What do you dislike about your GA?

[5speed4]

Overall, I love my GA, but here is my list:

1) Needs ABS brakes (I know that was an option on GAs, but try finding
a 2.2L 5-spd that has it. I really didn't want a V6 or an auto trans. Fuel efficiency was my primary interest.)

2) Needs shoulder strap for rear-center seat. (This is important when you have a kid back there. The center seat is the safest, but since it doesn't have a shoulder-strap seat belt for that seat, it makes it less safe. I've seriously thought about trading up to a 2.4L G6 for this simple reason)

3) Could use a little more head room (I'm 6' 5"), but I can live with that. (The G6 is better in this respect too)

4) The trunk is pretty spacious, but the opening is small (The VW Jetta is even worse in this respect), so getting any big box in there is difficult.

[bballr4567]

Im 6'6 and I had no trouble with headroom. I just had to tilt the seat back a little bit but other then that nothing was a problem.

You just got to learn how to put stuff in the trunk. I fit some BIG things in there from a 32" HDTV to a HUGE army box. The fold down seats helped a ton.

I really wished it had a seat belt adjuster on the B pillar. I was constantly annoyed by it. That was basically the only thing that truely annoyed me.

[tenspeed]

I've noticed the smallish trunk opening too. The big suit case and/or cooler goes on the backseat.

Generally I'm satisfied with the car. Mine should have some more options like remote openers, electric mirrors and the fold down rear seat. I have been thinking of adding a "door unlock" button in the trunk so I can unload the cart and easily open the doors for the loving wife.

My other big wish is for better high beams. The stock headlights suck out in the country where I live. I sometimes try to turn on the brights only to find that they are already on.

[5speed4]

Im 6'6 and I had no trouble with headroom. I just had to tilt the seat back a little bit but other then that nothing was a problem.

Same here, but it's really nice in some cars (e.g. my '96 Caprice) in which I don't have to do that. My height is mostly in my torso, for example, I wear 34" length jeans (and I'm 40, so I'm not wearing my pants halfway down my arse :)). My cousin is the same height as me, but he looks like he's wearing flood pants if he buys 36" length jeans (he has to shop at "big and tall" store to get pants).


You just got to learn how to put stuff in the trunk. I fit some BIG things in there from a 32" HDTV to a HUGE army box. The fold down seats helped a ton.


My SE doesn't have the fold-down seats. That would be nice too. Perhaps another reason move up to a G6?


I really wished it had a seat belt adjuster on the B pillar. I was constantly annoyed by it. That was basically the only thing that truely annoyed me.

I haven't noticed that one. Maybe it's not as much an issue with the 4 door (since I'm leaned so far back).

[5speed4]

Generally I'm satisfied with the car. Mine should have some more options like remote openers, electric mirrors and the fold down rear seat. I have been thinking of adding a "door unlock" button in the trunk so I can unload the cart and easily open the doors for the loving wife.


I feel your pain. I'm planning on installing remote keyless soon. Electric mirrors would be nice, but their not as necessary when only one person drives the car (wife likes her Impala LS a whole lot more than the GA).


My other big wish is for better high beams. The stock headlights suck out in the country where I live. I sometimes try to turn on the brights only to find that they are already on.

I haven't noticed that and I live in an unlit rural area too. Is it possible your headlights need to be adjusted a bit upward?

[GMFWDFAN]

Well, as far as the design of the car goes, I love mine. There isn't really much to complain about, besides the seatbelt that rubs into my neck.

However, with MY particular car, I don't enjoy the ever so slightly slipping transmission, the slightly warped defroster vent on the dash, and the squeaky brakes.

I love my car. :)

[bballr4567]

Gah the headlights in a GA are horrible!!!! If I was going to keep the car any longer it was going to get HIDs.

Yea the seatbelt cut into my neck pretty bad sometimes on longer road trips. I wear 34" jeans too! LOL

Man you must seriously have a base SE. I got everything besides the leather in mine apparently. I got power everything and remote locks and trunk popper. Even electric mirrors. The fold down seats came in REALLY handy especially because I had a ton of junk to carry around thanks to the Army.

[GMFWDFAN]

I think the headlights in mine are great. People think I have my high-beams on all the time when I don't.

Then again, I'm coming from a '92 Beretta that had brights taht were inferior to most cars low-beams.

And that's another thing I love about my car: it has every option Grand Ams could have (besides a block heater).

[tenspeed]

I haven't noticed that and I live in an unlit rural area too. Is it possible your headlights need to be adjusted a bit upward?

I tend to drive a little fast, especially at night. I used to drive rallye cars as a hobby and I tend to corner harder than the average bear. I live in the Finger Lakes area of New York along with a lot of deer.

I've adjusted the beams up and have the Silverstar bulbs too. I have some 100 watt bulbs and pair of driving lights that need wiring up someday. The problem is that it's winter when I need the lights and summer when the wiring is easier.

