Getting a newer GA...

[ram1985custom]

Well my 92' is finally done...RIP. I hit a ditch today and did quite a bit of suspension damage, and its going to cost too much to fix...just won't be worth it. Its got over 200,000 on it, and some things are starting to fall apart/stop working. Its been a good car though

Anyway, I'm looking for a 2000 or newer grand am. I don't really care about 4 door or 2, but I think I would rather have a 4 door. I would also rather have the V6, but if I find a 4cyl. at the right price I will take it. I'm wondering, how many miles do these cars normally last for? My 92 with the 2.3L is still going strong at over 200,000 and it still runs good, and gets about 26 MPG.

Also what are some common problems with these newer GAs? On my 92 both front windows go off track, and I have water leaks in some places.

Thanks for any help or advice, I'm pretty excited about getting a new GA!

[kickarsgrdam01]

search button would help u on this one, but it's the same deal, the V6 have the LIM problem, window regulators still suck on the 2 doors. ummm... i dunno. my 01 GA started to fall apart at 80,000 miles, tranny blew, need LIM again ( had done it at 60k) and it needed other things as well.

My car was an exception, most don't have isses that like that soon or i just got tired of putting up with it ( and yes i did take care of it and do maintaince) they are fun cars though

[ram1985custom]

Another question, does the v6 get much worse gas mileage than the 4 cyl? I have heard that the v6 doesn't have to work as hard as the 4 banger so it does about the same or sometimes a little better. Just curious, how much less power does the 4cyl have than the v6?

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by ram1985custom
Another question, does the v6 get much worse gas mileage than the 4 cyl? I have heard that the v6 doesn't have to work as hard as the 4 banger so it does about the same or sometimes a little better.

Expect a decrease in fuel economy. It's not that it 'doesn't have to work as hard'... it simply doesn't have to use it's full capacity all the time... which doesn't necessarily mean much in terms of gas mileage. Also, don't forget it's a heavier chassis... which doesn't help. You will notice a huge change in available power stepping up from the SOHC 2.3 though.

Problem wise... same usual small problems you can expect from GM... little electrical gremlins, power window issues, etc. Do a search for LIM gasket leaks too.

[ram1985custom]

Thanks, how will the newer 4cyl. compare to my sohc 2.3? I've never really had a problem with the amount of power my 92 has had, but its defintely not a fast car. It gets the job done, and thats about it. But at over 200k, its starting to get a bit tired too.

Also between the years of 1999, and 2001 were they many body/interior changes? My friend has a 2001 and I love everything about the car. I have found a couple 99's on the web for great prices and they look about the same. Maybe a couple interior changes, but I'm not sure?

[DontPassTheFence]

the 2 four cylinder options, the LD9 2.4L 'TWIN CAM' engine is a bit unreliable, but still better than the LIM problems of the 3x00 engines, however the ECOtec engine (2002+) is a bit slower in stock form than the 2.4L engine, but it more than makes up for that with amazing long lastability -- However, I have heard cases of the 2.2L ECOtecs wearing out the timing chain quickly in some cases, and on the newer grand ams watch out for wheel hub bearings, those MAY go out on you.

The 3400SFI in the newer GAs gets gas mileage close to that of the 2.4L or 2.2L if you drive the hell out of the them, but on average the 3400 sees 24/28 iirc, and the TWIN CAM 2.4L sees about 26/30 and the ECOtec (2.2L) gets about the same as the 2.4L at 28/32.

Those are only from memory, so they may be incorrect by + or - 1mpg :D

Good lucky finding a good Grand Am - dont forget to check kbb.com for good prices for each year/trim level

[ram1985custom]

I'm looking mostly at 99's and 2000's just because they are a bit cheaper. I don't want really to get a car that has alot of miles on it, but if I have to, I guess I have to. So far I've found a couple with around 80k-100k. I don't know, I might be looking at them tomorrow.

[Subtle_Cynicism]

To be honest, I really think if you're looking at a car with higher milage (and yes, I consider a Grand Am to be high milage when its over 80k), I would consider another car...I've heard a lot of negatives about the last generation Grand Ams at higher miles, though, my 2000 at 76xxx has had relatively minor issues.

[DoubleJCustoms]

Well i would tell you if you were in the market for a new GA go with the V 6 because the Quad for is for the most part a piece of junk. I will give it credit that it is the beastiest 4 cyl ive ever driven the repair costs are rediculous. My Car is a 1999 SE with 113,500 miles and the water pump was bad when i got it it would have cost me $450.00 to have a mechanic fix it. When i fixed it myself i realized why. Other that being a pain to work on the 2.4L isn't bad, but it is just my personal opinion that the v6 would be a better choice. I hope that my input was useful. :)

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by DoubleJCustoms
Well i would tell you if you were in the market for a new GA go with the V 6 because the Quad for is for the most part a piece of junk. I will give it credit that it is the beastiest 4 cyl ive ever driven the repair costs are rediculous. My Car is a 1999 SE with 113,500 miles and the water pump was bad when i got it it would have cost me $450.00 to have a mechanic fix it. When i fixed it myself i realized why. Other that being a pain to work on the 2.4L isn't bad, but it is just my personal opinion that the v6 would be a better choice. I hope that my input was useful. :)

The 3400 LIM gasket issue will cost the same or more if you don't do the work yourself.

[goredsox]

ANY GA you buy will have leaps and bounds more power than the SOHC Quad. it has what 115hp??? the newer Twin Cam and Ecotec make 150hp. If you want a 4 banger get the DOHC Quad (155hp) or if you can find it a HO Quad(175-180hp). Or for a V6 get the 3300 (160hp 185trq, good low end but has crappy 3 speed auto), ive heard too many horror stories about the 3100 (155hp) and 3400 (170-175hp)

That is if you want to stay in the 92-95 Body style though.

The 99+ gen. had the same interior, it only had minor exterior/wheel changes...

[jimbob200521]

I've got a 2000 Grand Am SE with the 2.4L Twin Cam, and I love that little guy. It's got a more kick than I thought it would. I have a friend who has the Cavalier Z24 with the exact same engine in it, and we are both within about 5,000 miles of each other as far as engine wear goes, and neither of us have had any problems at all with the engines. Granted I've only had my car about a week (lol), but he has had his since it was new off the lot, and he doesn't exactly baby his car. So I guese what I'm saying is, IMHO, they are solid engines. Hope that helped :)

[Tommy00GT1]

I am in the same situation as Subtle Cynicism above.... My 2000 GT1 is going strong with 68,000 miles on it.
This might sound strange though.... I am hoping that the LIM creeps up within the next 13 months because I have an extended warranty. It will cost me $ 100.00, and the rest is all covered under warranty. Anyone happen to know how to speed up the LIM, lol ? I need it to happen under warranty and not under my wallet....

[XoticGA]

I would be leary of 99's... Just because it's the first production year.. And they've *generally* got a lot of bugs...

I bought my 03 with 18,4xx on her.. I've had more than my share of problems.. But that's what entended warranty is for :D