Should i get a Grand AM

10-13-2004, 10:31 AM

Ok this is my first post but i got a question for everyone that knows more than me.....

Ok the price is good....like 6000 for a GT with 62,000 miles

But what are the main problems i should be looking for? Ive read many reviews from people and they said when they went to bring back there cars to the Pontiac dealership, they were very un-friendly and were of no help.

My girlfriends mom has either a 2000 GT1 coupe or a 2001... im not sure. But the transmission went twice before 38,000 miles.....i dont think thats normal.

Plus the brakes went alot, the blinkers sometimes never work unless u hit the hazard lights button first, and the drivers side window broke. Plus the wheel bearing thing.

I currently own a 94 Accord EX automatic and i have driven her GT1. I thought it was awesome....but i dont want my transmission to go or anything big like that.

What are the main problems and things that probably will go wrong with it? You know like common defects? And are the 2002/2003s more reliable than the 99-01s?

Thanks big time

oh btw a pontiac dealership by my house kept screwing up the lights with my friends 03 Sunfire. The brake/blinker lights kept going out and they put the one high beam and one low beam on when u put the regular lights on. They messed up the wiring. I know i wont be buying my pontiac there.....

Braves299 · 10-13-2004, 10:41 AM

Take care of it, it'll last. People on this thread are gonna tell ya differently, but also, look at how many people have mods, and rag the sh** outta their cars. My 99 Grand am has 124,000 miles and ive had minimal problems with it. Good luck!

David

SC/TGrandAm · 10-13-2004, 10:42 AM

Big things are Lower Intake Manifold Gasket Leak, window regulators going out, the blinker problem.

Transmission going out is pretty unlikely or at least its not a common problem.

GrahamKracka · 10-13-2004, 10:43 AM

car has 33800 on it...tranny is fine.....if you plan to mod tho ittle go eventually

atc3434 · 10-13-2004, 10:44 AM

The GM tranny is really strong in the GA. Of course if you start modding the crap out of the car, you'll need to make sure it stays cool, but in a stock application, they usually last forever. I've had mine for 40k miles now, and its at 80k on the odometer, and my 40k have been pretty hard miles. I'm a driver, I never use just enough throttle, and I like to manuel shift. My tranny is still very crisp. A tranny flush is important every 30k miles! Pretty weird that your friends car went through 2 in 38k miles. Not normal at all. The window thing is pretty common on the GA, and hub assemblies kinda have a history with the GA too. Sometimes weird electrical stuff will crop up. But all cars have differnt issues they are know for. GM's motor and tranny are very strong and literally will run forever if you take good car of them. Just do your regular maintenece and a GA will serve you for a long time.

atc3434 · 10-13-2004, 10:45 AM

Oh, I forgot to mention, It'll be a WHOLE LOT more fun than the Honda. Get ready to experience torque.

dj2229 · 10-13-2004, 10:54 AM

Mostly just routine maintenance stuff. Problems I've had or am currently having are....In the process of replacing Blower Motor Resistor. $10 part. Brakes aren't too bad, could be better. The biggest issue is that Im having problems with the negative ground cable. Took out the Original battery and the negative part of the battery just about fell right out of the battery. Was that corroded. Well in the process, I think some dripped down onto my battery cable and thus Im having some electrical problems. Going to fix that tonite. Other than that, I loved my car from day one and still do.

Overall I give it a 8/10

mcgrady · 10-13-2004, 11:10 AM

Two trannies in 38k is unusual to say the least. The tranny in these cars are fairly strong but a lot of failures occur because of spinning the tires trying to get traction when there is snow on the ground. The sudden jolt when you go from the tires spinning at 20mph to 5mph when you hit solid traction shortens the life of the tranny quite a bit.

The blinker thing was fixed for 2002 I believe.

The brakes will behave according to how you use them. If you are a person who waits until the last second and brakes heavy then your rotors won't last long.

In general, Grand Ams are a good deal. GM's heavy incentives on new vehicles has pushed the resale value down so far that a 2 year old GA will go for less than half a new model. I bought my GA for over $6k Cdn less than an Accord of the same model year with the same options. No contest there at all.

5-lO · 10-13-2004, 11:30 AM

Well all of the problems you have mentioned are common. I have had many little issues with mine, but all in all I still love that car. It all comes down to the car itself I guess. If you click on my N-body registry in my sig below it will state all the problems Ive had.

The car is nice however, it's got balls, I like my leather. Its luxurious for a 20k car. I really enjoy it, anytime someone new I meet see's me car they are always like "WOW! That is a real nice car" granted mine is an 03 but still.

If you can get a good deal it is worth.

Nikki · 10-13-2004, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc3434

Oh, I forgot to mention, It'll be a WHOLE LOT more fun than the Honda. Get ready to experience torque.

