Pontiac Grand Am

jkidd2

Why in the world would you worry about something like that? Screw 'em. There are only two cars that I would feel "uncomfortable" driving based on your concern...a new Beetle and an Echo.

I don't know the GA's owner demographic's, but I would assume its probably 50/50 or so. Most of the folks that post here are male and a good majority of the folks I see driving GA's are male. However, my mom drives one and I do know a women @ work that owns one too. Big deal!

Pick yourself up man! Surely you have more faith in your "manhood" than to worry about what your friends think of your car!

Dude, enjoy it!

Best!

jdexter23

I had that same exact stereo in my accord. I bought it only 5 months before i bought the grand am, so i was a little dissappointed that I had to go back to stock CD. I would have swapped it, but i don't think the blue lights would look good. The FIE is an awesome feature, as is the ability to change the CD volume in relation to the radio volume. Did you change your front speakers too?

Also, I second jkidd2's comments:)

JD

roderacer

Greetings!

I am actually posting for my beautiful girlfriend that is doing some resarch for her next new car. She is a newbie to this sort of thing so I am gonna act as her 'agent'...

Basically I wanted to start out with any reoccuring issues that any of you may have noticed on this board with the 2001 GT models.

Forgive me for bringing up a topic that may have been beaten to death already, but I can't read 900+ posts...

I appreciate any input you may be able to give us. OH! If you want to catch me on my "stomping grounds"... check out the Chevy Impala board

Thanks!
RR

jdexter23

How did you post photos on this page?

JD

midlifecrisis

How could someone think the GT is a women's car? Sure I've seen women in the GT, but overall I've seen more men in the car. And if it does have an image of a woman's car, so be it. I'll still love my GT.

I did hear that Mary Kay gives out red Grand Ams as reward cars, but I'm pretty sure they are not GT models. That might be where the woman's image came from.

tonychrys

Tis true, my wife sells MK and her best friend got one. But it was bottom of the line (4-banger). To be completely honest, the day she picked up the car at the dealer, it died while driving it home! I have to ask her what was the cause.

pwilliamk

Going back to the above discussion, one sure way of determining the difference is the leather wrapped steering wheel, gear shift and hand brake. This option was not available in the SE or SE1 (at least not here in Canada).

On another note has anyone had problems with leaks. Yesterday it was raining pretty hard and my driver and passenger side floor and floor mat were just covered with water(front). I actually could see it dripping on the floor but could not determine the origin. Anyone have any ideas where it might be leaking before I take it in to get it fixed. I am tired of getting the could not duplicate explanation from them.

jkidd2

My GA has never had this problem with leaks, but its seems to be a rather prevalent complaint on this board. I've read several comments from other GA owners complaining of water leaks, particurally in the rear seat area.

tonychrys

It would have been helpful if you stated year and model. Anyway, here's the TSBs for 1999 - 2000 GAs with V6

83-11-15 OCT 98 Waterleak at Front Passenger Floor

00-08-57-001 MAR 00 Front Carpet Wet (Replace Water Deflector)

aerogal

Sorry to revisit this topic, but I couldn't resist. I'm female and I drive a 2000 GT1. It's not a "woman's" car and neither is it a "man's" car. It's just a great car for people with good taste.

And, since it's such a great car, when can I expect to need to have my brakes replaced? My friend's '99 GT needed new brakes at 15K and that's where I'm at right now. I'm new to the board so forgive me for not reading all 900+ messages.

yurakm

If the brake pedal is pulsating when braking at highway speed, 70 mph or so, probably the front rotors are warped. Needs checking at the next oil change. The warped rotors are eating brake pads.

The rotor problem happens with many GA, Alero, Malibu (the same brakes), but not with majority. Something like about 15% during the first two years, according to Consumer Report, if I remember it right.

tsribeye

Tonychrys--the STB's were from www.partsforyourcar.com

I can't remember the brand, but the above site only sells one kind. They are higher quality than most others I've seen--two piece design w/ bolt on brackets to mount to strut tower. I ordered them on a Thurs. and they arrived Saturday...great deal for a fairly cheap price.

pwilliamk

tonychrys: Thanks for the reference to the TSB's this way when I take it in I have some proof and then they can't deny it that it is a problem.

tonychrys

Good luck and let us know how it goes. I hate dealers when they tell you "there is no documented problem, you have to pay for it..."

