OT 1992 Grand am

MNFARMER83 · Mar 7, 2013

I am looking at getting a 92 Grand am for a work car, but have no experience with these cars. Does anyone have any advice? Good or bad please share. Is there a common problem with these cars that anyone knows about? The car has 190,000 on it with 100,000 on a different motor. Head gasket and thermostat were just replaced, new battery and 4 new tires less that 1,000 miles ago. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Frank (N.Mi.) · Mar 7, 2013

There seems to be a lot of motor replacements on these cars for some reason. My sister had one , a '94 I think . She did a couple of gasket jobs and at least one motor replacement before she got tired of it and got rid of it. I think it had the 4 cyl.

John B. · Mar 7, 2013

Well 4 new tires and a new battery is valued at around $500.

Sean Feeney · Mar 7, 2013

That car is used up, look around some more, unless it free or real close to it.

dr sportster · Mar 7, 2013

Look at book value vs selling price. That is alot of mileage I don't think it would have a book value of more than several hundred bucks .You don't know unless you look it up.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 7, 2013

RUN FORREST RUN

dr sportster · Mar 7, 2013

Good condition Retail [private sale] $1123 trade-in 448 Fair condition trade in $223.

D beatty · Mar 7, 2013

If it has 4 cylinder overhead cam watch the timing belt . Change belt as recommended by manufacture.If they skip timing its usually ends up in big dollar repair.

oldtanker · Mar 7, 2013

My son had one. Was a good car that ran about 210K. THe last 20K miles he had problems with it. That one is real close to the crusher.

RIck

MNFARMER83 · Mar 7, 2013

It does have the 4 banger in it. body and interior are in good shape and clean. the guy is asking 1500 for it, i told him i wouldnt pay that and he said he is very open to offers.

ss55 · Mar 7, 2013

What distance is your commute?

K. Peters · Mar 7, 2013

My wife had one when we got married. 4 cylinder engine cracked head twice and was the only time I made use of an extended warranty so wasn't too bad. I feel this is one reason Pontiac got shut down. We bought a new Escape to replace it and the Ford garage did not want to take it in on trade.
RUN

Gambles · Mar 7, 2013

Quad four or SOHC? Run away from the Quad Four. I think later on they called it the Twin Cam. A few people have good luck with them, but they have a bad reputation.

MNFARMER83 · Mar 7, 2013

Only about 15 miles but dirty work so want to keep my Yukon that i am currently driving nice. Plus we have a farm but i dont live at the farm so with spring around the corner i thought i would maybe get something else in time for mud season.

2SteveWI · Mar 7, 2013

Have a 92 Grand Am, with the 4 cyl engine. Was a good car until it start acting up. Replaced a cracked cylnder head, and shortly after, the engine started knocking. Still have it around for parts, as I have a 93 Grand Am with 80K miles. I would agree at scrap value, plus value of tires, and battery. Steve.

Jim in MN · Mar 7, 2013

I would be leery of buying a early 90's quad four. The price seems kinda steep for a 25 year old beater car. Also keep in mind most of that generation of Grand Am is probably in China already via the crusher. I would look for something newer (10-15 yrs old) that still has a good supply of donors left at the junkyard.

Goose · Mar 7, 2013

The quad four engine of that era had a LOT of problems with blown head gaskets and cracked heads.

I wouldn't even consider buying one with 100k on the engine. In fact, I wouldn't consider buying one, period.

MNFARMER83 · Mar 7, 2013

Thanks everyone! I wont be getting a Grand am!

Jim in MN · Mar 7, 2013

The GM quad four has a timing chain, not belt. You are correct though, it is an interference engine.

bob featherstone · Mar 7, 2013

jeez, really don"t wanna start a thing here, but the car is already freakin 21 years old !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and it is still alive ????
then it"s gotta be a great freakin car , no ???????? had a grand am, was good, did its job , but i don"t even wear shoes that are 21 years old

Hobo,NC · Mar 7, 2013

The engines were so bad transmissions are a dime a dozen... Few ever ran long enuff to break a trans :shock: I brought s 99 for scrap price (looked nice) the transmission case broke from the bell housing bolts and support brackets being left out from a engine change,,, the owner said it was a money pit and not dependable... I found a lot of low mileage trans for $300... Installed the trans and the engine did not have any oil pressure at idle... I should have know better than to put money in a GM with a Quad 4...

OT 1992 Grand am

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