2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE2 review from North America
"A well performing car for the price"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Have not had any problems with the vehicle so far.
General comments?
The interior is comfortable enough for front passengers, but the cramped rear seats can grow tiring on long trips, and don't try to fit three people back there.
The drivers seat is comfortable but could use more lateral support, on hard corners I often find my butt sliding to the side of the seat which can become annoying.
Many people think the dash is overstyled, but I love the way it looks. The displays light up in red at night which looks very cool. The stereo has very good sound so long as you don't blast the volume, reception isn't great but pop in a CD and you will get excellent sound. The steering wheel radio controls are very useful, I don't think I would get a car without them now.
Wind noise and engine roar are pretty well isolated, but tire drum can become objectional at highway speeds.
The suspension lets you feel all but the smallest bumps, but the ride isn't punishing. On the other hand, the suspension keeps the tires in contact with the road very well. Handling is very good for all but the most aggressive driving.
The steering is accurate and responsive. But it is on the heavy side and needs a good amount of effort.
Braking is good, with a firm pedal feel. Although the brakes do feel somewhat unlinear. Transmission is smooth and quick to downshift when you call for more power.
Engine is powerful enough for almost all driving situations. Plenty of low-end touque, but could use some more horsepower in hard driving. Merging onto a highway is never a problem, and you usually don't have to think twice about passing on a two-lane. At 60 mph, engine is running at a mere 1700 RPM, and doesn't feel or sound stressed even at 85 mph.
Recommended reviews
| Pontiac: stick a fork in me, I'm done. |
| Nice performance, not great reliability |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 2000 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.4 liter OHV V-6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 30 miles |
| Most recent distance | 6000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 17th March, 2001 |