General motors really messed up this time

[epj3]

Well, after having the van spew steam from the radiator cap on my mom yesterday, she took it to the dealer, and it turns out it needs the head gasket replaced which also requires the intake gasket to be replaced... AGAIN.

Yes, again. The intake gasket was replaced exactly 9 months ago. At the tune of about $1000. Now it needs the head gasket replaced, $1200, plus the intake gasket replaced again (since they take it apart), $700.

This might not sound too bad if it wasnt a 4 year old, 58k mile car.

That makes total GASKET repairs enough to BUY A NEW ENGINE. Since the car itself is in shoddy condition (wheel bearing they installed for $800 2 weeks after our warranty ended is making noise again and is out of their 12k mile new-parts warranty.) and my sister and mom never take care of it...hence why I will not let them be in my car.


Anyways, besides even MORE reason for me to hate General Motors, or specifically Pontiac (which isnt just the dealer... http://www.gm-v6lemons.com/), it brings up the question of what car to replace the van with. They arent going to buy anything new unless it's a Grand Am becuase all of the models are either shoddy plastic or just ugly (ie new grand prix). Anyone here own a 3.8 liter pre-04 Grand Prix? Thats what my mom is considering, and even though I hate the fact that they have to get another ponatic (the dealer is going to transfer payments from the van onto a different car), i know the 3.8liter engines are one of GM's only reliable engines.

Do you think the Grand Prix is okay?

If anyone has owned a grand prix or boneville, I want to know if it was an okay car.


This has completely broken all will for me to buy a Pontiac and most GM's in my life. It's just one crappy car after another after another.

 

[MyHarley]

I owned a 1999, 2000 and 2002 Grand Prix GTP................loved them.............never had any problems.............but I would buy the extended warranty just to ensure some trouble free years...........

 

[wileycoyote]

Several of my friends drive Grand Prix and Buick Regal's (both have the 3800 engine, it's been around a long time with few major problems). Pretty decent cars, very affordable. I think the interiors look like they were designed by Fischer Price and I hate all the Tupperware cladding. But they are mostly comfortable, reliable, and in general a good value.

Good news is, with Bob Lutz around, the styling is bound to improve.

 

[SoonerE39]

I had a 1995 Grand Am with the 3.1 V6. I had a leaky oil pan once and when I took it to get the gasket replaced, they found a couple screws in the oil pan. from the damage on the screws, it appears they fell from above, probably the valvetrain, and dropped through the engine. Either that or GM was kind enough to supply them as spare parts and put them there in the first place. Sold the car in 2001.

 

[epj3]

The fischer price comment is so true

They are actually thinking about leasing a new Grand Am. They are just as big as the previous Grand Prix's, the only thing that worries me is that it has the same troublesome engine as the van.

 

[mrferg]

Same engine eh? Better luck this time around!