Thread: Looking For A Grand Prix For My Son - Questions & Support Needed

The rule here now is that to sell more than 3 cars a year, you require a dealer's license. That makes dealers out of quite a few regular folks, especially if they just fix n flip cars in their spare time. As far as "niceness" goes, even a car with a salvage title can still be a cream puff. But shiny paint is all most people, dealers, insurers, look at. Mechanical condition has little or no bearing on market value, as you have found. I shop for a solid history and have bought good cars that way with little inspection needed. Buyer beware, you are wise to be here researching.

I am used to 97-03 GPs. But, how I got my GTP was some parents bought it for a young driver then once they discovered the gas pedal, sold it immediately to the guy I bought it from, a hardcore vintage Pontiac fan who never used it just liked it. I think they did the kid right. I drove a 99 GT coupe (not supercharged) for 4 years with no performance complaints. Plenty peppy even in today's traffic. I have now driven a 99 GTP (all same but supercharged) for over a year. The difference in operator skill required is ENORMOUS. I strongly advise against putting a new driver in anything with an L67 engine. The potential for unintentional traction loss is much greater and the computer isn't fast enough to really keep you out of trouble. #1 tip for safety in a FWD GP of any kind: Lots of tread on the tires, gotta have that all around. Rain tires year round are my choice. Theres my .02 worth.

Appreciate all the advice and feedback. This is my son's 2nd car so he does have some experience. A disgruntled ex-girlfriend had some friends trash his 2003 Taurus, although we couldn't prove it. I was pretty set on getting him another Taurus but I am a fan of the GP's and that 3800 engine. If I had known this was going to happen I would have given him mine. I think my GP had about 178k on it when I sold it.

I'm still leary about buying a car with 150k+ miles. I'd like to be closer to 100k but then the price goes up. That's alos why I am not having luck with finding the right car at a reputable "dealer". The prices are several hundred more. Maybe I need to spring for it.

I don't consider those smaller Mom and Pop places "dealers", even though they are. Too many scammers. Unless I knew of a reputable place, but I don't.

He's a lot more "conservative" than I am behind the wheel so that makes me a little less cautious about getting him a car with a little more pep.

I've sold cars on craigslist but I never try to hide any issues with the car. In fact, I go out of my way to make them known. Karma.

Definitely get the blown car. Neither M90'd nor NA are fast enough to be dangerous, IMO.

Originally Posted by SgtMarshal

...... also an fyi, if you get a supercharged Grand Prix, you have to run premium fuel in it which is not the case in a non supercharged Grand Prix.

OK, now this I did not realize. This will be important for a 17 year old's budget. I might need to eliminate the GTP from my searches. I agree the extra oomph is nice but I had always thought the non-supercharged had plenty of get up and go when needed for passing, merging, etc.

Originally Posted by nos4blood70

Definitely get the blown car. Neither M90'd nor NA are fast enough to be dangerous, IMO.

Agreed. Even tho it has like 195 to the wheels (sc) model. Think about it hauling around this 3700 lb car they are tanks.

Hey folks, what do you think about this deal? It's exactly what I had before: 2004 GT Silver. 135k miles, new tires, brakes about a year old, rear and front struts replaced within 3 years. Interior looks clean. The son owned the car for the last 3 years and stepped to a new truck. I spoke with the father who is a mechanic and bought it from the son to get him out from under it. He said his son was very anal about taking good care of it.

It's about 1.5 hours away so I want to be pretty sure I want it before making the drive. He said the price is a little negotiable. Thinking I could get it for 3800 or 3900.

Thoughts?

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/4863286461.html


And there was this one but I wasn't sure because of the miles and it's not a GT. Interested in any thoughts and advice.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/4853188338.html

Insurance may cost more on a GTP for a 17 year old... call your insurance company to get an idea...

For both of them, make sure to look at the LIM gaskets. The silver one is nicer, IMO.

Originally Posted by JCWarrior

What is LIM? L.... Intake manifold

Lower intake manifold

You could try adding the Impala SS and the Monte Carlo SS to the search. Some of those also came with the 3800. Opens the door more for an older, but lower mileage car.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/4845779743.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/4864087123.html

Originally Posted by JCWarrior

Got it. Just look for visible signs of leaks?

If it's black plastic it'll need replaced. If it's metal it'll be good

Originally Posted by bobc455

One other thing - nonsupercharged cars did not always come with ABS. It was available as an option, but some don't have ABS. If you get a non-supercharged car, I would recommend ABS for your son.

-BC

Also. The car will have abs if it's has a button to turn traction control on and off in the center console im not a big fan of either both have almost caused me to have an accident but its up to you

Good info guys, thanks.

I have been avoiding, what look to be, nice cars because they appear to be for sale by what I call "mini dealers". I decided to pay the $55 for unlimited Carfax reports in case I decide to look at one of these vehicles and the first one I looked up showed it was originally from Louisianna and from a county deemed a flood disaster zone.

Hmmm....


It did not show that it was totalled or anything like that and had other events (minor accident) after 2005 so I'm not sure if it had been flood damaged. But man, sure doesn't give one a warm fuzzy does it?

Buying used cars has gotten so much more complicated that it was 10 years ago.