Thread: Grand Prix for first car?

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  1. #1 Grand Prix for first car? 
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    Hey all, my name's John and I'm 16. I currently drive my dads 2004 F150 but am saving up for my first car, and I'm looking closely at Grand Prix's. Mostly the 1997-2003
    generation. My budget is $2500 or less. Do you think this would be a good first car? Also, Im a little on the bigger size, but not huge (5'7", 200 lbs) is the Grand Prix a comfortable car for people around my size? Thanks!

    Edit; heres and example of what this $$$ will get you in my area: http://www.autostarus.com/vehicle/45...innesota-55369
    Last edited by John1; 08-26-2013 at 04:17 PM. Reason: Added Link
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  2. #2 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    WHERES THE LAMB SAUCE?!?! Matt Palm's Avatar
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    im 6'2" and 250 and i fit fine. And personally id go for a gtp they arent much more.
    dhp tune, sd lip, shiny stuffs, retros, gen 2 spoiler, gpo's, pregens
    http://www.grandprixforums.net/showthread.php?t=75198
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  3. #3 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    get a gtp, aka one with a supercharger, the n/a engines kinda suck.

    97-04 regals also have the s/c engine they would be a regal GS same car with different skin, and with better seats,(and other better interior features) im 6'6" and fit ok.

    so if your still shopping around, they are worth checking out as well, test drive each of them.

    link in my sig is my regal ride thread. i got it cheap, and fixed it up little by little.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  4. #4 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    Modded for Maximum Slow burgundybullet's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Scottydoggs View Post
    get a gtp, aka one with a supercharger, the n/a engines kinda suck.

    97-04 regals also have the s/c engine they would be a regal GS same car with different skin, and with better seats,(and other better interior features) im 6'6" and fit ok.
    I wouldn't say that the N/A engines suck. They are perfectly fine. They just aren't something that will win many races. If you just need a DD and something that will last through college a GT will suffice. As for a regal if you can find one go for it. They are nice.


    1978 Oldmobile Cutlass Cruiser (crushed)
    2000 Grand Prix GT (Revived DD)
    2001 Grand Prix GTP Special Edition (Weekend Warrior)
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  5. #5 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    GT Level Member addzradd's Avatar
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    Can't go wrong, I had one as my first car a decade ago and it's still going strong for 300k miles
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  6. #6 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    SE Level Member blackgtp95's Avatar
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    These things make great first cars, they are dependable (with proper maintenance like any other car) looks good and you can do a few performance things with a really small budget

    And that really goes for any W-Body GM car with a 3800 in it the Monte Carlo, Regal, Grand Prix, Impala. Whatever you decide there are plenty of people here that can help you out!

    Edit: should also say they are really easy to work on and parts are plentiful if something does break!
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  7. #7 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    GXP Level Member txslow6's Avatar
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    Great first car and get a supercharged one. See bottom of my post

    Lots of parts interchange
    cheap
    reliable
    easy to work oon lots of performance parts if you decide to mod

    any w body will interchange with most parts.


    Monte Carlo SS
    Regal GS
    Bonneville SSEI
    Grand Prix GTP
    Impala SS
    85 Corvette
    01 TA
    03 Z06
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  8. #8 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    GTP Level Member gpse2000's Avatar
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    6'5" and 190 and fit fine, and actually better in my 2000 than my 06 but them 04+ seats so much more comfy

    also my first and second car!!
    2002 Denali Airaid MIT, Tint, 121k GARNET RED
    2006 GT S/C CAI, Plog, 3" DP, Flipped Mounts, DR STBs, SPO Grilles, SPO TIPS, Tint, Inlays, 120k BLEEN FOR SALE
    2000 SE 3.8 intake, dic swap, debadged, flipped mounts, rust mod 140k SILVERMIST SOLD
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  9. #9 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    GTX Level Member 87IROCZOWNER69's Avatar
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    Where in Iowa do you live? I drove five hours to pick up this one in cedar rapids...
    1998 Grand Prix GTP

    I passed it up initially saying its to rough and rusty for me but the thing ended up being in alot better shape than it was described and had alot of extras I was not expecting (perfect tail lights, amazing head unit, etc). Also the rust was not that bad at all.

