Looking to buy a Grand Am..

[kirrer]

Hello, everyone. This is my introduction post and my first inquisitive post. I am Kevin, new guy to the forums. Anyways, my mom needs a replacement car ASAP and one of the ones we found is a 1995 Grand Am SE with the 2.3L quad4. Is this a good engine? What should I look for when checking the car out (besides the obvious, I'm thinking specifics, or weak points of this model)? Also, she wants $1600 or best offer, the car has 125K miles on it but she says its in good condition. Is this good / average / high for the year / model? Seems pretty good to me, but I'm not too familiar with the resale value on Grand Ams.

Well, thanks for your help.

[Educated_Hate]

I bought a 94' GAGT for $2600 with 123k miles on it for $2600. She was an original owner with all the paperwork for anything she has ever done to the car. I don't know what to tell you about what to look for in a used car except obvious signs of accidents or replacement parts and you should probably take it to your mechanic to get it professionaly checked out.

[jayhawk]

Its a good car, though the engine is a bit...weird. 1995 was the last year of the 2.3 QUAD4, 1996 was the intro of the 2.4 QUAD4, so its still a 2.3, but it has 2.4L traits, like balance shafts, and the power steering pump is driven by the intake camshaft. So in other words, it a 1 year only engine. QUAD 4's are known to blow headgaskets, but chances are the car you are looking for already had this fixed.

Anyhow, its a good solid car, cheap to maintain. As with any used car, look for wear in brakes/steering/suspension.