Thread: So what do I have to look forward too???

OK, those who know me know I have the worst luck with cars. Seems everytime I buy something, i get the lemon. In the past 4 years I have had several vehicles that I maintained and yet, still ended up with the sh*t end of the stick.

I found this grand prix a few nights ago. 2004, GT, 3.8. Runs and drives like new. So I came home, did some research and i didn't really find any flaws with the vehicle. It seemed to have good ratings. Great reviews.

SO.. I bought it. I love it, but my question is, what do I have to look forward to now? Will this car take my endless lemon streak and put it in the past, or is there some known common problem that will make me grow a few more gray hairs?

FYI - I'm not making this post about my particular vehicle i bought, its more a fun "common discussion" about the GP. I know there are many variables that can create flaws in any vehicle, but i for one can say i could be classified as over caring for my vehicles.

Well, the TB likes to get carboned up and cause strange idling/driveability issues. Simple fix by just removing it and cleaning it till it shines like new. I don't know if the "tapshift" option was avail. on those GT's, but that was known to be an issue at times, and a replacement tranny for the tapshift equipped cars is more expensive than the non-equipped versions.

Besides that, the LIM gaskets may need to be changed out to the updated aluminum ones. Sometime in mid 04 GM installed the new ones, but there is no set date that indicates what car got what set. I guess they were using the leftover plastic ones until they ran out. Take a look on the pass. side of the motor where the LIM meets the heads and see if you see black plastic, or a dull aluminum surface between them. If black, then sooner or later you will be replacing them.

Front wheel bearings can be common. Always replace them with Timkin brand hubs. This can also cause the ABS/Trac Off lights to appear on the dash.

Other than that these are solid cars and can be driven well past 100K w/o issue. And even then often all they need is new plugs and wires (do NOT used platinum plugs in these motors) and they are as good as new.

thanks fordman for your expertise. Its nice to hear things to look for. I will admit, this car has high millage. The previous owner drove back and forth from Manitoba to Ontario often. Lots of hwy miles. This one does not have the tapshift which i'm glad as I would have never used it anyways.. My opinion is buy an Auto, or a standard, no inbetween. lol
I will def look into those gaskets and see what is in there. For the amount of K this has, and how it runs, my guess they are the good ones, or they have already been changed.
Just to let ya know, my car is a 241000Kms, which is roughly 150000 miles.

rear calipers can sometimes be a pain.

But it seems only if you use the parking brake.

I plan on doing a lot of hwy driving. I am moving to a bigger city though so some city driving.