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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  What i had expected - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Montreal driver - January 29 - 10:00 am

  this vehicule is totaly reliable, i enjoy driving each day this car, this car have a good looking and i like going anywhere, because its looking great in any occasion. I dont have any mechanical problem and dont expect any, i have the quad four engine which is really good. i dont know about the automatic transmission but i know that the manual transmission is really good and i dont need a V6 to get power, the quad four is good enough and i like performance, so normal drivers dont need really more, and this without going to 4000 RPM when really needed.

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  Some problems - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Thirtysomething - January 28 - 10:10 pm

  I had to replace two or three parts of the ignition switch assembly, the battery, the rotors, the mirror adjustment joy stick, rear main seal, engine cradle (at less than 70,000 miles!), fuel pump, struts & strut mounts, all before 100,000 miles! Even with all of these repairs I plan on keeping it for my teenage son to drive..that way if he wrecks it..it wont be a big loss..

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  Great Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By webbr - January 27 - 9:20 am

  In response to 2004 Grand Am SE1 Written by: GrandAmmer on 03/28/2009, I wanted to comment that the reason there is not a dipstick to check transmission fluid level is because these vehicles have a sealed for life transmission!! I have owned this car for six months now and love it. I got it with 70k miles on it. I have the 3400 v6 4door version. It is stylish inside and out. It is also very peppy for a v6 and sips the gas. I average 25 mpg with mostly city driving. I get closer to 30mpg if I drive all highway. The stereo is also very nice for factory!

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  Great car! - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Dadga567 - January 15 - 10:00 am

  Great daily vehicle. Good on snowy and Ice, excellent handling and acceleration. The leather was great and the inside looked cool. I would buy another

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  Junk - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By m.j - January 11 - 5:16 pm

  I bought this car with 63000 miles on it and has been nothing but headache. Window motors broke down, brakes, overheats; you name it. It is unreliable and very unsafe car.

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  loaded for the price, fun to drive - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By richb - January 10 - 10:00 am

  for the price, the GT model is fun to drive with a lot of options. Real value!

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  Junkyard Special! - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Jessica - January 6 - 7:30 pm

  I bought this car for $6995.00 in 2007. Within the first 3 days I had the car, the computer went out on it. A few months afterwards, my transmission started messing up. After that, it blew a head gasket. Then the power-steering went out. Then whatever turns the belt under the hood blew up. This car is a piece of junk, and Pontiac should be sued for all they are worth!

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  Fun to drive for price - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ragu - January 5 - 2:00 am

  1st new vehicle I purchased and overall was a great car for me. Will be selling with 116K miles driven, sorry to see go. First weekend I had the trunk seal failed and rain water filled the trunk (defective seal). Also had problem with driver side mirror adjuster breaking (twice) early on. Lastly, transmission had a pinhole in it, luckily under warranty and was replaced for free. Great value for the price. Even though I had those problems, I was happy with the car.

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  Excellent - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Lowery2000 - January 5 - 2:00 am

  this car is excellent.

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  My GT1 Grand Am - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By JDD - January 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a great running AMERICAN car. As usual, most people overlook cars like this due to the perception that Foreign made is "better made". I feel this car is going to be very dependable, and for the time I have had the car, its fun to drive, ok on gas, easy to park. Looks good even sitting still--far better looking that the current "rice" look seen far to ofen: civics , corollas, etc., with spoilers over a foot tall on the trunks of their rusted 4-bangers with a cannon size exhaust outlet and enough racing stickers to almost prevent the drivers seeing out of the windows...