New guy to this site :)

**mstrozier** · 09-27-2011

Hello, not new to Pontiac but this is my 2nd Grand Prix. I have always been a pontiac fan with my most fun car being a 1999 Trans Am that I used to drag race long ago. I've long since got rid of the car due to family growth and wife at the time (now divorced).

My first Grand Prix was a 1991 Grand Prix LE. And I had that car from 55k miles and when I traded it off the mileage was up to 182,000 and the car was still running strong. Never gave me problems other than the motor mounts being replaced and 1 alternator. It was all highway driving.

This 1997 Grand Prix GT is what I got now and since it's just me and my 2 kids we fit perfect. The previous owners sadly did not take the greatest care of the car but it still looks good. There is parts where the paint is coming off on the trunk and two minor dings/slashes in the front bumper where it looks like they ran into something. But it's nothing major.

As for problems, just cosmetic for the most part. Dash board is coming apart, looks due to heat and age. And some electrical problems here and there but again simple stuff that I can resolve over time.

The only major problem I have with this car (bought it last Friday, has 140,000 miles on it) is the coolant. I know the LIM and UIM are the most common problems for coolant leaks but it doesn't seem to be coming from there. I've looked all over that and the top of the Transmission and don't see any leakage or anything wet there. But there is a leak as I have to replace the coolant. I put a coolant sealer in for the meantime just in case till I get the funds together to get it checked out.

However going under the car the leaks seems to be all aimed at the (if facing the car) the right front side. Just below the holding tank and radiator. I am thinking it's either a hose or elbow joint for them. I'll probably get the coolant flushed and just replace all hoses and joints anyway due to it's age and mileage. I plan on keeping this car for a long time so might as well get it done.

Thanks and looking forward to some reading on this site.

Mike

**1996pontiac** · 09-27-2011

welcome. You will find alot of help on here. Any plans of mods for the car?

**mstrozier** · 09-27-2011

Not sure yet. The main thing I want is to get the car looking new again. The engine still runs very strong and the transmission shifts smoothly. So after I figure out the coolant leak I'll probably start on the interior. Get the electrical bugs worked out and the dash fixed or replaced. Then start on the body. I've read people going 250K or more miles out of this car which is about the direction I'll be going lol. Nothing else on the market today that really grabs my attention.

If anything, once I get things tweaked out I may boost it. I wanted a GTP but couldn't find one and I needed a larger car pretty quick at the time (had a 01 ford focus hatchback that gave me nothing but trouble and was too tight for me and the kids).

Not sure of all the differences in the engine/tranny setup from a GT to a GTP if there are many differences. Something I need to read into.

**1996pontiac** · 09-27-2011

good looking car. i hear where u need room for the kids. i have a 2 door 96 gp, and have 3 kids. it sucks. where r u from? mine has 170K on the body and tranny. i rebuilt my engine bc of the cam beerings. i only have about 10K on the engine.