Review

1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am
The Pontiac Grand Am is an excellent car. It provides the driver with a comfortable ride while also delivering an exhilarating amount of pep. There are five different trims of the Grand Am which help meet the needs of all owners. The market for car owners spreads the gamut. However, specific types of cars attract different buyers. There are many brands that supply for different tiers of drivers. The audience for a Pontiac Grand Am is simply an American car enthusiast who may not quite have the funds for a top of the line muscle car. This does not exclude anyone. I have seen Grand Am owners of all ages, races, and genders.
While there can be many stereotypes made on who drives what kind of car, it doesn’t matter what your race, gender, or age is for what car you drive. It is based solely on personality. Instead of meeting the needs of just one group of car drivers, the Pontiac Grand Am was designed with five different trims. The SE and SE1 models were focused on a more reserved approach. The audience for these trims value fuel economy and safety the most. The SE and SE1 come with a four cylinder engine that gets better gas mileage and is safer because it has less horsepower. The Grand Am pleases the values for them while also providing a sleek sporty look. With this car the consumers will feel they on the higher end of cars and will feel more socially with it.
The SE2 attracts the middle group of buyers. These people like the SE and SE1. However, they would like a little extra horsepower and don’t mind sacrificing some gas mileage for it either. The SE2 has the same body trim as the SE and SE1 but has multiple upgrades. For instance, instead of a 2.2 liter or 2.4 liter four cylinder engine it is equipped with a 3.4 liter V6. Other modifications are in the interior with added technology and the monsoon sound system. With this car the buyer will be sure to impress his friends and not at the expense of his wallet.
The last two models are the top tier. They are the GT and GT1, these cars have the same 3.4 liter engine as the SE2 but have many more perks. The first big difference with the GT is the body style. The SE body styles have changed throughout the years yet the GT body was so great they kept it for every year. It has a sleek body skirt with two stylish ridges and has a bold black outlining above it. It also comes standard with a rear spoiler and dual exhaust with a custom bumper to fit it. One thing the GT upgrades is the brake system. Instead of the standard front disk brakes and rear drums it has disk brakes on all four wheels. This not only looks much better but significantly decreases its stopping time. There are also multiple interior modifications. The front seats have the GT insignia cut out of the headrest and leather interior. This trim of the Grand Am is for drivers who have the need for speed. As you can see even for just one model of car there is a large audience of buyers that can no be narrowed down to a particular group of people. That is why the Pontiac Grand Am offers so many different features.
Review
Performance
The SE and SE1 trim originally came with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder which had 150 horsepower. Then in 2002 they switched to a 2.2 liter 4 cylinder. This sacrificed horsepower moving it down to 140 however added an extra two miles per gallon, resulting in 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. This put an economical engine in a stylish car.
However, economical is not for everyone. Some drivers simply crave power. This is where the SE2 and GT models came into play. The SE2, GT, and GT1 came with a 3.4 liter V6 engine that supplied 180 horsepower. This provides plenty of power for any driver with the need for speed, without completely sacrificing fuel economy like a V8. The 6 cylinder runs 20 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.
Style
The Grand Am was completely revamped from 1998 to 1999 when Pontiac revealed the new model. The old model was bleak and boxy while the new model was styled with sleek curves. The SE trims have changed from 1999 to 2005 yet the GT trims have remained the same. While the SE models look great the GT models are far superior. The GT comes standard with rear disk breaks, rear spoiler, and dual exhaust. These features are what really excite car enthusiasts.
Handling
The Grand Am has great handling. Its low design reduces its likelihood to flip. Also it can be equipped with strut bars that allow turns to be made with ease at speeds in excess of 90 miles an hour.
Maintenance
There are some minor setbacks to the Grand Am, as the miles rack up a few so do the repairs. One problem that has been apparent in many cases is a leak in the coolant. This isn’t too big of a deal though and can be fixed with a new water pump. There are only a few other mechanical problems and once they are taken care of they are very reliable. Just like any other car you just have to keep up with normal maintenance such as oil changes.