Never Again!!!

After a blown headgasket, a cracked coil cover, a leak in the firewall that flooded the floorboard when it rained, power windows that worked sometimes, and power locks that wouldn't,I finally got rid of my junk pile Grand Am. I lost my A** to the tune of about 2 thousand dollars, but I will NEVER EVER own another Pontiac Grand Am. NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER. Good riddance, you piece of sh*t. All others who still own one, I feel sorry for you. I only drove it 6 weeks before it all went sour on me. It was still overheating while the new owner was test driving it.

YEAH!!! Fight the power!

If you had a 3100 or 3400 it was probly just the lower intake manifold gasket, and not the head gasket. What year was it?

After a blown headgasket, a cracked coil cover, a leak in the firewall that flooded the floorboard when it rained, power windows that worked sometimes, and power locks that wouldn't,I finally got rid of my junk pile Grand Am. I lost my A** to the tune of about 2 thousand dollars, but I will NEVER EVER own another Pontiac Grand Am. NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER. Good riddance, you piece of sh*t. All others who still own one, I feel sorry for you. I only drove it 6 weeks before it all went sour on me. It was still overheating while the new owner was test driving it.

Oh poor baby lets gets cry about it. You lost 2k on yours boo hoo. I had a differental, transmission, and a ECU go out in 1 day. In the same week I also had an air intake gasket have to be replaced. Lets see I also had to replace the under and lower radiator hose, a wheel bearing, a water pump, 2 alternators, 3 sets of brakes, a windsheld washer jug and pump. Taillights, the alternator belt, the cruise control cable, and the radiator cap and I only owed it for 2 years. This was on a 99 GAGT that at the time i sold it only had 65,000 miles on it. Do I own a Grand Am now. No, but do i come in here complaining about it and talking crap about it. No. So honestly unless your wanting help fix it these issue, and are asking for help I don't see where you have the right to come in hear and complain about it. There are many people hear that have alot of respect for these cars and they don't need someone coming in here blowing off steam because you got a bad apple. Trust me I know how you feel, it frustrated the heck out of you when you have all those possible going on and everytime you turn around something else happens. But don't go putting down the car that alot of people hear love. That's not cool.

Complaining? I'm counting my blessings that I was able to get anything out of it. As far as Grand Am fans on this boards, scroll through and count the complaints. You can't cause there's too many. Mine was a 95, and maybe Pontiac redeemed themselves since then but in 1995 the Grand Am had lots of problems that weren't exclusive to just mine.

Complaining? I'm counting my blessings that I was able to get anything out of it. As far as Grand Am fans on this boards, scroll through and count the complaints. You can't cause there's too many. Mine was a 95, and maybe Pontiac redeemed themselves since then but in 1995 the Grand Am had lots of problems that weren't exclusive to just mine.


No I scroll through and see people asking for help. This is what the forums is for. Not to come in here and act like a 2 year that didn't get the toy from Walmart. Grow up. If you want a pitty party then go somewhere else.

From what i could tell, you must have bought the car used.... judging by the way your are talking and the year of the car, If this is true, then you really don't know what the previous owner has or has not done to the car. I know several people who have owned that generation Grand Am, having very few to little problems with them.

Lighten up dude. If you want, I'll contact the moderator and have him remove all of the other bitches so you won't have to read them. BTW, you don't have to read this one either. As a matter of fact I did buy it used from the original owner. My mechanic (who was also the sellers mechanic) said he took good care of his cars and gave it a clean bill of health so I bought it. I see several common problems with this car from other posters. First of all, there seems to be an overheating problem with this car, not all of them but enough to send up a red flag. I've seen tips on how to correct it including re-routing around the heater and other drastic moves because it's such a bad problem. I've also seen several complain about the leaking firewall when it rains. Sorry if I'm bitching, but I dont need any tips now that the nightmare is over.

