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

Hey Folks,
I am looking to buy a Grand Prix for my 17 year old son. I want a dependable car that's clean. I've been looking at GP's and man, I tell ya, I can't believe how many freaking dishonest scammers are out there trying to sell cars now!

I looked at 2 cars yesterday, both about an hours drive from home. The sellers raved about how nice they were. I get there and 1 looked like they let there dogs live in it and the other had a broken driver seat, suspension issues and very little heat.

I've also noticed a lot of people are selling cars under the guise of "for sale by owner" when they are really running a small (or not so small) used car dealership. People trying to sell cars with 90k miles but they don't tell you they were pieced together.

I really hate the thought of going to one of the many used car lots.

Can those places really be trusted?

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.

I know the feeling.
I was looking at a 2002 Anniversary GTP a couple years back and wanted it. Needed a few things right off the hop that I told the seller I would need to do. (LIM, elbows, plugs etc.)

He was on about how he just put 2000.00 dollars into it at the shop for new injectors and a new egr valve. I called his bluff immediately. nothing was touched on this car for a very long time.

I got him down on price and when hes doing up the bill of sale informs me he is a dealer and I must pay tax on the vehicle. No way in HELL BUDDY!!

Buying/selling privately is a painful process most of the time. Sometimes you get lucky and the seller is honest.

Best of luck. I suggest not to rush it. TRUST YOUR GUT. Man I wish i would have listened to mine, thats another story.

Doing the repairs myself is really not practical for me. Appreciate the advice folks!

This one is about $600-700 more than I really want to spend but it looks like it would be a nice car. Low mileage as well. On the other hand, it seems like the price should be higher for 99k miles and as nice as it's supposed to be.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/4861758942.html

Looks nice, base model but not S/C.

I found that car on other sites and one led me to a dealer so.....

Ok, switching gears. I found another one from a private seller. The guy sounds very nice and honest. I know that's not always true but you know what I mean. It's probably a 2 hour drive but looks like a nice car. 151k miles but..... Says it has a small leak at the radiator elbow (not actual radiator) and he's getting that fixed. Dropping the car off while he's on vacation.

It's a GTP and he warned me it might be a fast car for my son. My son has driven the GT that I had. Are the superchargers that much faster? Any thoughts. Car link is below.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...88582260&Log=0

Car says removed. Also let him get the sc

I dont think the extra 40-50 horse is going to be that big of a deal.Its a front wheel drive boat, if he's irresponsible,he'll do the same without a supercharger.Mineaswell get the supercharged version if you can imo.

I ended up rebuilding the trans in mine because the seller flushed and filled the fluid to make it look good. Three weeks into ownership and the trans started acting up and eventually wouldn't go in Drive anymore. Pulled the dipstick when I looked at the car... it was a nice red and smelled good. Pulled it when it started acting up and it was muddy looking and smelled burned. First time I have gotten bent over on a car in a long time and it will be my last time. If a private seller can't produce receipts or show any kind of service history, I'd probably move on unless you can fix stuff yourself, or have a decent budget for a mechanic to do it. Mom and pops dealers tend to get their cars from auctions and are real hit or miss. Your local Ford, GM and Dodge dealers can get nice ones in trade from time to time but you gotta be quick on those. Although I was pissed about the trans in my car, the seller did do a fair amount of other stuff to it and I can concentrate on the other stuff and get it looking good again. It will give me something to do and be fun in the process.