Not an owner...possible trade.

**Rivmage** · 08-09-2011

Hi all,

I joined mainly to learn more about 1998 Grand Prix GT.

I'm looking to trade my 1999 Jeep Cherokee with 138k miles.

I've been offered the two following cars.

1998 Grand Prix GT with 142k miles and 2002 Grand Am SEII with 130k miles.

Thank you,
Scott

**Explicit_Spade** · 08-09-2011

Grand Ams are piles of crap! Choose the Grand Prix, you won't regret it!

**matt5112** · 08-09-2011

At that mileage.... you might.

Put a new everything on the car then it'll be good for another 100K

**Rivmage** · 08-09-2011

The guy just emailed me back and stated he has owned the Grand Prix for 5 months and has put a lot fo work into it. To me that is a big red flag.

Scott

**matt5112** · 08-09-2011

indeed.

**txslow6** · 08-09-2011

Ask him what he has done.

**Explicit_Spade** · 08-09-2011

Depends on what the work was.

**Rivmage** · 08-09-2011

Here is his reply: "New cat converter, one new coil pack, new MAF, new plugs, wires, tranny flush/filter change, changed the idle air control valve, replaced alot of interior switches and panels. Did a whole tune up when I got it" "Other little stuff like it might need a wheel sensor because the abs light is on and the trac control light."

**Explicit_Spade** · 08-09-2011

Originally Posted by Rivmage

Here is his reply: "New cat converter, one new coil pack, new MAF, new plugs, wires, tranny flush/filter change, changed the idle air control valve, replaced alot of interior switches and panels. Did a whole tune up when I got it" "Other little stuff like it might need a wheel sensor because the abs light is on and the trac control light."

I would consider all this general maintnace items. He sounds like he knew what he was doing.

The wheel sensor is in the wheel hub assembly, so that will need to be replaced to get the traction control light to go away. Not only will it affect traction control, but it can also turn off your abs.

Brakes and oil are easy on all cars, you may want to find a friend who knows what they are doing to give you a hand the first time, then you'll see how easy things can be.

**matt5112** · 08-09-2011

All sounds normal for a vehicle of that age.

Sounds like it'll probably need LCA's, struts and rear springs.

inspect strut towers and rockers for rot.

very common.

**Rivmage** · 08-09-2011

Are Grand Prix pretty easy to work on?

Thank you,
Scott

**matt5112** · 08-09-2011

Everything except the powersteering rack.

**Scottydoggs** · 08-09-2011

Originally Posted by matt5112

Everything except the powersteering rack.

oh come on the rack and pinion are so much fun

**PurpleGuy** · 08-09-2011

Ya powersteerings racks are a PITA. But everything else i've done seems to be pretty easy.

**PurpleGuy** · 08-09-2011

It wasn't TOO terrible for us....but then again the motor was out of the car lol. But the trans seems to be more in the way than the engine itself, but it is in the way none the less.

**Rivmage** · 08-09-2011

I'm just now learning to do car repair. I have never changed my own brakes or oil.

Scott

**PurpleGuy** · 08-09-2011

Those are both easy on these.

**Rivmage** · 08-09-2011

Yep, on most vehicles it's a straight forward job. I just have never done it. Now that I'm moving into a house and money is a bit tight, I would like to save some by doing as much car repair/maintance as possible. Also, want to do it with my boys when I have some.

Scott

**Scottydoggs** · 08-09-2011

everyone is afraid of doing brakes the first time till they see how easy it to do, if you can change a tire, you can do your own brakes, disk brakes anyways, drum are a little bit hard at first but you dont need to worry about that now, you dont have drum brakes lol check out some you tube vids and then go get it done, that easy these days.