2000 Pontiac Grand Am review from North America

At 34,000 miles after about 14 months (2,000 before expiration of warranty), the engine started grinding while driving and the Check Engine and Track Off lights came on. It turned out there was a hole in one of the cylinders. The dealer couldn't explain why there was a hole, or why it took almost a year for the hole to become a problem.

Exactly 11 months later, the engine had the same problem. Another hole in another cylinder. But because the car is no longer under warranty, it is going to cost big bucks to fix it.

The check oil light also comes on (and makes the ding noise) every 500-600 miles or so after an oil change.

For a 2000 Grand Am being only 2 years old, there have just been too many problems in too little time. I shouldn't have to add a quart of oil every 600 miles (but now that we know holes keep developing in the cylinders, this may contribute to the oil problem).

My girlfriend has a 1991 Honda Civic and it ran beautifully for more than 240,000 miles before the original transmission finally gave out and she just got a new one (another Honda). Looks like I'm going to have to get a new car as well, and I promise you, it won't be a Pontiac.