My '94 Olds and '96 Achieva threw the light out further without hot spots. My Jeep Cherokee rallye truck had ten halogen lights on the front. Two "stock" lights (illegal for road use), four fogs to light up the corners, two driving beams and two pencil beams. It looked like the sun coming at you and it would light up about a quarter mile.

The problem with the Grand Am is that driving lights should be mounted high, just below your line of sight. The top of the bumper is as close as you can get and that screws up the look of the front end. I might mount a pair in the nostrils for the winter if I can make some removable mounts for them.

[TA^Guy]

I feel your pain. I'm planning on installing remote keyless soon. Electric mirrors would be nice, but their not as necessary when only one person drives the car (wife likes her Impala LS a whole lot more than the GA).

Needs ABS brakes (I know that was an option on GAs, but try finding
a 2.2L 5-spd that has it. I really didn't want a V6 or an auto trans. Fuel efficiency was my primary interest.)

My SE doesn't have the fold-down seats. That would be nice too. Perhaps another reason move up to a G6?Sounds like you simply need a car that isn't so stripped down. Our GA had split fold down rear seats, ABS, and electric mirrors.

I really wished it had a seat belt adjuster on the B pillar. I was constantly annoyed by it. That was basically the only thing that truely annoyed me.
Maybe that was option because our 2000 GAGT had that as well.

I think it's kind of silly to complain about a few of these things when most of them were options that could be ordered.

One of the things I disliked the most about our GA were the seats. They were ok in comfert wise, but they had nearly no lateral support when cornering hard.

Only other thing I hated was the famous GM 60 degree V6 engine 'tick'.

Trunk was larger than other cars I have test drove. When my son was young we had a large stroller for him. We took it with us when we test drove other cars and most the time we could not get it into the trunk.

[bballr4567]

Yea it was an option on GTs coupes only I think. I saw a few GTs at junkards with them and tried to take them but I didnt have a star wrench so I couldnt get them.

[TA^Guy]

We had a four door. :)

[bballr4567]

Hmmm, I found only coupes at the JYs I went to. LOL

[Gti lover]

GMFWDFAN after seeing your clean ride i am going to miss my GT1 but its at 125.000km now and want to get rid of it before its worth nothing plus want anewer car.now the things that i hate about grand ams is the seat beat dugging in my neck all the time,would like heated mirrors last this lim gasket problem.one more thing were the he## is the trans dip stick Gm

[5speed4]

Gah the headlights in a GA are horrible!!!! If I was going to keep the car any longer it was going to get HIDs.

Yea the seatbelt cut into my neck pretty bad sometimes on longer road trips. I wear 34" jeans too! LOL


Wow, I thought I had short legs for a tall guy. Maybe my cousin is the freaky one. :D



Man you must seriously have a base SE. I got everything besides the leather in mine apparently. I got power everything and remote locks and trunk popper. Even electric mirrors. The fold down seats came in REALLY handy especially because I had a ton of junk to carry around thanks to the Army.

Yeah, the only options it has are rear spoiler and cruise. Although it does have things like CD player, rear defogger, power locks, tilt-wheel, and delay wipers which were standard. The car would basically be perfect if ABS were standard and if it had the rear-center shoulder belt (and while I'm wishing, I'd like telescoping wheel).

BTW, I just went out to check and noticed that my car DOES have seat belt adjusters on the B pillar (it's an '03 4-door SE). Was that only a 4-door thing or did they add that in the later years?

[XoticGA]

Umm.. it was a POS :lol:

Mine was a lemon for sure... still miss the damn thing though..

[boost21]

1. the motor for the Gt's
2. the transmission
3. Crappy stock brakes (fbody ftw)

[coupe]

Only thing i dont like is its resale value.
I wanna sell mine and its just not worth it. Even if i de-mod it it still isnt worth anything. The amount i would get from the mods plus what i could sell the car for its still worth more to just keep it.

[TA^Guy]

That is one small reason why we didn't purchase another domestic, well that and I couldn't find one that came close in comparison to what we prucahsed for the same money.

[Gti lover]

from what im seeing on autotrader i should still owe 2k-3k after trade in sucks but thats life.

[Pontiac]

I've noticed the smallish trunk opening too. The big suit case and/or cooler goes on the backseat.

The reason I *WENT* with my GA was because of a bigger trunk compared to anything other than an SUV, Wagon, van or truck.

The only thing I dislike about my GA is the mileage. Aside from my personal dislike to Automatic transmissions in this weather, and not being able to get grip in snow which is easily fixable by getting a couple of rims and a set of snow tires, I have no other gripes with the car.

[Deggy Fresh]

i love everything about my GAGT...just wish people would be more careful in parking lots...i now have a scuff on my rear bumper to add to my 4 inch scrape on my front bumper, and a 3 foot long key mark on my drivers fender...so maybe the only downfall is i could use a new paint job.

[trogdorpontiac]

Automatic
Front wheel drive
ABS

in that order.

[5speed4]

from what im seeing on autotrader i should still owe 2k-3k after trade in sucks but thats life.