    So moral of the story is that just because something looks real rough just go ahead and ask anyway it may not be as bad as it seems (the guy I got mine from polished it before I got there). You also said that your max budget is 2500 so you can always make offers on cars a little more expensive than that.

    Moral of the story
    Quote Originally Posted by BoostenGTP View Post
    Do it Dan. Be a Grand Prix owner. Be an Asshole.
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  10. #10 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    Never Be A Tim. ILoveAudi's Avatar
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    Go for it. My green machine is my first car! I love it. Great first car IMO.
    1998 GTP Coupe - DIY Intake, Stock - 178k miles with rusty weight reduction (sold)
    1998 GTP Sedan - CT turbo kit, billet wheel pt61, s1x blower cam, Iceman stage 3 heads, 90# springs for all the valve floatz, walbro pump, fuel pump rewire *slowest s1x build ever*
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  11. #11 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    I live here. Slick2500's Avatar
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    I would either go with the GT or GTP stay away from the SE's in all years and the 97 GTs. Everyone says stay away from the 97 GTPs but they aren't to much different than the 98+ cars, I had one was a fun car till it died. Tomorrow its going to get recycled.
    2003 Redfire Metallic Chevy Tahoe Z71 - Airaid Modular Intake Tube, Flowmaster Exhaust.
    Quote Originally Posted by The Sunfire Guy
    Superchargers take away horsepower
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  12. #12 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
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    get a gt with no rust then top swap it when you have the money or just get a gtp if you aren't looking to do engine work other then the maintenance
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  13. #13 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    GTX Level Member mofford12's Avatar
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    Try to stay away from 97 the best you can..transmissions are poo
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  14. #14 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    Max Cook
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    Quote Originally Posted by mofford12 View Post
    Try to stay away from 97 the best you can..transmissions are poo
    97 gtps have fine trannys. Its just the 97 GTs.

    My first car was a 97 grand prix gtp back in like 2004. That car changed my life in more ways than anything else ever has. In many good ways and many bad ways as well...

    If you're gonna get a cheap grand prix, just try to make sure the strut towers arent completely rusted through in the back and that the tranny isnt about to die.
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  15. #15 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    Never Be A Tim. ILoveAudi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Max Cook View Post
    97 gtps have fine trannys. Its just the 97 GTs.My first car was a 97 grand prix gtp back in like 2004. That car changed my life in more ways than anything else ever has. In many good ways and many bad ways as well...If you're gonna get a cheap grand prix, just try to make sure the strut towers arent completely rusted through in the back and that the tranny isnt about to die.
    Definitely check the rear strut towers. They can be expensive... ask me how I know
    1998 GTP Coupe - DIY Intake, Stock - 178k miles with rusty weight reduction (sold)
    1998 GTP Sedan - CT turbo kit, billet wheel pt61, s1x blower cam, Iceman stage 3 heads, 90# springs for all the valve floatz, walbro pump, fuel pump rewire *slowest s1x build ever*
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  16. #16 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    GTX Level Member loopy smurf's Avatar
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    Just keep in mind with the GTP that it requires premium gas, and I think insurance will be higher on that over a GT...especially fora 16 yo...I love my '01 GT, and think this would be a great first car for anyone. Good luck!
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  17. #17 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    GTX Level Member EJOUIE's Avatar
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    Condition of the car trumps engine type as long as it isn't a 3.1L.

    As long as its a 3800, power is available through mods. 3.1L, not so much.

    Find the best condition one of the types listed (w bodies) and go from there.
    97 GT white 4 door-SOLD

    Cherry 2005 Impala LS- Front and Rear GMPP Strut Tower Braces
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  18. #18 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
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    i think the best thing about the car is the roomy-ness. its one of the longer cars i see on the road. im 5'11 160lbs and i ride with the seat almost all the way up, i also like to tilt it up, i like to pretend im in a cockpit of a fighter jet
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  19. #19 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    GT Level Member GPTAFan's Avatar
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    I personally love my 02 gt, right now it sint the best. But that'll change.
    And I'm the opposite ^^ I'm 5'9 an my seats all the way bak almost im reclined a little
    Wwhen I drive but not to much so that I look black
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  20. #20 Re: Grand Prix for first car? 
    GrandPrix Junkie Bluemagic's Avatar
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    Really?? Look black?? Ignorance..

    Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
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