Looking to buy a Grand Prix

[ThymastarGT]

Hello, I am new to the forum world, as this is my first post. I'm 16 and looking to buy my first car. I found a 2000 Grand Prix GTP Daytona 500. It's in relatively good condition, except for the normal wear and tear of a 15 year old car with 137k miles on it. Paint is chipping, there are dings on the hood (seems like hail damage, only 3 dings), the clear coat is faded on the trunk, some paint cracking, and a nicely sized dent behind the driver door. It is a Daytona 500 edition, so it has the spoiler, exhaust tips, decals, hood vents, ect. The guy is asking $3300 for the car. The brakes and tires need to be replaced, along with the taillights and headlights. I just wanted to know what you guys think I should be paying for a car like this, or what i should offer him. It was garage kept all of its live, but I'm pretty sure the past few years it has just been sitting outside, not being used.

Thanks in advance. This is my first post, so apologies if I did anything wrong. (I tried putting pictures in, but that's just not working out for me.)

[SubwayGuy]

Hello, $3300 seems a bit high with all the problems it has. Only thing it really has going for it is it's a Daytona edition. If you can get him in the mid 2's that's acceptable. But I would keep looking at other GP's. But stick with a GTP if you choose a GP.

[SubwayGuy]

And out of curiosity, what number out of 2000 is it?

[ThymastarGT]

I'm not sure exactly. The badge on the center console says "One of 2000." I'm not sure if they mean it's actually the very first one made, or if it is just one of the 2000 that they made. Thank you for the quick response. Yeah, I figured I would start at $2500.

[SubwayGuy]

But a clean, well maintained, no rust GTP in top end condition is only like $3500-$4000 TOPS, so anything above that is a rip-off. Unless it has really low miles. But high 2's or low 3's is about what a nice one will go for. Good luck.

[ThymastarGT]

Thank you! There are no paint bubbles or any surface rust on the exterior, but i crawled under the car and there is a bit of rust on the frame. Not too bad, but it's there. Hopefully I can get him down to mid 2's.

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Check for strut tower rust in the trunk too and directly under the rocker covers.

[Mbeejonhn]

I wouldn't buy it. Sounds like it wasn't taken care of. It could have more problems than you think.I paid 3300 for my 2005 gtp comp g and it didn't have any of those problems.It's gonna need body work and tons of mechanical work. If you buy it be ready to sink money into it.

[Kaiser Pontiac]

I'd take a gander through: http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ommon-problems

Wish I'd seen it before I bought mine, haha.

[ThymastarGT]

Hello, I am new to the forum world, as this is my first post. I'm 16 and looking to buy my first car. I found a 2000 Grand Prix GTP Daytona 500. It's in relatively good condition, except for the normal wear and tear of a 15 year old car with 137k miles on it. Paint is chipping, there are dings on the hood (seems like hail damage, only 3 dings), the clear coat is faded on the trunk, some paint cracking, and a nicely sized dent behind the driver door. It is a Daytona 500 edition, so it has the spoiler, exhaust tips, decals, hood vents, ect. The guy is asking $3300 for the car. The brakes and tires need to be replaced, along with the taillights and headlights. I just wanted to know what you guys think I should be paying for a car like this, or what i should offer him. It was garage kept all of its live, but I'm pretty sure the past few years it has just been sitting outside, not being used.

Thanks in advance. This is my first post, so apologies if I did anything wrong. (I tried putting pictures in, but that's just not working out for me.)

http://www.06gt.com/GrandPrix/IMG_3893.JPG
http://www.06gt.com/GrandPrix/IMG_3894.JPG
http://www.06gt.com/GrandPrix/IMG_3895.JPG
http://www.06gt.com/GrandPrix/IMG_3896.JPG
http://www.06gt.com/GrandPrix/IMG_3897.JPG

[ThymastarGT]

Thanks a lot, this will help a lot, if and when I go to take it for a test drive and get a closer look. I posted links to pictures of the car as well.

[ThymastarGT]

Thanks for the reply, I talked to him today about price, I offered $2500, he said $2700, and we settled on $2600. I posted pics here as well, they probably aren't ideal, but they give you an idea.

[Slick2500]

I personally would not buy it at all. From the few pics you posted that thing looks like it has been abused.

