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1994
Pontiac Grand Am

Starts at:
$12,514
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New 1994 Pontiac Grand Am
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2dr Coupe SE
    Starts at
    $12,514
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sedan SE
    Starts at
    $12,614
    See all specs
  • 2dr Coupe GT
    Starts at
    $15,014
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sedan GT
    Starts at
    $15,114
    See all specs

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Expert 1994 Pontiac Grand Am review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

Why a Camry coupe when for $7,000 less you can get a Pontiac Grand Am sedan?

Grand Am has been a consumer darling since it first appeared in the 1985 model year. Exceptional styling, above-average performance yet excellent mileage, and a price that doesn’t put the new grad or the newlywed in debt until their retirement years.

Grand Am lacked one feature. It was penalized by GM’s insistence that consumers wanted anti-lock brakes more than they wanted an air bag. The insistence was based on the fact GM makes its own ABS, but has to buy air bags from outside suppliers. So GM was guided by profitability rather than practicality.

For 1994, the bean counters have been overruled and a driver-side air bag is standard in all Grand Ams, along with anti-lock brakes. No passenger-side air bag as yet, but at least GM is halfway home in offering what consumers want and not just what GM wants to give them.

We test drove the 1994 Grand Am SE sedan. The Grand Am growled when the accelerator was given a kick in comparison to the whisper-quiet Camry coupe. Ironic that a decade ago coupes growled and sedans purred.

The Camry sports coupe is covered in a plain wrapper, the Grand Am sports sedan features stylish louvers in the plastic body cladding along the doors and in the body-colored bumpers. A pair of fog lamps peek out from either side of the front air dam.

The performance edge, in terms of off-the-line power, goes to the Camry coupe’s 188-h.p., 3-liter, V-6 versus the 155-h.p., 3.1-liter, V-6 in the Grand Am sedan. In fact, some of the growl at initial acceleration is sound effects to make you think the Grand Am is stepping out more quickly than it is.

Still, despite a more than respectable efficient 20 m.p.g. city/29 m.p.g. highway rating with four-speed automatic, the 3.1, V-6 is no slouch. If your idea of performance is to grip the wheel at the 11 a.m./1 p.m. position until the knuckles turn white and set the cruise control at 45 m.p.h. as you travel the length of the Edens Expressway, the Grand Am is out of your league. And please stay off the Edens.

The suspension is firm without being stiff or harsh. There’s minimum body sway or lean and very little jostling over bumps. Grand Am sits flat in maneuvers and allows you to accelerate when entering or exiting those bends in the road rather than having to back off the pedal and wait for the pavement to straighten. The 16-inch radials contribute to road-hugging ability.

Camry has dual bags as standard, Grand Am but one. But Camry adds $950 for ABS, Grand Am includes it as standard.

The interior is as stylish as the exterior. All controls are easy to see and use. Noteworthy small items include a cupholder/ashtray in the center console (if you don’t smoke, it’s a cupholder, if you do smoke you’ll have to settle for two cupholders in the glove box door); coinholders in the center console; an overhead console to hold garage door opener or glasses; and a cassette holder under the center armrest.

The Grand Am features power door locks that automatically lock when you put the gear shift lever in “D” and then unlock only after you put the lever back into “P” and turn off the key. Until the key is turned off, you can only unlock the doors manually.

If we could change some items, we would enlarge the sideview mirrors to help eliminate blind spots; extend bucket seat bottoms for more thigh support; and slim down the door armrests that eat into arm/thigh room.

Base price of the front-wheel-drive SE sedan we tested was $12,614. Standard equipment included power brakes and steering, stainless steel exhaust, double-sided galvanized steel body panels (except roof), tinted glass, power door locks, dual visor vanity mirrors, AM/FM stereo with clock, floor mats and remote fuel/tr nk releases.

Options included a $1,575 package consisting of air conditioning, tilt steering, intermittent wipers, cruise control, rear window defogger, and radio upgrade to include cassette. The 3.1-liter, V-6 runs $410, the four-speed automatic $755, the 16-inch tires and cast aluminum wheels $523, and sport gauges $111. With a $485 freight charge, the sticker came to $16,813.

Grand Am is a peformance car for the small family before the tykes grow-or multiply-and you have to move into a larger Grand Prix or Bonneville sedan.

The Grand Am SE is the car to check out when you want to look like a million without spending one.

1994 Pontiac Grand Am review: Our expert's take
By

Why a Camry coupe when for $7,000 less you can get a Pontiac Grand Am sedan?

Grand Am has been a consumer darling since it first appeared in the 1985 model year. Exceptional styling, above-average performance yet excellent mileage, and a price that doesn’t put the new grad or the newlywed in debt until their retirement years.

Grand Am lacked one feature. It was penalized by GM’s insistence that consumers wanted anti-lock brakes more than they wanted an air bag. The insistence was based on the fact GM makes its own ABS, but has to buy air bags from outside suppliers. So GM was guided by profitability rather than practicality.

For 1994, the bean counters have been overruled and a driver-side air bag is standard in all Grand Ams, along with anti-lock brakes. No passenger-side air bag as yet, but at least GM is halfway home in offering what consumers want and not just what GM wants to give them.

We test drove the 1994 Grand Am SE sedan. The Grand Am growled when the accelerator was given a kick in comparison to the whisper-quiet Camry coupe. Ironic that a decade ago coupes growled and sedans purred.

The Camry sports coupe is covered in a plain wrapper, the Grand Am sports sedan features stylish louvers in the plastic body cladding along the doors and in the body-colored bumpers. A pair of fog lamps peek out from either side of the front air dam.

The performance edge, in terms of off-the-line power, goes to the Camry coupe’s 188-h.p., 3-liter, V-6 versus the 155-h.p., 3.1-liter, V-6 in the Grand Am sedan. In fact, some of the growl at initial acceleration is sound effects to make you think the Grand Am is stepping out more quickly than it is.

Still, despite a more than respectable efficient 20 m.p.g. city/29 m.p.g. highway rating with four-speed automatic, the 3.1, V-6 is no slouch. If your idea of performance is to grip the wheel at the 11 a.m./1 p.m. position until the knuckles turn white and set the cruise control at 45 m.p.h. as you travel the length of the Edens Expressway, the Grand Am is out of your league. And please stay off the Edens.

The suspension is firm without being stiff or harsh. There’s minimum body sway or lean and very little jostling over bumps. Grand Am sits flat in maneuvers and allows you to accelerate when entering or exiting those bends in the road rather than having to back off the pedal and wait for the pavement to straighten. The 16-inch radials contribute to road-hugging ability.

Camry has dual bags as standard, Grand Am but one. But Camry adds $950 for ABS, Grand Am includes it as standard.

The interior is as stylish as the exterior. All controls are easy to see and use. Noteworthy small items include a cupholder/ashtray in the center console (if you don’t smoke, it’s a cupholder, if you do smoke you’ll have to settle for two cupholders in the glove box door); coinholders in the center console; an overhead console to hold garage door opener or glasses; and a cassette holder under the center armrest.

The Grand Am features power door locks that automatically lock when you put the gear shift lever in “D” and then unlock only after you put the lever back into “P” and turn off the key. Until the key is turned off, you can only unlock the doors manually.

If we could change some items, we would enlarge the sideview mirrors to help eliminate blind spots; extend bucket seat bottoms for more thigh support; and slim down the door armrests that eat into arm/thigh room.

Base price of the front-wheel-drive SE sedan we tested was $12,614. Standard equipment included power brakes and steering, stainless steel exhaust, double-sided galvanized steel body panels (except roof), tinted glass, power door locks, dual visor vanity mirrors, AM/FM stereo with clock, floor mats and remote fuel/tr nk releases.

Options included a $1,575 package consisting of air conditioning, tilt steering, intermittent wipers, cruise control, rear window defogger, and radio upgrade to include cassette. The 3.1-liter, V-6 runs $410, the four-speed automatic $755, the 16-inch tires and cast aluminum wheels $523, and sport gauges $111. With a $485 freight charge, the sticker came to $16,813.

Grand Am is a peformance car for the small family before the tykes grow-or multiply-and you have to move into a larger Grand Prix or Bonneville sedan.

The Grand Am SE is the car to check out when you want to look like a million without spending one.

Factory warranties

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Consumer reviews

3.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.6
Interior 3.0
Performance 3.3
Value 3.9
Exterior 3.7
Reliability 3.0

Most recent

  • my 1994 Grand am Gt

    My parents bought me a 1994 Grand am Gt after I got ripped off, buying a 1990 Mazda RX7, which turned out to be dead. I'm 20 right now and I've owned the car for a year. The car has been Very reliable. I have to say the gas mpg sucks on this car, I own the V6 model. The inside is okay, I hated the interior design at first but grew into it. The exterior is hot, this is one sexy car if you look at it up close, the factory body kit makes sure of that. It also feels like it has sports suspension, it's really stiff around turns, makes you feel like your going faster. Overall its a great car to own, definitely perfect for a first car. I probably wouldn't buy another one, but i would recommend it for someone who needs a reliable car
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • magnificient car

    awesome compact car that doesn't feel compact, lots of trunk space, amazing handling,styling is top noch for the 90 era, the seats are comfortable after long drives no fatigue in legs.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • i love it

    WORKS GREAT i love it iv ehas it 4 about 2 years and its the best car ive ever owned. its great 4 traveling it has alot of room and the trunk is huge
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • DONT GET ONE

    this was my frist car in 2004 with only 40000miles like new and i loved it at frist but whan it was in the shop ever mouth. love turn to hate! thank god i chash it now theres one less on the road.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Completely Unreliable Car

    This car was bought with 80,000, but it still had severe overheating problems after 3 trips to a mechanic within a few weeks. At 100,000 miles, engine completely died (two pistons frozen), abs brake light wouldn't turn off, cruise control stopped, head gasket majorly cracked, plus more. It pretty much died at 100,000. Would've cost 3,000+ to pass safety inspection. Tossed it after 2 months.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
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  • worst car ever owned

    to many problems to list gms mistake was to make this car in 1994 they had alot of problems. egr valve deffective leaks water all the time throgh the hoods shroud.paint faded from red to light pink. car engine mounts replaced 5 times abs light always on.and last but not least tilt steering busted and always broken will never hold in place even after costly repairs.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am?

The 1994 Pontiac Grand Am is available in 2 trim levels:

  • GT (2 styles)
  • SE (2 styles)

Is the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am reliable?

The 1994 Pontiac Grand Am has an average reliability rating of 3.0 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1994 Pontiac Grand Am owners.

Is the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1994 Pontiac Grand Am. 50.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

3.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.6
  • Interior: 3.0
  • Performance: 3.3
  • Value: 3.9
  • Exterior: 3.7
  • Reliability: 3.0
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