You are right, the Grand Am G/T is a good car.
I've posted before on this website, (you can search for it, cause I'm too lazy to) that for the money, you cannot get the content that you receive with the GA for the same money. My girlfriend got her 2000 G/T totally loaded with leather for under $18K (after rebates). I can't see any other car even coming close in price for what you get.
I drive alot of cars and have owned quite alot of cars. I can say that compared to other cars, the GA is loud (call me finicky). I don't care what the internet claims it's decibel level is or what Car & Driver claims in their pages. Any "car" person can tell you that magazines don't mean crap. I for one can talk about the car all I want. I have the ability to compare the two cars every day. My car is like a library compared to the GA. Even my girlfriend comments on how "drony" her car sounds when she gets in mine.
I do not dislike the Grand Am, however it; like any car...it has it's faults. So does the Intrepid, I
can attest to that. I am more then fair when it comes to the faults of my car.
Some things I noticed about the Grand Am: The leather in the GA is like the cheapest vinyl ever put into a Pinto. Can I say this? Sure, I just had to condition it 2 days ago. I also put in some SuperWhite headlights the other day....whoever designed the lame ass clips that hold those headlights in should be shot. (probably the same person who designed that "great" looking dash, eh?) Way too much cheap looking plastic...
I can also say I'm not that impressed with it's off the line acceleration. I have a 2.7 liter base model Intrepid and my girlfriend wonders why her car feels so sluggish off the line compared to mine. I am guessing gearing, but who's to say? Quote away on articles and statistics. I'm quoting from experience.
Anyway, for it's faults...I must admit; it is a very tight and well put together car. It's only been in once to the dealership for faulty window regulators (scratched the windows so bad they had to replace them). Other then that it's been free of any problems. It handles excellently, the steering is
just a little too assisted at highway speeds, but nice and heavy during cornering. The stereo puts to shame anything Chrysler has put in their cars, and I wish someone at DaimlerChrysler would see that you can have lighted cruise control buttons just like the GA.:crazy:
I actually just put a K&N filter in it over the weekend (it needed a new filter and she said what the hell, $40.00 is worth it alone for the warranty) I also installed a Gentex Compass/Temp mirror in her car last summer. We had the windows limo tinted, a Viper Alarm and remote starter installed, and we've been checking out
www.gmowertalk.net for more ideas. If you have any, I'd love to hear them.
So don't think we are here to put down your car....we simply state what we experience. If bboucher said he blew by a Grand Am at 2 car lengths, is that so horrible? Big deal...live with it. Trust me, we get beat every day in our big oil tankers, we live with it. :blush: