Any specific GA year?

[slowbird]

Is there any year of Grand Am (GT or SE) that is considered better then others?

A year where most (if not all) of the major bugs were fixed?

What year did GM fix the LIM leak issue? 2000+?

thanks.

-Matt

[kickarsgrdam01]

ummm....2005 when they got a new enigne in the G6

[AznGA]

99-05 Grand Am's.....all with 3400 engines have LIM issue. I would look at 00+ ones, since 99 was first year.

[XoticGA]

03 are teh best :P :D

No, I'm not AT ALL biased :lol:

[DontPassTheFence]

you have it all wrong, the golden years were 97 and 98, everyone knows that :P :P :P :P

[levey]

Hmm. I'm not sure how to reply. As far as I know...Grand Ams don't have any bugs that would need looking in to. :roll2:

I'm kidding. There is no answer to this question. Most people will recommend the style in which they drive. However.....I will give you an honest answer. 2001, 2002 and 2003 own all. :D

[AznGA]

Ok, we can go into specifics now.

- 01+ models have optional factory Monsoon system with different radio bazel and center console.
- 02.5+ have ugly oval unpainted side mirrors and lost side door badges. But it's ok. Side looks better badgeless.
- 03+ ones have stiffer steering. It takes more effort to turn.
- 03+ don't have glove box lock or driver side lumbar support knob.
- 03+ GT have different cloth seat.

Something like this. I think there is more though.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[RocketFast321]

The best is a 91 with a tech 4 :), if 99+ is your liking 2001 is the year before gm really started to get cheap.

[DontPassTheFence]

it really just depends on what you like. If you want an older, more pointy-looking car, go for the 95, its a quick car with the QUAD DOHC engine attached to the getrag 5spd transmission-- but those engines like to overheat if you dont take care of them. the 3100 is pretty solid, but its underpowered for a v6, and it only comes with an auto tranny (booo!) -- now, the mid-gen grand ams (96-98) are less pointy, lower, and better looking (IMO) but the twin cam is a bit of a hassle if you drive the hell out of it (like I do) -- i had to replace my engine @ 90K miles, I spun a bearing. you have to watch the oil level in the twin cam, it eats/leaks oil a bit. Also, cooling is a slight issue in higher-mileage engines. Again, the 3100 for this car is strong. Now, on to the most popular (meh!) gen, the last gen for the grand am, 99-05. while the 99's had a few more problems than other years, 00 has a little less problems, and then in 01+ they were made nearly perfect, but the LIM still leaks, as mentioned, so watch for that, but the 3400 is a solid engine, with so much torque, as well. Now, the ecotec replaced the 2.4L twin cam in 02, its alright (a few guys swear by this engine) I drove a cavy with it, i was unimpressed at its lack of low end power, but it doesnt gasp for air at the higher rpms like the 2.4L does. Overall, the eco is build solid, no major problems arrise from that engine that I've heard of or experienced. Just dont get an ecotec with and auto tranny, its like driving a geo, it will make you cry. But, same with getting the 2.4L with an auto, its terribly disheartening.

So there you have it... all the engine-related specifics that I know of.

[Chain]

Originally posted by DontPassTheFenc
you have it all wrong, the golden years were 97 and 98, everyone knows that :P :P :P :P


Oh yeah you know it. :D :chain:

[DontPassTheFence]

:woot: chain knows the dark side (aka the 96-98 side) is the way to go.

Join us!

[levey]

But, same with getting the 2.4L with an auto, its terribly disheartening.

I don't know about that. I've driven both versions of the 2.4 engine (Standard and Auto)... and besides the initial first gear thrust provided by the standard version...I didn't notice that much of a difference. Well ....besides the fact that the standard version was much more fun to drive. Then again....The automatic version I drove was slightly modded.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I don't like the torqued rims that were standard on GT's later in the 99-05 models, I like my five spokes that were the early 99-05 GT rims (like Trish has, and I as well).

Personally, I wanted the new radio real bad. I love my 2000 to pieces, but the radio is set up better in the 01+ models, as the cassette and CD are integrated. I haev issues putting things under the storage area by the shift knob, because my cassette player is down there. I still love it though.

The new 99-05 SE/GT have weird cloth. I don't like it at all. Its like two tone. Also, they got rid of the courtesy ligths by your feet in the later 5th gens, frmo what Ive been told, and integrated the cup holder, whereas in early ones they were removable.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Originally posted by kickarsgrdam01
ummm....2005 when they got a new enigne in the G6

Don't be so sure about that. The G6 3500 only has 200 HP, and it just got a recall put out for the crankshaft (ors omething along those lines).

