Buy an Impala if you want GM. Impala is the service vehicle for GM and from what I have heard is that they hold up a whole lot better than the rest
You are ill informed, impala is not the only service vehicle first of all, as proof of that my last car was a 1998 buick regal and it was in fact a gm service vehicle. Second grand prix's have an identical drive train, suspension, fuel system, brake system, bolt pattern, interior, stereo, as well as alot of other things to the grand prix unless u get a later model one beyond 2003 and by 2003 gm stopped using it as their service vehicles anyway. So thats completely blown out of the water.
2004-2007 was damage control with more crap vehicles and poopy designs. Enter the 5 year 100,000 mile warranty to try and attract buyers back.
Enter the introduction of the Camaro because they dropped the only affordable sports car GM made (Which became unaffordable).
Now, theyre "The NEW" Gm.. but yet...same poop designs.
Okay tell ya what take 31 grand and you go see if you can buy better than a 426 hp v8 with independent suspension, 4 piston brembo brakes, a comfy interior, with a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty for less, cause thats what you get with the camaro. You can get close for a little less from ford, but the ford gets less hp and crap for gas mileage plus it doesn't look as good. The challenger gets over 70 less hp and it accelerates like crap because it has to much traction control and it cant be shut off. Then go see if you can buy a single import car with that much hp for that price and the only imports that come to mind cost a whole hell of a lot more.
4. Replace Plugs every 75,000 miles.
5. Replace Fuel Filter every 15,000 miles.
6. Do your tune up with plugs, wires, PCV, fuel filter, check/replace fluids, belts, thermostat.
7. Lube your chassis points every oil change.
8. Rotate your tires every 8K miles (Which allows you to spin your hubs and check for noise)
Your going to want to change the spark plugs every 75,000 miles or so anyways its an expendable part. And its not hard to do at all, your making it seem like swapping a plug requires years of experience
And a fuel filter? replacing fluids? belts? these are all expendable and finite parts yet again you speak as if for some reason a they would last significantly longer on a different car which yet again is incorrect. If you hate a car because you can't deal with basic maintenance pay for a bus pass
9. 95-03 3800 Owners replace upper intake manifold, and lower intake seals.
10. any 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.9L will need dexcool flushed and intake gaskets replaced.
11. 3.4L's are just about a guaranteed Head Gasket Job every 50K, so use the HD fel pro plastic/metal gaskets.
12. Fuel Pumps go out because most people don't change the fuel filter.
Almost everything you have mentioned here is typical maintenance that would be the same on all cars. Tire rotation? really? since when is that a big deal that’s pretty standard on all cars accept I rotate mine every 5000 on the goodyear plan.
Ive owned 3 3800 cars between 95 and 03 all well into their years and none have needed a lower intake seal or an intake manifold
As for the fuel pumps the pumps themselves rarely go out however the sensor is known to fail on many cars not just GM's
14. Transmission flush and filter at 75K miles.
15. 4T60/4T65E transmissions are only good for about 150K miles before they need to be rebuilt. Rebuild at first sign of slippage to reduce chance of further damage.
16. 4L60/4L65E transmissions are close to the same.
17. Eaton Superchargers need to be rebuilt just like turbos at 100K miles.
A transmission flush isn't intelligent to do over 100,000 miles on any car really. This is because flushing it could dislodge pieces of cracked seals and cause leaking. Yet again this is every car
The Eaton will last well over 100 if well taken care of. One of my friends GTP's is sitting at 350,000 miles and its supercharger has never even been touched much less rebuilt.
As for the transmission i believe their was a recall on the overdrive gear. That was the common issue with it. Gear slippage has never been a factor in any of my engines so i don't know where your getting it from
Also a transmission flush past 100,000 miles isn't something id recommend. By that point the gaskets will likely be a little cracked or dried out. A flush will first of all have clean fluid which is all well and good but its thinner than the fluid that was in it so it has a chance to leak. Plus the cracked and dried out gaskets may crack apart due to the flushing process and cause a leak
The key is to catch it in time. You've gotta watch fluid levels, you've gotta turn the radio off at least one day a week, and enjoy the sound of the engine and exhaust.
Listen to the car. Listen closely. It's talking to you. How will you respond?
Every car is like this not just a grand prix. A good car owner takes proper care of the vehicle.
I too had a lemon Pontiac. A 1998 Bonneville. What a total Piece of garbage.
It may have been a nice car, but this one was a rolling lemon. 4 Engines later, it was totalled out by a kid texting on his phone and rear ended me. Thanks alot A-hole.
I don't think there was a part on that car I didn't replace. It was good when I was done, but spent more than the car was worth to do it. The main issue with that car was the dealership F-ups. They "Only fix whats broke" destroyed 2 engines.
This is a very bad situation and it sucks that it has happened to you, but 1 bad car does not make up the entire lineup. Theres a hell of alot of them out there. Don't hate the whole lot for one bad one.
