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Pontiac Grand Am

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

You are in the Pontiac Grand Am Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Am, Sedan

Messages Page 69 of 259

#681 of 2589 Keyless Entry Anyone? by the_art_guy

Feb 13, 2001 (8:05 am)

Well I've nad my 2000 Grand Am SE1 V6 for about two weeks now and I have to say that's it growing on me. I always can't wait to drive it anywhere, although maybe that will pass as with most new cars.
 
The question that I have is has anyone ever installed a keyless entry system? I ordered it from my local Pontiac dealer, it was $145 for the parts, and it should be in sometime this week. The parts guy said it should have instructions with it, and I'm pretty good at installing things and putting things together. However, I was just wondering if anyone could give me any installation tips. Such as...
"Is it all just 'plug and play'?"
"How long should it take to install?"
"Are there any special tools I will need?"
 
If anyone could help me, I would appreciate it. Also, I think I am going to order a front end cover, around $85 I think. Does anyone have one of these, are they difficult to take care of, how often do you have to clean them?

#682 of 2589 Art Guy... by vocus

Feb 13, 2001 (8:15 am)

I would not play with installing a keyless entry unless you are really good with electronics. If you mess up something in that car, your warranty will not cover it. Keyless entry means messing with lock actuators and wiring and all. I wouldn't do it if I were you though. If you do decide to do it, be careful!

#683 of 2589 Oil Smell by jdexter23

Feb 13, 2001 (10:52 am)

I have had my 2000 GA SE V-6 (used) for a week now, and I noticed the smell of oil whenever I come to a stop. At first, I thought that the dealer might have spilled oil on the exhaust when changing the oil, but after 300 miles, it still smells. Does anyone else have this problem? Also, the breaks seem too firm in fast stops. I find myself having to push harder on the pedal that I should have to.
 
Other than those two things, I love my GA. Lots of power and is comfortable to drive.
 
Vocus, you are comparing a 99 bonne with a 2001 GA. First thing I think when I see that comparison is that the 99 Bonne is sporting the old bodystyle. I wouldn't want to spend that kind of money to be driving something that is already "dated" looking.
 
-JD
P.S. I get about 24 MPG (85% highway) with a whole lota floorin'!

#684 of 2589 Don't buy a grand am by rgreene5

Feb 13, 2001 (11:29 am)

I first purchased my 2000 2dr grand am GT in July of 2000. I have had nothing but problems. The first thing to go was one of the headlights,then the plugs and plug wires. The car then started to run hotter than normal so I had to take it in for a new radiator cap(but it still runs hotter than 200). My car still has a noticeable miss and runs terrible. The brakes started doing the vibrating thing so the pads and rotors had to be replaced. Now my transmission won't go down into 1st, 2nd or 3rd and it's quite a challenge to get it into drive. So now the transmission must be replaced. It has an obvious slip when accelerating. The brakes are starting to do the same thing as before and I have put about 5,000 miles on it since then. Whenever I take my car through and automatic car wash or even a hard rain there is always a wet spot on the passenger side floor board. The dealership thinks I am imaging things. Each time I take this waste of time and money in to get yet another problem fixed it is such a hassle. The dealership is being everyingthing but understanding. I am in the process of getting another car. I'm sure I will lose out on this but I don't know what else to do. I purchased this car because I commute to school and I wanted something reliable. It has become nothing but and inconvenience to me. For all of the problems listed above the car had to be taken in twice, once to look at and then the second time to repair it because they never had the part the first time. I pity the person who gets my car without a warranty.

#685 of 2589 rgreene5 by jdexter23

Feb 13, 2001 (12:56 pm)

You must have gotten a lemon, cause yours is the first complaint of major mechaincal issues I've read. Everyone else who has posted on this board only complains of little defects or issues. Sorry it didn't work out for you.
-JD

#686 of 2589 Lemons... by vocus

Feb 13, 2001 (2:24 pm)

I heard alot of lemons in the first and second generation of Grand Ams. But with the third (current) generation, everything seems to be going fine. But beware that all carmakers produce a lemon at one time or another, yes even beloved Honda and Toyota. Only difference there is that you have a lower chance of getting a lemon, but pay a nice premium in price.

