HELP: Buying Decisions.

[Phionoxx]

I am going to be buying a Grand Prix GTP in the next couple of days and would greatly appreciate any input you guys could give me on the below cars i have to choose from.

97 GP GTP; Well maintained with records and a complete dealer prep last spring; new brakes. 93,000 miles asking 6,400 with "some room to negotiate."

99 GP GTP;58,000 miles asking 8,000 at a dealership. No repair records so i dont know if its had belts and similar things replaced yet.

99 GP GTP; 67,000 miles asking 9,000 at a dealership. I drove it last night and it felt real strong, no vibrations in the pedals or anything wrong with it that i could tell. No repair records, same as above.

No matter what i go with, i want to bring it in to a local auto repair shop and just pay them to run an inspection. Are there any common problems i should ask them to check for? Or anything like that?

Thanks for any help.

[stlwagon]

Here's what Kelly Blue Book says for retail. None are priced too badly. You'd get a better price with a private seller.
97: $6870
99 (58000): $8540
99 (67000): $8390

Definately take it to a mechanic you trust. Some common problems include:
Intake manifold gasket leaks (very common)
Rack & pinion leaks
High pressure power steering hose
Oil leaks (rear main oil seal)
Struts (OEM struts can fail as early as 30,000 mi)
Upper/lower engine mounts

May want to get a carfax report to check the vehicle history too.

Good luck. Let us know which one (if any) you get.

[93cobra]

I bought myself a 2000 GTP Daytona 500 with 97,000 for 7,500 in Nov. last year. I just found my daughter the same car with 58,000 for 7,800 two weeks ago. The only problem we both had was the blower motor for the heater. They seem to have a problem with moisture getting in on the fan side of the motor. Hers and mine went out about 3 weeks apart.
They are great cars.I have 107,000 on mine now and it feels like a new car. No oil leaks. No oil use. I change the oil between 2,000 and 3,000 miles. Synthetic and never low a drop. If you get a GTP change the supercharger oil. It's an easy job. I also had my trans flushed. By the way I found both of them on E-bay.

[GTX Playa]

Just note that traction control was not available until the 98 model year.

[kustomkid54]

Originally Posted by GTX Playa

Just note that traction control was not available until the 98 model year.

My 97 GT has it. And the 2 1998's have it.
Wondering if it wasn't one of the mid model changes that GM made.
Looking at my owners manual, it only came on cars with 3100 and 3.8. Not on 3800 supercharged. That's dumb

[Phionoxx]

I just got back from the dealer, i went with the 99 GTP with 67k miles. It seems to be in awesome shape, im going to go get it checked out this week probably. I noticed the manual recommends 91 octane or higher fuel for the supercharged engine? What happens if you use 87?

[93cobra]

Originally Posted by Phionoxx

I just got back from the dealer, i went with the 99 GTP with 67k miles. It seems to be in awesome shape, im going to go get it checked out this week probably. I noticed the manual recommends 91 octane or higher fuel for the supercharged engine? What happens if you use 87?

It is supercharged which means more air is forced into the engine thus raising the compression and temperatures. The premium grade gas has higher octane that will not preignite. If you use lower octane gas (regular, midgrade) uncontrolled early detonation will occur in the cylinders and will cause pistons, valves to be damaged to the point the engine will need to be replaced.
Use only a high grade premium and you will enjoy that car for a long time. The alternative is disasterous.

[GTX Playa]

Originally Posted by kustomkid54

My 97 GT has it. And the 2 1998's have it.
Wondering if it wasn't one of the mid model changes that GM made.
Looking at my owners manual, it only came on cars with 3100 and 3.8. Not on 3800 supercharged. That's dumb

Yes I meant the GTP.....I read somewhere that it took Pontiac a year to figure out how to adjust the TC to handle the GTPs torque without damage.