Ask the Car People.SM


Pontiac Grand Prix - 2000-2005

4457 messages,  Last post on Jul 28, 2011 at 9:56 PM

You are in the Pontiac Grand Prix Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Prix, Sedan

    

Messages Page 9 of 446

#79 of 4457 New to this web site by ms13

Jul 01, 2000 (3:39 am)

I am new to this web site. I wish I would have checked it out before we bought our 1998 grand prix se. we bought is used with 21,000 miles on it. Nice shape, no accidents and even smells new. Now it has 29,500 miles on it and we have had it in the shop too many times to count. Every thing from a blown speaker to a tork converter problem. So far it has all been covered under warranty. A big reliability issue. However, when it is not in the shop, I love to drive it.


There is still one thing the dealer(s) have not been able to correct. When driving and slowing down to turn or stop, at about 17mph we hear a sucking/winning noise. It is very annoying.


We have even contacted Pontiac direct about all the problems we have had. They have blown us off since day one. And even suggested we contact the attorney generals office.


Any one have/had a similar problem? Suggestions? How do we get them to buy the car back?


 sps

#80 of 4457 Re: New to this web site by carrjar

Jul 01, 2000 (3:34 pm)

Where did you buy the car? How do you know the previous owner did not abuse the car, or kept the damage hidden from you. I am thinking specifically of water damage.

#81 of 4457 Advice on cleaning behind 3rd taillight? by arun3

Jul 01, 2000 (11:17 pm)

Hi, Just got my windows tinted (finally) on my 2000 GP. Good job overall, but...If the sun is out you can see a couple vertical streaks on the rear windshield, behind the 3rd taillamp. (I did not ask them to remove the assembly because I presumed on this car it would be fairly complicated). Now I kinda wish I had. Anyway the streaks look like the result of water dripping and drying on the glass.


What's the best way to clean this? Any "non-invasive" ideas to clean that area without removing the taillight assembly? If not, can I as a non-mechanic remove the assembly myself? How? I could not find anything about this in the manual except for changing the bulb.


Thanks.

#82 of 4457 RE: Carrjar by ms13

Jul 05, 2000 (1:48 am)

Did we know the previous owner? no. How do we know the previous owner did not abuse it? We Don't. The previous owner was a lady going through a divorce. We did see the records from the dealership because it is the same dealership we take it to. The day we purchase the car she went out and leased a Grand Am, if that means anything.


What do you mean by water damage? Here is a list of the items we have had fixed:


Oil leak twice
rear shock
radio speaker
transmission leak from the tork converter
fan replaced
transmission oil leak from line
front end alignment
front end cluck (different from alignment)
Winning noise at 17mph decel
Battery replace


This list may not seem very long, but we have had it in many times for the same things. We have had it in five times for the winning noise and the last time they said it was gear noise. I don't believe it. One person who knows car pretty well thought it might be the tork converter. Since the noise only comes after it is warm. My concern is that every time we take it in that they may have cause other problems with it. Some dealerships are hard to trust. If we can fix this last winning/sucking noise we might keep the car since everything is fixed, now.


sps (new to this web site)

#83 of 4457 RE: Carrjar by carrjar

Jul 05, 2000 (11:46 pm)

From the Sound of things, I though it may have been in a flood, random electrical problems, and leaks from items "low" on the car are often the result of water.


Have they changed the trans fluid. Maybe dirt or water got into the transmission and might be causing the odd noises.

#84 of 4457 re: carrjar by ms13

Jul 06, 2000 (10:34 pm)

Yes they did. Because there was a transmission leak they could not find until the car would only shift from 3rd gear. They told us the tork converter had a leak with the seal and lost fluid. However, the noise was there just before this happened - then went away after they replaced the seal - then came back.


One person, who is familiar with cars because he works for GM, thought the noise was coming from the tork converter. He suggested this even before I told him about have the seal replaced.


Somehow I am convinced the dealership does know what the problem is and they do not want to put the man hours in. Then again, it is still under warranty and they would get paid.


The noise only happens when the car is warm - for example when we get off the highway.


sps

#85 of 4457 ms13 by ms13

Jul 08, 2000 (3:15 am)

I just realized I spelled torque - tork. Yes, I am an educated idiot.

#86 of 4457 GP - GTP input by electricblue

Jul 08, 2000 (5:23 am)

Hi everyone!! I'm new here. I currently own a '98 Dodge Avenger. I bought it new - at 21K miles, my trans went. Now, I am an unhappy Avenger owner with an under-powered car waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am weighing 2 cars. Next Feb-March, I'm either going to buy a GP GTP or Bonneville SSEi. I can't decide. I'm 31, I don't want an old persons car just yet, (lol) but, I have to say the Bonneville sure is looking sporty these days. I like a stiff riding car, so possibly the Bonneville is out, but I do want a reliable car if I'm going to pay 30K for it. I've also THOUGHT about the Indy 500 replica, but, the decals seem so "cheesy". I just like the ram-air scoops on the front and the rear spoiler is different than that of the regular GTP. So, I'm just checking with everyone as to reliablity issues, handling, etc. I'd appreciate any input. I will be buying a 2001, so I'm anxious to see what info comes out on those when available. Thank you! Any input will be of great help. (I've also been considering a Trans-Am.....don't bother?)

#87 of 4457 electricblue- go with the trans am! by tsjay

Jul 08, 2000 (1:18 pm)

Electricblue:


Brother, if you have the bucks, go with the T/A. Those things are awesome!!!!!


I love my 2000 Grand Prix GT, but it's not in the same league with the T/A. If you can afford the initial investment, don't mind buying premium gas (would also be true for the other cars you mentioned, though, come to think of it), and don't mind spending about $300.00 a piece on tires that only last 25-30K miles, then definitely go with the T/A.


And, be sure to get the 6-speed manual, of course.


Black would be totally awesome, like the one in the comercial that eats the car in front of it at the stoplight.


Oh well, let us know what you end up with.


Like I said, I love my GP GT, but I didn't get the GTP because of its requirement for premium gas. I sort of wish I had, though. Premium is usually only 20 cents per gallon higher than regular, and as high as the gas prices are now, what's another 20 cents per gallon gonna matter?


tsjay

#88 of 4457 tsjay by electricblue

Jul 09, 2000 (8:29 pm)

tsjay, thank you for the input!! (by the way, I'm a female...lol, but that's ok!!) I've really been struggling with this T/A issue, because they are so nice looking and sound fantastic. I don't really mind the gas issue, so, I just may end up going with that. Thanks again for your input!! Oh and by the way, how do the GTP's sound? I haven't test drove one yet. Call me crazy, but, I have a "thing" for the deep rumble of a powerful car!!

Messages Page 9 of 446

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement