2000 Pontiac Grand Am GT review from North America

Cheap interior falling apart, replaced by the dealer.

The 2000 Grand Am GT 2 door my wife and I purchased gets a mixed review from me. One reason I went with Pontiac is their reputation for building fast cars with attractive aggressive styling. I also own a 98 Trans Am and was not expecting that type of performance from the Grand Am GT. I didn't really know how weak Pontiac allowed this model to be. For the GT you get a 3.4 liter SFI engine with "Ram Air" that puts out 175hp and 205 ft. lb torque. I couldn't really put the car through the paces on my dealer's 35mph pre-determined tour route. Sounded good enough to me on paper for a daily commuter 3000 lb coupe.

The power just isn't there when it matters. There is no sound from the exhaust, even with 4 outlets. This thing will not lift a tire for anyone! On the dry pavement or the wet roads, IT WILL NOT SPIN THE TIRES! Acceleration is decent until you reach 45mph and the engine seems to take a break reaching towards 70. Once you're there, it is a slow slow slow process of revving up to the 120mph top speed (this thing has a 150mph speedometer, why??)

Information acquired after purchase states that the 3.4 motor is nothing more than a 3.1 GM engine with a slightly larger stroke with the crankshaft.

The interior is comfortable enough for the average adult although the gauge cluster and air conditioning vents look like a child designed them. The stock stereo system is good as stock systems go. I really liked the styling and thought they did well in this department.

Grand Am's throughout the years have been extremely reliable with long lives before major replacements. This was a factor for us in purchasing this vehicle and seems to be the only value. A recent article in a car magazine summed the Grand Am GT up best calling it "A vehicle with more bark than bite".

Aftermarket accessories for performance hardly exist. We are currently looking into replacing this car with a new Grand Prix GTP. Buy it if you want an aggressively styled Pontiac that's a shame to Pontiacs everywhere. Can't lift a tire, come on now! A Sunbird can lift a tire!