Decisions Decisions

[Joe8389]

So here it goes,

I have a '97 GP GT with 165,689 miles on it, and, you guessed it tranny is about gone. It is a daily driver 80 miles a day work and back mon-fri. Over the last year the transmission has gotten worse and worse, but due to limited budget, I just kept going and hoping it would hold out longer. Now its to the point that I am sure its going to be a matter of weeks, before one day I start to work and go nowhere! It has a terrible "surging" which has been going on for a while, and getting worse by the month, but it also has the smell of a "burnt-up tranny" by the time I get to work. It has been a good car, and I have done a few mods to it to help appearance and performance a bit. MSD coils & wires, Thrasher intake, iridium plugs, new struts, new gmpp sway bars. Also I have kept the engine and transmission well maintained. I know its just the mileage.

And here's my question,

Should I keep it and try to fix the tranny and other little things that may start happening, or should I be looking for another car. I've been thinking it would be silly to fix it because it's not really worth what it willl cost to fix, even though its been a pretty good car. I definately want another gp though if I get rid of this one. I've been looking at 2004+ GTPs and would probably get one of them, and definately a comp g if I could find one around east TN. But still on a budget and it is a hard decision.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[TorqueAutoMotiv]

It all depends on how bad you want a new car Id fix it but thats because when buying a newer car you still dont know what ur getting into if you fix it you know its fixed

[gtpinsc]

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market i found my trans on there for 400 bucks with 100 shipping from somewhere in tennesee... oakridge? i wanna say

[Poil336]

it really depends on what you want. milage is getting high, if you have the money to get a newer car i think you'd probably be happier. better interior, fewer body defects, and less stupid stuff about to go wrong along with the major repairs you'll need. that being said, i have no idea what shape your car's in, it could be like new. if you decide to fix it, i'm sure it would be worth it

[matt5112]

Wow, vac tranny with that many miles?

If you still enjoyed the car, a built tranny would be 1650.

A lot less than a new car. Depends on the condition of the rest of the car though.

[Madness]

It all depends on how bad you want a new car Id fix it but thats because when buying a newer car you still dont know what ur getting into if you fix it you know its fixed

I agree

[Spartan GL]

Fire a Rocket at it!

[Joe8389]

For the most part, my car is in good shape. My fog lights burn out every 2.5 - 3 mths. Most of the problems lie within the drivetrain. I don't really have enough $$ to get a newer car, but I'm just afraid I'm going to spend to much on this car. I have already put at least $2000 into it between suspension, engine, etc.

[99prixgt]

i have a 99gt trans in my garage, it has 133k or so. It needs a new 4th gear ($50-$100 fix) I can sell it to you for $100.00 plus shipping. I think you can do the 4t65 upgrade, you might need a pcm and custom vacuum routing

-Erik

[matt5112]

Fog lights shouldn't burn out that often unless you drive with them on 24/7

[Joe8389]

I just use my fogs @ night and early morning.

[ZR1Vette09]

join the 04+ crowd! here's an 04 gtp SE. not too bad miles and only $8k. plus the SE body is SWEET 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, $7,995 - Cars.com

[TorqueAutoMotiv]

i run my fogs all the time and havent had a burn out yet

[mystic231]

Find someone that knows their way around in the tranny and has a warranty and get your present car fixed. No matter what you get as a replacement it will need money put into it also.

[Joe8389]

Update:

Ok, so I have decided to wait on trading until this fall with the possiblity of having a better budget by then.

So, I took the car to a repair shop, they thought the torque converter was causing the surging problem. About a week after that I went to the tranny shop and they seem to think that is the problem. Three days later, I get car back, SURGING STILL REMAINS!! Now the problem suddenly becomes a "miss or fuel problem". I replaced the plugs, coils, & wires about 15,000 miles ago with MSD coils & wires & NGK iridium plugs. I scanned the car today and sure enough, the code was P0300 (Multiple/Random Cylinder Misfire).

Now what?

$500 in debt for something that did nothing. I could have done so much with that money that is now gone.

[TorqueAutoMotiv]

thats why you need competant mechanics