I am not really knowledgeable about cars so I thought (actually Yield suggested it) to come here and ask for your opinion. I have a 03 Grand Am (four cylinder, 2.2L eco-tech) with 260,000km on it. There is a little bit of rust on the body but the biggest problem is that there is a considerable of work which needs to be done on the front wheel assemblies. My question to you guys is basically what should I do. Should I fix everything and keep the car or try and sell it, get the most I can and get something else.

Thanks.

Posted by Curious_George I am not really knowledgeable about cars so I thought (actually Yield suggested it) to come here and ask for your opinion. I have a 03 Grand Am (four cylinder, 2.2L eco-tech) with 260,000km on it. There is a little bit of rust on the body but the biggest problem is that there is a considerable of work which needs to be done on the front wheel assemblies. My question to you guys is basically what should I do. Should I fix everything and keep the car or try and sell it, get the most I can and get something else. Thanks.

the ecotec is a good engine for high mileage. The downside is the Grand Am is notorious for corrosion. It's rusting on the lower quarter panel just behind the door isn't it? the bottoms of the doors are a bit crispy? Now what do you mean about 'considerable' amount of work on the front wheel assemblies.
That vintage Grand Am is all N-body which has been in production since the mid-80's with only a couple of updates. Wheel bearings are about the most expensive thing in the front end of that car. Ball joints are cheap, but a pain to remove the factory ones as they are riveted in. Replacements are bolt-ins. Tie rod ends are pretty cheap as well. it should take no more than an hour to change each side wheel bearing. Ball joint is about an hour job too. (this is taking into account corrosion that can sometimes make taking them out a pain in the ass).

Now the question you want answered is whether you should keep this car or get a new(er) one... Hmmm. Has this car caused you any real headaches. Keep in mind that in a front wheel drive car, the front end takes a beating just because it is being asked to do so much. It's carrying the weight of the powerplant/transaxle. It's managing the power applied to the wheels as well as handling directional control... It's alot to ask. Ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends are considered wear items and do just that, wear out. Any car, regardless of make or model, is like this...

How bad is the corrosion? is it just surface? is the floorpan of the car in dire shape. By dire shape, I mean can you put your finger through it?

There was a saying I like; it's goes like this: 'the devil you know is better than the devil you don't...'
if this car has not given you any trouble, why get rid of it? You could get another used car and inherit someone else's headaches. What compounds your dilemma is your admitted ignorance of cars. It's easier for shitheels to take advantage of you.

this probably didn't answer your question...

I suppose it depends on how much you like the car, for me I would keep my car and get it fixed because it means alot to me, even if it means I have to take the car off the road while I earn the money, but I don't know about your circumstances.

Sorry but I have no idea about the prices and such to do with your car, especially being from Aus and all...

Fish

drive it into the ground, do basic maintenance so it doesnt kill you and when it dies scrap it

Posted by Nismo drive it into the ground, do basic maintenance so it doesnt kill you and when it dies scrap it

^This.

i still want details as to what constitutes 'major repairs' on his GA

Yeah, what is considerable work?

Get either brand new or junkyard parts, then take them to a good mechanic... that should save you some money. Or just drive it into the ground.

Posted by Louie Yeah, what is considerable work? Get either brand new or junkyard parts, then take them to a good mechanic... that should save you some money. Or just drive it into the ground.

with front end parts, you never go junkyard.
i am a firm believer in that.
besides, who really wants to go through the trouble to yank a used wheel bearing assembly out of a car, stuff it in theirs and then have the fucker go bad a week, or a month later... spend the money, buy the new part and be done with it.
(i was using the bearing as an example... hopefully you get the idea)

Depends what the part is... my rule (if it's something for a daily driver), get it off a car that's been in an accident. With some of the weird stuff I own, junkyard parts are the only option.

But if anyone can get a hub type bearing out of a car without beating the piss out of it with a hammer, all the power to you.

Posted by bandi Depends what the part is... my rule (if it's something for a daily driver), get it off a car that's been in an accident. With some of the weird stuff I own, junkyard parts are the only option. But if anyone can get a hub type bearing out of a car without beating the piss out of it with a hammer, all the power to you.

that's what I was getting at. there are some things that you HAVE to get from a salvage yard. It's like with my Beretta. Mechanically, i can choose from a half dozen GM cars that were built on the same or similar chassis... BUT when it comes to body and interior, I am fucked. 90% of that shit has been discontinued. Getta Kappa parts are hit or miss... you've really got no alternative but to start calling salvage yards.

with a GM wheel bearing assembly, they are bolt in's... hehehe, but 9 times out of ten you've to beat the fucker out of the knuckle assembly.

i only resort to salavage when its a retarded expensive dealer part. My cup holder is 300 bucks on sale rageeee

Posted by Nismo i only resort to salavage when its a retarded expensive dealer part. My cup holder is 300 bucks on sale rageeee

$300 for a FUCKING CUP HOLDER???
are you serious>

Posted by Samurai with front end parts, you never go junkyard. i am a firm believer in that. besides, who really wants to go through the trouble to yank a used wheel bearing assembly out of a car, stuff it in theirs and then have the fucker go bad a week, or a month later... spend the money, buy the new part and be done with it. (i was using the bearing as an example... hopefully you get the idea)

sam, up here we have a salvage yard that has excellent guarantees and all, ive bought control arms there but i would NEVER get a wheel bearing used

Posted by Mr Fish I suppose it depends on how much you like the car, for me I would keep my car and get it fixed because it means alot to me, even if it means I have to take the car off the road while I earn the money, but I don't know about your circumstances. Fish

Yea I've spent an obscene amount of money on my car that isn't really worth a whole lot because I love it very very much. If you don't really like your car, why not use this as an opportunity to sell it while it's still worth something and get something you might enjoy?

I don't agree with those who say drive it into the ground. It's an '03 and it drives, so it still has a decent amount of value, even if it needs some parts replaced. If you drive it into the ground so that it is nonfunctional, it will be worth practically nothing.

Posted by insanebuslady Yea I've spent an obscene amount of money on my car that isn't really worth a whole lot because I love it very very much. If you don't really like your car, why not use this as an opportunity to sell it while it's still worth something and get something you might enjoy? I don't agree with those who say drive it into the ground. It's an '03 and it drives, so it still has a decent amount of value, even if it needs some parts replaced. If you drive it into the ground so that it is nonfunctional, it will be worth practically nothing.

the 03 Grand Am, being one of the last years of the car, is not really worth a whole lot. It's 8 years old, a dead, discontinued chassis and built from a chassis that had notable problems. If you have had the car for a while and it's given you no problems, you got a good one and you might want to stay with it.

I have a scrap yard that charges scrap price pretty much. Fenders are $10, hoods $10, gas tanks w/sending units are $10. Batteries (tested) are $15. Tires on rims, $5 for steel, $20 for alloy. Transmissions are $50.

4 cylinder engines are $80, 6 cyl are $100 and 8 are $120.

It's a good place. A very good place.

find me a front bumper for an S4

Posted by Nismo find me a front bumper for an S4

jeez, Nismo... there are a couple of yards in the Burlington VT area that specialize in European cars... it's only an hour or so from Montreal.
Start dialing...

yeah but no one has an S4 bumper

Posted by Nismo yeah but no one has an S4 bumper

have. you. tried. any. of. them.
have you called 'wire wheel' in Middlebury?
have you tried Valley Salvage in Hinesburg? Rahti Salvage in Colchester?