a 2.4 GT. I have a 2001 SE-1 with the 2.4 "quad 4" and it has proven to be one of the best cars I've ever owned. After 8 and 1/2 years it has had exactly $27 in repairs: One light bulb and front brake pads.

I DO have to disagree, however, about Ford and Chrysler. I'm a mechanic and have lots of experience with a lot of cars. My sister-in-law put an incredible 325,000+ miles on a 1975 Ford Granada I-6 with less than $500 in total repairs. I put over 240,000 miles on a Dodge with only 2 timing belts, two brake jobs and 1 heater hose. If you take care of ANY domestic it will easily go a quarter of a million miles (I can't say the same, however, for our Japanese and German imports).

In addition to our flawless Grand Am we also currently own a 2003 GMC Envoy (totally flawless, never a problem), a 2006 Ford Fusion (as perfect as a car can get) and a 2007 Mustang (perfect so far). I'd be comfortable in buying ANY of the Big Three's vehicles.

1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT 2.4L from North America

Summary:

One of the best cars ever built

Faults:

Ignition coils.

Fuel pressure regulator.

General Comments:

All I can say is, I don't understand how anyone who properly maintains this vehicle could complain. I understand that the 6 cylinders had some problems, but this is my second 1997 2.4L Grand Am, which has made it over 250,000 miles. I still have the first and it still runs.

Just maintain them, and don't drive it like a race car constantly, and this car will be a dream. I have two of them as proof.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th March, 2009

16th Mar 2009, 18:37

Your experience mirrors mine. My 2001 Grand Am Quad 4 has never had a single problem except for one blown light bulb. I do think the Quad 4 is a better engine. Several people in my Grand Am club have way over 200,000 on theirs. If you properly maintain these cars and don't slam the doors (breaking the window clips) you should never have problems with these cars. The Quad 4 doesn't have a rubber timing belt to break and doesn't require a tune up for 100,000 miles. They are also very powerful for a 4.