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Considering buying a 1997-2003 2 door GTP for a DD

ITSWILL

ITSWILL

New member
So, like the title said I am looking to buy a GTP for a DD. It seems like a pretty practical car with a good amount of pep.

I would be interested in modifying it pretty much right away. I have read the safely modifying thread and think that 300whp would be a good goal.

My main question is is there any specific year I should be targeting? Any other buying tips or things to look for would be very appreciated.

Thanks,
Will
 


Hello and :th_sign-welcome1:


I know you said you read the Safely Modding thread but I have all 3 of our big ones bookmarks so I'ma make a quick link here for reference anyways.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/safely-modding-your-3800-a-67580.html
Safely Modding ^^^
http://www.grandprixforums.net/ultimate-cheap-mod-thread-free-50-a-49055.html
Cheap mods^^^
http://www.grandprixforums.net/97-03-w-body-buyers-guide-common-problems-60802.html
Pre-purchase look for these^^^

As to your primary query, if you are looking for a coupe you need to steer clear of 03s. I'd stay away anyways, they have alot of 03 specific parts that are NOT interchangable with 97-02 or 04+ cars. That and they are sedans only.

So narrow down to 97-02 for a coupe
Daytona editions were 98 & 2000, Special edition in 01, and 40th ann in 02.

97 & some 98s had a vacuum actuated tranny and weaker parts, so I would stick with 99-02 if you want to mod it to 300hp, it won't hold up much better, but every little bit helps, right?

If you have problems with losing keys regularly, I would suggest a 99, its the only year with the good tranny and NO PK3 option for security. 2000+ all use electonic (resistor) and if you lose one would require programming, plus the keys cost substantially more. One reason I love my 99. After all its a Grand Prix, if they want to steal it, its not that hard to bypass the PK3 setup.

go to Pontiac Grand Prix - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
It will give you some more indepth info on the differences through the years. For the most part, watch for rust on the suspension, wheel bearing, knocks, and weak tranny symptoms. If its good it should be solid.

Good luck
 
Thanks for the reply, I forgot that there was no coupe in 2003.

I assume the vacuum actuated tranny cannot be electrically controlled and tuned. Also how can I tell if it is vaccum actuated 98 before purchasing?
 
Giant vacuum tube coming off the side. The hose will go into a regulator type thing on the side of the tranny if I remember correctly.

Mine is a 99 and has the HD tranny, ideally what you want unless you want to get a pretty Daytona. You can always do a swap in with a newer HD and tune for it later.
 


5 g's for a 99? even with the low miles id pass. its still gonna break at some point. even if it is real nice looking.

hell a member here just got one from NJ. hes from Ohio. a 98 for around 3 with 79,000 miles, 100% rust free too.
 


Oh yeah? all the ones I'm seeing are a lot higher mileage. 3k Kinda sounds like a steal to me. KBB on this thing in good condition is $6,113 and I was planning on offering 4000 if it is nice and possibly doing 4500 if I really liked it.
 
Just dont do a trans flush on that last one. That tends to kill higher mileage cars, and I think that qualifies as "Higher mileage". :)
 


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