I'm about to take my GA in for service and see if I can get them to change the brakes at 23k miles. We've complained before but they just said the pads need replacing, at our cost of course.

tonychrys

Thanks for the info. I can't wait to install these things!

pwilliamk

I am on my 3rd set of pads and rotors since I got the car in Jan '00. I only have 24,000km (or 15000 miles) on my car. I can feel that the brakes are starting to shake a little during highway braking, (again!!). When I take my car in within the next couple of weeks if they will see if they will put another set on. The first two times they did it without me even asking them to.

tonychrys

What a coincidence... I'm taking the my '99 GA in tomorrow for a 22.5k service. I told the service person on the phone that the brakes are vibrating and they really should replace them... then mentioned I'm aware of two TSBs that relate to brake problems. He got quiet after I mentioned the TSBs.

I'm not looking forward to a confrontation, but they better not try to charge me for the pads. My reasoning is that they wore out prematurely because of the insufficient/warping rotors.

I'll let everyone know how it goes.

roderacer

Well, I came here to do some research on the GA's for my girlfriend. No one replied. I suppose the car isn't that good of a choice... we'll continue shopping around for a better vehicle.

Thanks!
RR

harvey67

I came on this board about a month ago announcing the purchase of my 2001 Grand Am GT...well, the problems seem to be mounting. Here's the list, in order of occurance:

1) dome light falls off first day I have it (fixed by dealer)

2) those darn brakes make a grinding noise (dealer says brakes are sound, but they still grind a little bit...)

3) today, noticed passenger side fog light was out after 1 month (will call dealer tomorrow to complain)

and the most troublesome one, 4) today I was stranded trying to get the car to shift out of park. I did have the brake pushed in and the button on the shifter would press, but it would not go out of park. Only after banging the side of the console would it go out of park. Talk about embarassing. (I plan on taking this back to the dealer for repair).

The problems seem to be mounting on this car...I don't drive the thing very hard and I don't have that many miles on the thing... I dunno...anyone having the same problems?

lrymal

I would not take these growing problems with the new GT laying down. I would complain mightly and starting rumbling about the lemon laws. I would require the dealer to go through that car,just like they should have done at the BEGINNING, rather than their making YOU be the one who is, in reality, doing their job.

Goodness, what if that car had a rough trip coming down on delivery to your dealer? Sounds like to me all the dealer did was wash and polish prior to the sale.

I would ask if prior to the sale if it was given a test drive, if the interior pieces had been inspected, if the detail guys made note of items not fitting right after the delivery trip from GM, if wheel balance had confirmed a proper tire blance, and if alignment was checked.

That is what my dealer does and as I outlined in a message here several weeks back, I did a walk-through with my sales droid prior to my taking delivery. But, I did not take delivery until they did all this stuff.

And before Whacko and those guys jump on this, the Mercedes dealer spends about a day going through their vehicles before they deliver to the customer. The main fault I find with GM dealers is that they are absymally poor about preparing a vehicle before the spit and polish. Some GM dealers are great about prepping a vehicle but generally, I find most of them are very poor, forcing the poor car (which has had this awful trip on the back of a truck going cross-country) and customer to fend for themselves.

jkidd2

Hate to hear your having all this trouble.

I agree with Irymal....

Start documenting everything including conversations with service dept. etc...start early to nip it in the bud.

Here is a thread I thought you might want to look at:

suemarie "Grand Am Problems" Jun 12, 2000 7:44am

Let us know how things go....and good luck.

aerogal

Don't assume that GAs are no good just by what you read here. People tend to come to forums like these to express their frustrations. I LOVE my GT1. I've had the car for almost a year and a half now (15500 mi) and I've only had one problem with it, and that was just the air vent control knob breaking off. My car is solid, has great performance, and is a pure joy to drive. Test drive several GAs from different dealers before you rule this car out. One word to the wise: don't blow a tire by running over a broken bolt like I did last week. The Goodyear Eagle RSA tires that came on the car cost $200/tire to replace!

tonychrys

Well, went to my Pontiac dealer yesterday for a 22.5k service (oil change/tire rotation) and told him about the brakes vibrating sometimes (high speed and sustained use). Told him that I was aware of at least two TSBs that said the brakes (rotors and pads) should be replaced under warranty. He gave me a disbelieving look.

Three hours later I had a new set of brakes. I can't really say yet whether the vibrating problem is gone yet until I do my daily commute. The bill of work says these are "upgraded design" but they don't really seem to stop any better than the old ones. My big complaint about the V6 GA has always been that the brakes aren't strong enough for the power under the hood.

Will the brakes get better with use? Or should I try to substitute a better/non-GM brake pad?

lrymal

> My big complaint about the V6 GA has always been that the brakes
> aren't strong enough for the power under the hood.

This is one of those things that you need to compare with a similar GrandAm. I have a SE with discs and drums and it stops very well, even when compared against other vehicles.

Experience with previous vehicles has taught me that any air in the lines, however it got there, can affect the brakes' performance. I would compare and then if it seems worse than the vehicles you compared with, then I would take it in for a complete brake system analysis.