I think that it is good for people to make posts like this. He had enough with the car. Someone else might like to read this forum before they buy a car. If they see more complaints on this forum than normal, they may stay away from a car that will require more repairs than they want to have to make on a car.

Hmmmm... 240k miles... one blown head gasket.... one bad heater core..... one bad alternator...... typical wear and tear items like brakes, clutch, mufflers, wheel bearing... Stuff wears out. Get real, if there were a serious problem with the whole line of cars don't you think there would have been class action taken against GM? If you don't like the idea of having to replace parts on cars, lease new cars and turn them in every 2 years so you don't have these problems. Most of us on here are running cars as long as possible to avoid payments, save money, or perhaps becasue some of us like the car we are driving. I love my grand am gt despite the problems I have had, like the head gasket and a partially clogged radiator. Considering the mileage on the car, I have gotten my money's worth out of it, and I'm not on here crying every time something little goes wrong. And did you ever think the previous owner wanted to get rid of it so the mechanic fed you a line?

Hey Dave In TEXAS...GET A LIFE!!!!,
If all you have to do is bitch about a mistake YOU made in buying a car that was probably beat to shit by the previous owner any you most likely did not check it out before buying it. I have a 96 GAGT with almost 120,000 miles and with some regular maintainence...I'll be damned...it still runs great. I happen to love my GAGT, amd would still recomend the Pontiac GA to anyone. The GA has lead the Pontiac sales since being introduced.

Dave I'm wondering what you have replaced the GA with, Unless it is a pair of shoes you are going to have problems with it...It is a machine, Rule #1 Machines break down. Rule #2 It takes money to run a machine. Rule #3 Machines neeed maintained. And Rule # 4 [THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE] You can't change rules 1,2,& 3. And if you did decide to walk instead of buy a car keep in mind SHOES WEAR OUT TOO!

I hope that you have found the perfect vehicle out there if so please let us know...I pretty sure it doesn't exist, but I could be wrong.

And one more thing, thankc for getting rid of your GA, I feel better knowing that you are no longer a GA owner.

Hey Dave In TEXAS...GET A LIFE!!!!,
If all you have to do is bitch about a mistake YOU made in buying a car that was probably beat to shit by the previous owner any you most likely did not check it out before buying it. I have a 96 GAGT with almost 120,000 miles and with some regular maintainence...I'll be damned...it still runs great. I happen to love my GAGT, amd would still recomend the Pontiac GA to anyone. The GA has lead the Pontiac sales since being introduced.

Dave I'm wondering what you have replaced the GA with, Unless it is a pair of shoes you are going to have problems with it...It is a machine, Rule #1 Machines break down. Rule #2 It takes money to run a machine. Rule #3 Machines neeed maintained. And Rule # 4 [THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE] You can't change rules 1,2,& 3. And if you did decide to walk instead of buy a car keep in mind SHOES WEAR OUT TOO!

I hope that you have found the perfect vehicle out there if so please let us know...I pretty sure it doesn't exist, but I could be wrong.

And one more thing, thankc for getting rid of your GA, I feel better knowing that you are no longer a GA owner.


See what I mean. Not everyone feels the same as you do about this car. Oh and I also wanted to add to the fact that my grandma also has a 95 GAGT. It only has 70,000 miles on it. It is maintenced regulary and the only thing that she had a problem with is (I) broke one of the window regulators because (I) tried to roll in it down when it was extremely cold outside. Other that she has only replaced normal wear and tear items. So instead of going off on everyone hear cause your mechanic tricked your dumbass into buy a lemon. Get over it and move on with you life.

You guys are freakin nasty when someone complains about the GA.

No, I think most of the people on here are like that about any car. Its called reality. Stuff wears out. Stuff breaks. Things go wrong. They all cost money. Deal with it, stop complaining about it. Simple as that. And if you are going to complain about it, expect some feedback, quite possibly harsh feedback.

