Noob trying to understand Trims.

[Canadian GTP]

Hello All, this is my first post here so please be gentle ;)

I usually hang my hat at grandprix.net ('02 GTP) but my wife is now on the hunt for a new grand am. We test drove some tonight (Beautiful Cars), and it seems that every salesperson has a different song.

Any buying advice? Any years better then others?

What is the main differences between the se and the gt? (This is the question that seems to throw everyone).

Sorry for the number of questions, i've searched the forums to no avail so I thought it was time to try the direct approach.

Thanks all!

[AznGA]

Not much difference from 99-05. Only minor.

- Radio bazel trim, center cup holder was redesigned for 01.
- New Monsoon audio option introduced for 01.
- Middle of 02 model year was when GM's cost saving strategy kicked in. No more side Grand Am GT badges on doors, unpainted mirrors, no glove box lock, etc.

There is more, but other people can chime in.

GT has stiffer suspention, better gear ratio. RAM AIR that is a gimick. GT looks better in my opinion. I don't want to offend anyone and modded SE can look just as good.

[Brandon]

gt more power (engine), gt you can get a coupe or 4 door, se is 4 doors. gt mainly has more of the options.... power winders,doors and such, i think on the se you can pay extra for them but the gt mainly comes with it all.... also on the gt's you could also find a SC/t package (has the hoodscoops and different spoiler on back.

as far as the years i like my 04 but its the first one ive have (First car ive had that isnt an oldsmobile) so ill let the others take that one....

[AznGA]

GT and SE have same V6. GT has ram air tubing which directs air into the airbox. Probably only good for 1 HP. For 99-02, SE was avaiable as a coupe. SE was redesigned for 03, became ribless.

[RocketFast321]

The gt has the same motor as the v6 se.
(edit beat me to it)

also
2002+ grand am have alero side mirrors.
2003+ grand am (it might be 2004+ I forgot) don't have glove compartment locks, it not like they worked in the first place :lol:

[Canadian GTP]

Thanks guys, alot of good info here in helping us decide..

[2001GAGT]

Heres a little thing that Shawn wrote up some time ago, I had to dig for it but found it :lol:

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=97

[mightypan42]

Originally posted by AznGA
For 99-02, SE was avaiable as a coupe.

:???: Um... nope. I've got a 99 SE sedan.

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by mightypan42
:???: Um... nope. I've got a 99 SE sedan.
Um... YUP.

1999-2002 You could get it in a 2 or 4 door model.

Just because you have a 4 door SE doesn't mean all SEs are 4 doors.

[mightypan42]

OK I read the post wrong. For some reason, I was thinking he said that 99-02 SEs were only coupes.

[AznGA]

Sorry! I meant to say 99-02 SE was also available as coupes because someone said SE is 4 doors. My bad.

[ladiesmanga]

Originally posted by AznGA
[B]GT and SE have same V6. /B]

Yep. I know a jackass kid who has the same exact car as me (97 3.1), except I have an SE and he has a GT. He likes to claim how his is faster.....he really likes to dump on the SE. I finally raced him one day.....we were pretty much EXACTLY as fast as each other.....

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by ladiesmanga
Yep. I know a jackass kid who has the same exact car as me (97 3.1), except I have an SE and he has a GT. He likes to claim how his is faster.....he really likes to dump on the SE. I finally raced him one day.....we were pretty much EXACTLY as fast as each other.....

:nono:

[AznGA]

I think 96-98 SE and GT have same engine AND tranny. But that's not the case for 99+.

[sunrunner_pei]

The differences in the V6 engines/transmissions in the '99+ are minute at best. There really isn't much of a performance change between the trim levels... It's more of an appearance/option package change. :)

[99blackSE]

LIM gasket leak is a common thing in the V6... although some people get em, others dont.

In 1999 models there was a tire pressure monitor system, which in my case and my sisters case (both 99 SE's) it does jack **** we have found, as in it will flash on when my tires have enough air, but for my sister the darn thing could have no TIRES and the thing wont go off (blown out of proportion but you get the point), and i belive they took it out of all models after 99.