I know it sucks to be on the selling end, but this is one of the reason I only drive domestics....USED domestics. Seriously, looking on autotrader, I can get a loaded 2007 V6 Malibu with ~15-20K miles for $13K. (That's about $9-10K below new MSRP). I don't think you'd be able to touch a 2007 Camry, Accord, Altima, etc. for that.

[TheTrader]

Overall, I love my GA, but here is my list:

1) Needs ABS brakes (I know that was an option on GAs, but try finding
a 2.2L 5-spd that has it. I really didn't want a V6 or an auto trans. Fuel efficiency was my primary interest.).

I have a 2 door 5 speed 2.2l, and it has ABS

2) Needs shoulder strap for rear-center seat. (This is important when you have a kid back there. The center seat is the safest, but since it doesn't have a shoulder-strap seat belt for that seat, it makes it less safe. I've seriously thought about trading up to a 2.4L G6 for this simple reason)
Dont have kids.... lol

3) Could use a little more head room (I'm 6' 5"), but I can live with that. (The G6 is better in this respect too)
I am 6'6" and I have no issues with room.... I have the seat reclined a bit, but its not bad at all... try driving a VW Corrado....

4) The trunk is pretty spacious, but the opening is small (The VW Jetta is even worse in this respect), so getting any big box in there is difficult.

I have the small opening issue too when packing large boxes, long stuff (like lumber) is no problem though.... recline the front passenger side all the way & open up the read fold downs and you can stack alot of wood in there, and still shut the trunk!

[Vampyrate]

i hate how there is no remote start (an option easily fixed but still)

the key doesn't open the trunk, but it works on the doors so i have to use the remote or the button inside the car (like it was put there for show or something).

there also needs to be a v6 5spd option... but i guess that is something that i will just have to live with as well

[JBlack16]

things i dislike is that the GT's arent 5 speeds would be really sweet if it was, my old car before this was one and miss it badly. 2nd is the tint percentage that i put on i wish i had got daker but hey that was my fault for not wanting it darker. 3rd. the rims are getting correded around the lip a tad bit but i seen a thread that its common if you dont wash the rims that much so it must have been the previous owner. 4th mine has SE tails on a GT bought it like that wishing I had GT tails on it so I will change that shortly. I also wish I had the SC/T wing and hood. Thats bout it. Later.

[crazeyGT]

Spends more time in a repair shop than on the road, but other than that love that thing to death. and will never part it :lol:

[GregFarz78]

Reasons I got rid of mine

1. boring to drive no manual trans option, didnt think I would care going from manual to auto but I missed driving manual after a while
2. piss poor interior build quality, rattles began around around first year of ownership, my sentra cost less and after 5+ years no rattles

[5speed4]

2. piss poor interior build quality, rattles began around around first year of ownership, my sentra cost less and after 5+ years no rattles

Funny, mine is 5 years old and has over 75000 miles on it and the interior is tight as a drum and rattle free. I was worried about that when I started looking for a GA. I test drove three different cars and I was impressed by the tightness of all three, I finally chose this one because of price and exterior condition.

[Ralph]

my 2000

- No 5-speed

My 94

-why they put the parking brake on the floor when i have a 5-speed is beyond me

[tenspeed]

My 94 -why they put the parking brake on the floor when i have a 5-speed is beyond me

Hand brake turns - keep your thumb on the release button and give it a quick pull. Try it in a snowy parking lot to get a feel for it.

[TA^Guy]

^ That is how I steer these FWD POS in bad weather. lol Even my wife got used to using the ebrake to point the car where she wanted it to go. Sucks because during the first real snow fall here we realized the Altima has no hand brake...

[eric99gt]

I greatly dislike the side profile of the car. Front and back....dead sexy. Side view, eh...

[bballr4567]

You must not be looking at my old car then. ;)

[Ralph]

Don't feel like doing it with the floor parking break. I'm looking into swapping the 96+ center console

[PontiacGA]

1) Auto tranny...3 speed on top of that.

2)No aftermarket. :P

Thats about it.

Reasons I got rid of mine

2. piss poor interior build quality, rattles began around around first year of ownership, my sentra cost less and after 5+ years no rattles

My Pontiac/Toyota Vibe had a dash 'rattle' right around the gauge bezel when it gets cold out from new. GA, to this day, has no rattles at all, even being lowered for 10 or so years. :)

[Danfm1]

Complaints? Big one is the power windows... the motor is VERY weak, and burns out easily. Ummm other than that there are no generic GA problems I don't think. I have a couple little things I'll be getting fixes, like the lights won't go off inside (well they do once you leave the car, MOST of the time, but you can't turn them off while driving), the cigarette lighter doesn't provide power, and that's about it.

[GMFWDFAN]

I don't like the fact that it's at the mechanic's place right now with broken power windows. :lol:

[5speed4]

Just thought of one more thing I dislike. In my '03 SE, the cruise control switch is on its
own little "lever" behind the turn-signal switch. I'm used to it being on the turn-signal switch itself
and I always grab that one, plus it's a farther reach to the real one and it's a bit of a fumble since the turn signal switch is sort of in the way of it too. for my big fingers.

