1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE coupe review from North America

The front brakes wore out and the shocks and struts. It was just normal routine repairs. I can't complain about that. The alternator has went out twice, which is my fault for have a big stereo system in there. I haven't had any real bad problems. The only real repair is the ignition cylinder which I had to have a new one put in. Great car, in fact I am keeping it forever!

I like the car very very much. It is just like any other car, all you have to do is keep it up and it will work just fine. I know the head gaskets go a lot in the Quad 4 engine, but mine has not gone yet. It is not bad at all on acceleration for a 4 cylinder. My girlfriend has a 2002 Dodge Stratus 2.7L V6 that is slower! The Grand Am handles wonderfully. I would definitely buy another one. The problems with the car turning off and stuff is people putting in remote starters, the GM Passlock system has to have a certain amount of resistance delivered to a module in a certain amount of seconds, and it cannot do it right all of the time and causes problems trust me I had to have mine taken out! If car makers knew remote starters were any good they would make them with the car or offer them as an option. Most people that "upgrade" with aftermarket products think about this: why put in a cheap stainless steel muffler or K & N air filter, General Motors spends Millions I do mean Millions developing these parts and software for the computer in the car. You can only do so much before the "horsepower increase" takes no affect because the computer cannot compensate for the difference. That is where most problems arise from. I have basically only put in factory parts and routine service at mileage intervals and I have had no problems.