[EHB]

nice work on jewin him down. $2600 ain't bad but still not that good . noway inhell i'd have paid $3300. now you can have a car with new brakes, rotors and tires for $3300. you may want to consider doing one of the brake / rotor upgrades at this point.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...d-Brake-Thread

[Stoenr]

Hey guys, its the OP's pops. Thanks for your input/advice, always appreciated.

I would not say its been abused, (as mentioned) but lack of caring for(as mentioned). They guy that owns it does not seem to be like one of us, enthusiast. But someone that buys a car to have a car, changes the oil and fills up the tank, runs it through the gas station car wash once in a while. (I would never!) But just giving you what I picked up from talking with him.

It looks untouched other than the wheel swap. No other mods, which is a good thing IMO.

I think he should keep looking, and always been told, dont buy the 1st one you look at.

[Slick2500]

Sorry I meant neglected not abused. That interior shot shows the neglect and if the things that you can see look like that just think of the things you can't see.

[theaceofspades]

Those aweful headlights too. Those need to go asap


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stoenr]

Well, we decided to bite the big one and get the car, despite some hopefully not to bad issues. Exhaust leak near muffler area. The terrible headlights and taillights that have some typical moisture in them. Its worn condition, rust in typical places.


Biggest thing that has me somewhat worried is a front end shake under acceleration. Coasting, or slowing, smooth as ice. But anytime you are giving it moderate power you can feel the shake. Soon as you let off, it goes away. I do not think its engine or trans related, but maybe some really worn out bushings somewhere in the front end? Control arms bushings? rack and pinion mounts? Thoughts? ideas? Had that problem?

Another thing, in the trunk, on the passenger side, towards the RR tail light area, there was just a plg laying there, maybe with a 16 pin connector? I did not count. And something attached to the body (black) like it was used to hold something, but that something was missing. This was about the area the plug would reach to. (trunk release in glove box does not work, related?) I will get a pic uploaded in a few


Other than that, getting the open recall that was never done for the valve cover gaskets, some good elbow grease and tender loving care, I think she will make a good car for him for a few years

http://www.06gt.com/GrandPrix/plug.jpg

[Kaiser Pontiac]

Another thing, in the trunk, on the passenger side, towards the RR tail light area, there was just a plg laying there, maybe with a 16 pin connector? I did not count. And something attached to the body (black) like it was used to hold something, but that something was missing. This was about the area the plug would reach to. (trunk release in glove box does not work, related?) I will get a pic uploaded in a few


Other than that, getting the open recall that was never done for the valve cover gaskets, some good elbow grease and tender loving care, I think she will make a good car for him for a few years

http://www.06gt.com/GrandPrix/plug.jpg

I have that same wire hanging down, always wondered what it was for. My glove box trunk-release works though.



Also, as I just found out from the guys here, the dealer will only replace the front valve cover gasket and not the rear - even though people still had their cars start on fire because the rear VC gasket leaked.... So, I decided just to buy 'em both and do it myself. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...hedFrom=header Additionally, you can get 30% off there and pick-up in store. If you do it yourself get a set of aluminum coolant elbows too: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/d...rce=ir&irgwc=1 And, here's a how to do it if you decide to: http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ket-grand-prix

[Stoenr]

Well, we decided to bite the big one and get the car, despite some hopefully not to bad issues. Exhaust leak near muffler area. The terrible headlights and taillights that have some typical moisture in them. Its worn condition, rust in typical places.


Biggest thing that has me somewhat worried is a front end shake under acceleration. Coasting, or slowing, smooth as ice. But anytime you are giving it moderate power you can feel the shake. Soon as you let off, it goes away. I do not think its engine or trans related, but maybe some really worn out bushings somewhere in the front end? Control arms bushings? rack and pinion mounts? Thoughts? ideas? Had that problem?

Another thing, in the trunk, on the passenger side, towards the RR tail light area, there was just a plg laying there, maybe with a 16 pin connector? I did not count. And something attached to the body (black) like it was used to hold something, but that something was missing. This was about the area the plug would reach to. (trunk release in glove box does not work, related?) I will get a pic uploaded in a few


Other than that, getting the open recall that was never done for the valve cover gaskets, some good elbow grease and tender loving care, I think she will make a good car for him for a few years

http://www.06gt.com/GrandPrix/plug.jpg

Ok 1 Engine mount seemed to cure 80% of that shake, much much much better. Will probably do the transmission mount next.



Anyone else want to chime in on that random plug in the trunk?

Looks pretty good for 2600 after a good claybar job, next for the polish/wax