Looking for advice on a 2005 pontiac grand prix

[nboy22]

Ok.. so my girlfriend has a 1999 Grand Prix 3.1L engine that has about 177,000 miles on it, sway bar is cracked, tie rod going out, suspension going out, belt tensioner needs to be replaced. Basically, we've come to the conclusion it's time to buy her a new car.

She has found a 2005 Grand Prix which is really nice, 3.8 V6, 62,000 miles on it. There are a few problems I would like to address though.

The dealership (Honda dealership selling the Grand Prix in question) gave us a carfax report.. no accidents, great. However, just recently on Jan, 2008 the "steering shaft" had to be replaced. What's more troubling is that it had to be replaced again in Dec. 2008 at the end of the car's warranty. The right hub had to be replaced, as did the power steering pump right along the same time frame.

This leads me to believe this car may be a problem in the future if she were to buy it. What's also interesting is that my grandparents bought a 2002 Bonneville brand new and it had a big issue with the steering that took the dealership a few times to fix.

I am going to take the car to a mechanic here soon during the week if it isn't sold so they can check it out. I'd also like to know what you guys think all these steering problems could mean, is it just shoddy parts that GM was creating for Pontiacs? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[brblx]

hubs are common on those cars, when i worked at firestone i replaced a lot of hubs on GM's with under 50k on the odo.

i would be very curious about the steering shaft. typically the only reason to replace the shaft itself is because it collapsed in a wreck (as it's supposed to). however, if it was done under warranty more than once and no other repairs were needed, it could've just been a u-joint issue. or perhaps they've referring to another part altogether, it's hard to know.

none of those probelems are going to be pontiac exclusive, you're buying the same thing as an impala or monte carlo. they're not awful cars, i guess, but i gotta ask- why not look at a camry or accord instead?

 

[BUTCH1]

GM has had an issue with steering shafts, they sometimes make a pop or thump sound on full turn, mine was repaired under warranty by simply re-lubing the shaft, no problems since.

 

[nboy22]

Originally posted by: brblx
hubs are common on those cars, when i worked at firestone i replaced a lot of hubs on GM's with under 50k on the odo.

i would be very curious about the steering shaft. typically the only reason to replace the shaft itself is because it collapsed in a wreck (as it's supposed to). however, if it was done under warranty more than once and no other repairs were needed, it could've just been a u-joint issue. or perhaps they've referring to another part altogether, it's hard to know.

none of those probelems are going to be pontiac exclusive, you're buying the same thing as an impala or monte carlo. they're not awful cars, i guess, but i gotta ask- why not look at a camry or accord instead?

We are still looking but are trying to find one that is from a dealership, clean, doesn't smell inside, has cruise control, power locks and windows.. etc...

We are also trying not to pay too much for a car, because the budget is about $5000-$8000

Here is the exact carfax report:


09/01/2004:
Mileage: 2
Comments:
- VIN glass etching
- Pre-delivery inspection completed

11/13/2004:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Vehicle Sold

12/17/2004:
Mileage: 9
Comments:
- Title or registration issued
- First owner reported

08/03/2005:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Parts ordered

10/31/2005:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Fuel filler cap replaced

04/01/2006:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated

10/30/2006:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Console replaced
- Right sunvisor replaced
- A/C and heating control assembly replaced

03/30/2007:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Serpentine belt replaced
- Maintenance inspection completed
- Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated

01/30/2008:
Mileage: 48,834
Comments:
- Steering gear replaced
- Steering shaft replaced
- Power steering pump replaced

12/22/2008:
Mileage: 57947
Comments:
- Blower motor resistor replaced
- Blower motor replaced
- Steering shaft replaced
- Front wheel bearing/hub replaced
- Radio/sound system checked

 

[brblx]

well...it's got a lotta new parts. heh. i wouldn't worry about too much of that except the steering....they did the rack, shaft, and pump (basically everything past the steering wheel except for maybe the outer tie rods). i'm guessing the pump bit the dust and put metal into the rack, seems odd that the shaft was done unless there was a noise complaint at the same time. while working at the stealership of a different make, i have had to replace column u-joints while doing racks (parts compatibility thing), could be something of that nature. or maybe all there was was a noise complaint and the tech just used the shotgun method and replaced everything.

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: nboy22

Originally posted by: brblx
hubs are common on those cars, when i worked at firestone i replaced a lot of hubs on GM's with under 50k on the odo.

i would be very curious about the steering shaft. typically the only reason to replace the shaft itself is because it collapsed in a wreck (as it's supposed to). however, if it was done under warranty more than once and no other repairs were needed, it could've just been a u-joint issue. or perhaps they've referring to another part altogether, it's hard to know.

none of those probelems are going to be pontiac exclusive, you're buying the same thing as an impala or monte carlo. they're not awful cars, i guess, but i gotta ask- why not look at a camry or accord instead?

We are still looking but are trying to find one that is from a dealership, clean, doesn't smell inside, has cruise control, power locks and windows.. etc...

