1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE review from North America
"It runs really well when there's no problem, but can't seem to keep it that way"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
My wife had the car before we got married, now I drive it. Since she had it:
Recall for the ignition system at about 155K miles. Keys would sometimes get stuck in the ignition and would not start.
Alternator was replaced later determined that a new engine needed to be put in.
Check engine light is on constantly. I had it diagnosed and determined up-stream O2 sensor had gone bad. Replaced O2 sensor and check engine light is still on. Had it diagnosed again and now there is an emission malfunction.
I really don't know what the relation of the ETS and ABS light have with one another, because when one comes on the other one does also. When one goes off the other one does as well.
Just had the brakes replaced about a year or so ago and the brake light is back on.
General comments?
I'm really tired of shelling out money for this car. It really rides smooth on the highway though. And I supposedly have an emission malfunction, but I'm getting great gas mileage still, about 27mpg, and I drive about 30 milw to work and the same distance home. Maybe I should just trade it in?
Recommended reviews
| A fun car not worth the pain of upkeep |
|
| Fun Car, but you better be mechanically inclined |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.1L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 145000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 168000 miles |
| Previous car | Pontiac Grand Am |
| Date of Entry | 13th June, 2003 |