Thread: Common Problems??

hey all,
new here, just said hello in the intro forum...but on to my question.

i dont have a gp just yet, but i am looking. what are some common problems that i need to be mindful of in my search for a 97-03 grand prix gt. i dont think i want the supercharged version because of gas mileage and the fact that you have to run premium in it. but if im off on that, let me know as well. just had a baby so...it has to be a four door, unfortunately.

i grew up working on everything that was broke, so i do know from experience that everything has its weak spots...so let me hear of them.

thanks to all who chime in!!

I am also looking at buying a Grand Prix and would like to know common issues. I have already noticed the blower motor resistor is a common problem since all but one of them I've driven so far had that problem. I have been taking each of them to a repair shop for a free inspection and every one so far has been reported to have oil leaks around the oil pan and various other areas. Is that anything to worry about? I had an 03 S10 with the 4.3 that always had a oil-soaked oil pan and it ran like new so for now I'm not too worried about that. Currently I have my heart set on a GTP sedan with a clean history. Its got some clunking up front when going over bumps and it feels like it misses when you give it a lot of gas. The front struts are brand new so the current owner's mechanic told him it was the brake caliper brackets causing the clunking. I dunno if I believe that, but I can't imagine it being anything serious. Its got 133k miles so I'm hoping a solid tune-up will fix the missing. I've never driven a supercharged car before so I'm not familiar with the spark retard and stuff like that.

If a GTP is run on regular gas could it cause the missing I felt under heavy acceleration? The owner if foreign and I don't know if he's aware it requires premium gas.