Overview & Reviews

For much of its modern history, Pontiac has been home to legendary cars like the Firebird and GTO. With such dedication to raciness, it might seem a bit odd that when it came time for Americans to buy a Pontiac for much of the 1980s and '90s, they overwhelmingly chose the Grand Am, a car that wouldn't know a smoky burnout from a backyard barbecue.

Although the Pontiac Grand Am blipped into existence during the 1970s, it's the unassuming and over-styled family sedan from more recent decades that most people are probably familiar with. Within Pontiac's lineup, the Grand Am slotted one or two rungs up from entry-level. It featured an attractive price, just enough space for four average-sized adults, and four-cylinder or V6 power.

This was a good enough combination for many people, and Pontiac further expanded the Grand Am's visibility by selling heavily to rental car fleets. However, we were never particularly impressed by the car. Our first hands-on experiences were with the mid-'90s models, and we found them to be uncomfortable, unrefined and lacking in handling ability. More recent models didn't fare much better. Looking to ditch the car's "Bland Am" image, Pontiac eventually replaced the Grand Am with the superior G6 in 2005.

Widely available and convincingly inexpensive, used Grand Ams are adequate enough in most respects to be worth considering for a small family car. Just know that there have always been plenty of offerings in this segment, and many of them will likely prove to be more rewarding to own.

Most Recent Pontiac Grand Am

The last-generation Pontiac Grand Am was produced from 1999 through 2005. It was larger than the previous model, and a more rigid platform combined with a new multilink rear suspension provided better ride and handling characteristics. Sedan and coupe body styles were offered, and both initially came with either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 150 horsepower or a 3.4-liter V6 with 170 hp. All early models had a four-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

The Grand Am's basic trim lines were SE and GT, though both contained submodels (SE, SE1, SE2, GT, GT1) with slight variations. The basic SE came with 15-inch wheels, antilock brakes, air-conditioning, radio and power door locks. The SE1 added power windows, a power seat, cruise control and folding rear seat, while the SE2 added the V6 engine, 16-inch wheels, speed-sensitive power steering, an upgraded stereo, steering-wheel audio controls and keyless entry.

The V6-powered GT added "Ram Air" hood scoops for 5 extra hp (175 total), more aggressive gearing, four-wheel disc brakes, a stiffer suspension and exterior styling add-ons like a spoiler and ribbed body cladding. The GT lost some of the items added by the SE2, but Pontiac reinserted them for the top-of-the-line GT1 and then topped it off with a sunroof.

The Pontiac Grand Am came closest to its sport sedan aspirations when equipped with the V6. The tires, brakes and steering upgrades that came with this engine helped as well, and the stiffer-sprung GT cured the SE's excessive body roll. On the downside, both engines were rough and unrefined, and the steering and brakes were rather uncommunicative. Finally, overall mileage with the V6 was below average.

Admittedly, the greater point of contention was the Grand Am's overwrought and unappealing styling. Much of the garishness could be avoided by selecting one of the SE models, but all Grand Ams shared the same interior that was marred by deeply recessed instruments and bulging components. In addition, the seats were mounted a bit too low and thus not all that comfortable, and overall interior materials quality was lacking. A marginal frontal-offset crash test score from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety was a further point of concern.

Overall, competitors like the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima were better cars at the time thanks to their superiority in terms of refinement, interior design and V6 power. But if you are set on a Grand Am, there are a few changes to look out for. A year after the car's debut, Pontiac made a five-speed manual transmission available with the four-cylinder engine. In 2002, the old 2.4-liter engine was replaced with new 2.2-liter "Ecotec" that traded 10 horsepower (down to 140) for better fuel economy. And in 2005, the only Grand Ams on sale were GT coupes; sedans had already been supplanted by the Pontiac G6.

Past Pontiac Grand Am Models

The previous-generation Grand Am was sold from 1992-'98. Both the sedan and coupe came in SE and GT trim lines. The SE started with little besides power steering, a radio and antilock brakes. The GT added a firmer suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels and some aero cosmetics. Air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, a tilt steering wheel, upgraded stereos and cruise control were optional on both trim levels. Quicker variable-assist power steering was available on GT models.

The greater differences were in powertrain availability. Grand Am SEs started with a 115-hp, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic. GTs were equipped with a high-powered version of that engine that cranked out 170 hp. A medium-powered, 155-horse version of the four-cylinder and a 160-hp 3.3-liter V6 (with considerably more torque) were optional across the board.

The Pontiac Grand Am got many substantial changes over the coming years. For 1994, Pontiac added a driver's airbag and a new 155-hp, 3.1-liter V6 paired to a four-speed automatic. The following year, all three four-cylinders were dropped in favor of one heavily revised one with 150 hp and far smoother operation (thanks to balance shafts). A styling revision came for 1996, as did dual airbags and further powertrain updates.

