Thinking about buying a gtp.

**justin1795** · 07-19-2010

im looking for a 97-03 gtp. have a few qustions.. i know premimum is recommend is that the only fuel that can be used. what kind of mpg are you guys getting. also is there anything to specifically look for or avoid when i look at these cars.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 07-19-2010

dont get a 97 EVER
yes, we need the higher grade a fuel
i get like 18-19 city and 30-33 freeway

im sure others will chime in too

**justin1795** · 07-19-2010

thanks right now id like to stay in around 2000 range. ive seen some rear quaters rusting out and this is a car i wanna baby. seen a 2000 with 83,000 im intrested in.

**Poil336** · 07-19-2010

well the reason we say don't get a 97 is that there are a bunch of little quirks that are specific to that year. and a lot of things were just built better in the 98+. the 97 se's and gt's had a vacuum controlled transmission that are really easy to blow up. gas milage is decent, and yeah, you need higher octane fuel to protect against knock. if you don't plan on modding, it's not an issue. gas milage is decent, especially if you keep your foot out of it. what's the price on the one you're looking at? most people say that they wouldn't pay more than 3500 for a w-body.

**justin1795** · 07-19-2010

its 4,500. ive seen them in the 3, to 5,500 range depending on the milage

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 07-19-2010

i got my 2000 gtp for 4k with only 110k on it and no rust and no ploblems.

I say with your budget you can find a very nice car with the money

**GTPWHITE** · 07-19-2010

Hey Guys, i am new to the site so be easy on the novice. I just purchased a GTP for 3700 with 137k miles, very clean in and out no rust, but i am getting a vibration while driving at about 60 mph when i accelerate could this be the motor mounts or the haemonic balancer?

**jshifti33** · 07-19-2010

These cars get good gas mileage as stated above, are very quick, and are very reliable if a few things are checked/fixed.

1. Make sure the lower intake manifold has been replaced. These fail prematurely and cause coolant to leak into the oil. You can check the oil before you buy it to see if it has already failed. Also, look in the crevices in the intake manifold for coolant.

2. There is/was a recall on the front valve cover gaskets. The gaskets would leak oil and drip onto the exhaust manifold causing the engine compartment to catch fire. I don't know if GM is still doing the recall work for free so you may have to pay to get it done.

3. Get Carfax report. It is well worth the money. It will also tell you if the recall was done.

4. The transmissions on these cars are their achilles heel. Check the fluid at the very least. It would be best to have it rebuilt or think about having it replaced if it has more than 100,000 miles on it.

That should do it. If I didn't scare you away from buying a GTP congrats and welcome.

**Poil336** · 07-19-2010

Originally Posted by jshifti33

1. Make sure the lower intake manifold has been replaced. These fail prematurely and cause coolant to leak into the oil. You can check the oil before you buy it to see if it has already failed. Also, look in the crevices in the intake manifold for coolant.

i haven't heard about this one, are you meaning the gasket?

Originally Posted by jshifti33

2. There is/was a recall on the front valve cover gaskets. The gaskets would leak oil and drip onto the exhaust manifold causing the engine compartment to catch fire. I don't know if GM is still doing the recall work for free so you may have to pay to get it done.

they're still doing it for free as far as i know. i got a notice not too long ago about it and tried to get an appointment, but got too busy lol

**justin1795** · 07-20-2010

must be a gtp thing because my gf;s monte carlo had a recall for front fire and they just put some clips on the spark plug wires. one wire had a slight burn mark and i said they should replace it. they said the recall was only to install the wire holders.

**tayl5645** · 07-20-2010

For the OP as for mileage i am about 18 city with 30 or so on the Hw. My gauge has my average at 21.6mpg but thats steadily climbing as i put more highway miles on it (Btw mine is a 05 GTP)

**Scimmia** · 07-20-2010

Originally Posted by justin1795

must be a gtp thing because my gf;s monte carlo had a recall for front fire and they just put some clips on the spark plug wires. one wire had a slight burn mark and i said they should replace it. they said the recall was only to install the wire holders.

The L36 just got the spark plug channel removed and the clips installed. The L67 got the front valve cover gasket replaced.