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PROS
Powerful V-6 engine with good low-end torqueGreat gas mileage
Comfortable rideDecent exterior styling now that Pontiac removed the
plastic body claddingCheap price due to $4000 rebate from GMRoomy
interior
CONS
Unrefined, plasticky interiorGruff, harsh engine sounds when gas
pedal is flooredTransmission shifts a bit rough when gas pedal is floored
Wobbly handling when car is pushed hard into curves or making
quick lane changesStereo system is average at bestTypical GM
quality
COMPLETE REVIEW
First off, I do not own this car, but recently rented one for an entire week and
drove it 500 miles throughout New York state on various road terrains. Power from
the 3.4L V-6 is good but the engine sounds coarse and unrefined when pushed hard.
Gas mileage was amazing for such a large engine. I fueled it up twice and got 24.5
mpg on my first tank (mostly city driving) and 30 mpg on my second tank (highway
driving at about 80-85 mph). I floored this car constantly with very little penalty
in mileage. The car rode very well, soaking up bumps and cruising nicely. Handling
was decent in normal situations but got wobbly if I pushed it. Brakes were not too
impressive on my particular car, they required lots of pedal effort and took longer
than expected to slow the car down. The Grand Am features typical GM generic quality
- the consummate rental car. For the money though this car is worth a look for buyers
on a budget, it really offers a lot for what it costs.
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