Is buying a used Grand Prix a reliable choice?

It has recently been reccomended to me that a used Grand Prix would be a good reliable car. I love the way these cars look, but I am wanting to know more specifics about them. What kinds of problems are specific to these cars? How well does the body hold up? Are they easy to work on? I only have between $3, 000 and 4,000 to spend. Will buying a used Grand prix be a good choice? Please share any info you have about Grand Prix's. It will be so helpful to me!
Thanks so much:)

What year and model...SE, GT or GTP. Like any used car run it through the mill and check out thoroughly.

They have their fair share of problems but overall can be very reliable with proper maintenance and TLC.

Thanks for the reply, I am trying to look into which model would be the best to buy. I have not decided on anything yet, I am gathering info before I actually shop for the cars.
Thanks again!

Stick with the 3800 engine. I think the GT/GTP models are better looking than the SE model which has no ground effects and a different front end. Other than upper intake problems (97-98 were more problematic than 99-later models), they run forever. About the only issues are heater blower resistors, ABS hub bearings, and the prior mentioned upper plenums cracking and leaking coolant into the engine. I love my 99 GT, and will buy another Grand Prix when I wear this one out.

I really appreciate the specific information, it is very helpful! I will look for that engine type. I hope I can find a Grand Prix for my next car!
Thanks so much

hello!
my first post, just found this forum a few minutes ago and I'm really enjoying it.
I have a '97 GT, got it in '99. She's purple...mmm...
I've had my share of stupid things that have gone wrong, what ticked me off the most were both of the headlight lenses falling off and having to replace both headlight units to the tune of about $100 each.:screwy:
I had to have the water pump changed, and last year I heard a slight ticking and it cost me over $500 to replace the lower intake gasket and the upper intake manifold. I had to laugh when I read that in the above post. Nice to know that it wasn't just me.
As far as your question goes, if my car crapped out tomorrow we'd take about 5 grand and go find another used GT. Every vehicle requires maintenance and things eventually need to be replaced, but all in all it is a wonderful vehicle.

Thanks for the input! Your insights are very helpful to me.
I appreciate it.

I have a 2002 Grand Prix GT I bought brand new and have used it with little trouble. I pulled an 18' ski boat cross country and have taken trips to places such as new york and arizona in it. It now has almost 100000 miles and the only thing that has been replaced is the catalytic converter (and gm did that under warranty at 80000 miles. . .it was a recall). Mine has the 3.8 liter v6 and never really had any major trouble (other than the catalytic converter). Just change your fluids regularly and go.

Thank you for your input! It is good to hear personal stories.
I apprecite the help!

check out this site too:

http://www.carsurvey.org/model_Pontiac_Grand+Prix.html

over 600 reviews of the GP by owners, indexed by year

I bought a brand new 1997 Grand Prix SE off the floor in the model year(Wish i would have bought the GTP/GT), and currently have 218,000 miles on it. The Tranny went (GM issue) around 65K with normal usage. They took care of it all for me as well! Over the years, it has required common maintenance and the replacement of the usual wear-out items (Struts, Strut Mounts, AC Blower, Wheel Bearings, Alternator, Water Pump, Power Steering Pump, Thermostat, Modulator, Battery, etc...), but the engine still runs amazingly powerful. I take care of it well, and it even sat for a year, last year, while i was out of the country. I came back, took it to a shop for inspection, and it only needed the power steering pump replaced...this was still the original pump.

If you want a GP, i agree with the above post of getting either the GT/GTP model. My SE has all the features of the GTP/GT, but no SC and nice body effects....

If you can buy one, get one with low mileage, obviously, and plan on replacing the struts if they havent. I have had many diff pairs of struts on my car, and within 10-15K (ESPECIALLY off the showroom floor), the struts feel like shite, and the car develops a nice body roll when cornering, affecting handling noticably. In a week or so, i am putting the Koni Adjustable struts on here, available at www.grandprixstore.com (http://www.grandprixstore.com). For some reason, GPs are hard on struts, and the strut mounts start to rattle pretty soon too, which is annoying at the least. That site also has replacement "oem" struts for the prix too, but both sets i purchased from them wore-out literally, within 15K.

The car has been in 1 spin-out and 1 head on side-swipe (drunk driver hit me lol), and the car proved to be quite sturdy, and just with the seatbelts on, held me comfortably in the seat (my ABS light is on, resulting from a bad wheel sensor, so my airbags did not open: the system is apparently disabled when the light is on i have read). Even with the ABS light off, and no antilock functionality, the car is heavy enough to use the brakes and not worry about locking; even at higher speeds.

