on the gas and the Grand Am gets off to a fine start. It doesn't snap your head back

or anything, but there's certainly no life-and-death drama trying to get on the

freeway.

Exit onto a country lane and the Grand Am looks like it should be ready for all the

twists and turns you care to tackle. On good pavement, that is the case; there was

some body roll, but we stuck to the road pretty well.

On rougher roads, the Grand Am is much less sure-footed. When the going gets bumpy,

the car's rear wheels have a tough time maintaining contact with the road,

compromising its sporty premise.

All in all, our SE test car didn't handle any better than many competitors that have

no pretense to sports car performance.

So if the Grand Am isn't as sporty as advertised, is it at least comfortable enough to

get around in? Yep.

There's still some noticeable engine noise on most takeoffs from stop signs or traffic

lights and the repeatedly refined four-cylinder engine still isn't as vibration-free

as, say, the Accord's.

But the Grand Am keeps the traffic and wind noise to acceptable levels. The front

suspension sends a few more bumps up through the steering wheel than we would like,

but the overall ride is not wearing.