1995 Pontiac Grand Am GT review from North America

About two weeks after I bought the car, the oil pump failed on me. Though the oil gage was reading funny, the motor had plenty of oil in it, and I could hear no ticking or other loud noises. I continued to drive it for another 80 or so easy miles. Unfortunately, that was all it took to ruin the motor. I had a newer motor put into it since, and it's on this engine that the majority of the miles I've added to this car have been put into.

The serpentine belt ripped apart on me, groove by groove. Apparently, it was a cheap belt that someone had installed in the car before I owned it. I bought another belt, but the store only had the cheap version in stock. Guess what? That one broke on me as well, maybe a month later. I then replaced it with a good belt, and still have not had a problem with it. I really did get what I paid for then.

This car is low to the ground, but won't bottom out on bumps and potholes. The low center of gravity, along with the stiffer GT suspension, helps it handle as effortlessly as it does.

It's a comfy ride, with good seats and all the radio and A/C controls within easy reach. The backseat offers more space than other sport coupes that I've owned, such as the Firebird.

The trunk has plenty of space for all my tools, camera gear, luggage, and whatnot.

And though the motor is tiny by my standards, and great on gas, it can be insanely zippy at times. Not fast, but still zippy.