Need help shopping

I've been shopping for a Grand Prix for about a week and have a few questions about them...

1. Is there a huge difference between the 3.1 and 3.8 engine? From what I understand (which isn't much) they're both V6, is that correct? I'm not going to race the car...I just want it to get me to work and back and I keep getting told I don't want the 3.1.

2. What are the major differeneces between the SE and the GT packages?

3. Is there a certain year or years that I should avoid because of problems? I'm currently looking at a 99, 2002, and 2003.

4. What can you tell me about these cars in general? How well do they hold their value, how well do they hold up, any major mechanical problems that every car seems to have? What should I watch out for and try to avoid?

Thanks for any and all input...I know nothing about cars and don't want to get screwed over.

Make sure you get a 3.8 they are one of the best motors ever built.....

This is from what I can remember.

I know that there is a lower intake gasket problem that occurs in some 97-2003 models. Not sure if it's motor specific though. I had it in a 2000 SE with a 3.1L, cost me a pretty penny.

The 3.1L and 3.8L are V6 engines. The 3.8L has more power due to the displacement being larger. I have not driven a 3.8L without a supercharger, so I can't tell you if there is a drastic difference. I have driven the 3.1L though, and for 4 years it was fine for me.

SE and GT packages can be anything from body options to interior options and engine size, especially for the years you are looking at. The SE has a 3.1L, where as the GT has the 3.8L, neither supercharged. There is a third model GTP which is supercharged, but doesn't sound like you need that.

My 2000 SE was a great car. I had no complaints and it would have retained it's value if it wouldn't of been in an accident, and then I gave it to my wife, and she used it for delivery! Still running great though.

Really depends on what you want. All cars have depreciation, just depends on how well they were taken care of.

Hope this helps, and if I was incorrect about anything, somebody please correct me. Not in the habit of giving out bad info!

I have 1 of each. I drive the Gt ( 3.8 ) my wife drives the SE ( 3.1 ). She gets about 28 miles a gallon where i get 24-25 if I am good ( not often ). as far as looks the GT and I believe 2000 and after SE front ends look the same. My gt is a 98 her SE is a 01. They both drive great with my GT handling better of course. As you said you want a driver not a racer but having the 25 extra horses under the hood is nice in traffic and specially at highway speeds as the 3.1 tends to not have enough torque ( get up and go! ). A GT will have ( usually ) more sporty steering wheel which to me is more comfortable than the SE's more bulky one.

From what I have heard about it, there is an intake gasket problem that has to do with the dexcool coolant that is used. My mechanic and a few other people have told me that there is something about the dexcool that causes it to eat away the intake gaskets. I had to put new intake gaskets on my GT AND GTP.

If you do end up replacing the gaskets, make you you use a brand that of coolant that is recommened as a replacement for dexcool.

If someone could verify the claim I just made I would feel better about telling you to do that. :)

^^^^ Agreed. Get rid of the Dex-cool and get the green stuff.....Make sure you flush you radiator and engine very,very good before refilling with the green stuff. You dont want the 2 mixing it up.

Good luck...