I'm sorry, but I hate when ppl say stuff like this. So I'm just gonna say, drive a NEW Accord and see how it is compared to your GA in torque

And to the guy who started this thread, so I can stay on topic, the other guys are right...just take care of it and you'll just maybe have the normal problems but nothing too major.

atc3434 · 10-13-2004, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

I'm sorry, but I hate when ppl say stuff like this. So I'm just gonna say, drive a NEW Accord and see how it is compared to your GA in torque

Yea, I know, the new Accords got a sweet v6 and a bunch of gears to go with it. I was refering to the 94 Accord, which the GA will eat up and spit out for lunch.

Love my GT · 10-13-2004, 03:24 PM

My wife has a 94 accord. It is a very nice car, but my GA is almost better in every way. The Honda if I haven't been in it for a while when we get on the highway I keep thinking it needs to shift again because it runs at a lot higher rpm's. I just hope my GA runs as good as the accord when it has over 170,000 miles on it.

GrahamKracka · 10-13-2004, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgrady

Two trannies in 38k is unusual to say the least. The tranny in these cars are fairly strong but a lot of failures occur because of spinning the tires trying to get traction when there is snow on the ground. The sudden jolt when you go from the tires spinning at 20mph to 5mph when you hit solid traction shortens the life of the tranny quite a bit.

The blinker thing was fixed for 2002 I believe.

The brakes will behave according to how you use them. If you are a person who waits until the last second and brakes heavy then your rotors won't last long.

In general, Grand Ams are a good deal. GM's heavy incentives on new vehicles has pushed the resale value down so far that a 2 year old GA will go for less than half a new model. I bought my GA for over $6k Cdn less than an Accord of the same model year with the same options. No contest there at all.

which is also why its hard as hell to sell at a decent price.........or even get a decent trade in.........i tried to trade my car in for a eclipse spyder GT...they only wanted to give me 7300.........the car is in great condition.....*******s

UNCTYPE-S · 10-13-2004, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

I'm sorry, but I hate when ppl say stuff like this. So I'm just gonna say, drive a NEW Accord and see how it is compared to your GA in torque

hell yeah nikki........represent.

anyway.....where in his thread title does it say "my gt vs. accord"

atc3434 · 10-13-2004, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnanpi

I currently own a 94 Accord EX automatic and i have driven her GT1. I thought it was awesome....but i dont want my transmission to go or anything big like that.

Thats where the comparison the the 94 Accord came in. I supported his conclusion, which is true, GAGT is defintley more car than the Accord EX of 1994. I'm sure the new Accord EX will eat up a GAGT for lunch.

AznGA · 10-13-2004, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

I'm sorry, but I hate when ppl say stuff like this. So I'm just gonna say, drive a NEW Accord and see how it is compared to your GA in torque

And to the guy who started this thread, so I can stay on topic, the other guys are right...just take care of it and you'll just maybe have the normal problems but nothing too major.

But V6 Accord is a lot more $$ than V6 GA, isn't it?
He was probably talking about ricer kids who thinks their modded riced out 4 cyl ****box is fast, while our big V6 has plenty of torque.

10-13-2004, 10:35 PM

thanks for the comments.

ill probly get one. unless i change my mind again

. i always do. but yeah ive read alot about the warping rotors... will new rotors fix this or is this some other part that GM neglected to put in

oh and i told what i car i had (Accord) in for comparison. The GT1 coupe i drove was fun to drive.....unlike my 4 door family sedan Accord EX. its got 145 hp and like 140 torque i think.

mainly i like the grand am cuz of the way the interior looks with the oversized gauge things. also the pontiac red (or orange watever color u say it is) in the gauges. awesome color.

i would get a Trans AM but i cant drive it here in the winter time. too much snow and bad weather, i need something i can drive everyday.

AznGA · 10-14-2004, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Free03GT

Well all of the problems you have mentioned are common. I have had many little issues with mine, but all in all I still love that car. It all comes down to the car itself I guess. If you click on my N-body registry in my sig below it will state all the problems Ive had.

The car is nice however, it's got balls, I like my leather. Its luxurious for a 20k car. I really enjoy it, anytime someone new I meet see's me car they are always like "WOW! That is a real nice car" granted mine is an 03 but still.

If you can get a good deal it is worth.

Who wanted to trade in his Grand Am for something else? What this guy said. These are pretty nice cars. GM sold LOTS of it and there are a lot rolling around on streets. Modding your car to make it different than 243664 other Grand Am's in town is the coolest part, I would say.

fo44rd · 10-14-2004, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrahamKracka

which is also why its hard as hell to sell at a decent price.........or even get a decent trade in.........i tried to trade my car in for a eclipse spyder GT...they only wanted to give me 7300.........the car is in great condition.....*******s

No kidding. The sad part is the 1994 accord is probably worth more.

papiogagt · 10-14-2004, 06:58 AM

stick with the honda man! our family has 5 accords in it! my sister's 94 has 274,000 on it and runs better than my ga does! now, don't get me wrong, i love my car to death, i'm just scared of the day i start having all these "common" problems..

