How nervous should my wallet be?

**RyanZ17** · 10-18-2009

We have a '97 Grand Prix that was first owned by my Mom, who didn't really take care of the car. It's been unofficially passed down to myself.

I thought of it as any other car until one night out with some friends I floored it, and the V6 roared in my ears. I thought to myself, "Oh?" It was then I realized that this car deserves some attention.

Everything is stock, it has about 125 thousand on it, which leaves some room still. After lurking around the forum for a few days now I think it's time I get started. I'm starting some funds and plan on investing in my baby.

I took some pictures today of the body. I was wondering based on the pictures if anyone could tell me if I should be nervous...or more so should my wallet be nervous?

I'm looking to get the rust taken care of as best as I can, I'd also like to get it painted a metallic blue that I've seen on the board somewhere. That's I imagine the first priority I should look into taking care of before going onto projectors or anything.

Any educated guesses onto what this might run me?

**tmackster** · 10-18-2009

good luck w/ur car!

**RyanZ17** · 10-18-2009

Thanks! I'm hoping it's not a painful experience. Within the year I'd like to see most of the work done, but only if the almighty dollar permits!

**Sandman** · 10-18-2009

It depends on the shop and what you actually want them to do. You could go as cheap and getting the holes bondo'd or getting it fixed the right way. Also depends how much work actually has to get done on the repair. You should just take it to shops to get estimates but I'd say over 2K since you want paint to.

**RyanZ17** · 10-18-2009

Yeah, I'd like to get it done the right way. The skirts are about ready to fall off. The only thing stopping them is the bolts on either end...

I'm hoping the paint and body work can go for under 3k total. I don't even have a third of that in the bank yet, but I'm going to start working on it.

Did I mention the fog lights are all completely rusted out and don't work? I'm sure that'll only add to it.

**katesgrandprix** · 10-18-2009

Any chance you can do some of the work yourself?, same yourself some cash.

**BoostJunki3** · 10-19-2009

damnnnn and i was upset about surface rust by my rear driverside strut tower in the trunk.....get that shyt before it spreads rust is like herpes once its one place you'll find it in others places you didnt know you had it....

**BwolfGT** · 10-19-2009

Good luck man, I'd say getting it done well you're looking at around 3k, or you could always go maaco. Their paintjobs really aren't..bad..they just don't last very long.

**16MustangVet** · 10-19-2009

Find a hose and wash everyting!!! engine door sills everything!! I live in Minnesota and dont have no where near that rust granted I own a 2002 and its 5 years newer but mine doesnt even have strut tower or rocker rust. Its always clean and waxed!! Even in the winter. Keep it clean and waxed and that will kepp you out of the paint and body shop. As for your rockers and other rust is hit it with some coarse sand paper and get down to some clean metal and then prime and paint it again even if its rattle it will really really help stop the cancer and paints cheap and white is a very cheap color and isnt very fussy as far as paint matching. Other than that GP parts are cheap and their pretty reliable Ive owned 3. Good luck and welcome.

**Sandman** · 10-19-2009

Also get the car undercoated, I hear that helps a lot. I'm glad I'm in Fl and don't have to worry about rust at all.

**BwolfGT** · 10-19-2009

Originally Posted by Sandman

Also get the car undercoated, I hear that helps a lot. I'm glad I'm in Fl and don't have to worry about rust at all.

Well aren't you a lucky ****

**QUICKSILVER462** · 10-19-2009

I think you better just drive that car and save yourself some money and get a rust free car, because your going to dump money into a rusty car that will still be rusty car when your finished. If you think your going to stop that rust, I'v go news for you, it aint going to happen. That car has rust in spots you cannot see or imagine.

Dean

**BoostJunki3** · 10-19-2009

Originally Posted by BwolfGT

Well aren't you a lucky ****

ive heard there is a drawback to this also....you have to deal with sand blowing against your paint and hard core paint fade from intense sunlight....

**RyanZ17** · 10-19-2009

I'm right in upstate New York about an hour from Syracuse, the weather is unpredictable.

I think I'll take the advice and just start looking at a different Grand Prix then, and use this one as my driver while I work on the other.

I guess I'll start looking. I see everyone go crazy about GTP's, I guess I'll start there instead of a GT?

**BwolfGT** · 10-19-2009

Yeah, get a GTP. You should powerwash that engine bay

**TallassJonG** · 10-19-2009

I would use the car u just got for a winter beater. They are great cars and will last you a long time just make sure that oil is changed. Save your money and get a newer Prix or maybe a G8 if you can afford it. I just picked up a 06 GXP and that car is my baby. I wish I would have kept my other car to drive in the winter but I need the $$ for a trade in. Be happy you got a hand me down car and keep it clean as much you can so the rust wont spread too bad. I love Pontiacs and wish they were still around

**QwikGT** · 10-19-2009

a fellow ny'er....drive that car till it dies, do not put any money into it. its a 97 GT nothing special.

**RyanZ17** · 10-19-2009

I wouldn't say anything too soon, I don't believe Pontiac is officially out of business yet although it looks like it will happen. Things could change, let's hope they do!

As much as I love this car a newer one would do better justice. But Pontiac going out of business should take some serious consideration...who knows how it will be to get parts....

**Sandman** · 10-19-2009

Originally Posted by BoostJunki3

ive heard there is a drawback to this also....you have to deal with sand blowing against your paint and hard core paint fade from intense sunlight....

No sand here, I'm a good hour from the coast, though there is enough sun here. I'll take paint fade over rust.

**RyanZ17** · 10-19-2009

Ok, so when I DO get a Grand Prix worth working on, what should I expect?

From what I've gathered, looks are important, but looks should be backed by what's under the hood. Now I'm not looking for 400 horses and enough to blow the skirts up when I go by....unless it's in a decent budget.

My plan when I get the Prix will be to check under the hood first and make sure everything is alright. If that's done, I'll probably send it in somewhere for paint.

I've seen all sorts of head lights around the forum and some of them look pretty sweet, so I imagine I will invest there. Interior stuff will come with time and money. I'd like some sort of radar scanner, but I hear those can get pretty expensive. I imagine a decent sound system is due as well.

As far as under the hood, what modifications do you all suggest? I'm not looking for a Prix that can race, but I would like something above stock. I've seen stuff about super chargers, exhaust systems, filters, coolers etc etc. So let's say I want an above average GP but I don't have thousands to spend under the hood alone.

Seems like a broad question but...suggestions?

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