Yeah, personally, Im gonna have to say that the Grand Am is the worst car GMhas ever made. I only paid $3,300 for my 99 GASE, then ended up puting an addtional $1,000 into it. Then 3 months later, the water pump, and the power steering pump went out ($1100). Now the whole brake system needs to be replaced, the blower only works on 5, the A/C wont work when you hit corners, ended up replacing the cat 3 times, water pump is leaking again, the car sucks on gas (my old 94 Astro get better gas milage, WHILE towing a boat), timing chain broke, and this was 3 months after geting that water pump replaced, the turn signal clicks, even if the signal isn't on. And I've only had the car for 2 years. I could go on & on, but I don't have all day. Personally, if someone was to steal my car, I wouldn't even be mad at guy who stole it. Once I get rid of this POS, I will never own a GM product again, unless its a Vette. Im goin to Ford. Yay Fords!!!

I bought my 98 for 4600 1.5 years ago and i've had to replace both mirrors... cuz i'm an idiot.... 2 side door handles... cuz someone else is an idiot... and a $40 part to hold the exhaust up. Seriously..., this is the best car I've ever owned. But we all do have our own experiences, I feel lucky.

I Seriously..., this is the best car I've ever owned. But we all do have our own experiences, I feel lucky.


Very true, we all do have our own experiences good or bad, I must also be a lucky one, owning 2 Grand am's one being 17 years old and only replacing an alternator and a computer ( besides normal maintenance) and my GT on replacing a Cat Conv, Turn signal switch ( normal maintenance) Lastly My fathers 18 year old only having an alternator, water pump, and heater core( and normal maintenance) I would consider this pretty amazing 3 grand am's all original with very few things repaired...

After a blown headgasket, a cracked coil cover, a leak in the firewall that flooded the floorboard when it rained, power windows that worked sometimes, and power locks that wouldn't,I finally got rid of my junk pile Grand Am. I lost my A** to the tune of about 2 thousand dollars, but I will NEVER EVER own another Pontiac Grand Am. NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER. Good riddance, you piece of sh*t. All others who still own one, I feel sorry for you. I only drove it 6 weeks before it all went sour on me. It was still overheating while the new owner was test driving it.


I already feel sorry for me. i own an 89 grand am

it dont matter what car you go to ur still gonna have problems. iamsodamnconfused u go have fun with ur Fix Or Repair Daily FORD. its still a vehicle so ur gonna have to put money into it. Dave In Texas just get over the fact u were sold a lemon. when i got my GA i was very frustrated cuz i had to replace the O2 sensors, coil housing, alternator, and redo all the brakes, but u dont see me getting all pissed off and saying im never gonna buy a GA again. I LOVE MY GRAND AM. they are fun to drive (even though itd be better if it was a 5 speed). it handles really well and rides comfortable. im extremely pleased with my GA and would definitely buy another one.

I am on my 3rd Grand Am.

Had a 1987, a 1995, and my current 2001.

1995 was a load of problems. Headgasket/cracked block, never checked into it to see what the problem was, just replaced the motor. Transmission went out twice. It was on it's third tranny when I got rid of it.

2001. No problems, other than shitty brakes.

Trinity: 85-91 were some of the best made g/a's ( or at least i feel that way) since you have an 89 your definetly have a 4cyl engine, if you have the 2.5, tech4 a sluggish/ yet powerful engine that can go up to 300,000 miles if you have the 2.3 quad4 very quick engine i've seen them get upto 250,000 miles, and i highly doubt you have the hard to find 2.0 turbo Which i've seen about 130,000 miles on them this is the max miles i've seen before engine replacement... ( this is with routine maintenance) the biggest problems with these years is body rust, and trunk rust/rot.

so i wouldn't feel sorry for yourself, feel proud that your car could potentially outlast many other car, and already has!