I just thought of something, however. Maybe mine wasn't installed from the factory. It might have been an aftermarket one. Does anyone else have the same kind I'm describing?

[M1NDLESS]

I dislike almost everything about my GA, but hey, it was only $500! :lol:

[mikekanzler]

i dont like the fact that ive gone through window switches on average 1 every 4 months

and that it has a big f-ing target for everyone i work with to back into it (again) :(

[Nelsonmd]

Manual on the V6 would be nice.
A latch on the rear deck for folding down the rear seats instead of just the trunk would be alot more convenient
The relatively low MPG's sucks
I am not a fan of red interior lights. I prefer a nice deep blue.
The small trunk opening for such a big trunk.

[bp's97GAGT]

Alpha N and window scratches = gay

[Sweet98GA]

i don't like that my car isn't running correctly right now

Other than that, i'm happy with my car. Never had a problem with the car (unless it was something I did... like s/c it and swap motors, lol) other than the water pump which is a known issue betwen 70-80k.

I don't have power windows or mirrors, but that was my choice when I bought it. I love the 5 speed, hell I lived off my winnings from racing a whole summer w/ the car.

Honestly, I can say that I am very happy with the car, and it was a solid purchase for me. Now that i've modified the piss out of it, i've got problems, but you can't chalk those up to GM

[1badga]

the headlights having day time running lights suck;)

known climate control problems suck

ohh the awsome lower intake gasket problem suxx

transmissions are crap

no 5 speed in the v-6 is crap

the struts are crap / springs are crap

DOESN'T COME WITH A SUPERCHARGER IS CRAP! :D "HAD TO SAY IT"

other than that i like the body style no real other problems

[ganser08]

umm the thing i hate the most is that i can only fit 2 18's o and a new problem with something or a nother every mouth

but hey i love my car :D

[missdemeanor]

Meh... I just got mine and I have a partial list already

1) Road noise... sounds like the floorboards are full of holes, they aren't though.
2) Placement of the cup holders
3) Hard to get out of tight parking spaces due to the high sight line of the rear and the slope of the front. I'm now scared to death of parallel parking, more so now.
4) Headlights stay on monetarily after shutting off the car, makes me nervous when it's -30 out and wishing for maximum battery conservation.
5) No voltmeter or tripometer.

[thawk55]

Overall I like my 2002 GA Gt. I just wish it had more horse power, and maybe a better Tranny. It has almost every option. It does not have the Stereo controls on the steering wheel, but I can live with that. Resale value only matter if you plan to sell the car. Me I plan on driving it till the wheels fall off.

[GMFWDFAN]

5) No voltmeter or tripometer.
If you press the button by the odometer, the odometer display should change to a trip odometer. At least that's how it is with my '99.

[GAJ83]

1. The fact the water pump is leaking
2. The brakes are underdesigned for this car
3. I've put nearly 200k miles on it.

[ssracer]

It's slow and it's automatic.

[[ChaosweaveR]]

-I really wish the 3400 motor would have came with a 5-speed. 99' and up GAGT's would have better potential with a manual backing the V6.

-The 3400 motor would have been better if it made more power right out of the box. The motor has potential, but you have to do a fair amount of work to really get the most out of it.

-The funky dash. I really wish it had more a the Grand Prix look to it, and the speedo light HUD on the winshield would have been an awesome option for the GAGT.

But despite that, I love my GT.

[jackpot]

-I really wish the 3400 motor would have came with a 5-speed. 99' and up GAGT's would have better potential with a manual backing the V6.

-The 3400 motor would have been better if it made more power right out of the box. The motor has potential, but you have to do a fair amount of work to really get the most out of it.

-The funky dash. I really wish it had more a the Grand Prix look to it, and the speedo light HUD on the winshield would have been an awesome option for the GAGT.

But despite that, I love my GT.

I think that hits the nail on the head, IMO

peace
JP

[Rainbow1616]

I love the car but if I had to be picky I would like:

Heated outside mirrors

Onstar capabilities

Oh and convertible :lol:

[RRD]

I've had my 03 GA SE for 5 months now and I like the car overall with only a few nuisances but they are easily cured. I no longer have to dig for the safety belt clip which falls to the floor. A simple retainer that slides on the belt from Canadian Tire solved that. Condensate in a headlight but thanks to this site that's now fixed. I drilled a few holes for ventilation after cleaning the factory vent which didn't help. Keeping moisture out of the rear bumper back up lights is a PITA! I made up some plastic shielding for them so they don't get heaps of road crap/salt etc. on them. GM should have installed better protection from rear wheel spray.
Resale value? I don't care! I usually wear my vehicles out before choosing another victim:D That being said, it is a good bang for the buck! Great styling, smooth ride and handles fine. I do wish mine had power windows. I find it odd to have options like a car starter/keyless entry/power locks and trunk and NO power windows...weird:???:
Roger

