Used 1996 Pontiac Grand Am Consumer Reviews
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It's a sweet car!
Marie w, 09/13/2004
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I got my car 8 months ago, it's been a pretty awesome car. It's got great pick up, and is pretty solid. I've had to put a new condenser cord in. but that's with any older car.
The Things We Would Do Differently
KDidles, 09/27/2004
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car since January of 1997. The car has had chronic electrical problems for the past eight years. The power windows stopped working in March of 1998 and rather than fixing the problem, the dealership let the problem remain until after the car was out of warranty then stated "oh, your windows don't work." We have gone through 4 factory radios all of which were replaced for free because they were defective. The car has also had chronic water pump problems. What would I have done differently? Never bought this car. This vehicle invokes a love/hate relationship but it seems as if the hate part is a lot stronger
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See all 0 listingsNothing but problems
minnesotagirl , 10/02/2004
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car looks so sporty-sure hope it will help it sell fast!!! Bought it one year ago for 3000.00, have put in over 1500.00 with another 1000.00 needed. AC compressor failed, water pump, power steering lines and hose, intake gasket, plenum gasket, valve cover gaskets and o-rings, alternator all needed replacing. Now has some suspension problems. Need I say more?
'96 4dr Grand Am GT, 2.4L, 5-speed
RavynX, 10/03/2004
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had this car now for almost 4 years; I purchased it back in 2000 @ 72k miles (it's now at 115k miles). It has basically been my first car ever and it's been a blast for this first 2.5 years. That's when trouble started to hit near 90k miles. I've replaced the transmission AND then fully rebuilt it a year later; also master and slave cylinders went out on me recently. Coolant leaks and water pump failures. Replaced the alternator twice already and many more repairs. I've basically spent over $5000 in repairs this year. I'm planning on selling it for a more reliable car in the next few months. Other than that, it has a great ride, nice sound to the 2.4L engine, and good seats.
nice ride!
GA driver in GA, 11/01/2004
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
only bought the car two weeks ago for $1900 with 98k on it. have had good experiences with pontiacs in the past. previous car was a 90 model w/ 170k on it.pick-up is greaT. HANDLES EXTREMELY WELL. paint is excellent. shifter is kinda funky. 5 speed w/ four cylinder will be a gas saver.150 ponies is good for a GM 4 banger.clunking from drivers side front, probably suspension or cv joints.
the best lemon
pmt, 02/20/2005
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought the car in the beginnig of 2003 @ 101k. For the last year I had to repalce the starter, alternator, clutch, windshield and water pump (that killed me, over $500 for a simple water pump, problems with A/C. At 104k the transmission died and I junked the car. The worst reliability ever.
pontiac
lisa, 07/28/2005
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car with 108,000 miles on it and it has 144,000 on it now and it still runs GREAT...I have had a few brake problems but other than that it has been a great car:)
great car
mr_smith, 06/11/2006
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My first car was this 1996 Grand Am. All I have to say is that this car took a beating and kept on going. I ran it hard and didn't take care of it the way I should've. My parents gave me the car with about 115,000 miles on it. The only repair they had done was giving it a new alternator. I drove the car for about 50,000 miles (hard and without proper maintenance) with no problems. I backed into a tree and a minivan (hit the van pretty hard) with no damage at all. I rear ended a blazer and the only damage from that was a hole in bumper from the trailor hitch. The only problem I had with the car is that the gas gauge was messed up but if you kept over a 1/4 tank then you'd be fine.
Good Bargain, Reliable. Style
big-G, 07/18/2006
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought it with 94,000 and now have 115,000. The 2.4L DOHC 4 cylinder motor has great low end aceleration and great high end tourqe. No maintenance other than routine and an 0-2 sensor which was only 70 dollars and isnt an urgent problem. The car does have the tendency to overheat after longer rides with the A/C on, but what car wouldnt after so many miles. The exterior is very sporty looking and stylish for the price. The interior is comfortable but can feel a little cramped for the front passenger. Also, the car could have a little higher quality door panels etc. they tend to rattle and may feel a little "cheap". decent stock sound. great handling and cornering. Awesome speed for its class.
It sure has been built for keeps!
T Lo, 11/02/2006
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2.4L, 4 cyl Grand Am in 1997 used with 30,000 miles. Currently, it's a shade under 170,000 and she's still going strong. I get ragged by many friends who say I have an old ugly car, but I can't disagree more. A few mechanical problems have occurred (2 alternators, 2 water pumps, window motors that STINK, and a vacuum tube that baffled every mechanic except a Pontiac dealership) have occurred in 9 years. Currently, itching at getting a G6 Convertible. It's hard not to keep this car until the wheels fall off, nice not having a car note! I have no regrets owning this car during my entire 20's. Installed alarm and CD disk changer, so it's been functional and fun for me.
