Lets see, I have a Grand Am GT -- 99.
Like previously posted the honking after locking your doors is a security. Push the lock button once and the car will chime.. get out, shut door and it honks then locks the doors.
I haven't had the brake problems. Coolant mixing with your oil means that your head gasket needs replaced. Where did you have this car inspected?? They took you over with the whole engine getting replaced. Overheating could be your lower intake gasket as well as a thermostat and/or water pump.
I agree the volume control sucks and settings 1 2 3 do not work as well on my car... no big deal. Replaced the window clips... man I love junkyards.
I now have to replace my speedometer sensor but it's a quick fix and a cheap part. Learning to do brakes, rotors and calipers is quite easy and will save you $300 - $500 easy cause you mainly pay for labor. I have had too replace both hub assembly's, but again... learning to do them will save you the same amount.
Cars are what you make of them. Some things go out of your control but in the end its usually the driver. Take care of your car and it will take care of you!
I just bought my 1999 Grand Am SE four door for 850, only because of 200k miles, but the girl that owned it before me, a close friend's daughter, told me she never had any major issues with it, but all you need to do is take good care of it.
The only problem I have is the volume control thing, which isn't a big deal, and my check engine light, which I'm assuming is a O2 sensor, but I'm taking it to Autozone to have them use a coder on it, but it seems to be in great shape.
I know several people who have driven the Quad 4 engined Grand Ams well over 200,000 miles with very little trouble. These are extremely good, reliable cars and a real bargain on the used car market.
I just have to say these cars do suck. My mom got a 99 SE 4dr with 175000 miles from a guy that got it from an auction for like $800. It's my first car and I should be happy for it, but there's so many little things that bug me. I'm guessing the person who had it before got a broken windshield, because it got wet; its curling up because of the type of material. It also caused the A beam plastic cover to come off.
1-2 air doesn't work, and there is oil burning on the motor, so it gives the air a bad smell when stopped, so I have to turn it off when I'm stopped ever.
ABS and traction control lights are on. ETS button won't work, and neither does the cigarette lighter.
Trunk gets wet, so it smells, and I had to take that carpet stuff out.
Interior is cheap and the rear cup holder is broke, and vinyl on the rear doors is curling up. Plastic trim falling a part.
The motor makes this horrible tractor noise when I go back to start it up after recently driving it. But if I wait a day to drive it, it doesn't do it. Uses 1qrt of oil every 3000 miles. Only getting 18.6 mpg granny driving.
THE SAD THING IS MY 1ST 1ST CAR, A 90 GEO PRIZM WAS 100X BETTER AND HAD 250K ON IT, but it got rear ended by a stang. 35MPG automatic!
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