1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE review from North America

Starter and ignition switch at 157000 = $544.

Ignition control unit 157500 = $200.

Rad fell apart at 164000 =$650.

3 power windows in the time I had the car = $30 each at scrapyard for motors.

ABS brake distributor = 167000.

2 sets of rotors in less than 50000kms.

Check engine light was nightmare - never off.

A handful of sensors, fuel tank, air intake.

Alternator gone at 170000.

The car would shut off for no reason at all when driving - they never could find out why.

ETS never worked properly.

There was a leak in the fire wall on driver side - no mechanic could find it - drivers side would leak when it rained and the carpet was soaked ALWAYS.

Passenger side - evaporation from AC would leak;

this side was soaked ALWAYS also.

The car handles well on the highway and has more than enough power and go for any person. Performance is great for a V6.

Fuel economy was decent for the engine size. Depending on how you drive. Power steering and suspension make driving smooth and easy.

Comfortable to drive in and the heat and AC worked well whenever I needed it.

Lots of room inside and in the trunk. Fun to drive, however the seats (fabric) tend to wear out and are impossible to clean, whatever fabric is used. Stains show and never fade. Impossible to keep clean.

This car suffers from SEVERE quality problems. I paid for this car over again in parts and labour. The car had many problems and even more when I sold it. Transmission and engine problems at 200,000 I'm told from the new owner. I owned this car for 1 1/2 years and would never buy another GM car again. This car is unreliable for any sort of long distance or short travel for that matter. Many problems in regard to workmanship. A real lemon. I bought this car as transportation to and from school economically and hassle free. WRONG!! I would never buy another car made by GM. It's Volvo or Honda for me now on.