I just got a new job at the US Patent and Trademark agency, my uncle hooked me up since he is one of the supervisors in his dept, Anyways now that i have a real job and making real money (aside from hard back breaking labor at Trak Auto for $6.05 hr))im seiously consedering a 2002 loaded Grand Am GT and i mean from the Chrome wheels to the Ram Air package 3.4 litre. I know your thinking if buying a new car why not a bird or camaro, one word- INSURANCE and only 19. So what do u think, good choice, and is there a fast hp gain mod for the Grand Am like how with the GTP and the pulley? 175hp is decent but want atleat 200.
If u guys give me the green light for the buy im defenitly going this weekend to pick it up.
Thanks

 

I travel a lot with my job, and have driven a rental Grand Am. Didn't like it. The Grand Prix is a much nicer car. If you really must have a FWD econocar, look at the Grand Prix, maybe the olds alero...

be careful with making a major purchase so soon after the new job, too

 

Buying a brand new car can be one of the worst investments you can ever make. Once you drive that car off the lot it depreciates by 20+% of it's value. Then takes a plunge for the next 3 years or so of it's life. Then maybe if it has some sort of collector value it might eventually go up in value but if not it just slowly becomes less and less valuable. Aside from it being new and having no problems is a good thing. Although my dad thought that when he bought his 2001 Lincoln LS and after having it for a month he ended up with a new one cause of a knock in the motor. If you're looking for something with a warranty i'd find a newer car that has a good warranty left on it. This way you'll get the best of both worlds. A much nicer newer used car with a warranty still left on it. My friend bought a 97 acura 2.2 fully loaded for about $16k a couple years back and it's a really nice driver and had low miles AND still has an exisiting warranty today. Alot of certified used car dealers have great warranty's to offer on near new cars.I might not be right but it's just my .02

 

See if you can get the alero w/ the 5-speed. I know its only a 4 banger (or can you get them w/ the V6?), but GM high tech performance is build ing one up that is just like my dad's. They said they just found the secret to the 15's (I know thats not really that fast, but a lot of third gens aren't that fast either.)

Anyway, with the extended warrenty that GM offers with the Olds cars and dealer willingness to offload them, I'd say it is a steal. You also are probably going to have to special order one, my dad only found one in the Metro detroit area with the stick, so he ordered one w/ every option except the auto and was well under the $20k mark.

My $0.02

 

The Olds Alero and the Grand Ams are built off the same platform. Same platform = same car essentially. If you see the Grand Am and an Alero parked next to each other you will see the similarities, except the Grand Am is sportier looking.
Dude....get the Grand Am. I just bought a loaded 2002 4-door SE for my wife and I LOVE the car. Since I drive it some time, I just HAD to have the V6. The 4-banger is worthless in the 2002's. They lost the previously available 2.4L from the Sunfire GT's and went with the base 2.2L that has somewhere around 120 hp. I drove one and even with the 5-speed it was weak!
They have nice comfortable seats and lots of neat toys. One of the things I like about it is the starter. Unlike conventional starting where you turn the key until the engine starts and then let go, with the Grand Ams you just turn the switch and you can automatically let go! The thing will continue cranking until the engine starts and then automatically disengage the starter! (it also has a timer on it incase the engine does not start in a reasonable amount of time due to mechanical problems) Also if the engine is running, you can reach down, turn the key, and nothing happens...it locks the starter out until the engine is not running. You can't grind the starter!
These cars ride and drive very nice and the V6 is awesome. Sure its nothing in comparison to my Camaro, but I still like to drive the car.
I own one and I would definitely recommend it!
(The Grand Prix's are nice also....but lots more money! Your 19 and just starting out, don't try to finance more than you can handle buy buying a more expensive car than you want, besides, if you can't make the payments a re-possessed car is definitley no fun to drive! )
After the $2002 rebate and some more haggling, we added the extended warranty and financed ~$19,000

 

My mom got a 2000 back in 2000. A V6 4 door SE loaded like was said above. She paid 18,000 brand new thanks to her son me that knew the man in charge at the time. I like the car pretty quick nice acceleration. My one negative comment on the car is its blind spots when driving. I drive it quite a bit and hind it a little hard to see sometimes. MAybe because it is a 4 door or just me. One word of advice i was looking at one the other day a GT with the new hood they wanted 25,000 for it a rip off just because of the hood. All in all i would if i was you get a 2000 GT used only being 19 i am 18 and like i want a new car not used but in all reality a used one we are better off with just to let you consider.

