1996 Pontiac Grand Am Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
How does a car with so many problems continue to be Pontiac's top seller for so many years? Perhaps because its flaws are outweighed by...
How does a car with so many problems continue to be Pontiac's top seller for so many years? Perhaps because its flaws are outweighed by excellent highway performance and handling and a comfortable interior, according to 1996 Grand Am owners.
For 1996, the Pontiac Grand Am gets more aggressive styling, with a new front end, including a new grille and headlights. Taillights and some body trim also get a new look. Inside, the dash has been redesigned, with the parking brake moved to the center console from the foot well. Now standard on both SE and GT models are ABS brakes, dual front airbags, anti-theft locks, variable effort power steering, and daytime running lights, in addition to the already standard power locks and fog lights.
A new Twin Cam 2.4-liter I4 engine replaces the now defunct DOHC Quad 4. It hits 150-hp and is paired with a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic. It is standard on both SE and GT trims. The optional 3.1, 155-hp V6 is unchanged in the 1996 Grand Am and still only comes with the auto tran. A new feature is traction control, which comes bundled with the auto tran option.
The 1996 Pontiac Grand Am is a roomy family sedan that also makes a good commuter car because it drives well and has decent fuel economy, while still loaded with sufficient creature comforts. Drivers like its highway performance, sporty handling, and the sleek styling of the coupe. The Grand Am has suffered from a long list of repaithe car holds up well over the years, they note significant problems with the intake manifold, steering column, and early brake wear. There is also annoying rattling and squeaking from the dash, despite its redesign.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am appreciate its sporty performance, fun driving experience, and good fuel economy. Many drivers enjoyed the car's acceleration and handling, especially on turns, but some expressed frustration with common mechanical issues and the reliability of the engine. While the interior may feel a bit plain for some, its affordability and fun factor were highlighted as strong points."
I bought this car for $1600 in 2004. It has been relatively trouble free the whole time. In 2006, my wife stalled it in high water, water actually in the cylinder banks. Spent $100 on the starter, cleaned out the engine, and runs great. Soon after, someone didn't yield at a stop sign, and smacked the rear passenger side. Got $1400 from their insurance, spent $20 for parts, and fixed it myself. Put new tires with full alignment and fuel pump on it since then, have a net cost of about $800 in it, still worth probably $1200-1500. 144,000miles and running strong. Great factory CD player and icy AC. Does the job, gets me back and forth to work every day!
July 3, 2008This car is great. 250,000 miles and no major problems. Gas mileage is around 34 mpg in town and 38 on the highway. Relatively lost operating costs, minus the fact that gas is flipping 4 dollars a gallon. This car has a manual transmission and which makes it more fuel efficient and much more fun to drive.
September 3, 2008This car handles great, fantastic pickup and cornering, almost too much power for a new driver!
May 8, 2008What owners say
I bought this car for $1600 in 2004. It has been relatively trouble free the whole time. In 2006, my wife stalled it in high water, water actually in the cylinder banks. Spent $100 on the starter, cleaned out the engine, and runs great. Soon after, someone didn't yield at a stop sign, and smacked the rear passenger side. Got $1400 from their insurance, spent $20 for parts, and fixed it myself. Put new tires with full alignment and fuel pump on it since then, have a net cost of about $800 in it, still worth probably $1200-1500. 144,000miles and running strong. Great factory CD player and icy AC. Does the job, gets me back and forth to work every day!
July 3, 2008This car is great. 250,000 miles and no major problems. Gas mileage is around 34 mpg in town and 38 on the highway. Relatively lost operating costs, minus the fact that gas is flipping 4 dollars a gallon. This car has a manual transmission and which makes it more fuel efficient and much more fun to drive.
September 3, 2008This car handles great, fantastic pickup and cornering, almost too much power for a new driver!
May 8, 2008This car has lots of fun things about it. it has enough balls. when you floor it you feel the torque. i had some scary times with this car though. brake line broke on me and almost crashed. Interior is not anything special what so ever.
June 2, 2010The interior is kinda of plain, the exterior has that sporty fast look to it, it handles like no other car i have driven it grips sharp turns like it was nothing, handles decent in bad weather, overall performance is pretty good, what it doesn't have in Horsepower it makes up with outstanding acceleration. Best 0-60 is around 5.5-6 seconds
April 19, 2008Performance is very good. Build Quality the 3.1 that comes stock in it is a very bad engine unless its a rebuilt one. Appearance is very nice. Cost is ok. Fun Factor well i had alot of fun in it lol.
September 1, 2009Worst car i ever owned. spent more time in the garage then own the road. It handled not bad, good on gas, had lots of power But it was generally broke. would not buy another grand am. crappiest car ever
October 13, 2009I love the room and the storage compartments... not to mention the 4 doors is great when loading the baby in...The power is better than some vehicles I've driven and I love the green color of it... The gas mileage is great but needs a bit of work on it.
July 15, 2008The car is a fairly nice car. It runs great and drives very nice but the engine is awful. It only had 63k miles on it and the engine blew. The gas mileage is not that bad it gets about 25 miles to the gallon. Maintenance is kind of expensive. This car is really fun to drive around town and stuff.
July 5, 2008great travel car, good power with the v6, a little small in side, easy to maintain and fix. dont get a 2 door, been having problems with both windows since i got it (mechanicly) and since the doors are so big the hinges need extra attention.
March 14, 2008
