Thread: Looking to buy a 2005 Grand Prix GT but has a few problems need some advice! Thanks

Hello all!

Looking to become a Grand Prix owner soon! I am looking for a work vehicle/safe vehicle I wouldn't feel bad transporting my 2 1/2 year old son in from time to time. I found a 2005 Grand Prix GT with 115k miles on it for $3000 (has great leather, Monsoon system in it sunroof) but it does have some problems. I have done some minimal research on the problems and would like some view points on it. The car seems to be maintained and has a strong engine/transmission. The ABS Traction Control and Speed sensitive steering service lights are on (hoping these are all linked to 1 thing). The car also needs to be given some gas on startup otherwise it dies out No check engine light at all. Once the car has been started it runs 100% fine no stalling no hiccups smooth power. Car drives very nice. Also the A/C is cooler than the air outside but not by much. My scan tool I have does not read ABS codes unfortunately. I was thinking from my research the stalling at startup could be a dirty throttle body? The ABS TRACTION CONTROL AND Speed sensitive warnings could be from a bad wheel bearing (speed sensor)? And was hoping the A/C just needs a recharge. I have no problem throwing new hub bearings in the car I have no problem cleaning the throttle body as I have been doing my own work on my cars for ages. I backed out of the deal because i wanted to do some research on these cars first and if A car doesn't like to start it kinda scares a buyer lol. I need some input before I buy this car it had no leaks minimal rust by gas cap but looked good. Here is a link to the add.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/5140313769.html

How are the transmissions on these cars? Pretty reliable? You dont have to answer that question about the bulletproof 3800 Series 3 engine I already know that answer lol. I see the parts for these cars are really cheap like wheel bearing and such but my main driver is a 2008 BMW 335XI (twin turbo @ 450+ HP) so most cars have cheap parts to me lol.
Any input would be great!
Thanks

Originally Posted by chrsmi1

The transmission on a stock Gt should be fine. If it isn't giving you any trouble on a test drive (make sure you get it up to temp, 170*+) then I wouldn't worry about the tranny.

Dirty throttle body would be my guess too. It's a ten minute fix. Same with the speed sensor. I actually had that with my 04, turned out to be some frayed wires on the sensor. Simple fix. Either way, I wouldn't let those two problems stop me from buying a gp.

Thank you pretty good deal at $3000? Car felt nice to be in but the transmission has such a tall 1st gear it felt weird. I will buy the car tomorrow after a better test drive on the hwy.

Originally Posted by chrsmi1

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/5122468488.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/5156499235.html

The 1st one I looked at its not a GTP its a Base with cloth seats also was involved in a accident and airbags went off and were never replaced. 2nd one is a GTP but has 148k and I wana spend 3k or less as I already have a Twin turbo BMW that runs low 12's to upper 11's (with a good launch) so I really dont need the fun part of the supercharger although I love the sound of the GTP superchargers but the car wouldn't last me cause I'm all about that sound haha

1 more quick question.. The car had a center speaker in the front dash that said Monsoon so that means it has the premium sound with amp and 9 speakers right?

Originally Posted by chrsmi1

The transmission on a stock Gt should be fine. If it isn't giving you any trouble on a test drive (make sure you get it up to temp, 170*+) then I wouldn't worry about the tranny.
.

I assume you mean transmission temp or engine temp? As I could not see the trans temp on the small red screen due to the fact the service abs service traction control service sensitive steering messages.

Deal fell through lmao BS cars odometer said 115k Ran a carfax had 2 reports 1 sold at a dealership with 210k and a antifreeze flush at 211k 3 weeks ago lmfao. Straight up odometer FRAUD! Milwaukee is the worst place to buy a car from a private seller no joke either the car is horrible mechanically or it looks like it fell off a cliff or there are no airbags lmao I dont see a Grand Prix in my 3k price range thats decent.