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Pontiac Grand Am

2589 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 9:27 PM

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What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Am, Sedan

Messages Page 44 of 260

#422 of 2589 Poor Quality! by derelis

Aug 25, 2000 (11:11 pm)

I am a GM "De-Valued" customer. I leased a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT 4dr and have had nothing but problems all within the first year. As I have found I am not alone, others comments I have read are the same but it seems mine have been worse.


At 15,000km the front rotors and were replaced. They were ok for a while but then the stereo failed. It was replaced by a beatup/refurbished system that was at least functional but soon failed as well. They replaced it with what they said was a "Brand New" unit but has also failed. This has been a hassel to say the least. The stereo issue asside, at around 30,000km I notice a metal "Grinding" noise comming from the front of the vehicle as well as a loud "clanking" when putting the vehicle in reverse. The service center has made attempts to correct the problems by replacing the brake pads and rotating the tires, it did not fix the problem. At around 40,000 the rack and pinion and main steering gear failed and had to be replaced. The low traction indiocator starting flashing on around the same time and the service center said the ran diagnostics but could not find a problem. Since the rack and pinion was replaced the strange noises continue from the front of the car and the stereo has still not been resolved. I have contacted GM Canada 6 times and have been back to the dealership but no action has been taken to date.


I am concerned with my families safety when in the vehicle and have stated this to GM on several occasions.


Sincerely Pissed,


Dan E.
Calgary, Alberta
derelismetafore.ca

#423 of 2589 answer for midlifecrisis by susan222

Aug 26, 2000 (1:39 am)

In response to your response, I ususally fill up when I'm at a quarter tank or less. That is why the problem has only happened about three times, I try to top it off when I'm going on a long trip so I know I'm OK with gas. That is why this is so annoying. My appointment with Pontiac is 9/13
I'll let you guys know what they come up with, if anything.

#424 of 2589 interior quality by midlifecrisis

Aug 30, 2000 (1:56 pm)

If ever I was to question the quality and design of my Grand Am interior, I need look no farther than to compare it to one of my company cars I drove yesterday. I got to drive a 1996 Olds Ciera wagon. The interior was just plain hideous. It was full of cheap plastic. The dashboard had hard square plastic parts. The door lock and window controls were mounted flush with the driver's door, making them very difficult to operate.


The Delco radio had tiny buttons and was located too far from the driver, requiring too much concentration to change stations, etc. The seats were uncomfortable and some guages were difficult to read.


The current Grand Am is worlds ahead of GM cars from less than 5 years ago! I got in my car to go home after work and I just sat there, appreciating everything they have improved. I will not take my Grand Am for granted any more.

#425 of 2589 Check this site out by guyl

Aug 30, 2000 (2:12 pm)

Hello


  Fellow Grand Am fans. I have been looking all over the web for information on aftermarket parts for my grand am. well, this is the best site that I have found. This is were I got the info for the K&N air filter that fit like a charm.
http://www.grandamgt.com/
He explains where to buy the part, how to best install it and so on. In the message board, there are people like us that discuss what ever about the car, I check this part out all the time.


This is my 2 cents.

#426 of 2589 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder engine, & salvage car by cgus

Aug 30, 2000 (11:36 pm)

We have an opportunity to purchase a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am GT, it has a 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder engine, 2000 original miles, It is sharp, looks and smells like new. The damage from the accident entailed replacing the driver side door and front fender. The owner buys cars that are repairable and fixes them and sells them, he is licensed. This car is his 17 yr old daughters but she says she is selling it to get a truck to haul her horses.
They have said that when it rains the digital radio lettering gets deformed but otherwise works ok.
Now to my question; I have heard from a friend that is a mechanic that the 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder engine is junk and that he hasn't heard anything good about it. Also since this car is considered a salvage car , 2000 miles, would this be a good deal? I am a little concerned after reading about electrical problems with other Grand Ams that the radio may indicate the same kind of problem in this car. Would replacing the CD/ Radio solve the problem? Also at 2000 miles this car is quiet but we live on a gravel road, how long before we hear some of the noises many of you have complained about. Is there any Grand Am owners out there that love their cars? Your input would be really appreciated concerning this car. Our daughter is in college so she can't afford much more than $8000 but we do not want more trouble than it's worth. Also are these cars hard to work on yourself? Thanks for all the advice.
Sincerely---------cgus