Seriously..., this is the best car I've ever owned.
Unfortunetly I cant say the same. I've had my 95 GA-GT 3.1 for about 3-4 years now. I dont hate the car, but it does have the highest maintenance of any car I've ever owned. LIM gaskets, LCA bushings, ball joints and Power Window Motor's are allway needing replacing. And now at 140k the A/C took a dump. But I'am happy the tranny is original and trouble free, I hope it stay's that way.

so i wouldn't feel sorry for yourself, feel proud that your car could potentially outlast many other car, and already has!



I dont have much rust. It looks new. It stalls. Its satanic. Its an evil car. I love it yet I hate it. Its my baby but I really should get plates that say SATAN. I should feel proud to own an 89? hahaha. I duno. My car isn't working with me. No comprimising with PMS. She's a bitchy one. HAHAHA.
Thanks!

The only other thing I have to say is that Like I have stated: The Grand Am has carried Pontiac for at least the 15 years. With the number of GA that have been built and the number that are still going the number of GA's with major problems is very minimal. A majority of the GA's that I saw come in on trade were repeat buyers that were going to buy again. And of those being traded most of them held a very good trade value with many going for a detail job and then right to the used car lot. Like anything built by man and machine there will always be "lemons" that is the law of averages.

I have stated many times on this forum. I love my 96 GAGT, and being around the business I was able to get rid of a car after 3 years (without being beat up money wise), the GAGT was the first car I kept for more that 40,000 miles. It now has 118,000 miles and is still going strong with no major repairs.

I'm keeping mine, in fact in 3 years it will be passed to my son, and he cant wait to get it (a future GA lover that will br a forum member before too long.

Will unfortuantely I will never own another GA again. I had alot of problems with mine and just got to frustrated with it. I loved it when it was running, and I do miss it sometimes, but I had too many bad things that happened to it the put a sour taste in my mouth about the GA. I just happened to get one of the lemons, and I am ok with that. But still it is nice to be able to come and help out others that own one and are needing help with issue that they are having. The forums are suppose to be here to help your fellow man in there time of need. Not to complain to the world and whine about things not going the way that you want. I could see the point in getting as mad as Dave in Texas did if this was a new GA, but one with 240 thousand miles. That is going to happen. He should look at in the way that he bought a car that was able to go that long before some major like that happened. In my book that is pretty impressive. Grand Am are great cars. I have 2 other relatives that own them. One has a 95 GAGT and it has been an excellent car and the other is a 1973 GA, the first year of production and it is in excellent condition to. It just bugs me when people try to be dicks about something that is expected. Sorry have been rambling on but I just want to put my:2cents: in. (Again) :icon16:

Um, Dave in texas wasn't the one with the 240k miles car, that was me, and I wasn't bitching, just listing the things that I have done with it, which, given the mileage, is suprisingly little.

My car isn't working with me. No comprimising with PMS. She's a bitchy one. HAHAHA.
Thanks!

LMAO, yeah they tend to be bitchy at times... Mine went through a "monthly cycle" of leaking fluids for 3 days then stopping mysteriously for a month, but no actual leak could ever be found...hmmmm

Yea, Mine is a 95 with a 3.1 in it. The people I bought it from only had to replace the head gaskets, alternator, and belt...nothin else...and come on...3 things....this isnt counting new tires, brakes, and stuff that will wear either way...and I have had it for about almost 8 months now and I love it...could not have bought a better car for $3250...I meen....no dents, only a very small scratch on the drivers side door and every thing inside and out works. I hate it when people come in and diss somthing that people on here love.

i love my '98 grand am. shes got 120,000 miles on her and other than routine maintainence, ive only had to replace the alternator. I do the regular things, oil changes and tires and do a bit more maintence from time to time. I want to make this car last as long as I can, so about a year ago, i had new wires, plugs, radiator flush, new transmision and power steering fluid, new belts and hoses as well. this cost a bit, but i mean i think it needed to be done to keep her going as long as i can.

3 words for ya carfax dot com

Now my favorite was a '62 Catalina (could even sleep comfortably in it for a term in college days). The '99 GA has had its problems (2 times to get the intake gasket replaced).. but that was under warranty so what the heck. All in all a fun car to drive... kind of a poor man's (me) bmw.