[rotestier95]

the key doesn't open the trunk, but it works on the doors so i have to use the remote or the button inside the car (like it was put there for show or something).

idk if it's like this in your car, but in my 95 there's a thing on the inside of the trunk lid when you open it and you can slide it back and forth. it's like a "lock out" or something. anyway, if you slide it one way, it makes it so that you can't open the trunk with the key (you have to use the inside lever on my car...no remote entry :() and if you slide it the other way you CAN open it with the key.

idk :)

[Mirage]

my engine that shits the bed all the time, some problem or another. i must have a very "buggy" 99 engine or something, its one of the very first in 99 (according the guys at the shop who looked at my vin i guess) ive done all the usual, upper and lower gaskets, alternator, coil packs, ignition module, hub sensors ect ect but i get wierd stuff going on like electrical pins for the emmisions connectors going bad/frying and crap like that, all under 60,000 miles still. they just dont build them like the old GM's thats for damn sure.
otherwise, i like it, its ok, and its 100 percent paid for so im not upset.

[Twista89]

Wind Noise(But speakers drown that out now)
all the creeks and stuff that make unnecessary noise in the cabin(But fixed thx to speakers)
its slow(but not for the rest of its life)
Its a bitch to work on anything in it.

[Twista89]

idk if it's like this in your car, but in my 95 there's a thing on the inside of the trunk lid when you open it and you can slide it back and forth. it's like a "lock out" or something. anyway, if you slide it one way, it makes it so that you can't open the trunk with the key (you have to use the inside lever on my car...no remote entry :() and if you slide it the other way you CAN open it with the key.

idk :)

you have it opposite....it stops the trunk popper inside from working not the key.

[pinchy0747]

ya, the only thing i dont like bout my se is that my blower motor blew twice, and some of the pieces are cheap and break, and mine has scratches and marks. other than that its great, especially on gas!

[mwells]

The hideous wheel covers, and the fact that I cannot get it into programming mode no matter what method I try.

[5speed4]

all the creeks and stuff that make unnecessary noise in the cabin(But fixed thx to speakers)

See, that's the exact opposite of my '03 GA, at 79K miles it feels tight as hell.
No creaks, rattles, squeaks, etc. I must have gotten one that was built on a good day.



Its a bitch to work on anything in it.

Do you have the 3400? I haven't had to do anything major to my 2.2L yet, but it looks like everything is really easy to get to. I checked all the sparkplugs the other day and that was a breeze. Changing the oil was easy too.

[red04ga]

hmm...it'd be a shorter list what i do like, first off, it has 47k and i have put a BCM in it, both front wheel bearings, brakes once and they are do for replacement again, and the front end is shot :-| OH and the engine makes more f'n noise than my 97 F250 with 160K :-| n people wonder why ima ford guy...

[xinuflux]

Corrosion on edges of wheels on GAGT. Otherwise no complaints.

[HotShot]

Lack of speed

[vash6563]

I hate the headlights, the underpowered V6, the clips that keep breaking on my window system, the horrible ABS system, the fact I can't have a manual with my V6, the scratches on the windows, and I have drum brakes on my rear end. Otherwise, it's ok for my First car. (well, second after a 90 mitsubishi galant, but I don't consider that to be a car.)

EDIT: I also hate that I had to fix the clicking noise on the flasher/steering wheel multi switch myself

[missdemeanor]

If you press the button by the odometer, the odometer display should change to a trip odometer. At least that's how it is with my '99.

Thanks, I figured there was one... somewhere. I rarely bother with those, but I'm so used to seeing both together on the dash. I admit that I neglected to look in the manual. I actually just found that out myself while cleaning my interior. While cleaning the front of the dash, I had accidentally bumped down the button. Usually I'm more inquisitive and end up trying everything out, I should have known there was a reason for that button sticking out. I figured it was for a 'change oil' reset, but now I know.

[missdemeanor]

Meh... I just got mine and I have a partial list already

1) Road noise... sounds like the floorboards are full of holes, they aren't though.
2) Placement of the cup holders
3) Hard to get out of tight parking spaces due to the high sight line of the rear and the slope of the front. I'm now scared to death of parallel parking, more so now.
4) Headlights stay on monetarily after shutting off the car, makes me nervous when it's -30 out and wishing for maximum battery conservation.
5) No voltmeter.

Edited for finding trip odometer and omitting it from the list.

6) 'Heavy brake' feel. The brakes have a somewhat slow response feel to them and I talked about it with a few mechanics who say it's common for this type of mid-sized domestic car.
7) The V6 warm-up tick. Good grief, sometimes it scares me. I check the oil to find out that it's clean and full. I suppose there is no such thing as a silent engine, but I could easily do without the valve train noise.

[bballr4567]

Sarah,

I can guarantee you that the road noise you are hearing is from your tires. I went from crappy Fuzion tires to very good Falkens and my road noise was GONE

For the tick try searching on here for Seafoam and doing the full treatment to your car. It should help out a TON. It did on my 01 when I did it at 150k miles.

