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Used 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
63 reviews

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Pros
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2.75 out of 5 stars

Poor man's sports car

Brent Andrus, 09/20/2007
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is a reliable car when it comes to the powertrain (engine, transmission, etc.). It has pretty good horsepower, a sleek look, and the inside has lots of gadgets and gizmos. But all those ancillary electrical components are very cheaply made. My car is nicknamed "Trixie" because it is just full of "tricks". For example the windsheild wipers are stop in the upright position rather than down, the radio volume dial goes up when it is supposed to go down (and vice versa), several warning lights like "check tire pressure" are always on, and two back windows just gradually fall down and have to be pushed back up. Overall, quite reliable but you have to overlook annoying defects.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Waiting for it to bite the dust

Carrie, 07/22/2007
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have had this car for about 4 years and have had several problems with it along with several breakdowns on the side of the road. My alternator has gone out twice, I have had a continuous oil leak that was supposed to be fixed, it squeaks when I drive it and no one can tell me what is wrong with it, there is always a problem with my alignment, and I have had problems with the electrical system - when I turn on the air conditioner my headlights will turn off. Not supposed to happen right? Also my gas gauge tells me the wrong amount of gas I actually have. I am trading in this car before it breaks down on me again. Thank god for triple A.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Reliable

Ford, 02/26/2003
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Very reliable car. I have over 100,000 miles on it. Only major trouble was with intake manifold gasket warping (I hear this happens a lot with the 3800). I got GM to pay for the part, with plenty of complaining. just a few minor problems. Keyless entry when new had very short range, now it is even shorter because it doesn't work. I tried to get a new remote for it, cars computer would not let mechanic program it( I refused to let them hook it up to the dealers computer to find out why, because it would have cost $75 over and above the cost of the remotes). Ignition switch shorted out. I could not get the key out, or the car out of park.

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5 out of 5 stars

The Perfect Year

John Fraser, 05/29/2003
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I never realize how good of a deal I got ($4900) until I saw a friend spend $33,500 on a loaded 2003 model. Other than mine lacking mood roof and dual heated seats (only the driver in mine). The style interior and everything else looks exactly the same. I love the drive and the great gas milage on the highway (in town is not that good however).

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4.75 out of 5 stars

LOve, Love, Love This Car!!!!

Lydia, 03/17/2002
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought this car with 20k on it. Thnis is my third Pontiac. Have had some electrical problems with this car, typical Pontiac! Had the transmission replaced before warranty was up, only other thing replaced was alternator at 64k. Been very reliable car(s).

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4.38 out of 5 stars

'97 Pontiac Crand Prix

sayhibob, 03/22/2002
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Great Commuting Car motor can easily take the reqts of heavy daily use

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Love it!

bethanym, 07/25/2011
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought the car from a newspaper listing in 2008 (as a first car). Affectionately named "Polly," the car has been wonderful. Fun to drive, decent gas mileage (about 25mpg) and some serious power. Had 114k miles when I bought it and now has 144K. Some minor problems have cropped up over the past few years. Spark plugs and a couple small issues with the transmission but nothing terribly pricey. Service engine light has a habit of coming on every few months then turning off within the same day. Biggest issue is the AC. Didn't work when I bought it, finally replaced the pump last summer ($600) only to need a new valve this year which I have yet to take care of. Overall, I am in love with my car.

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5 out of 5 stars

Big Performance in a Big Package!

JKanel, 03/23/2002
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This car is really great. You should buy one right now.

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5 out of 5 stars

19 years old and drives like a charm

Hubert Figueiredo, 04/08/2016
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

It has a few nice features. Worth at least 3x more than dealerships will give so it's a keeper.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.88 out of 5 stars

Love my Grand Prix!!!

Donnie, 03/29/2002
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is, hands down, the best car I have ever owned! I love this car! It is ellegant, classy, sporty and mean all at the same time!! It has nibble handling and still a smooth comfortable ride. It is mega powerful with tons of off the line torque. The engine is quiet and smooth. I love the way it shifts. It seems to know exactly what gear I want it in and moves there in an instant. I have test driven most cars in it's class and it is NO CONTEST!! I have owned it since it was new and it now has 75,000 miles on it. Never a moments trouble mechanically, and I have driven it harder than anyone would. BUY A GRAND PRIX!! YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Hold onto this one for a long time!

rbk, 05/13/2008
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I drove this car for 220k miles, then handed it over to my 16-year old daughter. She is now 19, the car has 265k miles, and it drives great. Spent $1,900 to put a new transmission in it at 185k. Other than that it's been relatively expected maintenance for more than ten years. What a great engine. You could probably shoot it with a shotgun and it would still run smoothly. After 250k, the interior began gradually deteriorate, but how can I complain. I went out and bought a 2003 Grand Prix to replace it, and have already put 190k miles on that one.

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5 out of 5 stars

Tears in my eyes

Smokey27, 04/09/2023
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Best car I've ever owned.Sorry I got rid of it.Needed a bigger vehicle.Never knew what a repair shop looked like aside from an oil change.What did gm do.They got rid of the division.DUH.Now we're stuck with the crap they're trying to shove down our throats .today.GM FORD and lame CHRYSLER only have themselves to blame.They created the Japanese auto dynasty in the USA.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.25 out of 5 stars

Dont know

hartman, 02/10/2003
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix SE 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

This car has been very dependeble for me. I enjoy my car very much.

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