1996 Pontiac Grand Am Review
1996 Pontiac Grand Am Review
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Used Grand Am for sale
Appraise This CarPontiac Grand Am model years
Pontiac Grand Am types
- Coupe
- Sedan
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
New styling, a new base engine, dual airbags and body-mounted seatbelts.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$171/mo for Grand Am SE
Grand Am SE
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Pontiac's perennial sales leader returns for 1996 with much needed exterior and interior updates to keep this compact competitive.
The big news this year is evident inside the Grand Am. A redesigned interior sports dual airbags and pillar-mounted 3-point seatbelts. The new soft-touch instrument panel features revised analog gauges, and a console-mounted parking brake replaces the anachronistic floor-mounted pedal of the 1995 model. Two new interior colors and fabrics debut. Improved cupholders and controls complete the interior redo.
Under the hood, a new twin-cam 2.4-liter engine is standard on all models. Pontiac claims that the new engine improves zero to 60 mph times by one second over 1995 models. A 3.1-liter V6 is optional, but requires an automatic shifter. Traction control is included with the automatic transmission this year. Fresh styling tweaks update the Grand Am's sheetmetal, and new alloy wheels compliment the new look. Four new paint colors are available.
Daytime running lights have been added to the Grand Am for 1996. A single key operates the ignition, as well as all door and trunk locks. PASSlock theft deterrent is standard on all Grand Ams. Variable effort steering, formerly found only on the GT, is available on both trim levels this year.
After five years on the market, the Grand Am is Pontiac's best-selling model, and it's not hard to see why. The Grand Am offers stylish good looks and reasonable performance, yet remains a decent value. The SE model is our pick, because it can be equipped to GT specs without the false performance pretensions and higher price of that premium trim level. Budget minded shoppers may want to investigate the twin-cam Sunfire, which offers more equipment for less money.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Pontiac Grand Am.
5 star(28%)
4 star(35%)
3 star(24%)
2 star(12%)
1 star(1%)
72 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3 out of 5 stars
Typical GM experience.
Kanchou, 03/06/2002
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2dr Coupe
While the interior stuff is nicely located, the seats aren't good for entering and leaving the vehicle. Trunk space is cramped compared to others.
Engine response is good when traction control is off. When turned on, there is a noticeable help with rain/ice slippage.
Several components around the engine required awkward maintenance; Various sensors, valves, a lead pipe from the AC. … . . but the engine itself, as well as transmission were strong. This I've come to find typical in GM engines.
2.75 out of 5 stars
96 Grand Am disappointing
Ken Stufflebeam, 02/22/2006
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
I bought this car for my teenage sons to drive, 98k, SE model, 4-door, 4 cyl, auto. Thought it would be economical and practical transportation. Trans failed at 108k, no heater now - core failure, many repairs required, gas mileage not great for a 4 cyl, 21 city 26 hwy, squeeks, creaks, rattles. In all fairness it was worn out when I got it and you get what you pay for.
4 out of 5 stars
AMAZINGG!
grandamgtlover, 11/15/2011
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 2dr Coupe
This car is AMAZING!! I painted it and it looks like a race car! my car is so fast! I have a cold air intake and dc sports racing exhaust with a cat back. It sounds great. I run a 11 second 1/2 mile! It tops about 105 due to rev reduction. Trans spinns great!
4.38 out of 5 stars
every pennies worth
Bryan Mirzaian, 01/12/2010
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2dr Coupe
My dad bought me this car 10 years ago for little more than $6k with 67k on the odo. 10 years later,I still (hard) drive it daily with over 200k miles. @ 178k pulled a 16.07 sec 1/2 mile having less than $180 in performance parts,& that was with almost a half sec crap start! I use full syn oil, changed timely,& replace the usual parts when they fail. Parts failure is inevitable with any … car, its the nature of the beast! But have never had to crack the motor open & thats the more pertinent point. Cost of ownership has been very low.My quad4 motor began smoking V6 GA`s with a $25 cone filter, so not sure why one would choose the heavier V6 that has more moving parts to potentially fail.
1996 Grand Am Highlights
Coupe
GT
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $171/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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