There are also a good number now of sites selling aftermarket upgrades that enhance the car a little more than "factory", but without lots of $$. I have a 9" K&N cone intake, and it NOTICABLY adds acceleration and horsepower, and the sound the air cleaner makes is uniquely pleasing; you can definltely hear the massive amount of air it pulls in!!

The car could have given me LOTS more maintenance issues than it has, and i still drive it every day, and wouldnt hesitate a second to take it again on a long distance trip. It has been a very reliable car to me, and although it has high miles, it still looks and runs amazing. i love this car, and like above, i would buy another one (GTP/GT this time!!) without hesitation.

Thanks so much for all the helpful info! I really appreciate it. In my price range there seems to be nothing but higher mileage Grand Prix's around here. But, it is good to know they will last well past 100k with proper maintanence. I LOVE the looks of the Grand Prix's I may have to wait till i have more money to get a good one. I would want one with lower mileage if I could.
Your response helps a lot though. It is good to have the specifics, because the responses I get with the cars i am looking into really match up. It seems most people have to do the same types of repairs. I am one who likes to be prepared. So the info is so very helpful!
Thanks!

I have a 99 GT, I bought it in 2001 and still have it. I've been real lucky with mine. Only thing I have had to do to it is change the oil every 3 thousand miles, serpentine belt, change 1 headlight bulb, change 2 interior bulbs. As you can see i've been nothing but really amazed with this car. They drive nice and handle nice also. It had 24,000 miles on it when we bought it. Now it has 94,000 miles on it. I think proper maintenance and routine maintenance on them and they will last. Also i have noticed that car rental companies have alot of them their. In my opinion I think they are good reliable cars.

I have 304,000 on my 97 GT with a minimum of problems. Just did the wheel hubs for the first time. Have replaced the water pump twice, both headlight assemblies, rebuilt the altenator at 235,000 (for peace of mind--was not even broke), power window switch, plugs and wires, and a few misc. items. Best car I've ever owned by far. Not saying that you can't get one that will become a money pit, but I've had excellent luck with mine.

Thanks so much for all the helpful info! I really appreciate it. In my price range there seems to be nothing but higher mileage Grand Prix's around here. But, it is good to know they will last well past 100k with proper maintanence. I LOVE the looks of the Grand Prix's I may have to wait till i have more money to get a good one. I would want one with lower mileage if I could.
Your response helps a lot though. It is good to have the specifics, because the responses I get with the cars i am looking into really match up. It seems most people have to do the same types of repairs. I am one who likes to be prepared. So the info is so very helpful!
Thanks!

---check eBay motors. use carfax.com when u find one, to find any "hidden" problems you might not find about until its too late...dont limit urself bc of local availability. those of us who have high mileage on our prixs have taken care of them...used, u might get someone's about-to-fall-apart car that LOOKS nice.

good luck!!

I just bought an 03 GT 5 months ago. So far I've only had to replace that damn resistor in the glove box and a headlight.

From what I've heard the grandprix is one of GMs more reliable cars.

I have a '97 GP SE 3.1L that my parents bought with 5K miles on it and it was a Hertz rental car before that and was in a front end collision. A guy bought it, put on a new front clip and the paint was perfect. We got it for a good deal and I just bought it from my parents last summer. It now has 113K miles on it.

Since we've owned it, it's had the following replaced:

Lower intake gaskets (twice - once under warranty)
Alternator (noisy bearing)
Water pump (very slight leakage coming from weep hole)
Spark plugs (once)
Resealed headlight covers with clear silicone (condensation building up inside
Driver side window switch assembly (smoke was rolling out of the driver's door window switch when pressed)
Blower motor resistor (lost speeds 1 and 5)
O2 sensors (preventive maintenance)

It also went into the dealer to get the steering fixed under the recall. There was no problem with it before the recall, they just did their preventive fix on it.

The only other thing that needs to be replaced that I haven't got around to yet is the driver side tailight. It's filling up with water since the seal is breaking all around the top side.

Thanks so much for all your responses! Wow I can't believe 304,000 miles!
All your advice, (and stories) is so helpful, I really appreciate it.
Maybe I will be able to get a Grand Prix after all!

Thanks so much for all your responses! Wow I can't believe 304,000 miles!
All your advice, (and stories) is so helpful, I really appreciate it.
Maybe I will be able to get a Grand Prix after all!

And the disclaimer: Your results may vary. Buying one from someone you know is less of a risk though. I may even buy another one when mine gives up the ghost and use it as a parts car. Did a Grand Am that way and it worked out for the couple I gave them to.