New member but very familiar with Pontiacs

**dennis kirban** · 05-21-2012

I just found this forum which perked my interest since I recently purchased a 1997 GP SE 3.8 engine sedan to save gas over my SUVs since I cover about 100 miles a day doing errands.

I shopped for a very clean example 100% original paint well optioned with window sticker never smoked in. Being in the business I have done a few things to make it almost good enough to show including buying a set of redone factory rims. All new exterior lites, drivers side window switches etc. Car literally shows no wear inside. Miles when I purchased it was 134,000.

Not the most exciting car I own (my real ride is a car that is noted in most circles as the fastest US production car made in 1987).

You probably know what car I am referring to......

Research my name on the internet and you will learn quickly the car I am referring to!

denniskirban@yahoo.com

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 05-21-2012

Welcome boss.

**TexasTanker19kilo20** · 05-21-2012

Welcome, and congrats on your GP although GN's are one of my personal favs.

**h0wl0ngcanitbe** · 05-22-2012

Nice an welcome to the forum man! Now can we get some pics of that GP?

**blazed16** · 05-22-2012

Welcome wheres the pics.?

**dennis kirban** · 05-23-2012

I lack the skills to post photos however I got a buddy I think is registered and he can do it for me. he posts my photos on the two other forums that I am on..

I got all mac computers which can do far more stuff than I know how to do....car is not a great color but a super fine as the condition is extremely nice.

Unusually well optioned for a SE model. Has the 3.8 engine, power seat, overhead console, pass thru seat, power trunk, radio buttons on steering wheel, alloy wheels, window sticker, cloth interior tilt, the eq factory CD player, spoiler, fog lites, spare has never been out of the trunk. no stains anywhere no wear on the steering wheel or the seat.

I added the one neat option it did not have the lites in the front doors did not lite up and are red. Optional ones lite up when door is open and have a white partial lense cars are all wired for it...its like a 10 minute install simply by popping old lite lense out and reaching in for the plug.

I actually have a few sets of these lites fits all 97-2003 GPs, great simple cheap upgrade.

Again car is nothing real special my turbo buick is nicer....

denniskirban@yahoo.com

**1AKevin** · 05-23-2012

Hope to see some photos soon. Welcome!

**theamcguy** · 05-23-2012

Special thanz to long time friend Mr AMC Guy for posting photos of my 1997 GP. Note the lighted courtesy lite in the door panel. Appears all the 1997-2003 GPs are wired for them so its an easy upgrade to make.

**ctracer** · 05-23-2012

whoa! i cant believe you would be on a gp forum. my dads a part of your inner circle. he owns a few gn's lol.
gp's arent bad for daily driving. youll find lots of info on this site.
and also i own a mac as well and maybe i can help you figure out how to post pics on it. PM me if you want.

**sLpGPGT** · 05-23-2012

welcome, u gonna be doing any light modding/exterior modding to the GP?

**TexasTanker19kilo20** · 05-23-2012

That is one clean ride.

**dennis kirban** · 05-23-2012

Appreciate the comments.....as noted my main business is turbo buicks and I started way way back in 1978 making parts for pontiac GTOs as one of the first companies to do so. We stil make GTO parts today fpr companies.

As for modded this GT its not in the game plan however I am getting the GT dual exhaust installed next week including the rare factory tips. Hard to believe they are no longer available from GM. I got a set and had them blasted and powder coated black.

I have a real nice turbo T that is cleaner than this GP is and substantially quicker....even though GP license plate reads A MOVER the turbo car reads KWICK.

I didn't seek this car out in particular but I was looking for something to get good gas mileage as I cover over 2,000 miles a month. I found this car on Craigs list.....one thing about Craigs list....it can be entertaining....the way some people wirite their ads doubtful anyone would even look at their car. not to mention the lack of spelling skills..

