1997 Grand Prix SE front end bumper

[Centrinomw]

Hello I just bought a 98' GP SE for $1,500. It runs good and its was not that bad for the price I guess. Anyway it has like a old front end "revision 1" I guess. I wanted to know if I can swap a newer front end like the ones 99-03. If so can I buy a front part of the car, and where would I find it? The newer version of the car looks better because I have one for my other 98'. I am planning to give this car to my little cousin who is about to reach that golden age of 16.
Thanks.

[Centrinomw]

Is there not anyone who knows of this?

[GaryFenza]

im like half asleep right now....and i should know this cause i do auto body work and work with bumpers alot. Im gonna guess and say i dont see why you wouldnt be able to switch it over. I think the only difference on the grand prix's are that the sport grills are in a lower position, but the bumper itself is very similar. I can walk ya through the steps of putting the bumper on if you do get it and it does fit. GOOD LUCK MAN!

[GaryFenza]

i would go for it, i think it will fit. I'll walk ya through the steps if ya need help putting the front bumper on.

[BNaylor]

The transplant will work. I recall others doing it in the past successfully. We have some old posts on the issue along with some not too nice comments about Pontiac's screw up on that design.

[Centrinomw]

Well I want to thank you two for helping me with this in such a hurried response. GaryFenza do you think you could send me some instructions via email. I have found one on ebay but before I go ahead and buy it. It says it will fit a GT and GTP 97-03. This car I have got for my cuz is a SE because his mom can't afford anything else insurance wise. bnaylor do you know of any problems with putting it on a SE. I searched for threads talking about this but came up with only one.
Thanks a bunch

[danondubs]

Have you bought a new one yet? If not I think that I know of a place that you can get one at a great price to!
Dan
+ i think that it would even come with instructions

[Centrinomw]

Dan, I have not bought one yet so if you know any places where I could find one for a good price, I would appreciate it greatly.

[danondubs]

What color would you like?
Dan

[Centrinomw]

Haha dan this car is really one of the wiredest cars I have seen. It is from the factory with the orginal paint (I checked with the dealership). It is what they call "Medium Dark Lichen Metallic Clearcoat" "208C." Thats the color but I have my doubts of finding that specific color.

[Centrinomw]

So dan just wondering if you were going to respond or if you just forgot, but I just wanted to know where you said I could get a good one?

[theblurr87]

Originally Posted by bnaylor

We have some old posts on the issue along with some not too nice comments about Pontiac's screw up on that design.

I just died a little bit inside. It's only bad if your state requires front license plates like in Jersey. Don't do it! Its just extra weight!

[BNaylor]

Although beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, ugly goes to the bones. Personally I would replace it.

[Centrinomw]

haha actually I talked to several people about aftermarket bumpers and they said unless there in the 500-600 range the material will not hold the paint. This is sad because I wanted just to get one of those bumpers that was 100-200 dollars. The paint alone and labor looks to be about 500 dollars minimum. I am a little confused at this point and starting to like the old bumper but then again the second edition looks newer

[tblake]

500 to paint? Thats a bit steep. Find a guy that doest good work out of his garage. Best way is probably word of mouth. Then go get a bumper off a junkyard car id doesnt matter what color as long as int not cracked. Have the body guy strip it base coat it, paint it, and clear it. Then you put it on yourself.

I bought a 2000 gtp a month or so ago. Beautifull paint, no rust, kansas car. Redfire metallic is the name of the color. A few days ago, while at work a co-worker backs into my car. The bumper wasnt cracked, but she took a lot of paint off, so the black plastic bumber shows through. I had it appraised at a well know nearby body shop, they quoted over 600 to just get the bumper repainted. I then took it to a guy who makes his living doing body work out of his garage. He looked at it and said 300 to 400 topps. He knew his stuff and then i asked him when he could get to it. He said in a month soonest. So he must be pretty good if he booked up that far. So im driving with a screwed up bumper right now.

Just ask around, fiends and things, see where they have gotten their body work done. You can more than likely find a better price. If you dont, just give your dealership a call and see what it would cost for a new one factory painted (have your paint code ready). You would be suprized.