I absolutely have no problem about being head-strong against the dealer's service department. One shouldn't have to be this way...

viper67

My Changed Oil light is now on after only 4000km since the last oil change. should i be concerned?

tonychrys

I take back what I said, after living with the new brakes after a few hundred miles/days I can honestly say I feel the difference. And no more vibration/shudder when braking. Just hope this is a permanent fix.

Next: Install some STBs!
Next next: I finally found a way to interface the steering wheel mounted radio controls to certain after-market head-units. Even a couple of 1.5 DIN size units (no false looking radio-mount plate). Time to rip out this Delco radio crap and put in some sweet tunes!

jkidd2

I take mine in for an oil change every 3750 miles. When the oil change light comes on, I just turn it off.

Take the fuse door off on the left side of the dash. There is a little button in there. Turn the key to "on" and hold the button. The "change oil" light will blink a few times and then goes out. I think a chime rings too.

You know that is one of my annoyances with the GA. The chimes are so loud and too often. I swear when I start the car, there are days where the chimes just pierce my ear drums. Then, when the "low fuel" light comes on, the chime goes off and I almost wreck the car, it startles me.

I rode in an '01 GA rental the other day and noticed that the chimes have toned down quite a bit.

jdexter23

Well, I think I figured out why my car would smell of oil after I had it changed at the dealership. I changed mine myself for the first time last weekend. I'd like to smack the engineer that decided to put the oil filter where they did. When removing the filter, the excess oil has no other option than to run down the front of the engine. What a mess! Maybe it would be worth the extra $$ to let someone else do it.

I finally got around to getting a screw to replace the one that was missing in my passenger door, my car is now once again rattle free! Its amazing thats all it took to get rid of such annoyances.

I scrubbed most of the brake dust off my rims but couldn't remove some of the thicker collections. Any suggestions on how to remove this?

thanks

burdawg

I clean the oil off the engine after changing the filter, jdexter23, even going to the trouble of using a cotton swab (or swabs) to clean out the casting bosses right under the filter. No help. The oil smell in the vents is there, diminishing steadily until the next oil change (3000 mile intervals for me). I still suspect it's coming in the cowl vents, somewhere off the top of the engine. Hmmmmm.......
I use Griots Garage wheelcleaner with the small sponge they provide with it and get good results on the aluminum wheels. Don't use an etching cleaner on the wheels! They're clearcoated!

lynnv

I can relate to the owner who's dome light fell off the first day it was brought home. My did the same thing. Other than that, I haven't had any problems (geez, knock on wood cuz something will probably happen tomorrow, oops! knock on wood again!) with my Grand Am. I absolutely love the car, it's the sportiness that I was looking for. I have a black one fully loaded minus leather seats. I've had it for about 13 months. The moonroof is my favorite!!!

I'll keep in touch!

yurakm

The horse power, very probably, is the same. But the torque must be way lower. Low torque means worse acceleration.

GA have about the same size and weight as Malibu. The same 4-cylinder engine was available with 97-99 Malibu. Test drove the 4-cylinder 98 Malibu - and bought a 6-cylinder one. Much faster car, especially noticeable in city traffic.

Had a month-long experience with rental GA, V-6 engine. Rather fast car, very good acceleration. The 3.4l V-6 engine is much better than the 3.1l one at Malibu: about the same power, but, again, much better torque.

tonychrys

yurakm probably summed it up best. IMO, the GA without the V6 is simply an uninspiring performer. Might as well get something else.

jdexter23

Plus I have heard that the 4 cylinder is louder than the V6 and surprisingly gets lower gas mileage. Get the V6 option, its worth the $$$.

jkidd2

I didn't buy this car for its acceleration times, so I'm happy with the four. Yes, it can be rather thrashy sounding when you gun it, but it has good pick up for how I use it...I'm never in fear of not being able to keep up or get out of the way.

I get good mileage...low to mid twentys in the city and low 30's on the highway...and that is with my lead foot.

It all depends on what you need...if your looking for quick 0 to 60's, get the V6...but I'm satisfied with the 4. JMO.

makjak80

The car has 40,000 miles and 2 days ago the charging system indicator light came on. The next day, the ABS Warning light came on followed by the Brake System Warning light. Last night after driving the car and actually seeing this for myself(my teenager first noticed the problem), the head lamps began dimming along with the interior lights too. More instrument panel warning lights began coming on to the point of hearing a "clicking" noise, as though something was resetting, and then all the lights shut off and I barely made it home. Does anyone know what I may be facing with this?