Yeah well all I have to say is bmws aint that great its just a way to be like hey look i went to college and got a degree.and it doesnt how the quality of a car is when u first get it its what you do with it that counts. I plan within a year to get a cold air intake system,cat back exhaust,other guys headers,mass air flow sensor,aftermarket camshaft,lightweight pulley and a digital horsepower computer to replace the current computer and a hi flow catalytic converter. so i plan to get my car to around 240 hp.

a dealership in TX sold a '99 GA with 60K miles, the gentleman takes it, loans it to a brother, they run it to Louisiana to the casinos. they blow a hose on the highway back and think they can run it like an old bug:
AIR COOLED! which they do for about 80miles, get it back to Houston, and say the car is blowing oil, their brother should take it back to the dealer and sue for a warranty.
we tow it to the lot, and you can slide three quarters in between head and block! but the damn thing got them back into town!!!
they didn't have to hitchhike. we yank the motor, find a used engine with about 45-50K on it, bring it in, service it, drop it in...
dang thing is running again! dealership even allowed the engine to be rolled into the loan with parts, and ATE the labor for him!

...meanwhile in an unrelated Rueters magazine story:
BMW flagships the 7 and 9 series have more recalls than GM and Ford combined...
(so much for GETTING what you paid for)

no quarrels with the GA. nice distinct lines, comfortable seats,
good power band for the physical size of the vehicle.
the BMW 3series are nice as well, just not priced appropriately for the middle class to allow the upper caste feel.
I'd put my money into a General-ized Motors any day for all around enjoy, comfort, style, economy, and a large aftermarket following that will not put a second mortgage on the home. :2cents:

sorry, typo...
my bad...

it it the BMW 5 and 7 (not 9)
and it was Forbes:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8489200/&&CE=3032071

most unreliable cars.
and now the 7 series are being recalled due to the heated seat catching fire or was it the air bag?
I guess all manufacturers are building them with less.

I lov all cars! I hate all cars, when they F*** up and strand me or i have to spend 1k $'s for repairs. GAs or any car is only as good as you keep it. Buy crap, fix it the right way. Keep it under 3K rpms and it will be as trouble free as could be. theirs always a bad apple in every bunch.

But you know what , I've owned 5 GAs, an 86,93,95,99,01- never stranded me(yet) . my 99 se and 01 se are money grubin machines. But the way I drive any other vehicle would have died by now. As far as 240hp PS3, that'll cost ya about 3k$ ;)

Yeah well all I have to say is bmws aint that great its just a way to be like hey look i went to college and got a degree.and it doesnt how the quality of a car is when u first get it its what you do with it that counts. I plan within a year to get a cold air intake system,cat back exhaust,other guys headers,mass air flow sensor,aftermarket camshaft,lightweight pulley and a digital horsepower computer to replace the current computer and a hi flow catalytic converter. so i plan to get my car to around 240 hp.

Yeah that's not going to be cheap.

Ive owned 2 Grand Ams, a 94 with a 4 cylinder and my 96 with the v-6. The '94 was a great car and other then a siezed AC pump didnt cost me a dime other then regular maintenance items that you would replace on any used car.
My only complaint about the 94 was its lack of power. Fuel mileage was excellent and it would always be above 40 mpg hwy.
My 96 is another story......it had a hard life before I bought it and Ive rebuilt the engine, replaced all brake components as well as the fuel tank and pump. Its cost me $3000 in repairs amd now Ive got a high mileage car which has a lot of new parts and should give good service for some time with regular maintenance.
The $4600 Ive spent on this car is still cheap compared to buying a new one so Im not complaining....you win some and you lose some......

96 Grand am 288k and besides brakes and tires i've replaced the water pump twice and radiator and the flex pipe in the exhaust, i've got no complaints. Motors not even burning oil yet