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This Girl found a Real Gem :)

CSteen85

CSteen85

New member
Hi Everyone!

I just purchased a 1997 Grand Prix from a family who seemed to take really good care of it. I got a pretty good deal and I haven't even brought it home yet, but I already love it.

A little background: My first car ever was a 1996 Grand Am, which I gave to my brother when he got his license (and he totaled shortly thereafter :th_depressed:).

My '97 Grand Prix is BEAUTIFUL. It's a 3.8, V6 SE version and has an after-market JVC stereo and alloy wheels. It's the dark teal color, that I can't wait to buff and shine when I get some nice weather.

I am here because I am a FEMALE, but I desperately want to take care of this car. I will be driving it about 2 miles a day (yes, really) and then some casual weekend driving, so I'm hoping to get a good amount of time out of it.

I know the basics... oil changes, etc and even some vocabulary words, but I figure knowing a little about cars could never hurt a girl. I will be turning to you guys for as much help as I can get.

Anyway, I'm really glad to have found this site and to be a Pontiac owner (again!).

Thanks! :)
Christine
 


LOL, I just wanted to be upfront! I have been reading up on the DIC/HUD "How To," because I can't recall exactly, but I'm almost positive the DIC wasn't lit up when I test-drove it.

I'm wondering if that's because he installed an after-market stereo and maybe something got disconnected back there. I'm not really afraid to get in there and check things out, but I'd like a little support from these forums if at all possible :)

Anyway, I'm really glad to have found this site! I'm bringing my baby home tomorrow night (trip to the DMV for plates in the morning, ugh!) and I'll get to really play around with everything.

Yay! (Cause, I'm a girl, lol).
 
CSteen85 said:
LOL, I just wanted to be upfront!
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yes, of course.

as far as that problem, it could be cuz they effed somethin up puttin it in, but its probably more serious. keep readin up on any posts about it here, cuz ive seen a few people havin problems with those, sometimes with they tried to put one in aftermarket.
 
CSteen85 said:
LOL, I just wanted to be upfront! I have been reading up on the DIC/HUD "How To," because I can't recall exactly, but I'm almost positive the DIC wasn't lit up when I test-drove it.

I'm wondering if that's because he installed an after-market stereo and maybe something got disconnected back there. I'm not really afraid to get in there and check things out, but I'd like a little support from these forums if at all possible :)

Anyway, I'm really glad to have found this site! I'm bringing my baby home tomorrow night (trip to the DMV for plates in the morning, ugh!) and I'll get to really play around with everything.

Yay! (Cause, I'm a girl, lol).
Click to expand...

Welcome

Ya GPs fight any HU replacement every step of the way, it very well could be the reason your DIC isn’t working.
 


imdaman3 said:
welcome , but if i recall correctly grand prix se didnt come with the hud????
Click to expand...

You might be right and that's totally fine. I was just curious :)

I'd like to get whatever is supposed to be working... working.

I do believe though, that my DIC is dark, when it shouldn't be.
 


Re: This Girl found a Real Gem :) **Now w/ Pics!**

Here are those pics I promised you!

2ut14si.jpg


rclk44.jpg


2yypmjd.jpg


Obviously, there is a lot to do here.

I haven't even gotten the chance to clean it up. First thing I'm going to do this Saturday is take it for an oil change and to top off all the fluids.

As far as visual modifications, I have a few ideas in mind... BUT... I only spent $1500 on this car. If there is something I want to do to it to improve aesthetics, I will either learn how to do it myself or it simply won't get done. I don't want to hire anyone to do it for me. That said, these are the projects I've thought of so far:

1) Thorough interior/extrerior detailing. I will clean it all myself in my driveway. There are some minor surface scratches I'd like to get out, but I think I'll need a buffer for that. I'll try to google how to do it and I'll try to find someone who has one I can borrow.

2) It's funny, everyone seems to complain about the front bumper on this car, but I actually kind of like it. It makes it look a little more muscle-like to me. I have a bigger problem with the rear bumper to be honest. There are some paint cracks back there on the driver's side. I plan to either replace the entire rear bumper (if I can figure out how to do it) or just repaint the one that's on there.

3) Get the moisture out of the tail lights. THAT bugs me. I'm going to try to take them off and use a hairdryer, then seal them back up if I can find a tutorial on how to do that.

Overall, I love this car. If I can figure out inexpensive ways to improve its appearance, I'll do it. All it'll cost me is time and I've got some of that on the weekends :)

Thanks for looking! I'd love any input :)

-Christine
 


2) Two 10 mm bolts in the rear wheel well through the small plastic opening in the plastic piece and the three small screws in there as well and two on the bottom. Then theres 3/4 push pins when you open the trunk on the top of the bumper.

After all thats out, it should slide backwards.

3)Might just have to get new tails, one of the few "guarenteed to work" solutions.
 
i would ether live with the tails or buy new b/c the puddle it left when i tried to seal it basicly said not gonna work, and it didn't lol
 
imdaman3 said:
nice a girl that wants to get her handz dirty:th_thumbsup-wink:
Click to expand...

I'm actually excited for it! I figure with these projects, I can't screw it up TOO bad and I'll be so proud of myself once it's all done. Of course, I'll be looking for tons of support from here :)

matt5112 said:
2) Two 10 mm bolts in the rear wheel well through the small plastic opening in the plastic piece and the three small screws in there as well and two on the bottom. Then theres 3/4 push pins when you open the trunk on the top of the bumper.

After all thats out, it should slide backwards.

3)Might just have to get new tails, one of the few "guarenteed to work" solutions.
Click to expand...

Ah, thank you for the helpful information!

As far as replacing the bumper, should I look for a replacement at a junkyard (I don't even know where one is)? Does it have to be off of a '97 GP? Or can it be a newer model that I like the rear of (Heyooo!)? Will the holes line up for where I'd be replacing the bumper?

And the tails... you really think there's no way I can get that moisture out? It seems to only be in the passenger side tail, so it wouldn't be too much work to try to dry it out and reseal it, I hope.

If you strongly suggest new tails, can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks a lot!
-Christine
 
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