1987 Pontiac Grand Am from North America - Comments

Changed timing gear from plastic to metal (at approx. 50,000 miles)

Alternator changed twice at 90K and 140,000 miles..

Changed water pump at 190,000 miles. It was a royal pain.

Changed radiator at 198,000 miles.

Changed steering rack at 165,000 miles.

Changed fuel pump at 175,000 miles (inside gas tank).

Passenger-side ball joint replaced at 196,000 miles.

Had cruise control fixed, but broke again.

Driver's seat worn badly.

Driver's side manual window is almost impossible to open.

Car rattles a bit.

The car still has full power, but at almost 200,000 miles, it's showing some age. It's always been a bit noisy and rattly, but it gets excellent gas mileage, the tires seem to last forever, and it's never let me down. The seats can hurt your back on long trips. I have always done excellent maintenance on it, using the highest quality materials (synthetic oils, good filters, etc.). I want to coax it to get to 250,000 miles. Overall, I'm surprised that an American 4-cylinder has made it this far.

I have a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am that I purchased in 1999.I have had the car for almost 4 years now and find it to be a very reliable vehicle. Best used car I've ever purchased.

I read your comments and found that I have had to have the same work done as you have at about the same mileage. My car was purchased with 138,000 miles and now has 176,000 miles. The exterior looks shabby because of the peeling paint, but GM had problems with all it's paint jobs around that time due to poor prep work and primer.

I have replaced the water pump at around 150,000,replaced the steering rack at about 165,000,heater core has been replaced twice (second time was my fault for not flushing the system).

Replacing the water pump wasn't too bad. Replacing the heater core was a pain because of the time involved removing the center console and related parts then replacing after changing out the core. The biggest pain was disconnecting the hoses from the core because you have to be under the car to do it (I don't like being under any vehicle).

I plan on rebuilding the engine sometime in the near future. I want to keep this car for as long as possible. Good dependable cars are hard to come by.

Thanks for reading my comments.

My 1987 Pontiac grand am won't die, Has over 200,000 miles on it.. All you people waiting for it to turn to the 200,000 mark got news for you. It stops at 199,999 My did that about 6 months ago and I drive 500 miles a week and sometimes take it on trips over 250 miles away.. Haven't changed the oil in like 6 months, Thought I would rebuild the engine once it died, but it hasn't yet. This thing is the noisiest car ever. all I hear is knock knock knock and yet it still takes me 100 miles a day for work.

Great car.

I bought my 1987 Grand Am new in 87. It currently has 219,000 miles and is the best car I have ever owned. I have had to replace the alternator 3 times in the last 10 years, (nobody could ever figure out why.) The motor is the 2.5 4cyl. It still gets around 30 MPG, but like most others I've seen it sounds like a diesel tractor. Good car, I'm never getting rid of it.