2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

[Robster]

My son just bought one of these with @85,000 on the clock, from a local dealer. The interior looks new, has leather, all the bells / whistles. Engine bay looks clean enough to eat off of, new tires, everything works and it rides / runs like a new car--no rattles.

Is anyone aware of any "gotchas" for this year / model. It has the 3.8 v6 engine. I'm hoping it'll last him for awhile. . . .

 

[bourne]

keep an eye out for gasket leaks, other than that , pretty reliable from what ive heard/seen.

ohhh and get the stabilizer links checked asap and keep a regular eye on those. Known problem with GM vehicles based on that platform. We do at least one set in a week on buick/pontiac cars.

 

[rshaw125]

Is this the supercharged version?

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
Is this the supercharged version?



He said a GT so that would indicate the regular 3800. The GTP got the supercharged version.

 

[Robster]

Nope. . .no super-charger. Thanks for the heads-up on the stabilizer links and gaskets. If either of those repairs are made, how much could he expect to pay for them?--I want him to bank some money for emergency / repairs.

 

[rshaw125]

Series II or series III? I think the gasket issue may have been solved by 2004.
I have a 3.8 series III in a Buick. The first thing I did was flush the Death-cool (Dexcool). It was a low mileage car but the coolant was the worst I have ever seen. I replaced it with Peak Global Lifetime. I had to get it from NAPA.
Second job I did was change the transmission fluid. Dexron VI.

 

[Spazdog]

I think 2003 was the last year for the car-fire prone Grands Prix.

2004 should be fine. Solid cars.

 

[jorton]

Awsome car! With 85,000 miles you should get him a Used Oil Analysis to check oil for coolant contamination. Contaminated oil will gradually ruin main and rod bearings and your son won't realize it untill it's too late. I think you can pick up a test kit at NAPA, or use a site sponsor "Blackstone".

 

[dwcopple]

steering wheel WILL clunk when making a left turn. It is an intermediate shaft fiasco that should've been a recall.

 

[volk06]

Make sure the the transmission shifts smooth from 1-2. Also make sure the steering doesn't wander or that there isn't any shaking or vibrations in the steering wheel.

 

[morris]

what a great find!!

 

[Robster]

Thanks for all the replies everyone--I really appreciate the insights!

So far, no issues with shifting, steering or anything else. The last few days the temps have been much higher than normal and the cooling / A/C systems are getting a workout without any issues.

The car was delivered with a fresh oil change (assuming bulk dino) and I told my son to use the OLM for oil changes. I might change him to syn high-mileage at 5000 to be on the safe side until we get to know the car better.

The only thing that doesn't work is the heads-up display, but I found a website that details how to fix it--I might tackle that in a couple weeks. . .it's a simple fix, but time consuming to get to.

Thanks again.

--Rob

 

[addyguy]

My buddy had a 2001 GTP he bought from his dad. He drove it for about 5 years, and to about 170k miles total. Had very few problems with it, it was a nice solid car the whole time.

 

[bourne]

I recommend Valvoline Maxlife for the 3800 series engine. We have a few customers with the same engine on Maxlife and the engines look spotless through the filler hole.

Links you are looking at between 100~150 at a name brand shop like firestone/goodyear/midas and so on. Cheaper if you get the parts yourself and get a mechanic to do it. Inspect the actual bar as well, in certain worse case scenarios we have had to replace the bar as well. Carquest blue line suspension parts are usually made by raybestos and are very good quality for the price.

Gaskets , that depends on which one. Headgasket you are looking at $1000+ , manifold/valve cover will be considerably less expensive.

Also whenever you are under the hood, check both the upper and lower radiator hoses for wear. Another part we replace often.

 

[bourne]

also at this mileage , strongly recommend you tackle all the major fluid exchange whenever you get a chance. Namely coolant/brake/transmission flush. P/s flush using a turkey baster works great and will save him/you money

. Plugs/wires should be due around 100k as well.

 

[sciphi]

Does it have a black plastic or aluminum upper intake manifold? The black plastic indicates it's a 3800 Series II with the attendant gasket issues (lower intake manifold/upper intake manifold/valve cover). The aluminum upper indicates a 3800 Series III without the gasket issues.

They're solid cars besides that. By 2004 GM had largely ironed out the bugs with the W-body platform, the 3800 V6, and the 4T65 transmission.

 

[rshaw125]

In my 3.8 series III I run Pennzoil Conventional and a NAPA silver filter.

 

[ls1mike]

Do not flush the transmission, do a fluid swap or a couple of pan drop and fills.
I have had 3 supercharged 3800's and 1 N/A 3800 by 04 you should be good to go on most of the older problems. 04 should have all the 4T65E updates that I did to my current Buick.

 

[Robster]

Thanks guys. . .I won't see the car again until next weekend, but I'll check on what you suggested then. I know the engine oil is currently new, but I'll have to check the condition of the other fluids next time I can get my hands on it.

Do you guys think it'll have the newer (better) manifold gaskets (on this year / model)?

 

[MarkM66]

What GM vehicles came with the 3800, post revised intake gasket?