Tips on Buying Cars: 2003-04 pontiac grand prix, pontiac grand prix, 1999 volvo s70

Question
I wanted to know your thoughts on pontiac grand prix and also like alot of
hondas and nisaans they are known for being cars that are low maintenance
as far as price and being cars that will last forever. i was wondering is a grand
prix in this category also. I am considering buying a used 04 grand prix it
has about 116000 miles on it, but i dont want to buy the car and it
completely break down on me 3 months later. I recently owned a 1999 volvo
s70 and had to give it up because i could not afford to have things on it fixed.
I needed a new timing belt which cost me 1000 dollars engine mountain
500-600 dollars a new alternator 1000 dollars can i expect the same prices
or lower prices in terms of parts and labor for this car. And lastly what ind of
things should i look out for that are known for going bad soon or early in the
04 grand prix's

Answer
The Grand Prix isn't a bad car, but it certainly isn't a great one, either.  It would not be as expensive to repair as the Volvo, but you'd probably find it would be in the shop more often than a Honda, Toyota or Nissan.  The biggest reason for not buying the Grand Prix is its lack of refinement compared to its competitors.  It's controls are typical GM (scattered about the dash and sometimes difficult to operate), the back seat is difficult to access, and it just isn't as comfortable as others in its class; Consumer Reports ranks it at or near the bottom of the mid-size class.