2nd Nov 2017, 13:21
Original poster here. The car now has over 267,000 km. Only issue I had was the engine release lever cable has broken a few months ago. I had to remove the hood latch (it was seized), lubricate it like crazy and was able to install it back in the car and tie a shoestring around the latch and ran the shoestring through the grille. I now pull on a shoestring to pop open the hood. Hey, it saved me $120!
I did change back to halogen headlights a few years ago as HID lights are too much of a headache (especially when the bulb or ballast fails). Halogens are cheap to replace and can be purchased at any car store.
The car is still running fine. No other issues to report. This car is onto my 2nd wife and is transporting my first kid (1 year old). Damn, I can't believe I've had it for over 14 years now. I'm getting old! (35 years old).
11th Jul 2018, 20:08
Update on the car. It's now 15 model year old, over 275,000km.
Nothing new to report. The car is still running without any new issues. Still being driven daily.
13th Jul 2018, 21:52
I'd like to know where he got a quote for installed tire pressure sensors at 400 each. That’s twice the norm. Sometimes I hate them as well. Batteries go dead way before I need tires on my lightly driven new cars. Then you have to pull wheels, dismount, reinstall and pay to relearn your TPS. Some go off with minor tire pressure deviation. The cheaper cars only tell you one of the 4 tires is low pressure. Not which one it is. I’d rather simply use my hand held digital tire gauge. HID headlights are another ridiculous expense.
1st Apr 2019, 13:36
Repairing a car hood latch at this age and mileage in the cheapest manner possible (using a shoestring) works fine in my book. Why spend $120 when all it does is pop the hood? I'd rather keep that money in my pocket.
1st Apr 2019, 13:47
Original poster here. The car has over 283,000 km. Driver's side door lock is seized. I will try to lubricate it tonight to see if that resolves the issue. Had to use the passenger keyhole to open the door. No other issues with the car. Still being driven daily.
1st Apr 2019, 18:45
The problem was the ABS sensor in the wheels. Not worth fixing. The car runs fine without ABS. There is no tire pressure monitoring system on this car with sensors.
18th Apr 2019, 16:58
Update: The driver keyhole was just frozen and melted in the sun. Keyhole works.
10th May 2019, 20:14
I lock my doors because even though it's a "clunker" (old and high mileage), it's my clunker that I paid good money for and I still have a use for.
10th May 2019, 20:25
Update by original poster: The car has over 284,000 km and is 16 model years old. On May 3, 2019 my wife said the car is making a very loud noise from the exhaust. Exhaust work needs to be done. Everything else is fine. She doesn't want me to repair it and to buy a replacement car, since I've had it for 16 years and we are going to have our second child in a few weeks, and it's time for a crossover to better suit our family needs. Sadly, I have removed the plates and insurance and will be calling a charity to have it towed for scrap.
I have replaced it with a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, 2.4L, FWD at 106,000 km yesterday. I'm sad to see it go. It's been a great car and I wouldn't have had any issue repairing it if we weren't having a second child.
10th Apr 2017, 19:22
Original poster here. Grand Am now has over 264,000km. The only things I have done recently in regards to repairs was change the alternator, new springs/shocks/struts (all original) and had to be replaced a few months ago. No other issues with the car. The car is now starting to have very minor body rust. I am still driving it daily and plan to keep driving it until it's not worth repairing. I'm very pleased with my purchase.