The alternator went out at 120,000 miles.
The second battery on the car just went out four years after it was replaced.
At 105,000 miles, I had a blocked oil valve that very nearly ruined the engine.
I have to replace a coolant hose or two every six months.
There is a clanging noise coming from the undercarriage that no mechanic has been able to diagnose.
The engine floods in the morning, and occasionally simply refuses to start. Nobody has ever been able to diagnose this problem.
There is a stuck spark plug that is going to require a new had gasket to replace.
I got this car as a gift from my parents, so I haven't minded the upkeep on it as it's otherwise mostly free. Lately, though, the maintenence has been becoming costly, and it looks like I'm going to have to have the transmission replaced next year, to the tune of $2000.
It's a cranky old thing these days, and I don't dare take it out of the area for fear it's going to break down and leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere.
The gas gauge appears to be on a logarithmic scale--if I fill it at half a tank, I'll put in 9 gallons--but at a quarter of a tank, I'll put in 10.5 gallons. It's easy to run out of gas if I don't fill the car when the gauge says half full.
It handles relatively well. My only real complaint is that the front end is so long that it makes parking in tight spaces a real challenge. I live in a large city, so being able to park a car easily is important!
I actually am in a remarkably similar situation to this individual (i.e., received same year and model care as gift from relative) and think his review is very accurate and reliable. I too wouldn't buy another grand am se.
Hello, I too have 95 Grand AM. Of all the cars I've driven and riden in (and there's a lot) the only car company that seems to make accurate gas guages is Ford. Every other gas gauge seems to be funny once it gets under half. My solution is to fill up before it gets too far under half of a tank.
Yeah, I have a 1995 Grand Am too and the head gasket went on it, and now I have to replace it...
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