We are also trying not to pay too much for a car, because the budget is about $5000-$8000

Here is the exact carfax report:


09/01/2004:
Mileage: 2
Comments:
- VIN glass etching
- Pre-delivery inspection completed



11/13/2004:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Vehicle Sold

12/17/2004:
Mileage: 9
Comments:
- Title or registration issued
- First owner reported

08/03/2005:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Parts ordered

10/31/2005:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Fuel filler cap replaced

04/01/2006:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated

10/30/2006:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Console replaced
- Right sunvisor replaced
- A/C and heating control assembly replaced

03/30/2007:
Mileage: not listed
Comments:
- Serpentine belt replaced
- Maintenance inspection completed
- Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated

01/30/2008:
Mileage: 48,834
Comments:
- Steering gear replaced
- Steering shaft replaced
- Power steering pump replaced

12/22/2008:
Mileage: 57947
Comments:
- Blower motor resistor replaced
- Blower motor replaced
- Steering shaft replaced
- Front wheel bearing/hub replaced
- Radio/sound system checked

Wow, I didn't even know carfax included repair history, just owners, titles and such. When did they add repairs too?.

 

[Budmantom]

Typical GM problem, the good part is that GM parts are cheap

 

[CurseTheSky]

The console, right sun visor, and A/C and heating control assembly catches my eye.

Such a weird combo to replace at such low mileage. I'd almost be suspicious if an air bag deployed (no mention of it being replaced, but then again, maybe they found someone willing to lie about it to keep insurance costs down?)

Seems a little fishy to me. My family has had a number of different GM vehicles in the past 10-15 years, and we've never had one that needed that much replaced in so little time.

 

[VinylxScratches]

I would pass.

 

[nboy22]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
The console, right sun visor, and A/C and heating control assembly catches my eye.

Such a weird combo to replace at such low mileage. I'd almost be suspicious if an air bag deployed (no mention of it being replaced, but then again, maybe they found someone willing to lie about it to keep insurance costs down?)

Seems a little fishy to me. My family has had a number of different GM vehicles in the past 10-15 years, and we've never had one that needed that much replaced in so little time.

Good idea.. however I kind of thought about this before. Each one of these reports is from a dealership, the car only seems to be serviced at the dealership. Each and every item on the list is from the same dealership. The dealership doesn't exist any more though... I think it was shut down recently due to the economy.

I do agree however that it is such a weird combo.. I am trying to figure out why that would need to be done..

 

[blurredvision]

I've owned my 2004 Grand Prix GT1 for over 4 years now. Early on, my steering shaft would pop multiple times when taking curves. Took it in, they "fixed" it, and I was on my way. About 6 months later, it started again, so I took it back in, and they told me that there wasn't a fix for it on my car yet, so I had to just keep bringing it in to get the shaft "exercised", as they put it. Took it back in a 3rd time at just under 60k miles, and they exercised it again under warranty (way out of 36k warranty).

It started again about 3-4 months after the 3rd time I had taken it in, and I finally said to hell with it. I just deal with it, and have been for well over a year now. It's never gotten better or worse, and I'm used to it. It's just a slight popping that you can feel in the steering wheel when turning, but that's it. I'm trading it in within a few months, so I don't really care about it.

 

[nboy22]

Originally posted by: peritusONE
I've owned my 2004 Grand Prix GT1 for over 4 years now. Early on, my steering shaft would pop multiple times when taking curves. Took it in, they "fixed" it, and I was on my way. About 6 months later, it started again, so I took it back in, and they told me that there wasn't a fix for it on my car yet, so I had to just keep bringing it in to get the shaft "exercised", as they put it. Took it back in a 3rd time at just under 60k miles, and they exercised it again under warranty (way out of 36k warranty).

It started again about 3-4 months after the 3rd time I had taken it in, and I finally said to hell with it. I just deal with it, and have been for well over a year now. It's never gotten better or worse, and I'm used to it. It's just a slight popping that you can feel in the steering wheel when turning, but that's it. I'm trading it in within a few months, so I don't really care about it.

Yes.. I did quite a bit of research and I came up with the steering shaft just needs to be lubed up because somehow it squeezes grease out of its joints. It's actually a common problem on almost all pontiac cars if not all.

Check out this link for some easy instructions. They are talking about the Impala but I've heard it will work for the Grand Prix as well. LINK

 

[Arkaign]

3.1L was one of the weaker GM motors. If it's possible to avoid a car like that, it'd be a good idea. If you already own it, it'd be good to try to get out from under it as soon as possible, while it's still running.

EDIT : Read the OP too fast. The 3.8L cars are about 10 million times better than the 3.1L

As for the car in question, that would probably be enough for me to 'steer' clear of that particular example. Decent 3800 V6 GM cars are a dime a dozen, you're bound to find another similar or better deal.

 

[halik]

The heater control resistors is a common problem for GM cars, don't know about replacing the console though... seems odd.

 

[nboy22]

Originally posted by: halik
The heater control resistors is a common problem for GM cars, don't know about replacing the console though... seems odd.

Here's another thing I'm thinking about the console being replaced... The guy who had previously owned the car installed a Harmon Kardon mp3 player kit

He might have screwed something up pretty bad while installing it, and had the dealership reinstall new ones.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: BUTCH1
GM has had an issue with steering shafts, they sometimes make a pop or thump sound on full turn, mine was repaired under warranty by simply re-lubing the shaft, no problems since.

Fixing it is kind of a pain. I had the dealer do that to my Aurora before I bought it (they had to replace a sensor in the steering column anyways).

 

[thescreensavers]

Damn lots of issues before 60k lol. This is why an American car is not smart to buy period. IMO, find a good Japanese car wont have as many headaches plus there still going to be in business.