1999 Pontiac Grand Am SE review from North America
"This is the worst car I have ever owned and I would not wish it on my worst enemy"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Warranty Item (9700km) : The spoiler leaked and had water inside of it following a rainstorm or washing. After four tries, the dealer finally solved the problem...$0.
Warranty Item (27244km) : Front rotors and brake pads replaced...$0.
Recall (32135km) : Center console latch assembly replaced...$0.
48076km: Four new tires...$504.90CAN.
58783km: Front brake pads replaced...$29.00CAN (labor done myself)
58940km: The intake lower gasket was replaced. The dealer did this and said that they would give me a deal and only charged me half the cost since my mileage was below the warranty, but I was beyond the three year warranty time-line (not sure if it was much of a deal)...$281.33CAN.
59903km: New front wheel bearing/hub assembly...$391.43.
65000km: New front rotors...$60.00CAN (labour done myself)
67210km: New front wheel bearing/hub assembly...$242.39CAN (backyard mechanic)
67750km: New front wheel bearing/hub assembly (the last one was defective... I still had to pay my backyard mechanic to replace it)...$20.00CAN.
67976km: Replaced the battery. One of the poles literally fell off of the battery... good ole Del-co parts...$63.24CAN (labor done myself)
69083km: Suspension diagnostic check: There was an annoying sound coming out of the drivers side front suspension assembly. The problem wasn't confirmed, but was thought to be the strut mount. Nothing was replaced...$19.19CAN.
78300km: Brake job - new front brake pads...$177.93CAN.
84450km: New front struts and springs installed by backyard mechanic...$710.47CAN.
87856km: Front end alignment, replacement of both the inner and outer tie rod ends, new tire...$779.96CAN.
92000km: Install new front rotors (labor done myself)...$73.19.
97390km: New alternator and serpentine belt...$249.39CAN (labor done myself)
98250km: Four new tires...$441.32CAN.
103750km: The engine was racing very high, sometimes as high as 3000RPM at a stop sign. Computer reading diagnostic check to figure out why this was happening. The mechanic tried replacing a few things, none of which worked...$50.40CAN.
104182km: Another diagnostic check for the problem mentioned above...$34.70CAN.
104421km: Did the smartest thing I think I ever did. I traded in this piece of crap for a Toyota...$Priceless.
I will never own another GM product in my life. I would not wish this car on my worst enemy. A coworker had a 2000 Grand AM SE and had a lot of the same problems as I had. He is now driving a Honda and will never own another GM either.
General comments?
This is the worst car I have ever owned and I would not wish it on my worst enemy.
Recommended reviews
| Car has been decent so far, but starting to see the light! |
|
| Excellent first car! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 1999 |
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.4 V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 1 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 0 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 0 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 0 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 36 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 102241 kilometres |
| Previous car | Pontiac Sunfire |
| Date of Entry | 14th May, 2005 |