I was seeking a sedan with the 3.8 engine non smoker garage kept miles not an issue as I have had several high mileage cars in the past and know its the care they get rather than the miles they travel. The trick was I waited til this car was off the first two pages and called. the seller did not get any calls on the car....

he was asking $2800 for the car.....I went to look at it drove it, was impressed how nice it was had all the records recent tune up steering rack window sticker spare never seen the ground etc family owned since new. Having bought over 300 turbo regals I had a lot of buying used car experience...I made him an offer of $2200 and gave him my cell number as I said I would be this back this way in about an hour..I told him I had a blank check with me and could pay for it...he called me wanted $2500 I stayed firm...we did the deal and him and his wife even delivered the car to my house later that day..

It's tough to find good used cars that have a lot of nice features under $2500 the cash for junkers wiped out quite a few and in my area rust takes its toll.

Big expense was getting a redone set of alloy wheels and buying new center caps from GM for them. Makes the car really nice with all new taillites and headlites.

I figure every 2,000 miles I drive even if I am only getting 10 mpg more than my trucks I am saving $800 a clip based on gas being $3.50 or more per galloon.

denniskirban@yahoo.com

I did remove the 3.8 emblems off the front fenders as they looked dumb.

I appreciate the offer on posting photos but MR AMC Guy has been very faithful thru the years on the various forums I am on....

**h0wl0ngcanitbe** · 05-23-2012

Nice man and super clean ride! Looks well worth every penny!

**dennis kirban** · 05-25-2012

On another note one good thing about PA cars is we have no front license plates so front ends are not drilled for plates usually. Most of the new cars today look are not designed to have a front license plate.

States are screaming to save money and it has been said some states could save over a million dollar a year simply by eliminating front license plates. I doubt anyone would raise a complaint about paying for two plates! The 04-06 GTO and the C6 Corvettes look terrible with front plates as does the GP GTs (2008-2009).

Course with it comes to logic most law makers are very slow to make decisions!

denniskirban@yahoo.com

**LowRidinCrew** · 05-25-2012

That's the truth. I'm in Cleveland, Ohio and the license plate rule sucks. By the way, that Prix is really nice. I just would like it with a GT kit lol.

**matt5112** · 05-25-2012

Fyi, door wires did cease to exist part way through the production run.

**dennis kirban** · 05-25-2012

kirban update:

The door wires mentioned above when you say halfway thru production what yeart are you referring to? My car did not have the lited courtsey lites but the wires where there. I actually have 2 more sets if anyone is interested that I would sell.

I agree about getting a GT model over SE...but in the scheme of things I wanted somethign that would save gas as mentioned plus I had already looked at over a dozen cars. I would not have considered the SE I got except for a few facts....the price, the condition, and the fact it had the optional 3.8 engine instead of the 3.4 or 3.1 which ever was the other smaller engine.

I did pick up a set of the GT exhaust tips and mufflers and factory bracket to hang the left side muffler and a new Y pipe. It goes next week to have it installed. Course the back end is different so pipes will not sit in the GT rear panel. I had the tips blasted and powder coated satin black.

Shop says its a pretty easy install.

GTs are hard to find in good shape in my area. Plus many of them had leather and leather always seems to be beat looking. The good thing is being in the business I have never had a problem selling any of my personal cars so when opportunity come sup to find something better that is a good buy I would sell this car and move on.

denniskirban@yahoo.com

**h0wl0ngcanitbe** · 05-26-2012

Well ya got what ya wanted and at the right price for you and thats all that matters. If your anything like me your eyes are always peeled for other deals!

**dennis kirban** · 05-27-2012

I always look at the ads....my real claim to fame is having bought and sold over 300 of the 1986-1987 Turbo Regals including 8 real GNXs....so I am pretty well versed on looking for nice cars....that have been kept nice from day one....I have dealt with some real fanatics over the years owners that kept the original oil filter, Or, owners that have kept every year state inspection sticker....

Some tearful ones that were in bad health and could no longer drive their pride and joy.

denniskirban@yahoo.com