Overview & Reviews

Very minimal changes this year as Pontiac concentrates on Grand Prix and Trans Sport launches. Air conditioning is now standard. Also, three new colors are added.

• Cheap thrills, sporty image, fun Twin Cam engine

• Aging platform, poor handling, uncomfortable seats

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 75.00

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  Ill never buy another one - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mavispaul - December 9 - 2:00 am

  The transmission went out at 132,000 miles, had a new one put in and it started leaking tranny fluid 20,000 miles later. It had a coolant leak, the fan motor blew up on me, and the LCD display didnt work. After putting over $1700 into fixing it, I finally traded it off. Piece of crap, Ill never buy a Grand Am again, new or used.

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  Fun to drive! Not fun to maintain! - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Car Junkie 2010 - June 28 - 8:03 am

  This car is very fun to drive and is great if youre looking for some fun, but I hope you have money to stick into it. The power windows are junk. Had to replace muffler, needed new brake pads, blinkers wig out on me. Many little things that come with age. With all that being said, very fun to drive.

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  Worst Car Ever Owned - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By JRALS1 - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I own this piece of junk. I bought it in 9/2000 with only 47000 miles on it. It now has 65000 two years later and I have put well over 2 grand into it. The tranny went out, the shifter cable snapped, replaced the clutch(since the tranny was out), brakes twice, alternator, and all of the basic stuff. I dont beat on my cars too badly, it just has major problems, I wouldnt recoommend this car to anyone!!

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  easy on the eyes hard on the wallet - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Muss1 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  While it was still under warranty it was fine a few minor problems but nothing major. At about 40,000 we had to replace the intake manifold, then the driver side widow motor went out (riveted in not screwed like most other electric motors), water pump went out at about 50,000 alternator went out at 37,000, 60000 and 850000. We were unable to remove the key from the ignition; we found a solenoid under steering column was sticking (the dealership told us this model didn’t have this solenoid). The car is fun to drive and comfortable I’m just tired of having to fix it more then my 1987 Ford Bronco.

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  Grand Am is TO EXPENSIVE TO OWN!!! - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Angnwy - August 28 - 10:00 am

  When I bought my car it had 16,000 miles on it by 30,000 I had to replace the ignition switch then few months later I had to replace the driver side window motor. Everything was fine for awhile then I had to replace the water pump due to leaking coolant. By 50,000 I had to replace the window motor once again. I replaced my rotors 2 times and the break pads on the front 3 times the drums in the back were replaced 1 time. My final straw was when the air compressor for the ait conditioner went out it was 360$ just for the part so I got rid of the peice of junk and I WILL NEVER BUY PONTIAC AGAIN!!!!!!!

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  Never will buy again! - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By cheerjill23 - December 5 - 6:50 am

  I got this car as a gift and have had nothing but problems with it. Replaced brakes too many to count, alternator 2X, front shakes all the time, coolant constantly low and over heats. Never sure if I would make it to where I needed to go. Didnt even make it to 115,000 miles. Coolant would leak and have to refill every 7- 10 days.

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  Less than I hoped for - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Tim - September 22 - 3:36 am

  I bought a used 97 SE with V6 and low miles (only 44K). Maybe I picked a lemon, but I ended up disappointed. There were a series of expensive failures - power window rollers, starter, alternator. The shocks had too little travel, and bumps were bone-jarring. Then engine ran frighteningly hot in summer, and no cause was ever found. Gas mileage was so-so (24 city, 26 hwy). In fairness, there were some good things. The V6 engine is very smooth, if a bit underpowered for its size. And the car had surprisingly excellent handling on icky, icy Dallas freeways in February. Ultimately, lack of reliability became too much of a factor, so 2 years and 40K miles later, I went back to my old brand.

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  pontiac is poor quality - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Steve Be - April 26 - 2:00 am

  My 97 grand am as cost me over 3000 dollars in repairs alone. If you are a smart buyer you should stay away from the quad four engien. I would like to say also, that in my experience pontiacs are more trouble than they are worth. I have had three of them and every one self destructs undernieth me. Little things that cost you $100 and big things that cost you $500. In my opinion a smarter buyer will go over seas or to ford for a quality car.

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  Good Car - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Rume75 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  i just bought my car a couple of days ago so i only have a few coplaimants or wishes, I think they should have given the seats more cushion, i wish my car had cruise control

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  Nothing Special - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Angela - January 15 - 1:53 am

  Mediocre. Ok to drive and looks ok, but nothing to get excited about. Like 4 drs, not too small inside, gd size trunk, 4 cyl engine gd on fuel and has some zip, water pump went at 80,000mi and costs approx $800. to replace because of intense labor chg, replaced struts,lcd on stereo shot, otherwise mechanically ok.