The 2003 Pontiac Grand Am is a hard car to criticize, and a hard car to praise. It’s comfy, but not as comfy as a Crown Vic. It’s reliable, but not as reliable as a Camry. In blending a Grand Prix and a Trans Am, Pontiac have developed a car that’s good at everything, and great at nothing.
Is the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The 2003 Pontiac Grand Am is a fun, potent, dependable mid-size. But there are sportier, more luxurious, and more efficient options out there.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The smooth ride and comfy seats are only offset by a tight back row and cheap interior materials.
- Reliability 7/10 – The car will probably make it to 200,000 miles. It might make it past that, but not without some expensive repairs along the way.
- Safety 5/10 – Onboard safety tech is adequate for 2003, but crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety might have you feeling a little shaky behind the wheel.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The V6 gets 20/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which is pretty good for a mid-size car from this model year.
- Value 7/10 – There are far better used mid-sizes out there than the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am, but most of them start at twice the price.
Positive Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am?
Edmunds liked the sharp handling and robust suite of standard features. They didn’t like the cheap interior materials or the fact that you can’t get a 5-speed V6.
Kelley Blue Book users loved the sporty feel of the Grand Am and they find the car stylish and powerful. Unfortunately, some major maintenance issues like rust and oil leaks spoiled some of the fun for a few drivers.
What Common Problems Does the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am Have?
Electrical issues make up 130 of the 331 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints on file for the 2003 Grand Am. A common concern is the electrical system warning indicator flashing on and preventing the car from functioning normally. This was recalled in 2014, but issues persist at least into 2018.
Drivers are reporting extensive and recurring issues with the exterior lighting. In particular, turn signals and hazard lights seem to go out entirely, or they only function when they feel like it.
With just four complaints on file, powertrain issues are remarkably scarce for such an old car. However, vehicle speed control complaints number 35 in total with the accelerator reportedly getting stuck while the car is in motion.
There are 5 recalls on file for the 2003 Grand Am, which is a pretty low number for a twenty year old car. Unfortunately, this is complicated by the fact that many of the complaints registered with the NHTSA are for problems that were already addressed by a recall, suggesting that more recalls might be needed.
How Long Will the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am Last?
At the higher end you might see a Grand Am make it to 250,000 miles, but that’s not a realistic expectation for a used model if you can’t vouch for the previous owner’s driving and maintenance habits. If you buy one with 150,000 miles on it, 200,000 should be an easy goal with a little TLC.
Data from RepairPal suggests that a Grand Am should cost you around $311 a year in maintenance. New timing chain tensioners tend to be the most expensive common repair, at around $694 to $780.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is pretty good for a 2003 car. Entry level models include CD players and six speakers, which may not sound like a big deal now but there were a lot of cars back then that charged extra just for a tape deck.
Safety tech was excellent for 2003. At least in the higher trim levels, which include traction control and anti-lock brakes. Lower trim levels are pretty basic with airbags, three point seatbelts, and not much else.
Is the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am a Good Value?
It’s an okay value. With fair market prices averaging $2,356 for an entry level SE Sedan, the 2003 Grand Am is certainly affordable. The question is what you’re getting for that price, and the answer is: not as much as you’d probably like.
Most cars in this price range will have 150,000 to 160,000 miles on the odometer. With a Grand Am typically reaching 200,000 before it’s time for the scrapyard, you’ll be lucky to get 50,000 miles out of the car.
If you’re good at haggling or you can find one that’s been priced on the low end, at around $1,481, that’s a great deal on a fun car. But typical listing prices start at around three grand for the SE and go up from there.
What are the Different Models of the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am?
The 2003 Pontiac Grand Am is available in five trims, being three entry-level SE models and two high-end GTs.
The entry-level SE comes with:
- Manual air conditioning
- Cloth seat covers
- Fog lights
- PASSLock theft deterrent
- Power door locks and trunk release
The SE1 is the next level up, adding:
- Remote keyless entry
- Manual 4-way driver seat adjuster
- Cruise control
- Power windows
The SE2 is the third SE variant, which adds:
- Premium cloth seat covers
- Driveline traction control
- 3.6L engine
On the higher end you have the GT, which adds:
- Front bucket seats
- Leather wrapped steering wheel, brake handle, and shift knob
- 8-speaker Monsoon sound system
- Programmable door locks
The very top of the line is the GT1, adding:
- Sliding and tilting glass sunroof
- 6-way driver power seat adjuster
- Steering wheel mounted radio controls
What Engines Come In the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am?
- The starter engine in the Grand Am is a 2.2L inline-four producing 140 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic and configured in front wheel drive. This engine is standard in the SE, and available as an option in the SE1.
- Higher trim levels get a 3.4L V6 delivering 175 horsepower and 205 lb.-ft. of torque. This is standard in the SE2 and higher, and, like the 2.2L, is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am?
The 2003 Grand Am earned good marks for its comfortable interior and smooth ride on release, and the suspension seems to have held up well over the years, with just ten complaints on file with the NHTSA.
You’ve got about 52 inches of hip room in the back seat, which may be a bit tight if you’re trying to seat three adults from door to door.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am Have?
You’ve got 14.6 cubic feet of trunk space in the Grand Am, and the seats fold down in higher trim levels for a little extra storage space. Overall it’s not the most spacious car in the world when it comes to cargo, but there’s more than enough room for road trips, groceries, and luggage. In car sales terminology, you’ve got five medium sized suitcases worth of trunk space.
With a floor console and plenty of little pockets and slots all over the interior, you’ve got plenty of space in the cabin for phones, books, and whatever it is you don’t want to carry in your pockets.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2003 Grand Am was part of the 5th Generation for the vehicle, running from the 1999 model year to the 2005 edition.
1999: The 1999 Grand Am shared a basic design with that year’s Oldsmobile and Alero and Chevy Malibu. The car was introduced with a multi-link rear suspension and the 3400 V6 used in GM’s minivans.
2000: 5-speed manual transmissions were added to the i4 models for 2000, and GTs got RamAir V6 badging.
2001: Pontiac dropped the SE2 trim for 2001 and introduced Delco stereos to the cabin.
2002: 2002 saw the addition of a stationary cup holder.
2003: Anti-lock brakes and traction control were added as an option to some of the lower trims for 2003.
2004: MP3 players were added to the higher trims for 2004.
2005: Pontiac didn’t make any major changes to the car for 2005, as they were in the process of phasing it out .
How Does the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am Compare to the Competition?
The 2003 Crown Victoria is probably the car that compares most closely to the Grand Am for performance, comfort, and reliability. Performance specs and features are comparable across the board, but the Crown Vic is a little pricier, averaging $500 more than a similar Grand Am, and the interior is a little more luxurious, with 8-way power seats and woodgrain applique in the Standard trim.
A Toyota Camry is a great alternative if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of horsepower for a few more miles to the gallon. The Camry is pricier, with fair market values in the $5,000 range, but it’s also far more likely to reach 300,000 miles than either the Grand Am or the Crown Vic.
Choosing an overall winner between the three, the Camry is certainly the one that’s going to deliver the most value as a daily driver. But it’s hard to argue with the luxury experience of a Crown Vic, or the price of a Grand Am.
