1995 Pontiac Grand Am SE review from North America
"The Grand Am is one good looking, well handling, and quickly accelerating car at a great used price"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
After jamming up a mountain to get to a ski resort and immediately waiting in the drive through, my heater core dumped its coolant at about 85,000 miles. I guess it was my fault, but the connections are cheap plastic (I know, I replaced the thing myself). That would be my best car repair achievement to date.
The alternator had to be replaced at about 75,000 miles.
The battery had to be replaced at about 95,000 miles.
Disks and drums were replaced at about 100,000 miles.
I still have not replaced the struts.
Like all other Grand Ams, my passenger window usually does not go up or down. Actually, it seems to have 3 stop points that require force while pressing the button to get past. At the stop points it makes a "ratatatata" kind of noise. If this specific noise is familiar to anyone else could you please notify me at betzel@ucsd.edu?
The car seems to get terrible city miles, but terrific highway miles. There is sometimes a 100 mile difference in miles per tank between the two! I guess Grand Ams were made to tour America though.
General comments?
The AC still works at 113,000 miles!
I like the acceleration; I'm glad the car is still in the household so I get to drive it!
The seats are very comfortable. Too comfortable when your are driving while tired.
I like all of the little compartments.
The engine start in about one second.
Add in a performance air filter, personal oil changes, a CD changer and you get one fun ride!
Recommended reviews
| I'm loyal to Pontiac but I'm starting to hear some bad things |
|
| I loved this car |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1995 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.1L V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 6 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 71000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 110000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Escort |
| Date of Entry | 26th March, 2003 |