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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  Steering Problems - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By alank - January 27 - 10:00 am

  1st problem was steering rack replaced at 9000 miles. 2nd problem steering pump replaced at 15000 miles. 3rd problem sensor for variable rate steering replaced at 19000 miles. Car now has 23000 miles. At 16000 miles also replaced front brake pads and rotors. This is the most troublesome car I have ever owned. I plan to trade it in. Lemon Law also crossed my mind.

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  130,000 and it is dead - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Kasten - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I have my Pont for 7 years had no problem. When it hit 119,450 miles the transmission broke down. I sent it to mechanick and he said it was factory defect. He showed to me that old transmission and I could see that it cracked exacly in the middle all round the transmission. OK I asked him to change and get another one with 80,000 on it. Which hi did. I was driving it for a year. Big oil consumption. In 3000 miles i had to add 2.5 quars of oil. When it was 130,000 My motor broke down in the middle of the higway. I barely got to my brothers house. And I am not fixing it. What, Do i have to change motor and transmission every 130,000 Miles?

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  Still Blows Me Away - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By joser94 - January 19 - 12:08 am

  I have owned this car for a little over a year now after getting it pretty cheap and I love it and hope to have it for years to come. First few months were okay but did a few weird things that required some work to be done to it but no problem because I do just about all of it myself. It growled when accelerating from a stop but surprisingly fun to drive and extremely cozy in the fall and winter! I got 3 months/2000 miles out of it and the engine bearings went bad, guessing the previous owner didnt keep the oil changed. Since then all has been well with it. I have replaced the brake pads and rotors, drums and shoes, mounts and alternator but it makes up for that wit its power!

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  Good Riddance! - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By jimdes - January 13 - 3:23 pm

  I thought Id be stuck with this car, but fortunately, I totaled it. It was nothing but trouble from day 3. First, the radio had to be replaced because it was draining the battery when the car was parked. Then there was a series of electrical issues, primarily with the brake warning lights coming on indicating the ABS and ETS were not functioning. Pontiac didnt know how to fix this and just told me to keep driving it. Finally, on the 5th attempt, it was fixed. Theres also a common issue that the blinker sound will come on while driving. Thank God I purchased a 60K warranty on this when I bought it brand new! My partner, on the other, hand purchased a 2002 Grand Am SE1 and had 0 probs

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  good car but had little problems - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By got 1 of the lucky 1 - December 21 - 10:43 am

  I got this grand am With 130,000 miles on it.now it has 174,000miles. had it for 3yrs. i had to change the thermostat just once cause it was heatin up a lil. i change the oil every sungle time. i changed the sparkplugs on my own and the only tIhng i hated was the clicking noise from the hazard signal button. i changed that but still clicks a lil. sound system is great. I never had problems with the intake maifold gasget cause i changed the anntifreeze in the car. its been good to me but im gettin a new car now

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  Mine has held up good - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By cardude - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Grand Am SE V6 in August of 97. It now has 175,000 miles on it. In my experience the brakes last about 25,000 miles between replacement. I have had very few problems with this car and it never broke down. I had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced at about 140,000 because it was leaking coolant, but at this mileage a lot of cars arent running anymore. Was going to buy another till I looked at the window sticker of a 3.4 liter V6 model & saw: source of engine - MEXICO. Thank you NAFTA. Now I drive a Honda with an engine that was made in U.S.A., go figure.

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  Grand Crap - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By EMC - November 27 - 10:00 am

  This car started off good and turned into a lemon. The GM dealer wanted $400 to replace breaks and rotors. I had to replace a rim on the car and that was $180. This was the worst car I have ever owned. The car was made very poorly.

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  So-So - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Chicago Pam - November 20 - 2:00 am

  The Grand Am SE is a beautiful car and it handles great on dry roads. It doesnt perform the greatest when the roads, or especially RR tracks, are wet. Ive had a lot of little things wrong that have cost about $400 to fix with 30,000 miles on it, which I think is too much.

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  2002 pontiac grand am se1 - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By yaddagirl - November 14 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle, I absolutely love it. The only thing I do not like is the fact that it comes in a 4- cyclinder. This vehicle is too big to be offered in a 4-cylinder engine. It seems as if the engine is working too hard to pull the weight and it will pass everything but a gas station. It should only be offered in a 6-cylinder, like the GT. It is definately more cost effective in the longrun.

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  Great for My First Car - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By HarborMatt - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car to have. It has the power where it needs it. Its only a 2.4L I4. It can go quick when i need it. Burning out is easy. Just turn off the ETS and you can have some fun. The Stock System in the Pontiac....just great. I only have a tape deck so I use a Tape Adapter with my CD Player and it pumps out even more bass then just the radio. The gauges are sweet at night...the red background. The only problem that I have had is the Heater didnt work but thats no big....just went to the dealer and got it replaced in like 10-15 minutes. The Gas Mileage stinks (15-17 m.p.g. City) but you can get some aftermarket parts to help with that.