 

alero is available with the 3.4 v6 but not with a v6 5 speed combo. it is the same car as the grand am, but with a different interior and styling. Personally, I like the alero's looks better. Did they put the new ecotec 4 cylinder in the grand am? I've heard that is a good motor, better than the 2.4 quad 4. I acn't imagine them putting the ohv 2.2 in the car.

there are no "free mods" that compare to the gtp because the grand am is not supercharged. I did however, race an aftermarket supercharged grand am v6, it was pretty quick, though nothing my Z couldn't handle

 

Thanks for all the input guys, not really any negative comments givin, and seeing how Dragula owns one and reccomends it, im nowmore eager to get one.
PS, dont feel bad if i pass one of u thirdgeners on the road, im still a thirdgen owner at heart.

 

I'm not so sure about jumping into a new car so soon after a new job. I would go with one coming off a lease that's still under warrenty. It's the safer road to take in my opinion. Just don't get screwed with the payments.

 

Please don't buy a Grand Am. They are not cool, have a V6, and are front wheel drive. I drove a 98 Grand Am V6 for a year and a half. They are fine cars as long as you drive like an old person. Upon even a hint of hard driving or at over 65 mph, they feel very fragile. I just wouldn't do it if I were you.

If you want a new car with really low insurance, why a Grand MA? I would get a Honda (too bad they don't make Integras anymore). You don't have any looks or performance with the Grand Am anyway, so why not get the ultimate in reliablity?

 

Honda's are relaible cars but personally i like American cars, especially by GM.

 

dude...i dont think you so buy a new car right away. what if you new job doesnt work out? then you are right screwed. plus....why not save some of your new found money and build a screaming 383 and it in your firebird. then you will have a car to be proud of.

 

Idon't no if the new 2.2 is the ECOTEC or not.....I just know it's puny compared to the 3.4 V6.
I don't know about cort351w's comment on their "fragile"ness, but I've had my wifes up to 110mph (ssshhhh....don't tell her) and it felt very smooth and controllable. Not so much as a shimmy or wiggle. Very nice at high speed.
There still is the option of the "BIG 383" as mentioned also. It would be cheaper in the long run and more fun! Besides, the thumper 383 in the old Camaro would still be cheaper on insurance than even the 4-banger Grand Am!
Think about that also:lala: :rockon:

 

Sure a grand am will be nice............... IF YOU ARE A WOMAN!!! Buy a fbody instead or atleast a car that is meant for men to drive!!!

 

I won't give any advice on buying a new car right after getting hired. And I don't know why people say buyig a new car is a bad investment.

It's not an investment at all! Anyway- at least it is in perfect shape- although a lease back (1 year old) might be okay.

Yes the baase engine gor GA/Alero is the 2.2 Eco-tec
And a 98 GA is from a previous gen- so don't compare them.

My experince? My gf bought a 4 door GT in 2000. Full load-
leather, sunroof, chrome wheels.

Car handles great (225/50/16) has great 4 wheel discs- and the body is very stiff- no sqeaks or ratttles.

There is some torque steer.

And the car runs 15.5 @ 90mph- once you hit 4000 rpm it pulls harder- right up to 6000rpm.

So yes, they're a pretty damn good car

 

ABout the job security, i said earlier my uncle is my supervisor so i highly doubt he will fire me, and as for rebuilding the bird to a 383, i dont have all the money up fron to do that, with the GA im going to finance it, put $2500 down.

 

I would say you will like the grand am, I have owned a GTP and a grand am. And you would be suprised at how fast the grand am FEELS. If you go to www.grandamstore.com they will have some go fast goodies for you. Not like the GTP, but something to help you out.

nick

 

i hear the ecotec's pretty good, it's probably what I'd buy if I bought a grand am(why buy the V6 it's still not fast?) I too have a had a 99 up to 110 mph, very stable. can you trust an old car like ours for everyday driving, especially a hot 383? better luck with a nice new car and warranty.

 

Sure the Eco-tech is good engine- but the V6 will SLAUGHTER it

 

have you ever thought of a truck! just had to through that in because i drove the new dura max diesel yesterday, 4x4 xcab 3/4 ton and all i can say WOW!!! these things kick *ss. you get power and attitude with a very large price tag! LOL

 

for get the grand am and go for a grand prix GTP and get super charged baby :rockon:

 

I would 88 but i need MULA $$$

 

I bought a 2000 Grand Am SE2 new. I absolutely love the car. So does my fiance. So do my parents. (I better hide the keys!) Comfortable ride, pleasure to drive.

