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Comments
I've narrowed the field down to three cars, the Mercury Cougar, the Dodge Stratus R/T, and the Pontiac GA GT. I test drove all three and immediately following the Cougar test drive my field was narrowed to two. The Cougar's interior is very plasticky feeling and the ride was infinitely more jarring than the GA or the R/T. The dang thing is so small too and I'm not by any means a Ford man so pfffft on them and their Cougar.
I like the advertised gas mileage of the GA, but having read this board I see results vary, but are usually lower than the sticker, probably the same for the R/T.
I'm not a fan of the cladding so I'd likely get a GT w/o the Walmart shield, I'm not afraid of taking up two spaces or walking from the bottom of the lot if that's what I have to do.
The R/T is more expensive and I'm already overextending myself somewhat for a Grand Am so money matters might end up making the choice for me. Dodge is infamous for transmission problems so if I have to choose between the GA's brake woes and the Dodge's trannie fiascos I'll take the brakes.
I do have some questions I'm hoping you all can answer for me.
1) Are the water leak woes present on 01 GTs? I read the whole dang board but I didn't take notes so I can't remember if those problems were pre-01 or if they were SE only or what.
2) Somebody said the brake woes are only on 15% of the cars, does that mean the seeming over-representation on this board is due to a vocal minority or are the brake problems more widespread?
3) I read over the TSBs and one says that when the Service Engine light is on the trannie shifts are more harsh. Has anybody experienced this when dealing with the "gas cap" issue?
4) The TSBs also mention an erratic fuel gauge...any experience with that?
5) The TSBs also mention ATF leaks at either the cooler line seals or at the axles...again, any experience?
6) Another TSB mentions problems with the keyless entry features...last time I swear, any experience?
7) My local dealer said Pontiac doesn't offer 4 or 6-disc in-dash CD changers(Mercury and Dodge do), has anybody installed aftermarket products of this nature?
8) Is the monsoon system all it's hyped to be by the dealer? I didn't have a cassette or cd with me on the test drive so I didn't get to try it out.
9) Timing belt or chain on the GT? My guess would be belt(heaven only knows why makers have forsaken the chain).
Both the R/T and the GAGT are sexy cars, but I'm thinking the GA gives better bang for the buck, even if it is 20 less ponies with the 3.5 ram air.
Thanks in advance for any info and what do you all think...biased opinions expected...R/T or GAGT?
I've had my 2001 GT for a few months and I am quite pleased with it. Here are some answers that I have to a few of your questions:
1. My car hasn't leaked water at all. I've gone through car washes and washed it myself, never with a drop of water inside the car.
2. I haven't had any brake problems either. I find the brakes to work just fine.
4. My fuel gauge has worked just fine also, I find it very accurate. However, I have experienced less than desirable gas mileage (about 23mpg with many highway miles, but maybe I'm doing more city driving that I realize? I don't know).
6. My keyless entry works just great. I can set the alarm or unlock the doors from quite a distance too, I've noticed.
8. I used to have a nice stereo in my old car, but now I have the monsoon stereo with CD. I like the sound. I usually listen at a sound level of about 1 or 1.5. I think it goes up to 10 or so, so I would say it is rather loud and doesn't distort. I like the stereo, for being a factory installed one.
The only stratus I've been in is my friends and I'd say that I like the GA GT quite a bit more. The stratus is nice, but I like the styling and I think the GA feels a bit peppier. I hope this info helps you in your decision. Please let us know which you pick and how you like it. Thanks.
Eric
Other than a minor squeak when closing the driver door window, there aren't any problems with the car now. I'm averaging 24-25 mpg in mixed driving.
I still get compliments on the car all the time, and usually from people my age (40). And the bright red color just makes the 2-year old car look brand new. People think I wash it every week even if it goes unwashed for a month.
And my neighbor just told me that his 16-year old daughter wants to buy my car from me. Apparently the GT is all the rage with high school kids in my area. Guess I won't have any trouble selling it when and if I do!
Thanks
Amlover2!!
There was a problem with the calipers, and I had the brakes redone. It works just fine now. Very nice ride and have gotten plenty of looks and compliments.
I had the same problem with my 00 Grand Am SE. One of the rear brake lights was burned out, so I replaced it and within one month it was burned out again. So I took the car into service and they replaced the circuit panel of the offending taillight. That was 4 months ago and I haven't had any problems since.
Last year I had a Chevy Malibu with the same exact problem. I have also seen many Malibus and Grand Ams driving around with the same taillights burned out. I believe this is because both cars are built on the same platform and probably use the same taillight circuit panels.
Have your service department specifically check the circuit panel that the light bulb plugs into.
Hope this helps.
This is the worst car I've ever owned. I've lost track of the number of things that have needed repair/replacement. Look forward to your input. Thanks
About the altenator...My father burned out his in his 92 suburban, replaced it and the replacement burnt out in a week. Electric item's lifespan can vary greatly. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the car.
Overall Feelings on the car so far: Except for the doors on my car, it works great mechanically at 31k miles. The interior body panels and dash are getting creaky/squeeky. I get an average of 28 MPG w/ 90% highway driving. the car rides nice and corners well (tires squeel a little too easily when taking corners a little fast), acceleration is supple with good automatic shifting. The Stereo is decent for a delco. My back tends to start hurting after an hour of driving in this car, could use some better seats. Don't seem to have the brake problems that others do, but there is slight vibration at breaking, but I attribute some of that to my tires, which after two balencings, continues to shake at 60 plus MPH.
