GT Over 340,000 Miles

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by wlkjr

I did mine two years ago this month. I had signs of coolant in the oil but only known by oil analysis and minute. I had no signs of an external leak but then one day had a major blow out of the upper gasket and coolant everywhere.
Below is a link of my post of what I did and the cost. No more related problems and car now has 344,000 miles on it and still uses no oil between changes at 5000 miles. It has developed a slight vibration in the motor and after hitting a possum now has a bit of a noise that sound like a bad bearing somewhere. Makes this noise at idle so I know it is engine related.
You shouldn't have much trouble doing the job and if you can afford the cash, go the extra mile and replace everything I did and you will head off some future maintenance for a while.
Bob provided all the information I needed to tackle the job and Rich was instrumental with parts.
Good luck.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=579933

We're proud of you Wally. You've got the highest mileage of any '97-'03 Grand Prix that I've ever seen. Didn't one of your family members hit a cow or deer?

Out of curiosity do you remember if your LIM gasket set had the pinned or unpinned end seal gaskets. On pinned it has the rubber tits that inserts to holes on the engine block that helps with alignment.

[wlkjr]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

We're proud of you Wally. You've got the highest mileage of any '97-'03 Grand Prix that I've ever seen. Didn't one of your family members hit a cow or deer?

Out of curiosity do you remember if your LIM gasket set had the pinned or unpinned end seal gaskets. On pinned it has the rubber tits that inserts to holes on the engine block that helps with alignment.

My daughter hit a horse last year and I got it repaired; new hood, fender, windshield, mirror and headlight assembly.
As well as I remember, mine had the unpinned ends on the gaskets.
The 3.8 in these things have to be one of the best engines GM has ever made regardless of the gasket issues.
I usually average 25 MPG but since I"ve been working nights I have slowed down and it has picked up to 29 MPG.
When this one gives up the ghost I'll be tempted to find another one. At least I'm familiar with all the maintenance and related work.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by wlkjr

My daughter hit a horse last year

When this one gives up the ghost I'll be tempted to find another one. At least I'm familiar with all the maintenance and related work.

Ah so... a horse. Did it die? There are plenty of Grand Prixs and Regals on the market nationwide. Problem is finding one with decent mileage, accurate maintenance records, and in good condition. Not the same when you are the original owner and baby it through the years. At least you know what you have and it is not like a box of chocolates because you never know what you'll get.

I have 95K miles on my GTP. Over 10 years old but my Regal GS is my daily driver and it has been trouble free.

[wlkjr]

The horse survived but had about a foot long gash on his rear quarters.
I would be fearful of buying a used GTP but a lower mileage GT, say about 100,000 miles might last me a while. I'm still debating how much to put into this one when something happens to it. That little vibration is a little worrisome, but other than slow power windows and the key getting stuck occasionally, it is in great shape.

[BNaylor]

Yeah personally I would pass on any used GTP. Most are beat to death by the owner(s). Plus there are more GTs on the used market with varying miles and condition. I was surprised to see that on cars.com. I'm looking for '03 GTP but in black, red or silver only to add to my collection.

[wlkjr]

Not to hijack Tim's thread but I might that '99 Regal off your hands when the time comes. Guess I will inherit my mother's '01 Century, just wish it had the 3.8 instead of 3.1

[BNaylor]

My wife's Regal LS has been relatively trouble free considering. Now has over 130K miles though. The problem is I would have to pry it out of her cold dead hands. She loves that car. Recently resolved the intermittent hard shifts and P1811 DTC by adding a shift kit and the new Dexron-VI ATF. Also, serviced the A/C and the vent temps are now around mid 30s even in over 100 degree temperatures. Used that Arctic Freeze NASA R134a refrigerant and installed a new variable control valve in the compressor. Now she complains it is too cold. Hopefully we can get to the 200K mile with it.

Check on cars.com and do a search radius of a couple hundred miles. You'd be surprised to see the cream puff Regals up for sale. Many have less than 50K miles and the prices are decent.

[wlkjr]

What I'd really like to have is a nice late model white or pewter Bonneville. I love the looks of the last couple of year models.
Can you split off our posts from Tim's question?

[BNaylor]

I guess the Bonny is a good choice. Same engines and transaxles. Plus it is classified as a full size car versus the GP mid-size. H body class like the Buick LeSabre versus the W body. But on the L67 SSEI models just like GTPs you have to run them through the mill before purchasing. Plus their electrical systems are more troublesome to include working on it.

The GM car I really liked was the last year 2003 Olds Aurora with the 4.0L V8. Now IMO that is a sharp design and car. They bring top dollar in Europe.

[wlkjr]

That was probably a good car, but for me I prefer the looks of the Bonneville.
My first car was a '63 two-tone Star Chief 2dr hardtop. Sure wish I had that one back as well as the '56 2d ht my mother owned. The '56 is the one car I had most rather have, even more than a '67 GTO.