'97 Grand Prix GT-P for $2k

[CurseTheSky]

There's a Grand Prix GT-P coupe (3.8L supercharged 240HP/208TQ, automatic) up for sale locally. Around 130k miles, power everything, and supposidely in mint condition. The interior looks a little dirty, but there are no apparently deep scratches, dents, tears, etc. Hopefully a steam vac could get it looking nice again.

For the price, would it be worth grabbing to have a slightly sporty, alternate car, or would I be wasting my time and money? I don't need a car; it would be strictly for backup / fun.

Thanks.

 

[MotF Bane]

An automatic FWD for sporty? Your call, not what I'd pick for a playtoy. I own a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, obviously including the supercharger. Black paint is heavily scratched, one dent on the left rear door, some noises, about 95k miles at purchase. Cost me $2750, that was August of 2006. Fully loaded. I think $2000 sounds fairly reasonable going by this, but have you checked KBB? Also, check it for water leaks, pick up the mat from the passenger side floor and press at the carpet, although if it hasn't rained recently, you won't find anything. It seems to be a common issue with these cars. Finally, with the car running, check the supercharger for a ticking sound. You may also want to listen to it, if it seems excessively loud, check the resonators, although that may partially depend on where you live (road salt, etc).

 

[Hyperlite]

well he did say slightly

 

[CurseTheSky]

Sportier than what I'm driving now anyway. My 2003 Malibu 3.1L Sedan just isn't all that fun to cruise around in. The real fun is in my sig, getting close and closer by the week

autos.msn.com lists the KBB value of all 1997 trims as $3,150 - $4,450 (GT-P would be in the higher end of that range I'd imagine).

I'm open to other suggestions for cars to keep an eye out for as well. $3k would be my max, and I already have one project car as is. There were a few 93-95 Dodge Stealths / 3000GTs that didn't look that bad (manual, and much sportier looking), but I haven't seen any decent deals lately. I'm absolutely opposed to the commonly-riced cars (3000GTs being borderline), as everyone in my area has a Civic or Jetta with a coffee can and stickers.

Edit: I'm really picky about looks though. I don't want another sedan, and there are a lot of cars that just don't appeal to me. I can find some awesome deals on fox body and 94-98 Mustangs, but only the 99+ body styles appeal to me, and are obviously out of my price range. I'm not necessarily looking for something with power, just something that's fun to cruise around in.

 

[Bignate603]

The GT-P is just what you said, slightly sporty. Personally I'd hold on to your cash and dump it into the mustang.

 

[boomerang]

Get rid of a 6 year old car for a 12 year old car? That's something I would do only if I was in dire straights and needed cash. I'm assuming this would be a daily driver.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: boomerang
Get rid of a 6 year old car for a 12 year old car? That's something I would do only if I was in dire straights and needed cash. I'm assuming this would be a daily driver.

???

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: Quintox

Originally posted by: boomerang
Get rid of a 6 year old car for a 12 year old car? That's something I would do only if I was in dire straights and needed cash. I'm assuming this would be a daily driver.

???

What don't you understand? Fourth post down he says he's driving a 2003 right now.

 

[Kroze]

Buy it!

 

[cheesehead]

Get a Miata. More reliable, easy to fix, RWD, and very cheap. (And you can turbocharge it for more power if you really need it.)

If you want something big, a police surplus Crown Victoria might be fun. The Interceptor model has a beefed-up 4-speed automatic column-shift gearbox, limited-slip differential, rollbar, and a 250HP Modular V8. While it is heavier than the GXP, upgrading the V8 with parts off of other old Fords (32-valve cylinder heads, reinforced pistons, etc. etc. etc. etc.) is both easy and cheap.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: Quintox

Originally posted by: boomerang
Get rid of a 6 year old car for a 12 year old car? That's something I would do only if I was in dire straights and needed cash. I'm assuming this would be a daily driver.

???

What don't you understand? Fourth post down he says he's driving a 2003 right now.

And in his first post he says he wants a slightly sporty alternate car which means to me that he wants to just buy another car, he's not replacing anything.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: Quintox

Originally posted by: boomerang
Get rid of a 6 year old car for a 12 year old car? That's something I would do only if I was in dire straights and needed cash. I'm assuming this would be a daily driver.

???

What don't you understand? Fourth post down he says he's driving a 2003 right now.

And in his first post he says he wants a slightly sporty alternate car which means to me that he wants to just buy another car, he's not replacing anything.

You are correct. I missed the key word alternate. I apologize for my oversight.

 

[Throckmorton]

That is like the ugliest car ever. The rear end on those Pontiacs reminds me of those organic alien starships that always pop up in sci fi.

 

[Arkaign]

The 3800 in those is tough as hell. Unfortunately, the rest of the car has been assembled with old chewing gum and used toddler's toys.

Is $2k a good deal? Hell yeah. IIRC, there's a cheap pulley mod that will get you some notable power gains, combine with good oil, tranny fluid change, you should be good to go. FWD + medium to high output power, not the best solution, but that's a great price.

 

[DougK62]

If it's in good shape then $2k for it is definitely a good buy. Just go easy on the transmission. That was the first year of the redesigned Grand Prix and the GTP used a not-as-strong 4T60E trans instead of the beefier 4T65E trans that the following years received.