1997 Pontiac Grand Am SE review from North America

Before the warranty ran out the alternator along with the driver's side window motor and switch needed replaced.

After the warranty: both motors needed replaced, the alternator again and the battery.

The water pump went at 25,000 miles and the very expensive heater hose between the heater core and the block. I have had to replace the heater core (that was manufactured with the plastic lines) once.

The carpet and the seats are worn out now at 78,000 miles.

At 62,000 miles the connecting rod broke at the base of the piston and shoved the rod through the block and broke the starter in half. I called the Pontiac/GM hot line to see if there was anything they could do for me or any recalls on the rods for the 97 year. They said not on the 97's but on the 99's. They refused any help since I did not buy the extended warranty over 60,000 miles. Now before I can sell or off load this car I have to replace both motors again and the window extending arms because they bent when the motors fell off the frame.

The cost of this car has not been worth the monies in repair of the replacement of a motor and window parts. The design stinks. Every time I spend $100. For a part for this Grand Am I laugh at the lyric GM came up with: Driving Excitement Pontiac...