Thanks for any advice!

heng

Sounds like you are getting electical power fluctuations. Let us know what you find out.

shrikant

dear Roadracer,

I wonder why are you looking for the Pontiacs. I bought a 93 Pontiac Grand AM. The overall build quality is poor, the cheap interior look poor after minimal aging, more importatntly the road manners are significantly bad. Even the panels are not alligned properly. I had had enough problems with the electricals and also the engine.

Any way GM is neither known for quality and not for an good looking designs. (Grand Prix-exterior is an exception). Look at the ugly Pontiac Aztek!

I am sure you can get a beter car (reliable, better looking, fast) in the money that you will spend.

-Shrikant

kezzie24

I have a 99 grand am. Bought in August of 98. I've had the rotors and brake pads replaced 3 times and they are ready for a fourth. I don't drive crazy or out of control either. The grinding of the brakes is from rust build up on the rotors. I'm not going to fix the brakes because I have WRX on order and should be here within 2 weeks.

truckdude1

MY friend Luci just returned her 99 SE1 piece of trash grand aM. it only had 21,997 miles and it had problems to start it, it was completely un refined and it used too much gas. the brake and engine lights always came on, which caused problems and water seeps into the interior and its made soooooooooooooooo freaking cheaply no wonder pontiacs and chevys and buicks are all trash, only idiots would buy them

the_art_guy

I was driving my 00 Grand Am SE1 to work last Friday and the Check Engine light came on, for what seemed like no reason at all.

I was looking through the manual and it suggests that possible culprits can be not having the gas cap on, recently switching fuel types and/or brands and recently driving through a deep puddle of water. Now it was raining, but I never drove through any deep puddles.

I thought it no big deal since I have to take it in for an oil change and tire rotation in about 600 miles, so I would have them check then.

Then I was driving to dinner that evening and while sitting at a light I looked down and the light was off. I don't know what happened, but it hasn't come on again since then.

Perhaps the electrical system did get wet in the rain and took a few hours to dry off, I don't know. But I am going to have them check the diagnostics anyway when I take in it for the oil change.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

jkidd2

I'm not an expert, but it probably is your gas cap. I have had an ongoing problem with mine. Except, my "check engine" light quit coming on and now my gas needle flys between "E" and "F". This only happens after I fill up. It doesn't happen every time either. It will usually "fix" itself after about 150 miles. Incredibly annoying, but doesn't seem to do any harm. I have had the dealer check it out every time I've brought it in for maintenance, and I always get the "your not putting the gas cap on right" response.

kezzie24

Make sure to turn the gas cap at least 3 clicks to stop causing that. I had same problem and then I used the 3 clicks and it stopped.

yankeeslover

he fellow pontiac owners.... have a simple little question... I just purchased a used 2000 grand am es.... I have looked all over for a v6 but after weeks had to settle for the 4 cl.... does anyone know if I am going to regret getting the 4 cl? is the 4 alot slower? is it powerful enough for everyday driving? thanks for the input....

burdawg

The biggest difference is in torque - really notable during standing starts. I have both, with automatics. I really think that under the right conditions the I4 will out accelerate the V6, but surely not from a standing start. I'm talking about the 150hp I4, not the older high performance design.
The I4 is noisier, overhead cams are notoriously so, and more "buzzy", since it is usually revving higher. Overall I'm happier with the V6. Gas mileage is very similar, with the I4 usually doing a little better under the same conditions.
I recently looked for a 2001 Old Alero GX with I4 and 5sp manual, with no luck. I heard that with rebate it could be had for about $14,000.

timothy777

Anyone out there who has considered one of these vehicles has probably looked at the other as well. Any insights into why the GA SE is a better deal than the Alero GX or vice versa would be appreciated. Is it simply the different style, or is there more than meets the eye?
Thx in advance.

montbork

Has anybody ever had a problem with this?

heng

Be thorough when comparing the two. Some GAs come with drum brakes. It used to be all Aleros came with 4 wheel discs. Same for the fold down seat backs on the rear seats.

I'm not sure about the latest models but look for these kind of differences.

makjak80

Posted this problem on 5/26. It turned out to be the alternator. Thanks for the advice.

mmilind

Hi All,
I am planning to buy a 97 Grand AM, with 60,000 miles on it. Can someone help me in some aspects like: what are the potential problem areas in this car? The seller is asking $6900, firm, is the price OK? The vehicle drives good, and accelerates like hell, I liked the way it drove, but u know, appearances could be deceptive. No maintenance has been done on the car. Also, it does not have a Cassette player, although it has a CD player. Any help in this matter would be really appreciated. Also, is there any site or place other than Carfax, from where I could get the history of the car.

Thanks, Milind.

jkidd2

Need more info...is it a GT or an SE? Sedan or Coupe?

Price sounds good....but check this site out...

http://www.kbb.com/

I'd be very leary of any car that has not had its regular maintenance kept up.