Overview & Reviews

Pontiac redesigns the Grand Prix for 1997, giving buyers slick new styling, a longer and wider wheelbase and supercharged V6 power on GTP models. Traction control, antilock brakes, dual airbags and side-impact protection are standard. Optional is a built-in child safety seat.

• Styling, performance, standard dual airbags, standard anti-lock brakes, standard traction control

• No traction control when GTP Package is ordered. Base engine could use more oomph.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 101.00

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  Fun 2 drive terrible to fix - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By PEB - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car when it was about 3 years old. The car has good power and great excelleration, good to great handling depending on your tire selection. Electrical problems and nickle and dime repairs has plagued this car though.

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  Sleeping Giant - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By The Reaper - August 24 - 5:56 pm

  Ive owned my GP for about 6 months now and its time to write a review. What can i say about this car except WOW. I got mine for a steal at only $4600. My previous car was a 97 GA with the 2.4, needless to say, there is certainly an increase in power. I absolutley love this car, its fast, handles very well, and looks incredibly mean. freeway driving is a blast, and it only takes a moment for the speedo to jump from 70 to 100, which makes passing a breeze. I have found that working under the hood isnt that bad, much easier than the GA. there are plenty of perfomance parts available, and they are easy to find. best of all, nothing makes my day like annihilating some kid in a boy-racer. LOVE IT!!!

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  Decent Car - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Jonesy - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car back in the summer of 00. Since then the car has a pleasure to drive. But with all good things there are some hidden flaws. There have been problems with the radiator, brakes, alternator, transmission, heater core, water pump, and some electronics. After a year or two of driving this car the expenses have grown more than what was expected. But I must say that this car has been much more fun to drive than the beaten up 91 Saab sitting next to it.

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  Starting to show age - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By NY Dude is cool - July 4 - 10:00 am

  My GP is great but its starting to show its age. Sterring wheel controls stopped working and i needed new rear struts a few months ago, power window switch went as well fortuantly it wasnt the motor. The engine is still running great. And this is car is very structually sound, a few years ago a large tree limb fell on the car, and the car was driveable no broken glass or lights, door trunk and hood could open and close. Gas milage wasnt that good until I upgraded to a K & N air filer gas miliage went from 18-19 around town to 21-22n and highway went from 23-24 to 28-29.

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  Excellent Car! - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Speed Racer - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Super fast! Nothing short of a genuine sports car with a semi-skilled driver can consistantly keep pace once you drop the pedal. Cruises effortlessly at speeds over 80 mph, and even at that speed there is still plenty of power for passing. On a lightly traveled backroad, I ran it up to 120 mph and it was still pulling hard by the time I lost my nerve. Gets 18 mpg around town, but a respectable 30 mpg on the freeway. This engine likes premium fuel. Handling is very good, but suspension could be firmer. Interior trim is fairly low grade, fit-and- finish could use some work. Overall, an excellent ride.

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  Mostly Content! - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By QTPIE - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I like the car- I prefer the newer body styles, but I think it handles well. Had to fix EGR, thermostat, axels, and throttle body sensor ($600), but I love the extra room and comfort of this car! I do think GM needs to focus on the reliability of their cars, but overall, Ive been very satisfied with this vehicle.

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  Typical Mid-80s GM Product - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By LibertyNickel - September 21 - 12:10 pm

  I knew what I was getting into when I bought this 97 GT Sedan, but the price was right. Typical things have gone wrong, but the car has never left me on the side of the road. Heater fan now only works on high, traction control went out (big deal), passengers side base amp is dead (hard to replace) and Ive just observed a coolant leak near the water pump, but I fear its most likely the intake manifold. Clearcoat is peeling off the spoiler. BUT... it still runs great, its comfortable, fast, and handles great. Doesnt use any oil, brakes are fantastic, a/c will put frost on your nose, and the back seat holds all three of my granddaughters. I love the delayed- locking feature, too.

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  OK, but not great - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ferrisfan - August 31 - 10:00 am

  Overall, a good car that suffers from typical GM problems. The alternator went out at 30k, and there is a noticable grinding noise in the bushings when hitting bumps. The engine has plenty of power from a dead stop. Sometimes when trying to pass at highway speeds, there is a lag in the availability of the supercharger. Installing Goodyear Aquatread 3 tires has really improved handling/cornering!

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  The Family Heirloom - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By 3ggplant - May 16 - 9:58 pm

  My grandmother purchased this vehicle new back in 97. Since then it has passed down to me. From a teens point of view, it is pretty much all you can ask for as the engine doles out plenty of torque and noise on the high end of the rev range, yet is perfectly capable of being composed highway cruiser. We have taken numerous camping trips and the cavernous trunk would swallow up any gear we threw in. However, as I grew, the back seats really became unbearable as they sit so low to the ground your knees are practically digging into your chest and you worry your bum will scrape the pavement. (a slight exaggeration) All in all our car has held up over the years and is still in full use today.

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  Great car - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By bigmatt87 - February 17 - 9:55 am

  so theres a lot of stuff that goes wrong with this car. coolant elbow under alternator goes bad, blower motor only works on 5, and some other little quirks. but thats not where i want to go with this review. This is a SOLID CAR. i beat the crap out of my car for 8 years. from 118k to 212k miles i drive it hard. always changed the oil. the only thing that happened is 3rd gear stopped working. and honestly im surprised it lasted as long as it did with all the burnouts and snow doughnuts i did.