Thread: What do you NOT like about the '97-'03 G.Ps?

Originally Posted by matt5112

Ford focus

Tell me it's list of problems.

I usually deal with interior and accessory issues and exterior cosmetics. I don't do the mechanic mechanic work. Focus' as far as accessories and interior stuff they are pretty sound. The only issues that seem to be a bother are the power windows and sometimes a speaker or radio issue. Every once in a while, a power mirror. Nothing I've noticed to be notorious problems. I have repaired a lot of broken side mirrors on them. Structural damage. Don't know if its from abuse or what, but my guess is abuse. Can't say for sure though. However, on cobalts, and new style 05+ malibus, I am constantly replacing speakers, broken cd players, broken trim pieces, and dash vents. Upper level cobalts have painted trim around the power window switches and door handle pockets. That doesn't last 2 years! Flakes and scratches off. I have to take laquer thinner and remove the paint, then dye then a suitable color to match the interior on every single LT trim cobalt. If you so much as spill tap water on a cobalt seat its an INSTANT stain. Terrible material. Same with malibus. Impalas seats are good. IMO, focus', and taurus' are far superior in quality in the interior and accessories. GM vehicles have far better power plants. Ford's are dogs! I rarely get fusions, so I can't say for those. Sorry I can go on an on. lol. Impalas are about the best Chevy car in the quality department. All the interior is designed different in them. Pontiacs.......grand ams, grand prixs, vibes, and G6s. Same issues as cobalts and malibus. Never touched a G8. I assume they are like the impala and are designed with a completely different platform.

when I was testing a Focus' power locks, I thought I noticed one of the locks not working. So I just kept locking and unlocking it really fast. after about 10 seconds of that, the car gets pi$$ed off and kills the power locks for about a minute or so, LOL! Just one of those abuse preventers that ford does.

Grand Prix in Saskatchewan means Pile of Sh!t

I've had so many problems with my car...I keep it for a memento. Just before reading if you think you have EVER had bad luck with a WBody...I've probably got you beat engine wise.

Let's see...sorry for some of the crappy pics as they were taken mostly around 4 in the morning.

Motor #1) Lost it to a ZZP PCM (and after FIVE messed up tunes you'd think I would have learned, BUT...being 18...I didn't)...only pic I have of it. Looks like a normal chipped piston...but after we pulled the oil pan it turned out the skirt totally shattered and wrapped the rings around the crank. Awesome. Tried to take the easy way out...



Motor #1.5) Replaced #3 with a new stocker...then #4 spun a rod bearing not 2 hours later...Win.

Motor #2) Bought a low mileage L67 from Morad...pulled the heads off...chipped piston. 1st one he had ever sold like that. Good to his word...had another motor out on the truck the next day.

Motor #3) Lasted nearly 2 years (and went 13.4 on a 3.4", stock throttle body, pump gas, etc.)till a lifter failed since I was shifting around 6500 with the XP setup. Coincidentally, the injector took a crap at the same time...so cylinder #4 leaned out so much it shattered into hundreds of pieces...even had parts of the piston in the header and muffler when taking off the exhaust LOL Best part of the story is that I had lost my bank job earlier that day due to the economy...even more win. See if you can spot the "What Doesn't Belong" in these pics...




Pushrod ripped through the Head Gasket...




Looks like a normal LIM right?


...How about a closer look...


BTW...drove that one home...on 5 cylinders to save a tow bill.




Motor #4) A very high mileage bottom end just to get me by from interview to interview till I got back on my feet...only lasted 2 months...the pickup tube clogged...no oil pressure...spun a bearing.

Motor #5) Being built right now. From the ground up. Landed a new (awesome paying job) about 4 months ago...so she should be done by the end of the year.

Hope you all enjoyed as much as I haven't...fail.

Originally Posted by ZR1Vette09

I like the modern interior of the new ones, not so much in the 97-03's, and i really don't think the body is as aggressive looking as the newer ones.

I'm gonna hafta argue that. The interior in the newer GP's is tacky tacky tacky. Looks like its made from bits of recycled plasticky bits.


It's Genuine GM built Quality?

Originally Posted by SDGTP99

I'm gonna hafta argue that. The interior in the newer GP's is tacky tacky tacky. Looks like its made from bits of recycled plasticky bits.


It's Genuine GM built Quality?

Agreed. The interior on the 04+ (besides the seats) is the cheapest lowest quality interior ever.

Originally Posted by Purple Plazma

Well, I have concluded that based on the significant amount of owners that have experienced engine and trans failures, I'm best off leaving my 79K mile GTP stock as far as engine and trans upgrades,except for the car getting the GM recall oil leak fixed. I'll make it look excellent inside and out, with new wheels, tires, brakes, carpet, floor mats, like new reconditioned radio, all rot fixed with new welded in metal, all body imperfections fixed, full base coat/clear coat paint job, and probably all new exterior corner lights, stock style head lights, and new stock style tail lights.
Not worth it to me to press my luck with engine output performance upgrades only to worry if everytime I want to race it, it could end up like so many here. They are just not made strong enough to handle any significant performance upgrade in the drive train.

Your better off replacing those leaky valve cover gaskets yourself. Pontiac only replaces the front one