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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  Great car for 7 years - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By prm1967 - June 14 - 10:00 am

  My 1997 SE V6 still runs strong and smooth. It has required extremely little attention besides synthetic oil changes every 6 months. Overall red paint still looks great. No gosh-awful chrome/aluminum/titanium interior trim that seems every nicer vehicle has to have these days!!

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  Could be better - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By broncos4zak - June 14 - 6:23 am

  Overall I have been fairly impressed with the ride and drive of this car. The handling is good, the performance excellent, and the Monsoon sound system has some of the best FM reception I have witnessed. There are some build quality issues I have, but overall a decent car.

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  Emily Bahm - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Emily Bahm - June 9 - 9:00 am

  Great car have had it for four years. Drive from Philly to Pittsburgh a lot. Only had to replace heater core recently and a lower control arm.

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  Never again - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ronnie - June 7 - 12:30 am

  I absolutely loved this car. Even though it would bottom out from time to time. And the head lights seemed to get very dirty very fast. Then the warranty ran out. Then the draining of my pocketbook started. The drivers window mechanism has been replaced twice. The spark box module needed to be replaced. Now the timing chain has went and I need a new motor! My mechanic says that this particular size motor (2.2) in his particular (2002) year has had this problem with both the Windows and the timing chain ruining the rest of the motor. From reading the other reviews, I see that this is true. I hope that people read these before they buy a grand am. I sure wish that I did!

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  I wont buy same model & mfg as gm - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Nizar - June 5 - 12:56 pm

  The dealer said the muffler would never rust. But the truth I had changed both muffler & tail pipe after 6 years. The car was accelerating without even put my foot on the gas puddle (this means unreliable).

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  Grand Damn - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By braves511 - June 5 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. The saying Pontiac Drive= Love is def. true about this car. I have had mine for a month now and absolutely love driving it.

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  GT Grand AM - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By gemini40 - June 4 - 5:46 am

  Very smooth ride, perfect first vehicle. Good on fuel economy for a 175hp V6 engine.

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  electrical - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By george - June 3 - 2:56 am

  An excellent vehicle for good acceleration and power but have had numerous problems with the anti theft system, tire wear is below average, thermostat problems and just replaced alternator at 140,000 mi. It also goes through brake pads quite frequent. Gas mileage not bad for a v6 with power if it was only more reliable.

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  GM sold me a lemon!!!! - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Mindy - May 22 - 2:00 am

  My vehicle was a lemon and GM would not stand behind vehicle. Currently in lawsuit with GM to get my money back. GM did not treat me like a real customer. A customer who before making the first payment car was in shop. Then in shop about every 2-3 weeks for same problem. GM customer service was terrible. If you have a GM product I will pray for you!!!!!

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  I love this car!!! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Jason Bledsoe - May 17 - 10:00 am

  After losing my first 1999 Grand Am SE in an auto accident I decided to try somthing new and bought a 2000 Mercury Cougar. After only 2 1/2 weeks of owning the Cougar it was in the shop getting a massive repair. I thought to myself "I never had to do this with the Grand Am". So after I got it out of the shop I went and traded the Cougar in for a 1999 Grand Am GT. And I love it. It is the best move I have made. I understand that sometimes some people will get a bad car of any make and model, but it is the Pontiac Grand Am that has made me a Pontiac man for life. I always say to anybody I see "Buy a Pontiac"