10-13-2004, 10:31 AM	#1
magnanpi Guest Posts: n/a	Should i get a Grand AM Ok this is my first post but i got a question for everyone that knows more than me..... Ok the price is good....like 6000 for a GT with 62,000 miles But what are the main problems i should be looking for? Ive read many reviews from people and they said when they went to bring back there cars to the Pontiac dealership, they were very un-friendly and were of no help. My girlfriends mom has either a 2000 GT1 coupe or a 2001... im not sure. But the transmission went twice before 38,000 miles.....i dont think thats normal. Plus the brakes went alot, the blinkers sometimes never work unless u hit the hazard lights button first, and the drivers side window broke. Plus the wheel bearing thing. I currently own a 94 Accord EX automatic and i have driven her GT1. I thought it was awesome....but i dont want my transmission to go or anything big like that. What are the main problems and things that probably will go wrong with it? You know like common defects? And are the 2002/2003s more reliable than the 99-01s? Thanks big time oh btw a pontiac dealership by my house kept screwing up the lights with my friends 03 Sunfire. The brake/blinker lights kept going out and they put the one high beam and one low beam on when u put the regular lights on. They messed up the wiring. I know i wont be buying my pontiac there.....

10-13-2004, 10:41 AM	#2
Braves299 WVU owns you AKA: David Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Derwood, Maryland Age: 36 Posts: 2,170 Vehicle: '99 GA SE 3.4, '06 Ram	Take care of it, it'll last. People on this thread are gonna tell ya differently, but also, look at how many people have mods, and rag the sh** outta their cars. My 99 Grand am has 124,000 miles and ive had minimal problems with it. Good luck! David __________________ Carl Lee Combs July 8, 1944 - February 20, 2002 "Gone for now, never forgotten"

10-13-2004, 10:42 AM	#3
SC/TGrandAm Newbie AKA: Kyle Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI Age: 39 Posts: 2,944 Vehicle: 2008 Accord	Big things are Lower Intake Manifold Gasket Leak, window regulators going out, the blinker problem. Transmission going out is pretty unlikely or at least its not a common problem. __________________ 2008 Accord EX-L Coupe 2002 GA SCT- R.I.P HID Pioneer http://www.myspace.com/Kleigou

10-13-2004, 10:44 AM	#5
atc3434 Grand Am Again AKA: Andrew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Auburn, NY Age: 38 Posts: 1,999 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am SE	The GM tranny is really strong in the GA. Of course if you start modding the crap out of the car, you'll need to make sure it stays cool, but in a stock application, they usually last forever. I've had mine for 40k miles now, and its at 80k on the odometer, and my 40k have been pretty hard miles. I'm a driver, I never use just enough throttle, and I like to manuel shift. My tranny is still very crisp. A tranny flush is important every 30k miles! Pretty weird that your friends car went through 2 in 38k miles. Not normal at all. The window thing is pretty common on the GA, and hub assemblies kinda have a history with the GA too. Sometimes weird electrical stuff will crop up. But all cars have differnt issues they are know for. GM's motor and tranny are very strong and literally will run forever if you take good car of them. Just do your regular maintenece and a GA will serve you for a long time. __________________ 1999 Grand Am SE2 - Blue, TOG Headers, SLP Exhaust, DHP - SOLD 1996 Vert' Z-28 - M6, magnaflow muffler-back, K&N FIPK, Hurst Short-throw - 13.6 @ 103mph. 2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona - Go Mango Orange #2832 of 4000. Tune/exhaust. 14.009@97mph. 2002 Saab 9 5 Aero Wagon - 3" turboback/tune. 17psi of sleeper fun just waiting to surprise you.

10-13-2004, 10:45 AM	#6
atc3434 Grand Am Again AKA: Andrew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Auburn, NY Age: 38 Posts: 1,999 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am SE	Oh, I forgot to mention, It'll be a WHOLE LOT more fun than the Honda. Get ready to experience torque. __________________ 1999 Grand Am SE2 - Blue, TOG Headers, SLP Exhaust, DHP - SOLD 1996 Vert' Z-28 - M6, magnaflow muffler-back, K&N FIPK, Hurst Short-throw - 13.6 @ 103mph. 2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona - Go Mango Orange #2832 of 4000. Tune/exhaust. 14.009@97mph. 2002 Saab 9 5 Aero Wagon - 3" turboback/tune. 17psi of sleeper fun just waiting to surprise you.

