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Grand Prix for first car?

J

John1

New member
Hey all, my name's John and I'm 16. I currently drive my dads 2004 F150 but am saving up for my first car, and I'm looking closely at Grand Prix's. Mostly the 1997-2003
generation. My budget is $2500 or less. Do you think this would be a good first car? Also, Im a little on the bigger size, but not huge (5'7", 200 lbs) is the Grand Prix a comfortable car for people around my size? Thanks!

Edit; heres and example of what this $$$ will get you in my area: http://www.autostarus.com/vehicle/4526580/2001-pontiac-grand-prix-gt-maple-grove-minnesota-55369
 
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get a gtp, aka one with a supercharger, the n/a engines kinda suck.

97-04 regals also have the s/c engine they would be a regal GS same car with different skin, and with better seats,(and other better interior features) im 6'6" and fit ok.

so if your still shopping around, they are worth checking out as well, test drive each of them.

link in my sig is my regal ride thread. i got it cheap, and fixed it up little by little.
 
These things make great first cars, they are dependable (with proper maintenance like any other car) looks good and you can do a few performance things with a really small budget

And that really goes for any W-Body GM car with a 3800 in it the Monte Carlo, Regal, Grand Prix, Impala. Whatever you decide there are plenty of people here that can help you out!

Edit: should also say they are really easy to work on and parts are plentiful if something does break!
 
Great first car and get a supercharged one. See bottom of my post

Lots of parts interchange
cheap
reliable
easy to work oon lots of performance parts if you decide to mod

any w body will interchange with most parts.


Monte Carlo SS
Regal GS
Bonneville SSEI
Grand Prix GTP
Impala SS
 


6'5" and 190 and fit fine, and actually better in my 2000 than my 06 but them 04+ seats so much more comfy

also my first and second car!!
 
Where in Iowa do you live? I drove five hours to pick up this one in cedar rapids...
1998 Grand Prix GTP

I passed it up initially saying its to rough and rusty for me but the thing ended up being in alot better shape than it was described and had alot of extras I was not expecting (perfect tail lights, amazing head unit, etc). Also the rust was not that bad at all.

So moral of the story is that just because something looks real rough just go ahead and ask anyway it may not be as bad as it seems (the guy I got mine from polished it before I got there). You also said that your max budget is 2500 so you can always make offers on cars a little more expensive than that.

Moral of the story
 
I would either go with the GT or GTP stay away from the SE's in all years and the 97 GTs. Everyone says stay away from the 97 GTPs but they aren't to much different than the 98+ cars, I had one was a fun car till it died. Tomorrow its going to get recycled.
 
get a gt with no rust then top swap it when you have the money or just get a gtp if you aren't looking to do engine work other then the maintenance
 


mofford12 said:
Try to stay away from 97 the best you can..transmissions are poo
Click to expand...
97 gtps have fine trannys. Its just the 97 GTs.

My first car was a 97 grand prix gtp back in like 2004. That car changed my life in more ways than anything else ever has. In many good ways and many bad ways as well...

If you're gonna get a cheap grand prix, just try to make sure the strut towers arent completely rusted through in the back and that the tranny isnt about to die.
 
Scottydoggs said:
get a gtp, aka one with a supercharger, the n/a engines kinda suck.

97-04 regals also have the s/c engine they would be a regal GS same car with different skin, and with better seats,(and other better interior features) im 6'6" and fit ok.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say that the N/A engines suck. They are perfectly fine. They just aren't something that will win many races. If you just need a DD and something that will last through college a GT will suffice. As for a regal if you can find one go for it. They are nice.
 
Just keep in mind with the GTP that it requires premium gas, and I think insurance will be higher on that over a GT...especially fora 16 yo...I love my '01 GT, and think this would be a great first car for anyone. Good luck!
 
Max Cook said:
97 gtps have fine trannys. Its just the 97 GTs.My first car was a 97 grand prix gtp back in like 2004. That car changed my life in more ways than anything else ever has. In many good ways and many bad ways as well...If you're gonna get a cheap grand prix, just try to make sure the strut towers arent completely rusted through in the back and that the tranny isnt about to die.
Click to expand...
Definitely check the rear strut towers. They can be expensive... ask me how I know :(
 


Condition of the car trumps engine type as long as it isn't a 3.1L.

As long as its a 3800, power is available through mods. 3.1L, not so much.

Find the best condition one of the types listed (w bodies) and go from there.
 
i think the best thing about the car is the roomy-ness. its one of the longer cars i see on the road. im 5'11 160lbs and i ride with the seat almost all the way up, i also like to tilt it up, i like to pretend im in a cockpit of a fighter jet
 
I personally love my 02 gt, right now it sint the best. But that'll change.
And I'm the opposite ^^ I'm 5'9 an my seats all the way bak almost im reclined a little
Wwhen I drive but not to much so that I look black
 
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