Here's a tip that could save you some cash, quite a bit actually. Buy an SE with the v6. This will save you on the purchase price, and perhaps insurance. Then once you get some cash together, slap on a aftermarket exhaust, or a GT one if you can find it in the bone yard. I am 99% sure this will not effect your warranty. Then you can also convert your air intake to the same Ram Air as the GT's. Then essentially what you will have is a Grand Am GT that everyone (including insurance agents!) thinks is a SE.

That is, unless you have to have the GT specific mouldings.

For much more info check out www.gaownersclub.com

Oh, and even though the v6 Grand Ams are rated at 170 (SE) and 175 (GT) we all know how GM loves to underrate some cars to make others look better.

 

I totally agree with you Mikes86SC- based on my 1/4 mile times with the GAGT- 185-190hp seems to be more accurate then 175-

why does GM underate engines- esp the 3400- they have 3 different hp ratings!

 

Ok guy its official!, i sighned the papers yesterday and now a proud owner of Black 2002 GA GT. And HELLLL YEAAAAA this baby can move !! I wanted to have some fun with our fello thirdrgeners and rustangs out in the streets but since its a new car and all i dont wanna push it, gotta break it in first. Once on the highway i could have swear i was goin 65mph but glanced down and was doin 102!. You wont believe the pick up on this thing and u can actually hear the ram air set up sucking in air at higher speeds when u really gun it. Dont get me wrong i still love my 2.8 bird and its gonna be my primary driving car and for cruizing on the weekends, the GA is gonna be for driving to work and family functions. Fist thing i did was order a K&N Filter and blocked off the extra air passage inlet so the ram air function will work properly. Really loving the car i reccomend it to every one. Thinking about getting red badges to replace the white ones, red does look better on black backround right. Did i mention the exhaust has a real nice sound to it, it came with duals with dual chrome tips. Any ways love the car and gonna go wipe it down with a baby diaper now....

 

Congrats- You'll be quite happy with it- sounds like you already are.

Take it to the track when it's broken in and post some times.

 

Thinking about a custom plate for the car, maybee GA FRM HL (Grand Am From Hell) cause its metallic balck and agressive looking

 

dude, save the ~50 bux and get a regular plate.

 

Naw maybee might consider it

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 91L98Z28
, look at the Grand Prix, maybe the olds alero...

the alero is the same thing as the grand am.

same motor and everything.

just the alero is geared more for luxury and the grand ams are geared for performance.

so wut u say makes no sense, they are the same car but the grand am is atleast geared for performance which is wut he wants.

 

Thankyou IROC for clearing that up, and performance IS what i literally got.

 

alero and grand am will perform exactly the same, they are exactly the same, gearing and all. grand am just looks more aggressive.

 

well, my family owns two grand am's and one alero.

my neighbor too has an alero.

i have driven all of them and guess what, the ga pulls a hell of a lot harder off the line, the alero is about the same on the highway but not at all off the line.

 

forgot to add one grand am is a 2000 gt and one is a 2002 se are alero is a top line gls with the polished wheels and all.

 

GAGT has a 3.29 ratio- which is exclusive vs a 3.09 (or something like that) for a regular SE or Alero. Plus has a less restrictive exhaust and the "Ram Air" which probably doesn't do squat.


Race it and post some times!

 

Hey guys we need to try to stay on topic here, This post has nothing to do with street racing or 3rd Gens. However I will let it stay open for awhile.........


BTW...................I finally figured out what this is......:lala: ........Could it be the Michellian Tire man? And yes my spelling sucks but I am a mechanic so its ok...lol

 

New grand am GT
3.4 V6 175hp 205ft/lbs GT coupe = 3100lbs

Its a fast car for an auto

There's faster cars out there at the same price range

 

well i paid 18,789 for mine, what could possibly be faster than 175Hp and 205 tourqe at that price? The base firebird is 20,495 and is 200hp so u cant say firebird.

 

A new V-6 Camaro, V-6 Mustang and Sentra SER. Note, All available with 5speeds. (and 6 for Spec V SER)

 

in VA Personalized plates are only $10 more than normal ones.
it's a steal.....
later
biker

 

Like i said the insurance for a 2002 f body or stang will be outrageous for my age 19 and driving experience only 2 years....probably equal an extra car payment so essentially will be more than the GA

 

pic 1

 

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pic 3

 

And yes i know i bought it from a ford dealer ship :nono:
but believe it or not it was cheaper their than at a pontiac dealer ship, But hey its still brand spankin new

 

dude, you gotta peel that tom peck sticker off the back. make that your first "mod"

 

ha ha, yea i forgot about that, i like having the feeling of people knowing that this is a new car, i never owned a new car so its kinda like a rush