Jeremy's 1996 Pontiac GrandAm GT
Jer Jer, 04/12/2003
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is the best ever!! I love it!! I bout this car in 1998 and it is the best! It runs great and it looks realy sporty!!
Beware!
Cleo, 09/07/2007
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car 2 years ago for my son. I have probably spend over $3500 in repairs since then. From the alternator 3 weeks after I bought it to the failure of the electrical system to the the cracked radiator ect...I gave up and put this car where it belong: to the junk yard. If you start having problems with this car..think twice before atrating to spend hundreds of dollars in repairs. It is not worth it.
Great Car
Matt6956, 02/06/2003
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is not only my current choice of vechicle to own, but it one of my favorites in general. I have had this car for about a year, and it has been fantastic. I have had no major problems at all, just the regular maintence issues. All recals performed and the car runs great!
Too many problems
eugenemd, 05/30/2003
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
New transmission at 33,000 miles. New head gasket at 50,000 miles and new intake manifold gasket at 65,000 miles, among other less annoying and cheaper failures. Quality lacking in this machine. I won't buy a Pontiac again!
BAD
custom man, 03/19/2008
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had the car for almost 2 years, it is a 5 speed and i luv the car to death, i've had problems all the time but nothing to major all the time. i've replaced the tranny and clutch once and it ran amazingly since. I street race the car, i have a custom exhaust on it, custom intake, and a lot of interior work do to it. they come with the Z24 racing engine (stock 150 HP) since all my mods i have figured that the car has about 185 hp now and amazing take off and torque. i have a lot of corners around here and the car cornered well before hand but now i have replace all the control arms, sway bar mounts, tie rod boots, and end links and the car is amazing at cornering now. All in all i luv the car.
Love the car hate the gas
stillarebel31, 03/27/2008
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Where is it going? The gas, one minute i can fill my tank on $40.00. 3 days later I am on E. Not happy where is it all going? I am sure not hotrodding it cant afford to go out much or drive all over ) just go to work and back. and i had over a 1/2 tank this afternoon same day i have quarter of a tank... my only problem is the power steering hose and the gas the GAS where is it going... My boyfriend is a mechanic I bought the car from a mechanic and i am getting mad. that i can't keep gas in this car,
96 Grand Am
Tanner, 03/18/2002
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When i first bought this car is was not sure how it would work out but in the end i feel in love with this car. It has been a good sturdy car that has lasted me longer than i expected.
No Help
lissabean2, 03/26/2002
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I loved my car, until the engine blew in it. I found out that this is typical in Pontiac Grand Am's. Too bad I found this out a little to late. GM would not help me replace the motor because (1) I was not the original owner (2) I was over the warranty (BY 400 MILES). If I could do it all over I would NOT buy this car. My experience with GM has been horrible, I have never experienced such rude customer service before. I will never buy another GM and I will try to convince others of the same.
great ride
cpyguy69, 03/28/2002
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've put 100,000 miles of hard city driving on this car and haven't had one problem; the most reliable car i.ve ever owned.
Minor problems..
bond7, 04/23/2008
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
i bought this car after i flipped my Saturn. Right after we bought it (from a private seller mind you) the passenger seat stopped sliding forward/backwards (no big deal though), then the driver's side power window motor went out (no big deal), replaced brakes and December of '06 replaced all four tires.. now (04/08) replaced 3 wheel bearings, front brakes, rotor, and belt in the motor.. also, the exhaust was starting to fall off so got that welded back on.. I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm actually satisfied that the car is 12 years old and hasn't had Major motor problems.. I'm only the second owner of the car but I like to drive fast/hard so that could account for some wear/tear!
'96 Grand Am GT
Daniel, 04/27/2008
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my first car, and it's certainly fun to drive, but it has some issues. Window motors are absolutely terrible, had to replace the driver's side and will likely need to replace passenger's soon. Several other minor issues, adding up to ~$600 in repair bills in a year.
3
Vanessa, 07/07/2002
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 2dr Coupe
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had nothing but trouble with this car from the moment I have bought including 1 recall for the starter. I have put $4000 worth of work into this car. I have had to replace the brakes about 4 times, replaced the manifold gasket, head gasket, fan belt, tires (twice) roters, strut mound, struts, trasmission line, a/c ...... Please be careful buying this car.