Post a pic of your car as it sits currently

[AaronGTR]

Mudflaps in front of tire.... for burnouts in reverse!

[xUnderCoverHoBo]

Originally Posted by tipnitty

She might be broken, and there might be a water ban so I can't wash my cars....But she can sure sit there and purrr.

Its sad to see the car car broken down

[sleepyalero]

Jokes kids.


And its not really "broke"

[xUnderCoverHoBo]

No water ban here been raining so much the past few weeks

[ItsMeScottG]

Originally Posted by [ChaosweaveR]

Reliability is a factor, emissions tests are a factor. I got rid of my Grand Am because I was tired of fixing it. I was tired of it eating cats, it was starting to eat coolant again plus numerous other things.

In NYS, check engine light = no inspection. No inspection = can't renew registration. Expired registration = cop magnet.

My Grand Am needed repairs in just one year of me owning it, the cat clogged, the LIM crapped out and a lifter broke. I never neglected that car and it still went to hell.

My Honda has never cost me more than fuel, oil changes and a cabin filter in the first year of owning it. I'll take my car payments and knowing I have a car that won't break down on me over a crapbox constantly falling apart. Plus, if you have a good job, the car payments should be an issue to begin with, not to mention all it does is up your credit score when you pay on time or make payments in advance.

not to mention that some people want more power than a n-body will offer. Yes you can turbo one of these cars but its not worth it at this point. With all that money you are able to get a much sportier car that is much more fun to drive and is taken seriously by others. I liked my Grand Am because of all of the time I put into it, however, it was costing me quite a bit to repair and keep it on the road and I couldn't justify spending that much in repairs for a car that doesn't have much power. I know the e46 will cost me a fair amount in repairs, however, I do most of the work myself and its much more fun to drive.

[litdevil316]

I fell ya there. Im done with my car. It'd cost too much to get it back up again, then i still have more issues to work out. Next project is old school

[Pontiac_guy99]

Car broke down on highway. I started bawling.

Not sure what's wrong with it, but the engine makes a clunk noise every second or two. Regardless whether its in park or drive. The noise gets faster when I drive. Rough idle. Sluggish driving.

This could be it guys. The grand am could be dead. Please wish luck as it gets diagnosed.

[xUnderCoverHoBo]

K u dont have to cry man its a car. It might be something small, but more and more prople r leaving the ga. Tanner i swear to god dont sell ur grand am. But he will for the fiesta. Keep us posted on what they find.

Btw how many miles does it have?

[gudge]

Could be a lifter. That's simular to what happened to mine. If it is that hopefully it hasn't ruined the cam like mine.

[TDavis]

da color flicker tho.

[Pontiac_guy99]

Originally Posted by xUnderCoverHoBo

K u dont have to cry man its a car. It might be something small, but more and more prople r leaving the ga. Tanner i swear to god dont sell ur grand am. But he will for the fiesta. Keep us posted on what they find.

Btw how many miles does it have?

It's at 115,xxx miles. Bought it with 111,xxx on it. Seriously though. This car had a sorta sentimental value to it, and it would be sad to see it go. I really liked and appreciated it.

[xUnderCoverHoBo]

Every person on this site is attached to their cars.

[tipnitty]

Felt the same when my first car died. It sucked and I was really sad. But it'll never last forever and you'll be even more excited to get your second car. If that's what is the case.

[Pontiac_guy99]

Originally Posted by tipnitty

Felt the same when my first car died. It sucked and I was really sad. But it'll never last forever and you'll be even more excited to get your second car. If that's what is the case.

Thanks. I'm pretty sure it's gonna end up that way.

I talked to the guy at the shop. He started it up and listened to it. "Yikes, that doesn't sound good at all". "I am gonna bet it will be well over $1000".

Those were his words. He said he thinks its one of the cylinders. I'm all confused and don't really know what to do at this point.

[tipnitty]

Originally Posted by Pontiac_guy99

Thanks. I'm pretty sure it's gonna end up that way.

I talked to the guy at the shop. He started it up and listened to it. "Yikes, that doesn't sound good at all". "I am gonna bet it will be well over $1000".

Those were his words. He said he thinks its one of the cylinders. I'm all confused and don't really know what to do at this point.

Sometimes getting a turn key motor is cheaper than a new car. So who knows.

[litdevil316]

How mine sits.... stripping her down. Pulled the lights, led fogs, and all the extra wiring. Hoping to sell as much as the performance parts as I can....


But all funds help to clean this up.

[Pontiac_guy99]

Mom and Dad said that if it costs over $1000, then we will deeply need to reconsider what our next step will be.

I covered all bases and started to look around locally (there's not much) and I found 3 possible vehicles.

One car. I think it's an eagle Talon or whatever the Dodge equivalent of it is.




Leather Interior




The other vehicle is a Silver 1999 Oldsmobile Alero Sedan. You can kinda see it in the pics above.

The last vehicle is a White 1998(?) Pontiac Sunfire Coupe. Pics of the sunfire to come.

[TDavis]

Its a Stealth.

[ItsMeScottG]

Yup it's a dodge stealth. Which is actually made by Mitsubishi motors.

Actually a $1000 repair isn't a reason to get rid of a car. I had a few repairs on my grand am that were over 1k each.

[Pontiac_guy99]

Originally Posted by ItsMeScottG

Actually a $1000 repair isn't a reason to get rid of a car.

I wish you could tell that to me mom and dad. They are really skeptical over my car and me.

I am really confused now. Not sure how I should feel about this, either to be sad over the possible death of my car, or be happy that I have some experience in what I want in a car so my next car will be better and have more features that I want in it, or be mad that I killed it.


I have already been looking for a replacement car just in case, and I have a few options. Could you guys tell me which ones are too far fetched and which ones are a reasonable replacement to a Grand Am SE?

1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT or GTP Coupe.
1999-2005 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi or GXP.
1994-1996 Dodge Stealth DOHC.
1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am GT Coupe.
1995-2005 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe.
1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero Sedan.
2000-2006 Ford Taurus SES or SEL.
2007-2009 Pontiac G5 GT.
1996-1999 Ford Taurus.
1988-1996 Pontiac Grand Prix Coupe.
1995-2002 Buick Riviera Supercharged.
1998-2004 Dodge Intrepid.
2001-2006 Dodge Stratus Special Edition.
1997-2002 Ford Escort ZX2.
2008-2009 Pontiac G8 Base, GT, or GXP.

I know thats a lot of cars, but I would like to know what the best option is going to be for me. Also, if you have a good idea for a car, please let me know. (as you can see I am trying hard to de-attach myself from my car, so please give me a little slack)