I am dead set on purchasing a grand am because i like the price and ive
heard good things about them but i dont know what style and speed to
purchase. What is the difference between a se and a se1? is it basically
the trim? i know they both come in a 4 cylinder and a v6 but do i have
to purchase the v6 to get a good car? what i mean is i know the v6's
tend to cost a little more but are the 4 cylinders good enough to get me
to where i need to go? I have heard that even for a 4 cylinder they go
pretty fast and are good enough. So what do you recommend? any info will
be appreciated.

On Mar 24, 3:36 am, CRUXSHADOWS_BAUH... (AT) webtv (DOT) net (PETER MURPHY)
wrote:
Great site for some info.

http://www.gaownersclub.com

"PETER MURPHY" <CRUXSHADOWS_BAUHAUS (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

My sister used to have a 2004 Grand Am GT, which she bought brand new.
Totally loaded, except leather. The car was wrote off in an accident over a
year ago, and she liked it so much she went out and bought a 2003 Grand Am
GT, also totally loaded, but this time with leather. The only reason she
bought an older model was she didn't want the lease payments anymore, and
she really rings up the KM's. As for the cars, they are both 2-doors, which
I personally don't like, as I am used to a 4-door, but they are comfortable
to drive. I do find it small (but I drive a Bonneville), but the thing
corners incredible, and the 3400 V6 with RamAir makes the thing go like
crazy. As for which engine you would want, that's totally up to you. If you
are worrying about fuel cost, or insurance (most insurance companies will
have a much cheaper rate for a 4-door SE with a 4 cylinder, then a 4-door GT
with the V6), then the 4 cylinder would be the way to go. If you want the
car to *move*, then I suggest the V6. As for 'toys' such as power windows,
locks, mirrors, sunroof, CD/MP3, that is also up to you. My sisters current
Grand Am had the upgraded Monsoon sound system, but she still took it out
and put in a Pioneer CD/MP3 deck. It sounds great.
Now that I am thinking about it, I have a friend with a 2002 (I believe)
Grand Am GT 4-door. It's a nice car too. Doesn't handle as well as the
2-door model, but it will still take the corners.
Your best bet would be to test drive both the 4 cylinder and the V6. If you
feel the 4 has enough power for you, then no need to upgrade to the V6. If
you feel the car barley moves, then you might be happier with the V6. Just
remember, cars aren't something most people buy and sell all the time, so
make sure you get what you want, for the price you want before you buy it.


Sorry for the rant, but if you have any other questions about the look,
feel, or driving experience of either car, let me know and I will try my
best to answer.

Ty so much for responding to my last post, you were very helpful.
Basically i already test drove a 4 cylinder and i was very happy with
the speed it goes for a 4 cylinder. Also, alot of 4 cylinders already
have power windows, power locks, air bags etc and a pretty good stereo
system already. Imo, unless you plan on racing then why do you really
need to upgrade to a v6 when a 4 cylinder is enough for you? A gt is way
out of my price range and t me that's more of a show car then anything
else and like you im not too big on the 2 doors either. I also find the
4 cylinders to be much cheaper as far as insurance goes and much better
on fuel. Also, the ppl that i know that have v6's and gt's pay over 300
a month on insurance. Do you think a 4 cylinder is fast enough as far as
getting to where you need to go? and last i checked the 5 speed was only
available with a 4 cylinder. So overall, do you think 4 cylinders handle
pretty good on the road? And also your sister must be rich to purchase a
brand new gt. thanks again

So whats your problem? Don't purchase one.

Sal
"PETER MURPHY" <CRUXSHADOWS_BAUHAUS (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

He's dead set ON, not against purchasing one Sal. I had to read it twice
myself.

Peter, I find my 2001 3.4l SE1 (4 dr) to be quite comfortable responsive,
good handling and reasonably efficient. This from a guy who drove a BMW
previously; it was an older one and I inherited the GA with only 14,000
miles, so dumped the BMW. Now it has 55,000 and I still like driving it. The
3.4 engines usually have gasket issues, so beware, been there. GM fixed it
for $300 as it was out of warranty.

Good luck


"sal" <sjimk (AT) mts (DOT) net> wrote

I have a 95 GA 4dr with a 3.1 V6. (Only 48k miles!)
Add custom wheels and a good sound system (Pioneer Elite/Infinity
Speakers) and your passengers will be impressed.
The 3.1 V6 was recognized as one of the 10 best engines ever made at
the International Auto Show in 1996.
Detroit has never made a reliable 4 cyl. engine and it's costing them
market share everyday. Stick with the V6 and you'll be driving a great
highway car. I can go 75mph and still get over 30mpg because the rpms
stay low (under 2000). Around town I get about 20mpg. Not great but
better than SUV's.
My GA handles great. I have a new set of Goodyear Assurance tires that
give me a smooth ride and great performance even in wet weather.

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 01:36:38 -0500, CRUXSHADOWS_BAUHAUS (AT) webtv (DOT) net
(PETER MURPHY) wrote:

grand ams are poorly made. you can replace a hub and 6 months later it
goes again and they say it is common. yeah it is soooo common let me
mind
you 1 hub will set you back 270 dollars

"valeriecara" <valerie_cara (AT) excite (DOT) com> wrote

Buy a better hub.

Sorry Peter, I kind of lost this thread in the clutter that is my
newsreader.

"PETER MURPHY" <CRUXSHADOWS_BAUHAUS (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

I personally, have always liked the 6 cylinder's. I just think the 4's don't
have enough power to get me going on the highway. But, like I said, that is
totally personal preference. If you are happy with the power from a 4
cylinder, then that would be the way to go.

The GT's are basically a 'tougher' version of the Grand Am. Dual exaust,
leather (sometimes), awesome stereo, awesome chrome rims (sometimes), but
that is all preferance too. If you want something that just get's you from
point A to point B, then go for the cheaper one.

4's will usually get better mileage, but my sisters V6 (3.4L) get's damned
good mileage, and can go like a bat out of hell.

Insurance all depends on age, gender, driving, and stuff like that. I own a
'96 Bonneville, that is top of the line, with a supercharged engine, and I
only pay $77 a month to insure it, with full coverage. If you are under 25,
or have speeding tickets, then yes, you will be paying much more. The
insurance companies usually consider the GT's more 'sportier' then the
regular models.

Like I said, it's all personal preference. My car has a good 60 horse-power
over my sister's Grand Am, and I can certainly tell the difference when I
drive her car, but her car will still move damned quick.

I haven't seen many 5-speed's in Grand Am's around here (Ontario, Canada). I
have seen a few Oldsmobile Alero's (the sister-car of the Grand Am) with the
5 speed, but I don't think I have ever seen a Grand Am with one up close.

Well, if you are talking about going from point A to point B, then sure, the
4 cylinder is great. If you want to be able to do 0-60 in 7.7 seconds, and
corner like a sports car, then the GT is the way to go. As for my sister,
she's not rich. She actually leased the brand new Grand Am, but decided to
purchase the older one after the brand new one was wrote off.

Anyhow, good luck to you on your purchase, which ever way you go!