Thread: Which of the 97-03 year GP's are the most reliable?

I love my 97 but as others have said trans issues are a biggy because in 97 GM still had 96 model year trans left over, so they decided to stick the 4T60E or 4T60E-HD in instead of the 4T65E or 4T65E-HD. I also managed to get my car for nothing as it belonged to my brother in law and when I got it, the car only had 60,000 on it. Now I've got about 85,000 on it. The SE versions did come with the 3800 though if desired by the owner.

I also had the *cat-fish* front end as people call it but I did the GT-GTP upgrade with the bumper covers,and side skirts.

98 is legit. If you do a coolant bottle swap, you can have the performance shift button, digital climate control, and most the options on any of the other cars albeit heated driver seat.
Also, 97 has its own PCM, 98 has its own PCM, and 99-03 I believe share a PCM.

i thought 03's couldnt share a PCM?

Originally Posted by CTKGP09

i thought 03's couldnt share a PCM?

Maybe 03's have a different one. I forget. I see some places saying only 01-02 share a PCM, but I doubt that.

Things I love to hate about my '03...transmission is an '04 transmission from the factory so it is stronger...but then you have to look at the fact it doesn't have performance shift, you have to get a year specific PCM or your car won't shift from 2nd, etc. In all honesty...I'd buy an '03 again...saves me the trouble of having to worry about my transmission sh1tting like in the '97-'02 cars. My stock transmission saw countless 1.8 60 foots and nothing ever went bad on it...I just upgraded to a TEP Trans when I had the funds. And whoever said the '97 transmissions suck...that's only in the SE/GT's...the GTP's still had the 4T65E-HD. 97-98 cars had a funky MAF and alterator bracket/different alternator...could go on about year differences...but I agree I'd never buy a modded car...because 99.9% of the time it had the living snot beat out of it.

Originally Posted by KwazrollinZ28GTP

I love my 97, Shes a freak

x2, my 97 is amazing as hell. factory trans/motor at 180k miles, runs low 14s with a catback and tune (stock pulley and dp).

Oh, and performance shift button = pointless... I wish I didnt have one so I didnt accidentally hit it all the time. Considered taking out the switch in the pcm next time I flash it.

Originally Posted by GTP STL

First post!

'97 GTP, 150k miles, stock. Daily driver. Runs like a beast. Tranny rebuilt recently at 150k (I think I've been a little hard on it). Rusted-out resonator replaced with glasspack at 150k (it's a Michigan car). Other than that just standard stuff (driver's side window motor/regulator blown out, leaky lamp lenses, etc...you know)

All in all, great car and I have no complaints when it comes to reliability. Expecting to get another 100k out of her. Always starts, drives great and runs strong.


Won't be doing any performance mods at all because I plan on giving it to my son when he turns 16...I figure it's dangerous enough as it is hehe.

Only thing I will say is get rid of that U-Bend though...if he is going to be beating on it too...which...he will...that'll help keep the motor in the car, trust me.

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

Only thing I will say is get rid of that U-Bend though...if he is going to be beating on it too...which...he will...that'll help keep the motor in the car, trust me.

x2. Unless you wanna wake up to find this in the morning http://www.grandprixforums.net/pisto...ces-35682.html

my 01 gp gt is good i did have to replace the tranny but it does have 120000miles and i do drive it hard and take it to the track alot but in the 2 years ive has it ive only done the tranny and replaced the block heater with a frost plug cuz it was leaking

i could see how beating on a gtp or any car could just tear it apart (into 1000-2000 pieces even) but this gp has held up more than any other car i've had. and i do beat this piss out of it on weekends. i've always liked the 02-03 but haven't really seen much else.

My tranny is ****. It's a 98 prior salvage. Previous owner def beat on it. Sometimes it shift WAY late. The other day I almost lost to a corolla, cause it didn't shift and the s/c didn't kick in... sometimes it jumps going into R or 1st and sometimes it makes a big THUNK.

For tranny sake, I'd get a newer GP that's been loved by older folks.

there is nothing wrong with the 97 gtp trannies, they had the 4t65-hd's (only the gt's had the crap transmissions). They had the coolant bottle mounted elsewhere and the windshield washer fluid in a funky tank. Vacumme line differences, driver information center is a 3 button, etc. etc

one thing ive found with most 97's, is a rusting issue underneath the gas door.

Originally Posted by matt5112

Thats any gm....

not on my 99 and not on my brothers 97 gp

Christ...
You know why they rust under the gas door? Gasoline. 99% of people simply fill up and pull out, spilling gas down the QP which corrodes the paint and promotes rusting.
I personally take good care that it doesn't drip or spill, and if it does, I clean it up. Not that hard people.

03 stronger tranny ftw