[GMFWDFAN]

Right now I heavily dislike that mine has a giant hole in the front bumper with two badly mis-aimed headlights.

Althought that's not really the car's fault. :lol:

[MaTTy"GuNN]

Mickey Mouse mirrors, which is an easy fix ;) Other than that, I love my baby.

[missdemeanor]

Sarah,

I can guarantee you that the road noise you are hearing is from your tires. I went from crappy Fuzion tires to very good Falkens and my road noise was GONE

For the tick try searching on here for Seafoam and doing the full treatment to your car. It should help out a TON. It did on my 01 when I did it at 150k miles.

That could very well be as I've heard that some tires can create road noise similar to early signs of wheel bearing deficiency. I forget what brand the tires are, but I think that the front differs from the rear. I believe most noise is coming from the rear which may be stock or stock replacements. They don't require replacement yet, so I'll keep turning up the stereo for a fix until it's time for tire shopping.

I'll check into a Seafoam treatment, I think NAPA up here now has it. Thanks for the advice.

[jackpot]

yea I have a similar noise, sounds like a wheel bearing, but have had them checked out and they're fine. sound is sort of a womp womp womp sound when traveling, not crazy loud tho

I have 4 mirada tires (yokohama i believe) they're pretty good tires but id like to see if/when i get new tires if this noise is gone

what part of canada you from sarah?

peace
JP

[missdemeanor]

I put it so far in the back of my mind that I honestly forgot what it sounds like, kind of a whining noise... I think. I'll have to report back in a day or two and remember to keep the stereo off.

A province over, where there are no mountains within the horizon or plush scenery AKA part of the flatlands.

[Corey213]

What I don't like about my Grand Am is the passlock and LIM problems. Otherwise, I love it.

[missdemeanor]

I have 4 mirada tires (yokohama i believe) they're pretty good tires but id like to see if/when i get new tires if this noise is gone
JP

I have non-matching tires. Generals on the front and Comp T/As on the rear. The obnoxious noise is a whining sound, I do believe the whine/hum is based at the rear. I'll probably replace the Comps as they aren't suitable to be paired up with different speed rated tires. I'll get some matching Generals in the fall and see if that kills the noise.

[jackpot]

prairie girl, prairie girl, not bad looking for a prairie girl lol (sing it like a song)

j/k you would look good even in BC lmao

peace
JP

[MantaGreen97]

I love my car, but I do have my nitpicks about it. After nearly 11 years and 220,000kms of ownership I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. (However I will be getting another car pretty shortly which will take over most daily driving duties.)

Though I've actually done a lot of work on my car over the years, very few things were actually the "fault of the car" rather than myself or from accidents or otherwise.

The list is actually pretty short and respectable, IMO:
1. LIM leak, fixed under warranty.
2. A/C compressor clutch stuck halfway between on and off. Would engage but not fully disengate. Fixed under warranty, never came back (knock on wood).
3. Pax side power window motor failed. Bought a US-made motor, fixed it myself.
4. LIM leak again. Left it for over a year, never leaked in the oil, finally I fixed that and converted the top end to an LG8 top end with port-polished upper and lower; sorry couldn't afford port-polished heads but I put the LG8 heads on there anyway.
4. Radiator just gave way last week. Considering the plastic side tanks on these have a bad rep, I can't complain on how long mine lasted.
5. The valve body in my trans is pretty messed right now. Fluid leaking past some of the valves causes a neutral condition (!!!) at times when you floor it in "D" (but not in "3"), also the torque converter lockup is messed on long drives. I get a DTC that sets and the PCM inhibits lockup to prevent the TCC from too much wear. Reason was when GM switched to aluminum valve bodies and valves they weren't tough enough. They later replaced them with anodised valves which didn't score and let the fluid leak past. I have to pull the valve body on my trans, but since it's a daily driver I can't do that until I get another car.

That's it. I can't really think of any other real problems I had with it.

Things that I really dislike about the car just by design:
1. LIM issue. An engineering flaw since 1994, continued until nearly 10 years later before GM did anything about it. Retarded. Furthermore it wasn't until the 3900 until GM completely eliminated the possibility of the problem (by changing the routing of the coolant return).

2. Brakes. Oh man, I can't say enough about how inadequate the brakes are on this car. I mean sure it hauls down okay for its time/class, with full brake application; but c'mon rear drums and no rear disc option? Brakes that wear in like 2-3 years even if you barely touch them? Pretty primative caliper/slider design as well. Though I guess then again, it's easy enough to change them because of this. I've changed/serviced the brakes so many times it's not funny. Since brakes are a wear item I don't think I can consider this a "problem" other than the fact that I think the car should have had a better braking system.

3. Lack of a real rear anti-sway bar. Like WTF were they thinking??? The very close Beretta got a wild assortment of sway bars depending on how they were optioned. And the Beretta had some very good handling for its time/class, and even today a Beretta optioned with the Z51 (or whatever it was) rear sway bar handles quite well. The GA, 96-98, can't hold its rear end down to save it's life. Though I probably should have rectified this years ago with an aftermarket one, I still haven't. Again one of those projects to do while the car is parked once I get another one. Also I'll add I'm not really a fan of the stinkin' torsion beam solid rear axle. Like c'mon why no independent rear end?