#427 of 2589 To cgus by nerss

Aug 31, 2000 (1:52 am)

My finacee and I own a 99 GA with 37,000 miles on it. We bought it used from a rental place through a dealers program i.e. program car. There were many interior issues that we had to deal with:


1) New carpet due to shrinking (free)
2) New interior door panels due to bubbling (free)
3) Spoiler drained and drain holes put it (free)
4) New Windows due to scratching from misaligned door panels (free)
5) New Radio because old one had funny display (free)


The dealer stated that these were all free because of remaining warranty and that should have been fixed previously, but the rental company ignored the notices. The car has never let us down and has ran and preformed wonderfully. I hope that this helps you make a decision. Nerss

#428 of 2589 Dear cgus by guyl

Aug 31, 2000 (1:17 pm)

I own a 1999 GA V6, I also bough it from a rental place through a dealer. The only problem I had with it so far, is that the radio knop wouldn't turn up the volume, replaced radio - free. The grand am's are hard on brakes. I do not know what car isn't but I currently have 60000km not miles, about 37500 miles and I have to replace the rotors, they have been turned 2 times so far. A few people in the company that have company cars, there GA also have lots of brake problems. Its not the pads, its the rotors. So make sure that when you change your rotors get good ones.


Other than that,the car is great. Love it. Everything about it.


my 2 cents

#429 of 2589 cgus by burdawg

Sep 01, 2000 (1:03 am)

You didn't say how much the car is selling for, but you mentioned $8,000. If that's the price, it sounds like a good deal as long as the damage was superficial only.
I was under the impression that GT's were only available with the V6 in 98. Better check it out. It wouldn't be the first time someone re-badged a salvage to get the price up.
Personally, I prefer the V6 because it's stronger and less noisy than the 4, and the gas mileage is about the same. As far as the reliability, by 95 the Quad 4 was much improved. It is imperative to keep the oil changed and topped up, as it is in any twin overhead cam. I have a 95 with a 4, and a 99 with a V6. The 95 hasn't had any engine problems in 58,000 miles, but I do keep it well maintained with 3,000 mile oil changes.
Be advised that front brakes are a problem, and usually require frequent service. Than can be much improved with aftermarket parts, and GM is now replacing them for free in most cases.
I love the 99, no doubt about it. I havn't had any problems in 35,000 miles. Front brakes have been done twice, last time the rotors were turned and next time I'm replacing them with high performance cross drilled ones and titanium pads.

#430 of 2589 cgus by burdawg

Sep 01, 2000 (1:08 am)

cgus, I just looked at the Edmunds used car site and the 4 cyl was the standard engine for the 98 GT, so disregard my statement above.

#431 of 2589 Re: fan noise by lrymal

Sep 04, 2000 (2:18 pm)

On Mon 21 Aug '00 (08:26 AM) it was written:


> On my 1999 Grand Am GT, I've also noticed
> that the vent fan has begun to sound
> louder, with a whirling/whining type
> sound.
> I've had stuff like leaves stuck in a
> vent before...


And leaves, pinestraw, etc. is exactly it is. These can be stuck or wrapped around the "squirrel-cage" type fan slats.


It is easy to clean. One way is to remove the glovebox. Make sure you have the freshair mode is selected (whatever it is called) so that the intake is opened to the outside vent. Manually turn the squirrel-cage until you have found all the pinestraw and leaf debris.


Another way to clean this is to remove the outside wiper arm black plastic shield base. This is a long piece of plastic that goes from one wiper shaft to the other. Remove it to expose the entire water tray which is above the intake vent.


Note the intake vent does NOT have any type of protection or debris guard. The wiper shaft holes do, but the protection has rather large webbing. Pine straw can very easily go through.


Removing the glove box is the easiest way and you can have a nicely running fan in just a few minutes.

Messages Page 44 of 260

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