Which is cheaper to maintain, the Pontiac Grand Prix or the Pontiac Grand Prix?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Pontiac Grand Prix is cheaper to maintain — about $1,342 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 2.8L V6 and the 5.3L V8?

Across 37 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Pontiac Grand Prix or Pontiac Grand Prix?

The Pontiac Grand Prix has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Pontiac Grand Prix has 1 open recall. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1989 Pontiac Grand Prix vs 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix

Specifications

Year

1989

2008

Engine

2.8L V6

5.3L V8

Drivetrain

FWD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

—hp

Torque

—lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

Quarter Mile

—

Top Speed

—

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

MPG · City

MPG · Highway

MPG · Combined

20.5

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

5-Year Maintenance

$27,556

0.46 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$26,214

0.44 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEPontiac Grand Prix — Saves you $1,342 over 5 years (5% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

3.1L V6 Connecting Rod Bearing Failure

— hrs$2,373 / 5yr

— hrs

4T65-E Automatic Transmission Failure

— hrs

— hrs$1,950 / 5yr

4T60 Transmission Oil Cooler Internal Failure

— hrs$1,625 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil & filter change

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

— hrs

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.0 hrs$380 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

3800 Series III Intake Manifold Gasket Leak

— hrs

— hrs$715 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$360 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$330 / 5yr

Intake Manifold Gasket Leaks (3.1L)

— hrs$569 / 5yr

— hrs

12V battery

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$255 / 5yr

Coolant flush

0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Transmission Mounts Collapsed

— hrs$358 / 5yr

— hrs

Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure

— hrs$122 / 5yr

— hrs$211 / 5yr

Lower Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints

— hrs

— hrs$298 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.2 hrs$260 / 5yr

— hrs

Intake manifold gasket

4.5 hrs$230 / 5yr

— hrs

Water pump

3.5 hrs$226 / 5yr

— hrs

Power Steering Pump and Rack Leaks

— hrs

— hrs$193 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

— hrs

Valve cover gasket

2.5 hrs$174 / 5yr

— hrs

Oxygen sensor

1.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

— hrs

Alternator Failure

— hrs

— hrs$166 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr

— hrs

Fuel Pump Relay and Sender Issues

— hrs$140 / 5yr

— hrs

Ignition Lock Cylinder / Passlock Security System Issues

— hrs

— hrs$131 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.6 hrs$125 / 5yr

— hrs

Engine air filter

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

— hrs

Alternator

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

— hrs

Power steering flush

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

— hrs

Starter motor

1.5 hrs$85 / 5yr

— hrs

Ignition coil

0.8 hrs$80 / 5yr

— hrs

Thermostat

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

— hrs

PCV valve

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

1 open

🏆

ADVANTAGEPontiac Grand Prix — 1 fewer open recall from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Pontiac Grand Prix

No fluid spec data available

Pontiac Grand Prix

brake · DOT 4 Brake Fluid

coolant18.00 qt · EV Battery/Motor Coolant

power_steering0.00 qt · Electric Power Steering (No Fluid)

transmission_auto10.00 qt · EV Transmission Fluid

washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1989 Pontiac Grand Prix

2.8L V6

Pontiac Grand Prix has 1 fewer open NHTSA recall

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.