Should I Buy '98 Grand AM?

[Vicora17]

Should I buy Grand AM - $2890 Cdn.?

I'm looking for a used car. I'm of car payments, and I want a cheaper car. Is the '98 Grand AM a safe-bet or a headache?

[malibugtp]

no get a 99+ they look better and are stronger

[Vicora17]

Originally Posted by malibugtp

no get a 99+ they look better and are stronger

Thanks so much. I'm really trying to decide if I should get domestic beater or foreign (German) beater. I'm also considering and MBZ or VW Golf. Any thoughts?

[frekey]

how many km on that 98? is it se or gt? what kind of shape?

[malibugtp]

imeant a 1999-2005 grand am

[Vicora17]

Originally Posted by frekey

how many km on that 98? is it se or gt? what kind of shape?

Thanks for the reply.

Don't know what the mileage is. Don't know the model either. I have only looked at the car in the Auto Trader Magazine. I'm doing as much research as possible. I need to know what questions to ask when I meet with the dealer.

I'm kinda being talked out of, and have been advised to go foreign, VW, MBZ, or BMW.

[grfnkl]

Stay away from VW, they are ton of work, and expensive to fix, I know too many people who have gotten rid of them or stopped fixing them due to the amount of repairs, same thing goes for BMW.... if you are looking into one, get it checked out by a certified mechanic to ensure the integrity of the car.

[Hoags]

All I can tell you is to make sure you drive the car on different road surfaces. Pay attention to acceleration, and shift feelings, and the handling. Only you can decide if the car is for you.
On a personal note I have had a couple of Grand Am's and I can honestly say that I have not had any major problems. I have had things go bad but that is normal for a big hunk of metal and plastic with a lot of moving parts.
It does seem that there are a lot of threads on this forum concerning hesitation and poor running conditions, most are related to the coil packs-espically on the Quad 4 engine ( I've had my share of this prob.) I recently had a problem with hesitation but after changing some ignition parts and getting the fuel injectors professionally cleaned my 96 GAGT runs great, it has 120,000 miles and since the last episode of hesitation and the repairs I now have all the power I need.

Couple of things to look at: After you drive the car look over the engine compartment make sure nothing looks "rigged". Pull the oil fill cap make sure there is no gunk in the cap. Also, check the oil level and the color of the oil, if it is dark black then it is probably in desprate need of an oil change. If it is an automatic tranny, check the fluid, make sure it is redish/pink if it is brown and smells burnt there may be some tranny issues. Smell the trans fluid even if it is redish/pink make sure it doesn't smell burnt, it fluid may have been recently changed, but it may still smell burnt if there are issues. Look at the body panels make sure they line up pretty well, feel the paint for rough spots could be paint over spray if the car was in a wreck or repaired for rust.

These are a few things that I can think of now If you have any other questions let me know I try to give or get you the answers.

Good luck

[Knifeblade]

Stay away from the foreign, only because it so hard to find parts and repair info. Actually, the Golf isn't too bad, but cuz of parts/info nada, I'd pass on it.

Like Hoags says, look it over, as he deswcribes in his post above mine.

2 more tricks to add when considering any used car to buy.

One~~~ask how long the ride has been sitting in THAT spot, without moving!!!! [before YOU have looked at it] Look at the ground under the ride, heehee, any leaking fluids will leave marks on the pavement or grass.

Two~~~~~~~ Take a friend with ya!!!!! when ya interested enough to start the ride, first open the hood, before starting it up. One of you observe how the engine compartment looks and sounds as ya turn the key, the other to watch the exhaust, and look for smoke and it's color.

[Knifeblade]

Trick three~~~~~~~~ Take a flashlight and mirror with ya. flashlight illuminates those dark areas, mirror helps scan the underside without jacking the ride up. It's your $$$, I personally tell the seller I looking it over, and I will take my time and ask lots of ????'s.

[Hoags]

Knife... Excellent points, One other trick... Reach under the driver and passanger seatsto get to the seat springs, pinch othe spring wires between your thumb and forefinger and wipe along the spring, if you get a heavy rust color be weary, a little surface rust could be from moisture if the carpets have been steamed cleaned or even dampness in the air. If you get the heavy rust color the car could have been in a flood and with all of the flooding this country has been having in the last few months there are going to a lot of flood damaged cars available. A dealer must disclose the fact if it is a flood damager car, a private owner does not.
Remember the sayint " Buyer Beware" can't stress enough to look it or any vehicle over very well and like Mr. Knifeblade says, "Ask lots of questions" if the seller doesn't have any thing to hide they will not mind answering the questions.

[frekey]

good points. You also have to go by your budget! I live in newfoundland (east coast of canada) and foriegn cars and parts are very expensive. Most people here drive domestic cars. Grand am parts are plentyful and cheap!

[Vicora17]

Thank you soooo very much!!! The advise has been awesome. I live in Toronto, so I don't think that getting parts will be a problem. That aside, I really appreciate you all taking the time to answer my question. I still haven't decided if I want to give up my '98 RAV4 (which I love).

[frekey]

no prob! i actually bought my grand am on kingston rd toronto!

[austin-p]

Originally Posted by Vicora17

Should I buy Grand AM - $2890 Cdn.?

I'm looking for a used car. I'm of car payments, and I want a cheaper car. Is the '98 Grand AM a safe-bet or a headache?

Very big headache unless you like to work on cars.