Betcha new this was coming. *ba dum tch*

[SSnake]

Hey all. I just got my first Pontiac, which is also my first car. It's a 2001 grand am gt.

The previous owner seemed to have smashed it to bits. Both bumpers seem to have been wrecked or replaced. The front being entirely smashed with a "coyote crusher" welded in its place, and the rear appearing to have been painted with a single coat which is now flaking. The windshield is cracked and the paint all over is scratched.

So I googled around and this appears to be the only active Pontiac forum, and I plan to mod it as I repair it. I'm a little confused why "Bonneville" seems to be interchangeable with many words, but anyway, here's a pic of the car in its current state:

[J Wikoff]

Not to drive you away, but there is a pretty decent Grand Am forum. Like most any Pontiac forum, it used to be busier...

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/index.php

But, welcome! Ownership of a Bonneville is not a requirement.

We used to have an 04 SE. It had 180k on it when we sold it about 4 years ago. It didn't need a whole lot of attention, and was in really great shape when we sold it. Didn't even have any rust. It held up by far the best of any car we've had. My G8 is now about the same age as the GA was when we sold it, and the GA put it to shame, even with 3 times as many miles.

[CMNTMXR57]

Did I miss something about your G8 mang? I mean, I knew (purposely spelled correctly BTW), that you had that body work done awhile back... But I'm gonna say 9 times outta 10, anything put together by Holden is > than anything put together by GMNA of that vintage.

[Benvw99]

Nice Grand Am! I just sold mine over a month ago. It was a black sedan just like yours! I enjoyed it, but it started showing problems. Hopefully you have great luck!

[SSnake]

Thanks for the tip J, and thanks Ben. I am a little bothered that as old as they are, they are still common here. I'm trying to make it stand out lol I think this car will last quite a while once I fix the existing problems.

[nos4blood70]

Welcome to the club sir, Bonneville or no Bonneville. Lots of members here don't have Bonnevilles anymore.

[J Wikoff]

Did I miss something about your G8 mang? I mean, I knew (purposely spelled correctly BTW), that you had that body work done awhile back... But I'm gonna say 9 times outta 10, anything put together by Holden is > than anything put together by GMNA of that vintage.

Well, let's see, by 62,000 miles:
3 sets of lower control arms
Incessant alignment issues
Idler pulley
Airbag clock spring
Steering rack
Shrinking hardening leather on the seats
Steering wheel replaced twice for the same shrinking
Lifters
Lots of undercarriage surface rust
Bubbling/peeling paint on the trailing edge of the rear wheel wells
Rusting axleback flanges
Airbag module
Trans bracket whine
Driveshaft harmonics
Incurable water leaks
Driver seat back making an internal unsticking noise when I move
Transmission flare
Faded wiper arms that also have deteriorated washer fluid spray patterns
Failed wheel stud
Coolant temp sensor
Radio/HVAC occasionally looses its *shoot*
Even knowing it's fragile before ever using, flasher button is basically inoperable after using it a handful of times despite my gentle pushes
I am likely forgetting several things


The Grand Am that accumulated miles at 3 times the rate:
Rear struts
Water pump
Radio knob
Turn signals with random actuation
1 wheel bearing
I might be forgetting a few things.

[CMNTMXR57]

And your undercarriage on the GA isn't rusted?? Not trying to take away from your point(s), but some of those are a little "tacky".

I could probably run down a laundry list of common issues on every vehicle GM has produced in the last 30 years.

[J Wikoff]

The GA wasn't rusted beyond a real bare minimum of surface rust. I didn't exclude things from either list. The GA really did have very few issues. My G8 has had bunches.

[CMNTMXR57]

Yea, odd man, odd.

[SSnake]

I seem to have caused a hot topic lol