I am satisfied with this car at this time in my life, but wouldn't buy another american made car when it comes time for a brand new one. The quality of interior construction is just not good enough for my liking.
You pretty much nailed it with that statement. The GA is indeed a good value, but nothing extraordinary. I've always went for "value" all my life, but my sensibilities have changed and I now want "extraordinary". You only live once, or so I'm told ;-)
It's funny, I mentioned the idea to my wife the other day about selling our 1999 GA SE2 and taking the infamous GM depreciation hit in the wallet. Even though the GA is not her primary vehicle, she actually likes having it around, she said it's a good contrast to our other vehicle. I like it because I'm not as emotionally attached to it and I tend to drive it hard and fast. So far it's holding up (knock wood).
Thanks
I have a 96 Grand AM DE, with 63 I miles on it. I recently did a 60k maintenance on it at Tuffs, and spent $450 on it. Initially I went to him with the intention of getting the coolant leakage fixed, but he said that there was no leakage. I ended up buying new struts and brakes from him. After a few days, the coolant began leaking again, and when I went to him, he said that the Water Pump is leaking. I asked a couple of service guys what it would cost to replace the water pump, I was told that it would cost between $550 and $600. Has anyone of you replaced the water pump, and what has it cost? Any suggestions are welcome...
Thanks..
Last week I finally installed a I&N air filter in my 99 CT at 32K miles. I really haven't noticed all that much difference, maybe the acceleration is a bit less effort for the engine. And maybe the mpg has increased 1-2 mpg, but that might just be because the old air filter was absolutely dirty and clogged! It cost me $50 for the filter including shipping. Anybody know how much a regular air filter cost? I just replaced one in my van and it was $24. Anybody else install a I&N filter yet?
2.2 eco-tec 138 hp 145 ft lbs torque
Sounds like a wuff wuff
Just another point for those that care. The last time I took the car in I had the brakes and rotors replaced for the fourth time ( at no cost to me) and I was told that it was the last time that they would replace them because it was obviously my fault for being to hard on them. My wife has over 180 000 miles on her 95 Grand Am and it is only on its third set. I drive it the same way that I drive my car and she is way harder on the brakes than I am isn't that funny how that works.
If any of you have any input on the loose front end I would appreciate it.
Thanks, Pete
___________
I, too, have rattle in '99 GA SE2 with about 32K (after putting 2200 miles on this past month). But noise is, I think, more likely from right front tire/wheel/axle than from dashboard. Previously replaced rotors under warranty and recently noticed subtle rotational clacking and shimmy at high speeds accompanied by shudder when breaking from high speed. It didn't help when I crushed a large box in the road in the roadway.
I am hoping rebalancing or replacing tires will solve problem. Any other ideas?
There is definitely something wrong that I intend to get resolved. I was told some other GA owners are experiencing the same sort of "clunking" when hitting a pot hole, etc. They think it might have something to do with the struts. I'll let you know what turns up.
Russ - Photodoctor
I also have a steering wheel shimmy at highway speeds and wheels shake when breaking. The rotors aren't warped cause they don't shake all the time. I had my tires balenced twice in the same week to fix the shaking, but it still continues. Not sure if there is something wrong with the steering itself. Probably should have paid more and bought the Accord...Just kidding.
Yer rotors are warped. Trust me on this.
Thanks.
JD
There was a guy in the ML320 board that complained about the same thing, I asked him to check his wheels (since it just came back from the shop). Sure enough, there was a missing nut. Took it back and problem solved
Those darn air wrenches can wreak havoc if the torque limiter isn't working or the grease monkey doesn't use a "star pattern" to retighten the nuts.
Hope this helps, let us know what you find.
Possibilities:
1. Tire is out of round. It happens on any brand. You can balance all you want, won't completely eliminate the problem. You can prove it's the tire by rotating front to back. Should alter the front end shake or eliminate it (unless all 4 tires are bad, not likely).
2. They screwed your hub/alignment/etc. Over tightening the nuts as stated previously is a common culprit. I'm not sure how to prove this one, maybe a front end alignment machine can prove/disprove it.
Keep us updated.
Who's the manufacturer? Ever since the Firestone fiasco, most tire manufacturers will be very accomodating to win/keep your business.
Give it a go.
Thanks
If you can't find the warranty, call GM/Pontiac Customer Assistance 800#.
A GM TSB for earlier Grand AMs notes that that the front end suspension bushings are susceptible to "molecular breakdown" which causes the bushings to rub against the sway bar. The proposed fix is to remove the affected suspension parts, sand the bushing material off the metal, and apply "molecular tape" to the suspension piece before reinstallation. Sounds very expensive, time consuming, and not worth the trouble.
Has anyone figured out the brake problem yet? I'm about to turn the second set of rotors on my car at 80k miles, and I'd like to know if I have a chance of getting through these rotors before I hit 100k miles. I suspect it's a design defect with the single piston calipers, but I'm not sure how to even attempt to fix it.