1995 Pontiac Grand Prix SC 3.1 V6 SFI from North America

Summary:

Best $850.00 I ever spent

Faults:

No major problems when I bought it, but the dealer or someone ripped the warning lights under the dash and it ran fine.

Only a few problems like your common brake calipers locking up, and struts making sounds; no major problems.

I take good care of car's maintenance; oil, air, brakes, coolant, but still beat on it.

About 3 weeks ago I was driving, and I heard loud clicking, and my boss at a shop I work at said it was the rings, and I had no money to replace them, so I drove it anyway.

Now the tranny had a strong jerk going in to second gear, and driving around the city by my hometown, I think I lost my tranny. The engine still was going, so I stopped and the car still ran good, and the clicking stopped, but would not go in to gear or reverse. I shut the motor off and tried to start it up, and it would not start. The pulley on the engine spun only about 1/4 around; stopped and turned, so I don't know what happened, and all the wires on the starter were bare.

So I will junk the car, cos I have no clue and no money to be in shop.

General Comments:

Other than expensive interior pieces that you would think would be cheap, the car wasn't bad at all. I'm 17 years old and this is only the second car I have owned, and to tell you the truth, I beat this car like no tomorrow, like neutral drops, reverse doughnuts, e-break burnouts, destroying tires, street raced, and my girlfriend dropped it in first gear doing around 80mph, and the car was fine.

I wish I never did any of this, so it would have lasted a long time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th June, 2008

1995 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 3.4 liter V6 from North America

Summary:

High maintenance fun

Faults:

Had to replace alternator once. Same with starter.

At 174K miles, the oil and coolant began mixing and the car would stall at corners. I wound up replacing the engine with a newer (used) 3.4L. Quite an unexpected $2000!

Brakes seem to need work every 6 months. Had them replaced at 183K.

Heat takes 20 minutes (minimum) to warm up. Took it in once, repair shop said it was a coolant problem, but I haven't seen any improvement since they "fixed" it. Not fun in Michigan.

Kept it outdoors and I cannot believe the rust that's developed in 2 years. There were two quarter-sized spots when I bought it. Now the driver's side running board is being held on mostly by duct tape, there's rust on all 4 wheel wells, etc. Rust has completely avoided the doors and trunk lid, though.

Dome light burns out quite frequently.

Low beams are not bright enough in rural areas. Sometimes I wonder whether the headlights are even on.

Light behind the gas gauge burned out, but I can still read it at night.

You have to press the driver's window switch really hard to roll it up.

Recently, the transmission has become slightly unpredictable at 45-60 mph.

General Comments:

Sporty, fun to drive, and great acceleration. I've taken it up to 95-100 mph a few times and only the first engine gave the slightest sign of protest. It loves to go fast!

This car steers perfectly. There's no other way to describe it. I've avoided more than one accident by swerving fast enough.

The interior is in almost new condition. It even smells like it's only a couple years old. Controls are simple and easy to find (except the hazard flashers, because my switch was missing). Everything is plastic but it doesn't look "cheap." One nice bonus is the bulge on the inside of both front doors. It's the perfect place to store a 20 oz. bottle. There are two little cubbies on the dash as well. I put my phone in one. The trunk is big enough to squeeze a snowboard in diagonally. I do wish this car came with a folding rear seat...and a trunk relase button, for that matter.

I'm 6'2" and the driver's seat has plenty of room in every direction. The backseat is the same with the possible exception of legroom. I do get a little sore after driving for 6-7 hours, thanks to a teeny bit of wear in the driver's seat cushion.

Gas mileage is much better than I expected. I get about 27 mpg highway when the entire car is packed with passengers and luggage...and I'm a speed demon.

This is my first car. I'm getting rid of it this summer because it doesn't have cruise control or ABS, the heater is a joke, and it's getting covered with rust. I'll miss it a lot. Fix these 4 issues and make it more reliable, and the '95 Grand Prix is the perfect car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th June, 2008