Great 1st car for my son

**Tom51** · 02-16-2013

Hello to all on the forum - here's the latest from our driveway.
We're three weeks into the 2001 Grand Prix and having a great time. My son is 16 with a year of permit and 6 months of license experience, so still a lot of experience to gain. He saved up for half and is showing a lot of ownership and enthusiasm in getting to know the car and being able to work on it. I really think we made a good choice in this car. We put a new stereo in it on the first weekend, but got to spend some really good time on it today. He jacked it up, took a wheel on and off, changed the oil and air filter, and we went through a lot of basics like safety with jack stands, brake system, suspension components, intake and exhaust basics, etc. Next weekend is transmission fluid change. I think I'm having more fun than he is. This forum has been a great resource - thanks to all who make it what it is. It's a great community!
We also did a headlight job on it today, I'll post it on the Visual/Body discussion. Wow, I didn't think those hazy headlights were worth working on, but they're like new.
Tom and Jackson in Lakewood, CO

**Odi** · 02-16-2013

Check to see if the lower intake manifold gasket is aluminium. If not, consider changing that, since its failure is the most common problem (other than transmission blowing up) on these cars.

**Oxfire** · 02-16-2013

Model? Mileage? We need to know these things to guide you properly.

**spazzz** · 02-16-2013

Well good deal pops, thats some rewarding experiences for both of you. My son loves kicking it with me when I do things like that and he is only 11, I'm just hoping he keeps the interest because he'll find it useful later in life. I always try and make it a gas and have fun, sounds like you are doing the same.

**Tom51** · 02-17-2013

2001 Grand Prix GT sedan, 3800 Series II. 125K miles.

**Oxfire** · 02-17-2013

Originally Posted by Tom51

2001 Grand Prix GT sedan, 3800 Series II. 125K miles.

Nice! She sounds clean. For the GT I would look into replacing the Lower Intake Manifold/Upper Intake Manifold Gaskets as well as the Valve cover gaskets if they weren't already done. Make sure the transmission fluid and filter are replaced, you may want to think about a shift kit if you're down there anyways. Shortens the travel of the accumulator springs for quicker more direct shifts, it may be known to save some of the clutch material. Other than that, hope your son enjoys the car. I'm sure someone will chime in with something else I may have forgotten. Cheers