To buy or not to buy a gtp

[jfruauff]

Fist off hello everyone. Got a few questions. I currently drive a 2004 Dodge SRT4. I love the car. However just found out my wife is pregnant. I have a friend that owns a 1999 Grand prix gtp 4 dr with about 100000 miles. Clean black with black interior. He says he will give me his car and 6k cash for my srt (currently owe 9k). So here is my few questions.

1. Did some research and 3k seems really fair for the car you agree??
2. Is there any vehicle specific porblems I should look for??
3. You guys think Ill be happy with the gtp coming from a srt keeping in mind I am dropping a 200.00 car payment for the next 5 y/ears.
4. How are these cars over the 100k milage. are the gtp's pretty reliable is kept up on?

I think I am gonna get the gtp just to drop the payment not sure if Ill be happy with the auto trans but o well.

Thanks guys for the opinion

[TorqueAutoMotiv]

As far as dependability goes all depends how previous owners took care of it

trouble spots Valve cover recall for leaking oil and causing fires, lim leaking coolant into oil and causing engine to seize, And depending on regular upkeep and how hard it was driven the trans is a weak spot

Mine has 185000 on it all origenal except the blower cause the coupler went bad
Have had it around 8000 miles no issues

3000 is a fair price

Drive it a few times and make sure you like it otherwise go for it

[TheOtherNick]

I would say go for it. Just check to see if there is any coolant sitting on the intake if so you have to replace the lim gaskets. Has it been modded? If so what is done to it?

[speedemongtp]

^ what they said as well as the pass side cv joints have been known to be a bit of a weak spot aswell. the outter boot tears and slings grease EVERYWHERE until u replace it. its easy to tell if this has happened just look on the underside of the hood on the mat there is often grease on it if the boot is shot. also drive it a few times an also beat on it just a little to make sure no lights trip. if all is good go for it!

[jfruauff]

I dont believe its ever been modded. He hasnt done anything to it but not to say previous owner didnt mod it and return it to stock. I am gonna do a good check over whole car just wanted to find out if there was any gtp common problems. Thanks guys hes bringing it over monday for me to get a good look at it. I dont plan on modding it to much either probably just drive it for a bit and then debate car situation again after baby is born. Maybe just intake and exhaust maybe some wheels. Just make it look clean.

Thanks guys

[KawaFord]

140k miles is where these things brake down if it wasn't kept up.

[a98gtp4u]

yea, make sure the u dont hear any rattle noises coming from the supercharger and definitly check the oil 4 antifreeze, lim gaskets leak like crazy after a while. other than that it sounds like a good deal.

[GTPJOE90]

Join our clan

[Iron Indian]

^ what they said as well as the pass side cv joints have been known to be a bit of a weak spot aswell. the outter boot tears and slings grease EVERYWHERE until u replace it. its easy to tell if this has happened just look on the underside of the hood on the mat there is often grease on it if the boot is shot. also drive it a few times an also beat on it just a little to make sure no lights trip. if all is good go for it!

First time I've ever heard this in 7 years on GP boards... CV joint just fail. That falls into the regular maintance/**** happens catagory. Then again I have 170,000 mile CV joints in my white car so what do I know? Though they feel shot, they ain't flinging grease, LOL. They will be rebuilt or replaced soon.

Other than valve cover gaskets, LIM gaskets, S/C coupler... as long as it was taken care of the car will last many years and make it well past 200k easily depends on what you do to it. Don't let people scare you about the tranny, again as long as it was kept up maintance wise it should be good. I got 155,000 miles out of mine and I drove the living piss out of it for years and decently modded too. Sad part is, I never broke it, I swapped in a heavy duty tranny because I wanted the hard parts for slicks and different gearing and a stall.

I have two high mileage GTPs, one with 170,000 miles and the other with 150,000 miles. I've had no problems with either car and there both DDs. Maintence is the key and I think some people look over some of these easiest things to do.

Good luck on you purchase, as long as it was taken care of 100,000 ain't nothing...

[E90 87SS GTP]

I read a lot of problems with the transmission. Something to keep in mind.

