Okay, so here'* what I've been trying to decide for like a week or so. I have a 93, red, 2-door Grand Am GT with the 3300 V6 (LG7) and 120,800 miles. Since I bought this car for $3000 just over a year ago, I've replaced:
The battery
All four tires (at the same time, got an alignment)
Front brake pads
Rear brake shoes
One rotor
A broken fog light (kind of unrelated)
Spark plugs
Spark plug wires
MAF Sensor ($$$!)
Oxygen Sensor
Radiator Fan
Cabin climate Fan
Stereo head unit and front door speakers
And as soon as I can afford it, the passenger side upper motor mount.

Is it worth keeping this car? I can't afford to keep fixing it, so I've been looking for a new car. I found a 93 Bonneville SE. It'* black and has a tan leather interior. It'* only got 112,000 miles on it and it'* original, adult owner'* are selling it. Would it be a better financially for me to buy this car and sell mine? Or do you think that my car is done breaking and I should just keep it? I've spent so much money on it all ready and I won't get what I paid for it now, so I don't know what to do. All I know is that I can't afford any more repairs. The people that are selling the Bonneville want $3,500 or best offer. I've been emailing the guy and asking him questions about it, and if he'* even half-way honest, this Bonnie is a great car. So what would you guys (and girls) do? (Oh yeah, my car also leaks water inside the front driver'* side sometimes when it sits in the rain.) Should I sell my car for as much as I can get and buy the Bonnie? Tell me what you think.

Thanks
Kurtis
red93gagt

............. well tha choice is up to U, I couldn't give my suggestion unless U can actually compare tha bonne to ur car now, I can suggest U goin to check it out though; 112 miles is nothin' when tha cars kept up. DON'T RUSH INTO BUYIN' IT THOUGH, no matter what tha person says, Also, take someone who knows somethin about gett'n a deal on a car with U! If U see minor things wrong with it (like scartched paint or dirty interior) tell them to knock tha price down. Uh well, just check tha little things cause they'll add up and then U can make a even better deal, I hope I helped a liitle (or a lot) DRIVE-INSPECT- DEAL!



It'* Mista

hey you're from WI too, alright! What city? I live 30 min outside of Milwaukee...

While I certainly think the Bonneville is a quality car then the GA (no offense!), don't forget it is just as old. Bonneville'* tend to have their own kind of problems, although the 3800 in them is one hella of an engine...

Just because u get the Bonneville doesn't absolutely mean it won't need repairs, or you may get lucky, and find it doesn't really need anything for the next year or so- it'* a gamble. Eventually it will though, like any car with 100k+.

Honestly I don't think I'd suggest buying the Bonnie... I just don't think it'd be worth trading problems for problems. Either keep spending money on your GA, or maybe consider selling it, and getting a down payment on a cheap new or newer car, since you say you can't afford anymore repairs.

-Daron

Both cars are great! The GA has some great potential too mind you as it is lighter than a Bonneville. Remember, you can't count "regular maintenance" stuff into your equation! Stuff like brakes, plugs, etc are needed on ALL cars regardless how they are keep up. Now if you are talking reliability, well both the GA & the Bonneville, are quite reliable in different ways. The GA has it'* problems, like the ones you have already expierenced, while the Bonneville has it'* coolant leaks, oil leaks, power windows not working, etc too.

hmm, that'* not even a question as far as I am concerned ...

My mother has a 96 Grand Am which is a hunk of *&^% she just had to get the motor rebuilt and it has 134,000 miles on it. You can't do ANY work on it (you practically have to unbolt the motor and tip it forward to change the back plugs) and then when the washer fluid hose fell off, we had to take the whole wheel and fender off to get to it to put it back on

Haha...my Boo and I have a thing with Grands...his is Grand Ams, and mine is Grand Prixs....STAY AWAY...you get what you pay for!! hehe
If you are done sinking your $$ into it, I'd say check the Bonnie out and see if it'* worth getting.

Bare in mind the 96 was the worst year for the GA, Jon Mulder (TheJMFC) can attest to that :?

The 93 was an OK, year for the GA, but after 10 years, things will begin to go. Thats why it is such a hard decision to make.

My car for example...its an 89 and in great shape but....

1. Rust (minor)
2. 2 new tires
3. Link on right sway bar
4. Axle half shaft
5. Both front rotors and pads
6. Block heater
7. Frost Plug
8. Serpentine belt
9. O2 sensor
10. Coolant hose (4 changed)
12. Cam Magnet
13. Radiator (being changed next week)
14. Muffler, Cat Converter, pipe (all upgraded)
15. Dead odometer/trip clock
16. Spark Plugs
17. Wires
18. Coolant sensor

I think thats it, the problem is you never know what you are goin to get if you get an older car, stick with you GA for now, its hard to deal with the expenses of a car, but we gotta do it....save up and get a newer Bonne and treat yourself when the time comes.

I was very lucky in that sense. I bought my car with 94,000 miles on it, and it has 142,000 miles on it now. I didn't have to do anything to it AT ALL for the first 2.5 years, then at about 135,000 miles I had to replace the sending unit and front hubs all at once. Hollywood is a good car

Shoulda talked to me before you got the GA because I woulda told you flat out that the 93 is a pile of ****. Anyways ditch that damn thing and grab the bonne its a all round better car. More room , faster , cooler, more comfortable, just god of all pontiacs.

3800 is nick named "Bullet proof"... thats all I need to say