However really I'm not complaining at all. The car has never left me stranded anywhere in 11 years; it was built very well (I know, I've done all sorts of work on the car); the interior design of the car I cannot say enough about. To this day I have trouble finding an interior built as ergonomic as a 96-98 Grand Am. I could go on a bit more about what I do like about the car but since this is a thread about what you dislike I'll just leave it at that.

As an aside, there are very few GMs that appeal to me these days, and I probably won't buy another one unless they change things up a good bit. Most of the cars now all have horrid interiors for one thing; another thing is that they are underachivers to the degree where they try very hard but come up very short. I mean the GA was itself sort of an underachiever (see my comments on brakes and the suspension) but it never promised all this stuff and then never delivered. Only GMs I really like right now are the Sky, CTS, and of course the Vette. Other than that it's all forgettable, uninteresting junk. :(

[GrandAmGuy86]

I love my GA, except for some things that it doesnt have:
1)Fold-down rear seat
2)Power Mirrors
3)Sunroof

[GMFWDFAN]

My new gripe: The "CD/PLAY" and "EJECT" buttons on my stereo no longer illuminate with the rest of the interior lighs at night. :( They didn't even get dim over time, they just quit last night.

And my paint gets very shiny when I wash/wax it, but in the sun it looks terrible. :( There's nothing but a bunch of swirl marks and acid rain spots. I want to get it buffed.

[macv]

I dislike the fact that when I bought the car, I didn't just get the dealership to add on things I badly want now at the time (alloy wheels & sunroof) because I was just totally caught up in "ooh hey, I just bought the car of my dreams, yay grand am" and everytime I look at the stupid pie pieces (the 3 slot hubcaps) that are attached to my wheels, I just sigh a little bit. And even though the 4-banger is very fuel efficient (I spend alot less at the gas pumps than my boyfriend with his very nice 2003 GT1) I still wish I had a v6 engine... (This is talking about our other car... my Grand Am SE1)

[GA_mayne]

My new gripe: The "CD/PLAY" and "EJECT" buttons on my stereo no longer illuminate with the rest of the interior lighs at night. :( They didn't even get dim over time, they just quit last night.


at least it still works! Mine doesn't work at all..... just get some error code and it spits the cd back at me.

[Devastator™]

Position of cup holders in the front suuuuuuuuuucks. Don't even think about pulling a Jumbo sized drink from one after putting it in park.

[ltpats]

TO SLOW !!!! When you get dusted by a Nissan Altima, and a Saturn SL2 (a beater I might add!!!) Pontiac grossly underpowered these vehicles. Just for fun I raced a GTO, now I'm ready to jump off a bridge....:lol:

[mikekanzler]

new gripe is some one ran into it again :( maybe the 5th time is the charm :D

[CTKraig]

1.)I would have to say my biggest gripe is GM's primer of choice...it didn't hold the paint over time and now it's got several large primer spots with rust beginning, and it's bubbling all around those spots...looks like I'm going to have to strip it to the metal, then re-prime and re-paint it...but this is more of an older generation GA issue...

2.)No keyless entry and lack of power windows kinda make it frustrating somtimes.

3.) The doors won't stay open for me, they swing shut after opening them...

4.) I'm 6'4" (36" Pants lol) and it's pretty comfortable, more so than I expected, but getting in and out around the wheel is tough.

[baby_hugs]

My main issue is that there is on the HVAC system no Just Floor option,
fuel pump, intake gasket, blower fan, alternator, all went before 70, 000 km,
the rear bumper back up lights have had to be replaced 3 times due to winter,
and all the crappy stuff the dealership did to it "attempting" to touch it up

[agerber2000]

My biggest complaint is the fact that some of these cars they just put alloy wheals on and some they put on the chrometech. That is for the GT's. Unfourtuantely mine had just alloy. Although I bought a set of chrometech.

[JPicasso]

The blower motor and resistor went bad on mine and I also wish the side mirrors were hinged or "bendy" as both have broken off and I've had to re-attach mine in a not-so elegant way.
But the thing I really dislike is the driver side sun visor won't stay against the windshield, it always pops down, and all I can see is a thin sliver of road above my hood, unless I crouch down.

So I bought sunglasses. :cool:

All in all, it's been a decent car and fun to drive.

[ramairgrandamgt]

right now it's that lifting dash and the trim affixed / glued to the edge of sunroof glass. clunk im steering felt and heard when car is on , just sitting still and when you rock steering wheel back and fourth quickly.

eek and creek of back and front brakes, for now fix with lubrication of the caliper piston and it's boots. a little brother at times by when car goes over bumps etc and you hear a clunk . i guess that has to do with the struts/struts mounts .

