Posted by WarBird69 So far, everything works as advertised. I hope the electrical gremlins stay away. But, if they don't, I've still got over 4 years left of warranty! I loved my Grand Am, but it was time to move on. It gave me way too many problems in the end. The kicker being quoted something around $1200 to replace the valve cover gasket. On top of the other mounting repair costs... it was simply time to go. That, and it threw a PASSLOCK code on more than one occasion, making me stranded for anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours, constantly trying the reboot procedure. When it PASSLOCK'd me out for long enough I couldn't go spend time with my daughter, it's fate was sealed.

which engine did it have?
and sorry, there is no engine GM makes that should cost $1200 to replace a valve cover gasket... head gasket maybe, valve cover gasket, no way.

the problem with the PASSLOCK system was simply a resistor in the goddamn switch. There was even a procedure to permanently bypass the fucking thing... took a dealer about 15 minutes to do. My brother had to disable the one in his 05 Tahoe for the same reason.

Posted by Samurai O.o yourself.

Them's fightin words.

Posted by budda Them's fightin words.

don't threaten me with a good time.

It's totally not a threat as much as a parody of a threat. I don't think I've been in but maybe 2 fights ever, both over a bicycle.

Posted by Samurai which engine did it have? and sorry, there is no engine GM makes that should cost $1200 to replace a valve cover gasket... head gasket maybe, valve cover gasket, no way.

2.4L twin cam I4 It had two valve cover gaskets to remove/replace. Doing so requires unmounting the engine from the frame and removing the timing components. The book time for the job is something around 6 or 7 hours.

Fuck. That.

Plus, I was getting tired of my power window regulators blowing out every other year. The last one that went (front passenger) was simply disconnected and wedged closed. The driver's window was beginning to show the first signs of shitting out as well.

Posted by WarBird69 2.4L twin cam I4 It had two valve cover gaskets to remove/replace. Doing so requires unmounting the engine from the frame and removing the timing components. The book time for the job is something around 6 or 7 hours. Fuck. That. Plus, I was getting tired of my power window regulators blowing out every other year. The last one that went (front passenger) was simply disconnected and wedged closed. The driver's window was beginning to show the first signs of shitting out as well.

the book is bullshit on that job. 3hrs in a driveway.(been there done that on a 99 Grand Am GT)
the only thing that was a real douche on that engine was changing the waterpump... 12 hours, 9 if you were good, 6 if you had done it before and were good.
you know, i looked at other cars when i was shopping last year. i looked at VW, i looked at Hyundai, Honda, even a fucking Kia, Ford even a Dodge Dart. Kept coming back to Chevrolet because these cars have always gone above and beyond the call of duty, they've been easy to repair and i just like the way they look and drive. And they're assembled in America by union workers. That may not be important to any of you, but it is to me.

The 2.4 is garbage. Good move on dumping that junk.

Posted by sleeperspirit The 2.4 is garbage. Good move on dumping that junk.

this is probably the ONLY thing you and will ever agree on is the 2.4L engine.
It was a boat anchor.

Posted by Samurai this is probably the ONLY thing you and will ever agree on is the 2.4L engine. It was a boat anchor.

This