info on 98 99 gtp

im looking into a 98 or 99 grand prix gtp, and need some info. a few months back my daily driver died, and iv been using my 1987 buick grand national as a daily driver. i love the buick to death, but its not a practical choice to take me 30 miles to work each day.i feel like im spoiled from the gn being fast as all hell (mid 11 et @ 20psi) comfortable and decent on gas. I feel im narrowed down to a 2004 impala ss or a grand prix. after the buick im a huge fan of the forced induction 3.8 v6. i know neither will be as quick as the gn, but i dont really need all that anymore.if i get the impala i will have to sell the gn, the grand prix i wont, so thats were im leaning. first how is the gas milage on the supercharged grand prix? which come supercharged? i know 98 and 99 gtp, but thats all i know of. whats the insurance like, the buick is considered a plain old regal by the insurance companies. Is the grand prix ok in the snow?how much boost does it make stock, can it be raised, and is it safe to do so? lastly how reliable is it? what are the common problems, and how frequent are they? any help would be greatly appreciated. im getting some info from the web, but I know its always good to talk to owners. the more responses the better, so anything anyone knows will be very helpful. thanks in advance

The GTP has RPO L67 which has an Eaton M90 Gen3 supercharger, bigger throttle body, better cylinder heads, and a heavy duty version of the 4T65E autotransaxle.

Boost can be increased by changing the supercharger pulley size. Stock is 3.8". You can drop down to smaller sizes incrementally (3.5, 3.4, 3.25, 3.0, etc) until you get the desired boost. Stock is around 8 psi.

Overall, it's a good car but definitely won't be as fast as your Grand National without major mods.






http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/gtp.jpg
Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.

If you get a 4-door GTP, the insurance will be less than a 2-door. The Impala only came with the S/C engine in the SS variant, which will be more costly to insure than a standard Impala. The only issues with GTP's are hub bearings, trans shift and TCC solenoids sticking, and an occasional window motor going south. Other than that, until you start modding them heavily, they are pretty dependable. My 99 Grand Prix is a non-supercharged GT model, but I love it. Nice handling, plenty of power, and the best looking car GM has produded in quite some time in my opinion. I'd go with the Grand Prix if I were you, just my :2cents:

The insurance on a Buick such as the Regal GS will be less than a Grand Prix GTP. The major factors for lower insurance cost will still be age, marital status, driving record (tickets), accident record, credit record, type of coverage, and the state you live in.

If you live in New Jersey or New York then you're stuck with the nations highest rates, regardless of what you drive.







http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/gtp.jpg
Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.

thanks for the help everyone. unfortunatly i live in new jersey.the insurance question, what i meant was is it considered a sports car? does the supercharger hurt you. i know alot of cars like a camaro mustang etc will be higher because of the power.i belive a 8 cylinder mustang would be more than a 6 cylinder. for some strange reason the grand national is extremely low despite its power. the insurance is the same as it would be if it were a plain old granny regal that would run the quarter in 20 seconds.
about the speed, all i want it to do is 13 even 14 in the quarter. im never gonna race it, but after driving the gn for years id hang myself in a toyota corolla.is the 99 grand prix quicker or better than the 98? is the gtp better than the gt?
boost: how much can the boost safely be turned up, and what kind of times would it run at that level. also what are the stock times in the quarter for 98 or 99? thanks again for the help

I am 20 years old and my insurance went up $12 a month over a 3.8L V6 CAMARO!!!

Not only was I shocked, I was a very happy person...

Turns out insurance companies look past the Eaton and go straight to the 4 doors, I love it...


(though a Srt-4 Neon is still very ridiculous for a young person, I all but signed the papers on an 04' before I found out insurance would run me $225 a month)

thanks for the help everyone. unfortunatly i live in new jersey.the insurance question, what i meant was is it considered a sports car? does the supercharger hurt you. i know alot of cars like a camaro mustang etc will be higher because of the power.i belive a 8 cylinder mustang would be more than a 6 cylinder. for some strange reason the grand national is extremely low despite its power. the insurance is the same as it would be if it were a plain old granny regal that would run the quarter in 20 seconds.
about the speed, all i want it to do is 13 even 14 in the quarter. im never gonna race it, but after driving the gn for years id hang myself in a toyota corolla.is the 99 grand prix quicker or better than the 98? is the gtp better than the gt?
boost: how much can the boost safely be turned up, and what kind of times would it run at that level. also what are the stock times in the quarter for 98 or 99? thanks again for the help

No, it is not considered a sports car so the insurance will not be as high as you may think.

Stock '97 - '03 GTPs do the quarter in the low 15s. IMO the '99 will not be any quicker or better than a '98. Also IMO the GTP is better than the GT due to the supercharged engine and heavy duty tranny, L67 option. There is no comparison between the two in overall performance. The GT does have one advantage over a GTP - better gas mileage.

On boost to give you an idea, I run a 3.25" SC pulley which gives around 11 - 12 psi boost. You can go higher but to do so safely and effectively an intercooler may be required. Based on the mods and how money you are willing to spend it will be no problem getting into the 14s and 13s with a GTP.

Good luck in your decision and let us know how it turns out.




http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/gtp.jpg
Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.