[chrisjkru]

I wish the car came with 30-40 more horsepower and about 25-30 more lb feet of torque. It is a little embarrasing when a minivan or suv can beat you to the next stop light.

[C-Rell Da Kid]

My car personally.. No sunroof. it sucks in the summer time and to see all the silver gts like mine with sunroofs makes me mad.

[ltpats]

I wish the car came with 30-40 more horsepower and about 25-30 more lb feet of torque. It is a little embarrasing when a minivan or suv can beat you to the next stop light.

Ever try a GTO? OMG, you wont have to worry about that ever again, what a blast !!!

[Angie8]

My 2004 GA is a piece of work lol... Are all GA slow to Accelarate? Cuz I know Mine is, It also has this problem with Im guessing the Fuel Pump? When I get to a little under a quarter tank of gas my car starts acting funny...It drives like there is this added risistance as if I was going up hill but it happens on flat roads. lol O well at least I can get around. :O

[ltpats]

My 2004 GA is a piece of work lol... Are all GA slow to Accelarate? Cuz I know Mine is, It also has this problem with Im guessing the Fuel Pump? When I get to a little under a quarter tank of gas my car starts acting funny...It drives like there is this added risistance as if I was going up hill but it happens on flat roads. lol O well at least I can get around. :O

Yes Angie they are all pretty much dogs off the line. I think my dads Vega pulled harder.......GTO !!!!!!!! lol

[HornetGT141]

Interesting reads with this topic, I guess I'll make my list (98 GAGT) in no particular order. :lol:

1) Weird problems that occur cause of poor battery connections or a battery that is on its way out. Random stuff will start going wrong.

2) Position of the front cup holder, it is nearly impossible to put a large drink in the front one unless the gear shifter is in anything lower than Drive.

3) Disc read errors with the stock CD player when it is really cold or humid out. In addition to the CD player the LCD screen becomes very jumbled and unreadable sometimes for about 10 minutes until the car warms up.

4) LIM gasket leak problem, until you change to Fel-Pro's ;)

5) Rear drum brakes = pain in the ass

6) Power windows seem to lack speed, or they go out easy.

7) Acceleration seems to lack at times.

[Gooman18]

My complaints are the crappy AC Delco batteries that they came equipped with. The negative post on the AC battery fused to my negative cable after about 500 miles. What a nightmare. Had to replace the whole end of the neg. cable. Im also unhappy with the lack of aftermarket. Theres a lot more for the 3400 than the Ecotec. If you want anything youre definitely paying for it. And Im disappointed with the passenger front fenders lack of dent resistance, I guess when you sideswipe a pole its "supposed" to bend.

[Pontiac]

My issue, bearings. I bought the car in Nov 2007, replaced bearings once, and already I'm looking to do them again.

My horn doesn't work because the cover on the steering wheel has tightened up and now the horn stays on. Pulled the relay to fix that.

I hear clicking when idle, but unsure if thats really normal. Its not loud, can't be heard when the windows up, just when I'm sitting next to a wall or whatever.

The mess that seems to accumulate in it since I pretty much live in it, and have two kids under the age of 3.

[bballr4567]

Im also unhappy with the lack of aftermarket. Theres a lot more for the 3400 than the Ecotec. If you want anything youre definitely paying for it.

Ill tell you first hand that there is by far WAY MORE aftermarket for the Ecotec then the 3400. You need to search a little bit more into the parts for it.

[wjjeepman34]

This is my list-

1. The cupholders

2. My passenger side window wont roll up with the pass. side control, but will roll down with it. (drivers side controls work for putting it up or down). Also, maybe related to the problem, the pass. side lock button will not lock the car, but the unlock works.

3. The monsoon system is giving me problems playing cd's. Brand new cd's (legal or burned) will play fine, then skip, then play fine, then skip, etc.

4. Rear drum brakes...wtf is up with that?

5. Traction control. Inhibits my ability to drive, and if you need traction control in order to drive a FWD vehicle (winter or not), you need not to drive!

6. The tires. This may not be GM's fault, I do not know what kind of tires came out of the factory, but I bought mine with Goodyear eagle LS tires, and wow. Dry, this tires are pretty sweet, straight line and cornering. Rain, traction is MARGINAL at best. I have an ecotec 2.2 and under normal acceleration (okay, compared to most people its somewhat hard) I spin the tires every single time in the rain, and I dont mean a little chirp for a couple feet and then I have traction, I'm talking all the way across an intersection without even trying! And the tires still have 60-70% tread left.

7. My shifter button thing keeps falling out.

8. The lack of gauges (volt, oil press., etc.)

So far I think thats it. I've owned the GA for about two weeks now. Anyone have suggestions on my power window/lock problem? I already tried clearing the connectors of corrision, and that didnt work.

[bballr4567]

2. My passenger side window wont roll up with the pass. side control, but will roll down with it. (drivers side controls work for putting it up or down). Also, maybe related to the problem, the pass. side lock button will not lock the car, but the unlock works.
Hit up ebay for a new passenger side control module. My driver side did the exact same thing, got a new one and it stopped.