Gimme the 3900 anyday.

[slowbird]

It HAS to have a 3400...20 I gues 2003-2005?

2005 is only coupes right?

[b2089]

Originally posted by AznGA
Ok, we can go into specifics now.

- 01+ models have optional factory Monsoon system with different radio bazel and center console.
- 02.5+ have ugly oval unpainted side mirrors and lost side door badges. But it's ok. Side looks better badgeless.
- 03+ ones have stiffer steering. It takes more effort to turn.
- 03+ don't have glove box lock or driver side lumbar support knob.
- 03+ GT have different cloth seat.

Something like this. I think there is more though.

:lol: :lol: :lol: .

My 03 has a locking gove box. The key part is tiny, just big enough for the end of the key but it is there.

[04REDGT1]

My 04 GT came with the 5 spoked crome techs.

Jeff

[Big Joe]

heh 94's are the best followed closly behind by 95,93,and 92

[b2089]

I think that 03's are the best. The second best would be the 03 also :)

[TA^Guy]

What year where the '92-'95 GTs avalible with a QUAD4 HO and a GETRAG? Thats the car to have right there.
Originally posted by AznGA
Ok, we can go into specifics now.

- 01+ models have optional factory Monsoon system with different radio bazel and center console.
- 02.5+ have ugly oval unpainted side mirrors and lost side door badges. But it's ok. Side looks better badgeless.
- 03+ ones have stiffer steering. It takes more effort to turn.
- 03+ don't have glove box lock or driver side lumbar support knob.
- 03+ GT have different cloth seat.

Something like this. I think there is more though.

:lol: :lol: :lol:
To add to yours...
'00 SEs recieved wider rocker panels to protect from stone chips
'00 GTs have a 'Ram Air' badge to replace the 'V6 HO' on front fender.

As any vehicle I would stay away from the first model year of that vehicle. IIRC the '99s had mor eproblems than the '00s. Alot had wet floors when it rained due to a bad door gasket or something, the rocker panels on the '99 SEs didn't provide enough paint protection to prevent stone chips, etc.
Originally posted by levey
I don't know about that. I've driven both versions of the 2.4 engine (Standard and Auto)... and besides the initial first gear thrust provided by the standard version...I didn't notice that much of a difference. Well ....besides the fact that the standard version was much more fun to drive. Then again....The automatic version I drove was slightly modded.
Well since the four cylinder motor don't provide much torque, reving it higher while disengauging the clutch allows the motor to be near it's peak power to get the car movig faster. That is why so many guys with 4 bangers think that manual transmission is 'so much better' than a automatic. But if you own a motor that makes real power (read: "torque") a manual is not needed since there is a actual rotational force to move the vehicle.

[DontPassTheFence]

^ lol -- ive never driven a car with real power, then... never owned one, and i probably wont for a long time. Damn!

[XoticGA]

Originally posted by b2089
I think that 03's are the best. The second best would be the 03 also :)


:woot:
:agree:

[LargeFish]

Originally posted by TA^Guy
What year where the '92-'95 GTs avalible with a QUAD4 HO and a GETRAG? Thats the car to have right there.

'92-'94, but really I'd prefer a clean 90-91 LE with the HO, lighter car and that body style has grown on me...

[Rayz]

Hands down the best was 1973. No problem with the LIM gaskets on 400ci Pontiac motor. :D

[DontPassTheFence]

Originally posted by Rayz
Hands down the best was 1973. No problem with the LIM gaskets on 400ci Pontiac motor. :D

i knew someone was gonna bring that up, :lol:
But tell me this, where can you get a 73 Grand Am that still lives?

[Rayz]

Originally posted by DontPassTheFenc
i knew someone was gonna bring that up, :lol:
But tell me this, where can you get a 73 Grand Am that still lives?
73 grand-am (http://www.cars-on-line.com/21067.html) :)

[PontiacGA]

Anything pre 99. ;)

[Chain]

http://www.abodysite.com/rr73gajanicelauzon03.jpg

http://abodysite.com/rr73sportdannyforde03.jpg

http://abodysite.com/rr73lemjamesclark02.jpg

http://abodysite.com/rr73lemjamesclark03.jpg

http://abodysite.com/rr73gamarklea01.jpg

[DontPassTheFence]

damn i want one of thos ein black, with no chrome trim! woo