#687 of 2589 RGREEN5 - ANOTHER LEMON!! by bar101dell

Feb 13, 2001 (8:36 pm)

I BOUGHT A 99 GT1 W/35 MILES IN 6/99. CAR RAN FINE FOR THE 1ST YR. I STARTED TO NOTICE A SLIP IN THE TRANS-DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DEPLICATE. THAT WAS 6/00. I TOOK IT BACK 11/2/00 W/THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED IT WAS MOST LIKELY MY 2ND CYL THAT HAD GONE BAD. WELL, IT WAS BACK 11/21/00 BECAUSE I HAD IT TOWED FROM MY WORK AFTER BARELY (AND I STRESS BARELY!!) MAKING IT THERE. THEY FINALLY REBUILT THE ENTIRE TRANS 13787 MILES. I HAVE ALSO HAD VOLUME CONTROL PROBLEMS AS WELL AS ALL 4 OF MY LEATHER DOOR PANELS REPLACED DUE TO BUBBLING THE WINDOW (IT HAS TINT & STAYS IN THE GARAGE). I ALSO HAD THE CONSOLE REPLACED ON THE RECALL & IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, I ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM W/THE ROTORS. SERV MANAGER SAID SINCE THERE WAS A BULLETIN OUT ON THE GRAND AM BRAKES, HE WOULD REPLACE ROTORS & BRAKE PADS FREE (BULL# WAS 678863). IMAGINE THAT!! NOW THEY FEEL AS IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO STOP. I WANT VERY BADLY TO GET RID OF THIS CAR BUT NOW THAT I'VE BEEN CHECKING OUT THE RESALE, IT LOOKS LIKE I'M GOING TO TAKE A HUGE LOSS OR BE STUCK W/IT. SORRY THIS IS SO LONG BUT IF IT STOPS SOMEONE FROM BUYING A GRAND AM, IT'S WORTH THE READING!!

#688 of 2589 Sorry to hear that BAR, however, by janes5

Feb 14, 2001 (4:57 am)

my problem is a bit different. I own 99' SE coupe and its averaging 20mpg. This is very low for a 4 cyl car(at least to me it is). I just graduated and got my pharmacist licence. I recently started to pay my loans,bills,etc....I was very happy in the beginning because I thought I was buying a great affordable home-made car. But what good is it when spending much more money on gas than foriegn made 4cyl my friend own. So far, the dealer had replaced defective plastic cover on the front driver-side speaker, clock, squeaking pass-side window, and seat-belt. It also has poor all-around visibility and pick-up for a car that guzzle that much gas. Other than that, I love the car but leaning heavily toward trading it now that my warranty is running out. Im afraid to keep it any longer because I hear horror stories. Im living on a tight budget and I need a car that gives me more mpg, reliable, or longer warranties. I know about the resale value BAR. What a drag. In my humble experience, Grand Am is not a terrible car but I wouldnt recommend it now as I did in the beginning.
 
I hope this was helpful to anyone considering it.

#689 of 2589 Don't forget that... by jdexter23

Feb 14, 2001 (5:28 am)

Don't forget that in 1999, Pontiac came out with a totally restyled and re-engineered car. As with most first year model changes, there are a lot of bugs to be worked out.
 
As for the repeat comments on break rotors warping...has anyone looked into aftermarket ventilated rotors?
 
Just my two cents.

#690 of 2589 by midlifecrisis

Feb 14, 2001 (6:30 am)

Things were getting good here in the forum and then the last few posts were quite depressing. My 1999 GT has held up pretty well for the 25K I've driven it. I did have two door panel fabrics replaced, rotors/pads replaced, console recall and driver's seat lumbar pad replaced in the 1.5 years I've owned it. But I don't consider that enough to spoil the ownership experience. Everything was covered under warranty and it only took one day to have the service done, so I was not without a car for very long. If I had transmission problems that would certainly reduce my enjoyment of the car.
 
jdexter23: Smelling oil 300 miles after an oil change is certainly not out of the question. I smell oil usually for about 2 weeks, or about 500-600 miles. It takes that long to burn off when it drips from the oil filter being removed. Why no auto shop can remove the filter without making a mess is beyond me. And I agree about the brakes. That's one of the pet peeves I have about this car. It seems like I have to stomp on the brakes to get it to stop. Last night I was on the Interstate going 65 mph when the traffic stopped suddenly in front of me. It was like I had to push the brake pedal with both feet. I may have stopped quicker if I dragged my feet on the ground in a Flintstone car to stop it. I know it's not the anti-lock system, because I didn't hit them quite hard enough to activate it. The brake pedal just doesn't seem to have any feel to it. I also get around 24 mpg, although it has been slightly less in the dead cold of winter.

Messages Page 69 of 259

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