There were glaring flaws endemic to this generation. The standard steering setup was heavy, numb and slow, and SE models had subpar grip around corners. Ride quality managed to be both soggy and harsh, and the Grand Am's body structure flexed over common bumps.

The interior was similarly miserable. The overly low seats created the impression of sitting on the floor. Further, their thin padding offered minimal back and thigh support, while the backseat was a squeeze even for two.

We see little reason to look at this older-generation Pontiac Grand Am as a used car purchase, especially when other mid-1990s cars like the Ford Contour and Nissan Altima proved more entertaining, comfortable and well-designed in nearly every way. For those determined to buy a Grand Am from this era, models built from 1996 onward are the best picks. Only by then did all engines run acceptably smoothly and come with more efficient four-speed automatic transmissions. Try to find a sample with the more responsive variable-effort power steering -- it was a package option typically bundled with power accessories and cruise control.

User Reviews:

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  not bad so far - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By figgiedan - July 20 - 4:56 am

  had it for 2 yrs now - knock on wood..no issues as of yet -

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  Love my Car! - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By MarieW - July 9 - 10:00 am

  I had to replace my alternator at 58,000 that is the ONLY problem Ive ever had. Bought it brand new and I LOVE it. My next car will be the same!

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  Not what I expected from GM - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By RSturkie - July 9 - 10:00 am

  I am dissappointed in this car. I have had 3 sets of front brake pads and 2 sets of front rotors on this car and still the brakes make a noise. I just put a new altenator on it a month ago. I found a leak in the intake manifold and took it to a different dealer than I purchased the vehicle from to get better service. The bolts in the intake were not tightened to specs and backed out causing a leak. Also had to send the radio off twice to be repaired because of parts in the radio overheating and failing. I will not buy another vehicle from Ponitac as long as I have the memory of this car in my head.

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  Great Car, but not Perfect - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Grand Am Driver - July 9 - 10:00 am

  This car is a joy to drive everyday. The ram air V6 that I have preforms beyond my expectations for an american car, as does the sporty suspension. In black, my car has earned the nickname of "Batmobile" among most of my friends. The feeling of driving this car on winding country roads can only be paralleled by the likes of small sports cars and expensive import sport sedans. All in all, a bargain at only $22,000.

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  Great vehicle - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Me - July 8 - 2:00 pm

  I love this car. I purchased it after trading in my Sunfire GT primarily because I wanted more head and leg room which the car definitely offers for a compact car. The fuel economy is comparable to my Sunfire. Ive had no problems with the car at all though Im pretty fussy about making sure that all major maintenance is done on time. I love the sound system and the general layout of the interior. Great car. Ill definitley purchase a Pontiac G6 GT down the road.

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  ROLLING UP DASH PAD - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By wsteadman - July 6 - 12:45 pm

  I have a 2002 grand am se sedan 4cyl AT, AC, CDAMFM RADIO, MANNUAL SEATS. I have a problem tha Pontiac has refused to take resposiblity for. The dash pad has started to roll up, has broken the plastic defrost deflectors now the window will not defog properly (safety hazzard). The passenger side air bag is in the dash under the loose dash pad. The airbag is designed to punch thru the pad but with pad being loose it will not function properly and the loose dash pad will impact the passenger instead of the airbag..(safety/deadly hazzard) would like to know how to fix this problem. 9 of 10 gran ams I have looked at have the same problem. The subquality glue is letting go.

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  I rented it - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Renter - July 4 - 10:00 am

  One of the worst rentals I have ever had. Please heed that this car only garnered 1 star rating for safety from NHTSA and got a "Poor Safety" rating from the insurance institute.

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  they seem nice until you own one. - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By AJGierer - June 25 - 10:00 am

  i enjoyed this car until stuff starting breaking for no reason. like the strut broke and broke the spring and ripped up the tire, at 50000 miles. then at about 51000 the power steering pump and pressure hose behind it broke. not only that but that parts for GM cost an arm and a leg and the labor for this poorly desigened cars is a killer too. as i said i liked this car until i had to do repairs on things that should not of broke or the expensive labor costs.

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  Had some problems but in love with it! - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Kavity253 - June 21 - 2:00 am

  My parents bought it at 95,000 miles and i was 15 and eager to drive it. It went from seattle to san diego and back overloaded and equipped with a Quad 4 engine, but it did a good job! Now its at 156,000 miles and it died and is waiting for a new engine. Im 18 now and the car was given to me, i will fix it up and remember those happy times we had with the family in that car.

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  Great Car - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Matt6956 - June 21 - 2:00 am

  This is not only my current choice of vechicle to own, but it one of my favorites in general. I have had this car for about a year, and it has been fantastic. I have had no major problems at all, just the regular maintence issues. All recals performed and the car runs great!