10-13-2004, 10:43 AM	#4
GrahamKracka WannaBe Fat Kid AKA: Richard Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Age: 36 Posts: 1,517 Vehicle: 2005 Nissan Titan	car has 33800 on it...tranny is fine.....if you plan to mod tho ittle go eventually

10-13-2004, 10:54 AM	#7
dj2229 GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hastings, MN Age: 46 Posts: 17 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am GT	Not a bad car... Mostly just routine maintenance stuff. Problems I've had or am currently having are....In the process of replacing Blower Motor Resistor. $10 part. Brakes aren't too bad, could be better. The biggest issue is that Im having problems with the negative ground cable. Took out the Original battery and the negative part of the battery just about fell right out of the battery. Was that corroded. Well in the process, I think some dripped down onto my battery cable and thus Im having some electrical problems. Going to fix that tonite. Other than that, I loved my car from day one and still do. Overall I give it a 8/10

10-13-2004, 11:10 AM	#8
mcgrady Piston Slap??? Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moncton, NB Age: 46 Posts: 95 Vehicle: 2002 SE Sedan	Two trannies in 38k is unusual to say the least. The tranny in these cars are fairly strong but a lot of failures occur because of spinning the tires trying to get traction when there is snow on the ground. The sudden jolt when you go from the tires spinning at 20mph to 5mph when you hit solid traction shortens the life of the tranny quite a bit. The blinker thing was fixed for 2002 I believe. The brakes will behave according to how you use them. If you are a person who waits until the last second and brakes heavy then your rotors won't last long. In general, Grand Ams are a good deal. GM's heavy incentives on new vehicles has pushed the resale value down so far that a 2 year old GA will go for less than half a new model. I bought my GA for over $6k Cdn less than an Accord of the same model year with the same options. No contest there at all.

10-13-2004, 11:30 AM	#9
5-lO Just bought a. . . AKA: Jon Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Evanston, IL Age: 35 Posts: 2,950 Vehicle: 15 HD 48 XL1200X	Well all of the problems you have mentioned are common. I have had many little issues with mine, but all in all I still love that car. It all comes down to the car itself I guess. If you click on my N-body registry in my sig below it will state all the problems Ive had. The car is nice however, it's got balls, I like my leather. Its luxurious for a 20k car. I really enjoy it, anytime someone new I meet see's me car they are always like "WOW! That is a real nice car" granted mine is an 03 but still. If you can get a good deal it is worth. __________________ CURRENT: WHATEVER I WANT OFF THE DEALER LOT AND 15 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 48: LED HEADLAMP, TURNS AND TAILS, PYTHON BLACK SLIP ONS, SCREAMING EAGLE BLACK EXHAUST SHIELDS. PREVIOUS: 03 GAGT, 04 MAZDASPEED MX-5, 06 TC, 02 SEVILLE STS, 07 HARLEY DAVIDSON NIGHTESTER, 10 MAZDA3 S SPORT MANUAL, 06 SUZUKI KATANA, 11 MAZDA 3 S GRAND TOURING MANUAL TECH, 13 MAZDASPEED3

10-13-2004, 03:24 PM	#12
Love my GT GAGT - Member AKA: Cliff Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lock Haven, PA Age: 50 Posts: 91 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT1	My wife has a 94 accord. It is a very nice car, but my GA is almost better in every way. The Honda if I haven't been in it for a while when we get on the highway I keep thinking it needs to shift again because it runs at a lot higher rpm's. I just hope my GA runs as good as the accord when it has over 170,000 miles on it.

10-13-2004, 10:35 PM	#17
magnanpi Guest Posts: n/a	thanks for the comments. ill probly get one. unless i change my mind again . i always do. but yeah ive read alot about the warping rotors... will new rotors fix this or is this some other part that GM neglected to put in oh and i told what i car i had (Accord) in for comparison. The GT1 coupe i drove was fun to drive.....unlike my 4 door family sedan Accord EX. its got 145 hp and like 140 torque i think. mainly i like the grand am cuz of the way the interior looks with the oversized gauge things. also the pontiac red (or orange watever color u say it is) in the gauges. awesome color. i would get a Trans AM but i cant drive it here in the winter time. too much snow and bad weather, i need something i can drive everyday.

10-14-2004, 06:58 AM	#20
papiogagt m y e s c a p e . . AKA: Willie Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Papillion, NE Age: 35 Posts: 967 Vehicle: 2007 Silverado Z71	stick with the honda man! our family has 5 accords in it! my sister's 94 has 274,000 on it and runs better than my ga does! now, don't get me wrong, i love my car to death, i'm just scared of the day i start having all these "common" problems.. __________________ 2001. . . the only good year for Grand Am's. . . Tastefully Simple

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode