As we said, the Grand Am is Pontiac`s best-selling car. Youth loves it,and you`d be hard pressed to drive a few miles without spotting one on theroad.
So why did Pontiac mess with success in offering a turbo version of theSE two-door coupe?
A fuel-injected 3-liter V-6 is standard, teamed with a three-speedautomatic on the Grand AM SE. You now can get a 2-liter, fuel-injected 4-cylinder with turbocharger teamed with the automatic as a $110 option, whichincludes block heater, rally cluster with gauge and trip odometer.
If the turbo 2-liter was better than the 3-liter, the choice would besimple. It is not. You get a little more burst off the line, but the 3-literV-6 would still be preferred over the turbo plant that requires more frequent oil and filter changes.
Inside, the front-wheel drive Grand Am SE has plenty of power and comfort items as standard–power brakes/steering/door locks/sport mirrors, AM/FMstereo, tilt steering, tinted glass. Outside, the sports look is highlightedby full wrap-around body skirts and front air dam.
The SE starts at $12,659. The car we drove had $2,405 in options such asair for $675, power seats at $240, power windows at $210, electric rear windowdefogger at $145 and upgraded radio with graphic equalizer and digital clockat $322. With $400 in freight, the sticker was $15,464.
It`s a powerful looking and performing package that just doesn`t need the cost and added service of a turbo.
