I purchased my 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix used with 45,000 miles on it. Eight years later, the car has 130,000 miles on it, and it still runs great. The engine is quiet, and the ride has always been quite comfortable, no matter the distance. One downside is that the fuel economy at around 17 MPG city and 28 MPG highway is just so-so. Additionally, there are some performance limitations; the vehicle slides a little bit in the snow.

Bought it from my mother shortly after she bought it since she got a new car, and we've rarely had to take it in to the shop since we got it. Runs wonderfully, little issues with it in the large amount of time we've had it. AC has conked out, though may just need to be recharged, an the ABS tends to really jolt the car a bit if slowing down more quickly than average from fast speed, particularly on the highway. Also, the front bumper can scrape on curbs, have discovered that many times. Beyond that, very smooth running.

Buying a used car, you never can be certain what you're going to get. Sure, they have maintenance logs and a great driving record, but things beyond that come into play. I purchase this Pontiac from my banker, of all people. The only other car I had owned was a 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis, so I wanted something with an updated "feel" so to speak. Well, I certainly found it. With its windshield projected display, driver information panel, sun roof and heated leather seats, I was certain I had finally found what I was looking for. Seating for five and an enormous trunk in this sedan leave you plenty of room for anybody and any thing you could ever wish to take with you. Possibly the greatest test of this car was my spontaneous 1700 mile trip across several states and though mountains for an audition. It had no trouble at all keeping up with traffic on the interstates, nor with maintaining speed through the mountains. A true testament to the reliability of a Grand Prix, considering it had 127,000 miles logged already when I purchased it. And that spacious trunk I mentioned? The back seats conveniently fold down to make a perfect sleeping area nearly the size of a twin bed! That sure saved me a lot on hotel expenses.