What to look for in used GT

[maddog39]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to buy a used grand prix GT and wonder if there is anything easy I can look for to ensure the reliability of the car. I plan on doing some light mods to this car and it has relatively high mileage (at least thee ones that I am looking at). Any thoughts?

Thanks!
maddog39

[matt5112]

get a GTP or plan for a top swap if you want to mod because not much else is very cost effective with these cars.

Look for slipping tranny, rust, window regulators, working sunroof (if applicable). I'm sure someone else will have a few other things i missed.

[imdaman3]

driv it for awhile make sure trans dont slip or harsh shift,2nd look at strut towers if there rusted dont get it major prob with these cars, 3rd look under neath and make sure rocker arent rotted off, 4th lower intakes easy fix tho, but if there seaping u might be able to get a lil money of the car, 5th drive the car take it on a good cruise make sure you dont run into any problems after uve paid for it .....

[matt5112]

as for #2... any car with over 80K miles on needs new shocks. Don't care what type of car it is.

And that means replacing the strut mounts since they have bearings in them and wear out just like any bearing.

[SuperSport]

Don't buy a 97 GT. Vacuum trans FTL.

[maddog39]

get a GTP or plan for a top swap if you want to mod because not much else is very cost effective with these cars.

Look for slipping tranny, rust, window regulators, working sunroof (if applicable). I'm sure someone else will have a few other things i missed.

I am going to get a GTP at a later date when my credit is a little better, this is just to replace the GTP i totaled 5 months ago for a little while to hold me over until I can buy another one.

driv it for awhile make sure trans dont slip or harsh shift,2nd look at strut towers if there rusted dont get it major prob with these cars, 3rd look under neath and make sure rocker arent rotted off, 4th lower intakes easy fix tho, but if there seaping u might be able to get a lil money of the car, 5th drive the car take it on a good cruise make sure you dont run into any problems after uve paid for it .....

as for #2... any car with over 80K miles on needs new shocks. Don't care what type of car it is.

And that means replacing the strut mounts since they have bearings in them and wear out just like any bearing.

Alright sounds good, thanks for the advice. Also, yea any care will need new shocks at the kind of mileage I am lookin' at right now.

[Cobra]

Check oil pan gasket, lower engine mount and anti sway bar. If needed best to do all three at once. Oil Pan $30 for gasket 5 hours labor, engine mount $40 plus 4 hours labor. Anti sway $100 plus two hours. If you do all three with honest Mechanic 6 hours for all. This due to all involved with H bracket. Most Mechanic's lie and tell you some saving's though this is not true. Check engine mount by touching same and searching for liquid. They are oil filled. Anti sway bar OEM made from tubular steel. They crack really easy near ends. Replacement made from solid steel rod. Do not attempt by self. Special bar needed on top of motor to float engine while performing repairs. Lower bracket supports motor & Transmission.
Next check valve cover and intake manifold for oil leaks, Not a cheep job either. Please note GM has recalled for valve cover leak causing fires. They stop fixing problem by replacing gaskets to putting added wiring bracket for spark plugs and rinsing oil build up. Shame on You GM

Last I aggree check window regulator in cold weather. They seem to run fine in warm and slow in cold. Again $100 for part and about 1 hour labor.
Hope this helps - Info above for 3800 v6 engine

[matt5112]

Well the fire problem is probably due to ****ty quick disconnects on the fuel rail, not oil leaking from the vc's. But the oil from the vc's is also possible,

[SuperSport]

Well the fire problem is probably due to ****ty quick disconnects on the fuel rail, not oil leaking from the vc's. But the oil from the vc's is also possible,

Bingo!

[matt5112]

AN fittings FTW

[SuperSport]

AN fittings FTW

Are those hard to do? Ive been thinking about doing it to my GT...

[matt5112]

http://www.grandprixforums.net/fuel_line.php

[nault31]

I can't recall the exact part number for a gm performance parts front sway bar but its a common problem to see the old sway bar broken near the end links. $70 from my local dealer and about 3 hours by myself and it was a simple upgrade. It came with the bushings and endlinks and it was easy to slide in and out with the car jacked up and one tierod unhooked, didnt have to raise the motor.

if you dont plan on keeping it long i wouldnt worry about that, technically you dont need a sway bar for a good alignment, i'd just worry about leaks under the hood or antifreeze in the oil due to a lower intake gasket leak

EDIT: Front GMPP Sway Bar Kit - GM Part# 12498643

[Cobra]

OEM # sway bar #10284146 made of tubular steel -Dorman #927100 solid steel rod

[imdaman3]

or u can weld the broken end of the sway bar back on, ive done it for years never had a problem seems to stiffin it up a bit to if you do it right

[xringshooter7]

or u can weld the broken end of the sway bar back on, ive done it for years never had a problem seems to stiffin it up a bit to if you do it right

A weld is never as strong as unbroken metal. I would personally never buy a car with a welded sway bar, to me it screams rode hard and put away wet. But maybe it happens more with 26" rims.