[Bio248]

if you know how to work on cars then just get a GT and top swap it. youll save money and your insurance will be lower.

[Iron Indian]

I read a lot of problems with the transmission. Something to keep in mind.

And like I said, there either not taken care of or well over 100,000 miles. A 4T65 is alot better transmission than people make it out to be. Considering its damn near pushed to the limits in a stock GTP (going off factory ratings) and the extra abuse it gets with mods and people racing all the time, its a damn good tranny for what it is I think. I'll say it again, maintence plays a big role IMO.

If the car was maintenced properly, wasn't modded too extreme (minor bolt ons), and wasn't beaten to harsh there shouldn't be a reason why it wouldn't last100,000 -150,000 easy enough. I've had no problems getting 150,000 out of 2 GTPs, and both were intercooled, daily drivers, and raced regularly too.

[jfruauff]

Well got a good look at it yesterday and its pretty clean but do you guys think its worth the 3k.

Has 105k never modded.
Clear coat bad on front and rear bumper.
A few dings 3-4.
Motor sounded and ran good.
Interior was decent needs a rear pass door panel.
Both rear windows dont go down I assume this is a fuse or something since neither work.
Does have HUD.

Overall its not bad. I am a body/paint freak so the stupid dings drive me crazy still think that me putting up the 3k for this to sell the srt4 drop the 200 dollar payment and 10k loan might be worth it.

Car was pretty fun to drive for auto. The performance shift mode car moved out pretty good.

Anyone can run a carfax for me???

[Liquifire]

your rear windows could not work due to the window motors/regulators which would need to be replaced. Those are fairly common to go out on our cars. If it were me I would try and get an extra $500 out of him to do it.

[jfruauff]

Ok ran a carfax came out clean. And showed trans was flushed at 50k. Thats a good thing. I am not really worried about the windows Ill junk yard the part and I am a mechanic so no big deal there. Like said body kinda bothers but I think getting the payment and loan out of my name might be worth the litttle body and maint. We will see.

[TCO]

The 3800 is an excellent motor. We have 2 cars with them (lesabre and GP) and they are pretty good engines. My friend had a Lesabre with the 3800 and he had around 250,000 miles on it when he got rid of it. It wasn't supercharged but it still shows how strong these motors can be.

[03GTPLE]

I would go for it!

Just double check to make sure that the rear doors have the child safety locks!! For whatever reason, my 2003 does not have them .... Pontiac corporate offices said they were an option. Though I don't believe them, I might get a new door to fix that. You won't need the child lock now, but when your kid is 2-3, you will need them for sure! .... so my 3 year old doesn't get to ride in my car, just my wife's truck. (guess that means I coulda got an f-body, GTO, or vette... oh well)

Sounds like it'd be a good deal, and there's waaay more room for the stroller, diaper bag, toys, etc, etc in the grand prix than in the Neon too. Not having a car payment will make things a lot easier for you as well because diapers are ridiculously expensive....even if you get them at Sams/Costco..

Good luck!
Jesse

[jfruauff]

yeah i am prolly gonna do it. I figure hey i can always find another car... Thanks guys for the help and tips.. Hopefully it wont be long till i am part of the team.

[Sabrewings]

And like I said, there either not taken care of or well over 100,000 miles. A 4T65 is alot better transmission than people make it out to be. Considering its damn near pushed to the limits in a stock GTP (going off factory ratings) and the extra abuse it gets with mods and people racing all the time, its a damn good tranny for what it is I think. I'll say it again, maintence plays a big role IMO.

With the exception of some issues in the valve body (TCC apply valve, pressure control solenoid, etc) it's a pretty good transmission. Mine was in perfect shape when I sold it. Fluid had been changed three times while I owned it.

[Iron Indian]

With the exception of some issues in the valve body (TCC apply valve, pressure control solenoid, etc) it's a pretty good transmission. Mine was in perfect shape when I sold it. Fluid had been changed four times while I owned it.

True, PCS is a problem. But hell both my 150k trannys ran great, so I can't really complain at all.

What kinda miles did you have on that Impala anyway? Sounded like you kept up with maintence on your tranny. There are alot out there who don't...