Looking into a new car...

[87IROCZOWNER69]

Since handing over the keys to my gtp to my little brother I have been looking into getting back into the game. To get back in the game I have been thinking of getting rid of my Intrepid and picking up a local GTP. Currently I have 3 that I have been looking into.
1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Supercharger-28 MPG
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

Now obviously the red one seems like it would be the one to get with its low price, decent miles, and needing just regular fixing up (any gtp I do get will get new intake gaskets, coolant flush, headlights, and probably a water pump.....any other suggestions?). The 4-door I like because it's a color I like, has low miles, and is an ok price..problem I have with it is the little wave in the back bumper which I could fix and what all that stuff on the front bumper is. Finally the 2-door has a cool hood and looks decent overall (the stripes gotta go) but lets be honest, it has probably had the living piss kicked out of it.

So what I will check for on test drives is the function of the transmission, any rust (minor rust like the red one has should be no problem), condition of suspension, and condition of engine (noises, leaks, obvious signs of neglect).

Anything else I'm missing? Any thoughts on my current top 3? Just trying to stay within three hours of my house.

If nothing else I could get the red one and fix it up and then sell it when I find one I want.

[dsmuts]

I'd take the red one

[Scottydoggs]

i like herman my self too.


the 99 looks like a kid owns it now. the 98 looks beat up too.

[bearcat91]

the 97 looks really clean! the other 2 look rough! the 99s hood is cool but as others said looks like its been owned by a kid and prob not taken care of

[87IROCZOWNER69]

The only thing on the red one I didn't like was the color (I already have a maroon car and my friend has a red one) and the bit of rust but if it's as minor as she says then its nothing a bit of rust convertor, body filler, and paint cant fix right?

Also is there and issue with the 97's? I feel like I remember hearing something like that but it might just be the whole supercharger compatibility thing I'm thinking about, well that and the cast lower elbow.

[Scottydoggs]

cast lower cooling elbow no big deal, the 98 also has it, and the blower is just the vac tree on the front of the blower. 98 and up dont have one. not a big deal tho.

[87IROCZOWNER69]

cast lower cooling elbow no big deal, the 98 also has it, and the blower is just the vac tree on the front of the blower. 98 and up dont have one. not a big deal tho.

Thanks for clearing that up.....for some reason something in the back of my head was telling me they had a glaring issue. Alrighty well when the rain clears up I'll throw my Intrepid back together and see how it runs and look into putting it up on craigslist.

[Scottydoggs]

not sure if the gtp tranny was vac operated or if its the 97 n/a trans thats got the vac actuator, its also not such a big deal in the end.

97 was a body style change, so you know how that goes, little of this left over, and some new stuff.

[dsmuts]

97 gtp should have a 4t65hd but there is that possibility of it having a 4t60 if gm had the leftovers.

[87IROCZOWNER69]

Any way to check?

This one was a contender but it's a little too pricey for me, well that and the miles it has lol
1999 grand prix gtp

[87IROCZOWNER69]

WHY WAS I NOT TOLD ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.grandprixforums.net/1998-...obo-78394.html

[txslow6]

Here are a list of differences of GTP's for 97-06 thanks to ZZP:
97 - 06 GTP Model Differences | ZZP News

as far as the 97 goes I honestly have no regrets with getting mine even after owning a 98 and a 2000. I do enjoy how the 97 has no traction control other that its been a similar experience with the other two.

[REDCRAPGP]

I like Herman plus the price is right. The other two well anyone asking $3k+ for a 15+ year old other wise stock Grand Prix is on the powder.

[Slick2500]

All 97 GTPs had the 4T65EHD trans.
And with the red one the seat covers toss up a red flag for me. Who puts seat covers on a car with leather seats? People who want to cover them up because they are destroyed thats who.
Yeah buy Seans car.

[REDCRAPGP]

I forgot all about Sean's car

Sean's car > those

[87IROCZOWNER69]

All 97 GTPs had the 4T65EHD trans.
And with the red one the seat covers toss up a red flag for me. Who puts seat covers on a car with leather seats? People who want to cover them up because they are destroyed thats who.
Yeah buy Seans car.

Yeah I was worried about the seat covers too.....I'm really hoping they are not torn up if I end up missing out on Seans.

But I really want his now...

[Scottydoggs]

for the price of Herman, buy 04+ seats, call it a day. 97-03 seats blow any how.


i also say keep his name, i kinda like it.

or one of the members cars for sale.

[REDCRAPGP]

97-03 seats are dirt cheap anyways and very easy to find. Or go the better route and spend $300 and get the better 04s seats. Seat covers would not discourage me from spending $1k on a car that cheap.

[87IROCZOWNER69]

I see what ya mean. And they just dropped the price down to $1400. So as soon as mine sells I'll try for Seans and fall back on Herman.

Or just get both depending on what mine sells for..... then take Herman and fix it up and flip for a nice profit.