To purchase or not to purchase

[Pontiac]

Insurance aside, what reason shouldn't I buy a Grand Am GT?

Insurance is going to double probably, but double to 180 isn't gonna be a bit deal for me.

The thing that I'm worried about (As is everyone) is mechanical, drive train, suspension, tranny, etc.

What do I get to look forward to when it comes to repairs? There any defects I should be aware of for a 2003? I've looked for some lemon sites and haven't found too much in regards to that so thats very compelling.

I love Pontiac, love their feel and styling. I really doubt I'm gonna say I'm not gonna buy this car next week. ;)

[sunrunner_pei]

Common issues on the 1999-2005 Grand Am include leaking LIM gaskets and warping front rotors. The LIM problem seems to plague every GM 60* V6. The brakes are cured with a good set of aftermarket pads/rotors, along with regular maintenance of the caliper slides.

Other than that they are very solid cars. I love my '03, I hope to keep it for many years to come. :)

[XoticGA]

My 03 was a train wreck...

LIM(x2), warped rotors, oil pressure sensor (x2), steering rack, window regulators (x4), alternator, fuel pump, sticking accelerator, my multi function switch was a seizing mess, wheel hub (x2), passlock issues... I could on :lol:


I loved the car, and maybe I just got a lemon.. But I'll never buy another Grand Am..

[350F]

I got my 03 at 51k miles, and now its at 63k. It had the front wheel hubs replaced at ~25k, and I had to replace the drivers side one right after I got it. Still has the factory tires on it too. The interior is nothing to brag about, but its comfy. I can't complain about gas mileage, I hit 29.96mpg with atleast half city driving. And when I want to get on it, the V6 is plenty peppy. I really have no complaints other than the hideous factory wheels.

[5speed4]

I got my 03 at 51k miles, and now its at 63k. It had the front wheel hubs replaced at ~25k, and I had to replace the drivers side one right after I got it.

Really? What were the symptoms that caused you to need to get the hubs replaced?

I really have no complaints other than the hideous factory wheels.

I have to agree. Why would GM make an alloy wheel that looks for all the world like a plastic wheel cover? While I was shopping for mine, I looked at many ads that had those wheels and the ad would list "Alloys" in the car features and I thought it was
mistake by the seller. Then I noticed it was too often to be a mistake.

[GMFWDFAN]

Grand Ams have a bad rep with most people, and that scared me away from getting one. I very nearly passed on mine and looked for something else, all because of everyone telling me what huge headaches GAs are. But I got such a good deal on this car we couldn't really pass it up.

And I can say that since I bought it in April, this has been a rock-solid car. It has some age-related defects (hey, it's 8 years old now! :lol:), but what car doesn't?

Any car will have problems, some more than others. I think it all depends on how the car was/is taken care of. :) Mine was and is babied, so I'm sure that makes a difference with it's reliability.

[Pontiac]

Awesome replies. Standard typical stuff other than the gaskets.

I have always babied my vehicles. Engine gets priority one treatment. Filter and oil every 5000km like a religion. Always make sure theres fluids. Any noise I hear I have it looked at, so on and so on. I don't mess around with my cars when it comes to repairs. Since my first car, aside from being sick and not being able to get outta bed or its been at the mechanics, I think all three of them so far have been parked for more than 24 hours maybe 7 times or so?

Another question about the rotors. Would getting a set of after markets help the warping at all or is there just something about the design that kills them? I'm facing the same issue with my Sunbird. They were cheap rotors, but I've replaced both sets twice now within three years, and looking at another replacement because the steering wheel shudder *JUST* starting to happen when I have to hit the brakes harder than normal.

[sunrunner_pei]

Awesome replies. Standard typical stuff other than the gaskets.

I have always babied my vehicles. Engine gets priority one treatment. Filter and oil every 5000km like a religion. Always make sure theres fluids. Any noise I hear I have it looked at, so on and so on. I don't mess around with my cars when it comes to repairs. Since my first car, aside from being sick and not being able to get outta bed or its been at the mechanics, I think all three of them so far have been parked for more than 24 hours maybe 7 times or so?

Another question about the rotors. Would getting a set of after markets help the warping at all or is there just something about the design that kills them? I'm facing the same issue with my Sunbird. They were cheap rotors, but I've replaced both sets twice now within three years, and looking at another replacement because the steering wheel shudder *JUST* starting to happen when I have to hit the brakes harder than normal.

The factory rotors on these cars are manufactured from inferior metals that cannot withstand large temperature changes without warping (hot brakes going through a cold puddle, for instance). Good-quality aftermarket rotors are usually made of much better steel, and will resist warping. Good pads will also help in this regard. And as well, so long as the caliper slides are in good shape and well lubricated, it will prevent the inboard pad from continually dragging on the rotor, building up excess heat making warping more likely.

I should have added front wheel hubs to my list, as both the bearing and the wheel speed sensors (all part of the sealed hub unit) are prone to early failure. The passenger front WSS is gone on my Grand Am right now. :lol: For now it's only affecting ABS and ETS, 2 systems I can live without so I'm procrastinating on the repair.

[Pontiac]

If I get this car then probably I'm looking at getting new rotors, or at least waiting until I notice the warp. One of the things I'm bad for is spending too much money on high quality parts. The GF doesn't understand why sometimes. heh

[sunrunner_pei]

No need to replace them until they need to be replaced. Who knows, perhaps the original owner has already replaced them. :)

Good luck!

[Pontiac]

True enough. But then I know when I got 'em. Chances are I'm not going to get rotors. One thing I *DEFINATELY* look forward to... No more damned hub caps.