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Proud new owner of 2005 GP

J

jwitt

New member
It's my 3rd Pontiac since age 16- 95 Grand Am, 95 Grand Prix, and now the 2005 base model. Got her for $4500 with 108,000 miles from a regional hardware rep, so it's majority highway. Nasty ding in the back bumper, but everything else is really nice.

I came here because I'll have quite a few questions over the next few months- stuff like common problems, maintenance tasks, best aftermarket stuff to buy, etc.

Immediate plans-

Light tint all around (it's finally legal in IL)
Stereo (badly needed) ... 2 DIN with bluetooth support and HD radio built in and replacement speakers
Preventative maintenance, to be figured out once I go to the garage the last owner used and see what the schedule is. I imagine a transmission fluid change is due at the least, maybe radiator flush etc.

Thinking of a hot air intake as well.


I'm sure I can make this car last for a long time, but I'd like to see my income increase a bit so I can score a low mileage 08 in 3-4 years. I would seriously consider keeping both cars. Kinda like buying two of a really good ball cap design. Once Pontiacs dry up on the used market, I have no clue what I'd drive. None of the other American lines do it for me. I might end up with a Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, etc. OR perhaps a 2008 GP for the next 40 years.


Any common knowledge, warnings, etc on the 05 would be appreciated!

~joe
 
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That's a pretty good score you got on that, I'm sure you'll love it and find a million things to do to it. Besides your basic maintenance, like oil/belts/filters etc... you should be pretty solid with that car. Pretty sure 05+ came with metal intake gaskets so you're set on that. My dads 05 just crossed the 360,000mi mark on all original motor/trans with the exception of a bad water pump lol. Welcome to the forums!
 
360,000!!!

My 95 Grand Am made it to 234,000. On one hand, I was a teenager and had lots of fun driving, but on the other hand I was a teenager and had plenty of time, so I took extremely good care of it. I let my maintenance practices slip with the 95 GP because I wasn't terribly in love with the car. Once it started showing trouble signs I just nursed it along until I could get a newer one. So, rekindling my love for obsessive auto maintenance, plus being a mellow 30-something, I ought to be able to make this one last for a long time.

The last two generations of GPs, in particular, are really great cars IMO. Awesome styling and good design. Always loved seeing 'em on the road, and owning one..."yep I made it to the good life."
 
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