Looking to buy gtp

[hourang]

hey new guy here looking to purchase my first gtp. have a few questions:

1. is there a buyers guide somewhere that can tell me common things to look for? i have bought and sold many cars and am very mechanically inclined but it helps to know what things to shy away from.

2. mileage, how long do these usually last? im looking at cars in the 120-150k miles, is that too much? if a nice clean one is 160k+ do i want to walk away or are they pretty reliable?

3. i have an 11 month old and will need to put in a child seat, do they come with anchors? i tried searching and i seen a couple people wanted to put anchors from a 2003 in there. what are my options? seat belts are just not safe imo.

4. ive always heard to stay away from the 97 gtp as its a different pcm or something and they are not as good? does it have a weaker trans? i read the 97 gt has a crappy trans, not sure about the gtp. i keep finding great deals on 97s but im not sure if i should bother.

thats it for now. im sooo excited to get one, i have always wanted a 4 door car that actually goes. i hope i put this in the right section, i tried putting it in the lounge and it didnt work.

[Mack]

Great post. I'm actually looking to get back into a GTP soon. I had a 2000 GTP Sedan but traded it in about 3 or 4yrs ago. I keep thinking it was such a kickass car and now looking at 2dr models which are decently priced but curious how these babies are doing in the long term? I'll start scouring the forums a bit also to see if I can pickup some info.

[a98gtp4u]

i have a 98 gtp with 164k miles and i wouldnt trade it for nothin. runs like a new car. just gotta keep it maintained of course.

[Rather B Blown]

my 98 gtp has 200000 km or about 124000 miles. its been pretty reliable. things to watch out for are transmissions (even the HD trannies in the GTPs are weak as hell), rust on or below the gas door, on the bottom of the trunk lid, GPs are bad for w h eel bearings, but they're pretty easy to fix if you have an idea of what to do. Bad S/C couplers are common and will sound like rocks tumbling around in the nose of the supercharger, which is a simple fix too. Also check the coolant to make sure its not all kife and brown, which COULD mean the lower intake manifold gaskets are gone, or even head gaskets. Watch out for leaky valve covers, and oil pans too. Those are pretty much the main problems i think. GTPs are great cars, they're fairly quick stock, they're easily modified with a good aftermarket, you can be in the mid 13s for like $500, they're good looking, comfortable and roomy for 4-5 people, power everything. They're sweet rides and i wouldn't get rid of mine. EDIT: Stay away from 97s though, they're the bastard child of GTPs. 98-02 or 03 is what you want. 03s had different transmissions though

[Lsick7]

you can be in the mid 13s for like $500,

Not to try to rain on your parade but mid 13's takes a bit more than $500. Maybe $1000 or $1500 more like it.

[Rather B Blown]

Not to try to rain on your parade but mid 13's takes a bit more than $500. Maybe $1000 or $1500 more like it.

Not if you find deals on used parts

[Mack]

Not to try to rain on your parade but mid 13's takes a bit more than $500. Maybe $1000 or $1500 more like it.

LOL yeah I was going to ask ok what parts list do I need for the $500 to hit mid 13's?

S'all good. Thanks guys. I had picked up that the 97's probably weren't a good idea. Also seems the '03's are VERY rare for the GTP. I've been scouring autotrader for months and have yet to see one. Thanks again for all the great info and keep it comin'!!!

[Rather B Blown]

LOL yeah I was going to ask ok what parts list do I need for the $500 to hit mid 13's?

if you wait for deals on decent used parts you can get a downpipe for like $100, plog for like $100, a decent tune for like $150, an aeroforce for like $150 to scan, and a 3.4 for like $30, plus maybe 50 for random other crap like plugs and a t-stat and ****. Thats still less than $600 and you'll be in the mid to highish 13s

[Mack]

if you wait for deals on decent used parts you can get a downpipe for like $100, plog for like $100, a decent tune for like $150, an aeroforce for like $150 to scan, and a 3.4 for like $30, plus maybe 50 for random other crap like plugs and a t-stat and ****. Thats still less than $600 and you'll be in the mid to highish 13s

Can you explain exactly what those parts are please? Other than the tune and thermostat of course.

[a98gtp4u]

i have a 3.4 setup and ive spent like 1000 on it and ive been building on a budget. i dont see how 500 can get u 13's. if thats the case im running 12's.

[hourang]

great info here guys thanks! i hope to pick one up soon here, this weekend at the earliest.

[hourang]

actually i just got the check in the mail i was waiting for. im going to look at a pair of gtp's that are for sale at a dealer. both have 120k miles, both fully loaded, one is red and one is black. i think i may shoot for the black one if their both equal condition wise. does it matter if the odometers read in kilometers? their canadian cars. both supposedly in mint condition.

[badbrad]

do be prepared for replacing intake gaskets. just a common problem for gm's period. hell, just get 'em both! let us know what u wind up with.

[blueguy]

if you wait for deals on decent used parts you can get a downpipe for like $100, plog for like $100, a decent tune for like $150, an aeroforce for like $150 to scan, and a 3.4 for like $30, plus maybe 50 for random other crap like plugs and a t-stat and ****. Thats still less than $600 and you'll be in the mid to highish 13s

Wrong.

[hourang]

do be prepared for replacing intake gaskets. just a common problem for gm's period. hell, just get 'em both! let us know what u wind up with.

no problem. how do i know if they need replaced? would make a good bargaining tool.

[blueguy]

Pull off the engine cover and look for a gunky, black/brown build-up around the fuel injector, lower intake area.

[hourang]

Woohoo just picked up the black one. Its in great condition, fully loaded mint interior. Exterior is great only bad spot is paint starting to bubble under gas cap which is a normal spot. Ill try to post pics tomorrow.

[hourang]

pics from the ad since its horrible outside:

[badbrad]

congrates to u. ok, first mod is:????

[hourang]

congrates to u. ok, first mod is:????

thanks! umm first on the list is to fix the s/c coupler. then after a full tuneup, switch to green coolant, maybe a trans fluid and filter change ill start actual mods. im guessing the first mod will be a cone filter if i can get it to work (have one in the garage somewhere). then do something about the ubend. after that pulley swap. the usual.