Thread: Planning on a Grand Prix for first car...?

A grand prix is a perfect first car. They are tanks. With a price point of 2k, you could still get a gtp. Although a gt is still a good choice.

Yup good first car.. I'd wait and find a GTP over a GT anyday you'll be much happier.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ommon-problems

is there any way to increase your budget a little? with 2k you are going to buy a car that will likely have some problems and then youll spend some time and money fixing them.
if you can, get a GTP.

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/4317373885.html

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/4290922504.html

Welcome! I think a GP is great for a first car as well. It was basically my second first car (only had my first car for 7 months). It served me quite well for 3 years with no major problems whatsoever.

redcompg posted a great link ^. GP's are great cars for the most part, my first. You gotta look them over real well though because every now and then you can get one that's an endless money pit, usually because the previous owner didn't fix anything unless it rendered the car undrivable. If the owner looks like that kind of person, or you can tell they don't take care of it, don't buy it. Also take a good test drive and make sure the trans shifts well AND make sure it goes into 4th. Don't confuse torque converter lockup with 4th gear. Any GP for 2 grand will need some work, luckily parts are cheap and they're easy to work on.

If you get a GTP make sure you can afford to put Premium in it. Or expect to have engine problems down the road.

Originally Posted by buickman104

If you get a GTP make sure you can afford to put Premium in it. Or expect to have engine problems down the road.

If it is left stock you will NEVER kill a gtp by running 87 in it. My ex girlfriend had a 98 gtp that her parents drove off the lot in 98 and passed it down to her. I never really asked what fuel she ran in it untill one day I filled up for her while she was in the car (-15F outside) and then was confused / a little mad that I put premium in. She had no idea why you would ever need premium until she got on it and noticed an immediate and very real power increase. Asked her parents later that week and they said they never put premium in it either. That thing had 238,000 miles on it. It didnt even have 4th gear for the last 40k. Engine was absolutely perfect.

There's a reason GM recommends 91+ in the GTP. Just because yours ex didn't blow it up doesn't mean that it will never happen. Better to be safe then sorry plus the price difference isn't a lot. Eat McDonald's one less time a week and you can afford premium.

Originally Posted by frosty

If it is left stock you will NEVER kill a gtp by running 87 in it. My ex girlfriend had a 98 gtp that her parents drove off the lot in 98 and passed it down to her. I never really asked what fuel she ran in it untill one day I filled up for her while she was in the car (-15F outside) and then was confused / a little mad that I put premium in. She had no idea why you would ever need premium until she got on it and noticed an immediate and very real power increase. Asked her parents later that week and they said they never put premium in it either. That thing had 238,000 miles on it. It didnt even have 4th gear for the last 40k. Engine was absolutely perfect.

That's cool if you stay out of boost...

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Seriously? Regular tank of gas. 87 octane. Just speaking. $3.50 a gallon let's say at 14 gallons. that's $49 for regular fill up

Same 14 gallons at $3.70 for your premium, $51.80. There's is a $2.80 cent difference per TANK.

Big deal.

I was in the same situation. Make sure you look at the problem areas, I'm sure they won't be as bad as the ones here further north. If I were to do it over, I would get a GT, then turbo or top swap it down the road. Insurance is wayyyyy more for someone our age when having a GTP compared to a GT.

^ shouldn't be.. Then again it depends on your insurance company.. Mine was maybe $2-3 more for a GTP vs a base model and I got the car when I was 18. Biggest thing for me is he's young and a topswap or turbo may be to much work for him for awhile not to mention his parents may not be on board with him tearing his motor apart to do a topswap.. Then goodluck explaining how it's basically the same thing as him buying a GTP instead. Trying to save him the headache with sourcing parts etc.

Originally Posted by Below Average Joe

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/4290922504.html

Last I checked this guy wanted like five grand.

Decent.

Just check for rocker rust and rear strut tower rust. Rocker rust isnt as big an issue most of the time, unless they are just plain gone and you don't want any strut tower rust because the strut can pop through into the trunk.

Surely the test drive would bring up any major issue like abs light, check engine lights etc etc, weird steering feel and making sure it had all 4 gears.

And the headlights are all fogged up, needs replacing.

Also check for leaky intake gaskets....would be a good negotiating point