1993 Pontiac Grand Am GT review from North America

First lets start out with this. It shows that I bought the car at 132,000 miles. But prior to that, it was my brother's car. He had purchased the car when it had only around 60,000 miles on it. So the car has been around/with me for some time now.

Soon after he bought the car, the radiator blew out on it. Maybe a month later, the alternator, then the Ignition Control Module (ICM). That's just a start of the problems. The car had gone through 3 "NEW" batteries while he (my brother) owned it.

Paint started to chip away at around 65,000 miles.

Heat blower motor - GM needs to learn how to make a actual good blower motor. This car had broken, yes broken, "3" blower motors, 2 of which happened while it was in my possesion.

Now, since I have owned the car. Here is the large list.

Water pump blow-out at 132,000.

Lower and upper radiator hoses collapsing, after being recently replaced prior the year, at 132,000.

By-pass nipple into the engine block for coolant flow exploded (cheap piece of GM plastic). For a new part, the cost is $62, DEALER ONLY ITEM. Keep in mind, this part is no longer than your pointer finger. very small part, very LARGE PRICE.

Cooling fan blew out 2 times at 133,000.

A/C hasn't worked since 60,000 (sorry, forgot to mention that above)

Quad exhaust in rear starting to sag, poor GM quality build.

Head gasket blows at 137,000.

Exhaust manifold gasket? Yeah, GM apparently didn't think it needed one when built, because there was never one on, as I found out while replacing head gaskets.

Intake poorly contructed, intake gaskets are weak, bought non-GM aftermarket for lesser price, better quality, more durability. NEVER BUY GM PARTS if you don't have to.

Now at 143,000 miles, the entire engine finally had enough and decided to blow out completely. Constantly overheated, even after a complete coolant system rebuild, head gasket rebuild, heads finished, engine almost completely rebuilt.

Bought new engine, with only 47,000 miles on it. Got everything in, hooked up correctly, and fired it off. Right away, oil pump cover gasket blew a leak, sucked in air, blew out a fresh 4.5QT oil change in less time than it took me to put it in. Oil pressure sensor built of faulty cheap plastic, broke while trying to plug in. Again, a small part, semi large price. Cost of sensor, $22.

Cost of gasket? Was a dealer only item. so I said screw GM dealer parts, and purchased a gasket sheet to make my own. I'd feel more comfrotable driving around WITHOUT a gasket rather than trusting GM Dealer parts anymore.

I will make another complaint after this engine starts giving me trouble. I really hope it doesn't, but I'm sure it will happen.

Besides all the problems/issues these Junky GM's have, the car has very good acceleration.

Handling on tight corners is great.

Top speed on straight drag is outstanding.

Simple V6 will out-power almost every ricer (import crap) and V8 engine (with exception of the real actual American Muscle V8 engines/cars).

Interior has never faded in the 145,000 miles the car has been parked outside. So whatever you people do to fade your interior, either it's your fault, or GM was slacking off that day they made yours.

All lights are as bright as new.

All idiot lights work as expected and only when needed (now).

Brakes are great. Stops as quickly as you would need it, or as slow as you wanted it.

Factory sound system was good.