They retained the 105A CS130 for the '96 models (last year of this body).
96 Chevrolet Celebrity. Opinions?
- Thread starter otis24
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The 04-05 Chevy Classic is the older Malibu 97-03 but with the 2.2L Ecotec. Officially, GM didn't use the Malibu name on it, but many of them will be listed as Malibu Classic. Here is a nice (Malibu) Classic that might be close enough 
Had 2 Cutlass Supreme's w the 3.1l and they were great cars. 235k miles on the last one and is still around town. About 30mpg's on hwy w that motor. No alternator issues w these. Had a 97 Grand AM w the 3.1l and it ate alternators all the time.
I'd buy it as long as she isn't rusted out.
I'd buy it as long as she isn't rusted out.
Biggest concern would be the Dexcool and lower intake manifold issue with the 3100/3400 V6 engines. 96 was the first year most GM vehicles got Dexcool and they didn't revise the gaskets for the new coolant until 02-03. Check to see if that has been done or the coolant converted from Dexcool. Other than that the 3100 was a generally reliable engine, I've seen plenty of them over 200k.
The 3.1 motor was good and so was the TH125 (I think) transmission. I'm a huge GM fan, though.
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- Feb 5, 2023
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I had a 96 Oldsmobile Ceira 3.1. The transmission was going out a 114k miles when we traded it off. The alternator had to be replaced around 110k miles. It has constant issues with various sensors failing. The ABS never was calibrated correctly. The interior was brittle (the dash would vibrate had speeds over 55, the interior door handles for both front doors connection to the latch broke, the auto door lock button pushed through when pressed the one time, the cupholder broke, the connection for the plastic link stopping the glove compartment from flopping down broke, The bolt holding the transmission shifter in place kept trying to pop out, the gas gauge would dramatically move forward or backwards depending on acceleration or deceleration causing it to flop over a couple times during acceleration with a full tank).
The Buick may be sold. Waiting for an answer tomorrow. Second in the lineup is a 1990 Cavalier, 2.2 engine, 140k miles. Looks really clean.
Needs hoses for sure
IIRC they changed from the 3.1 to the 3100 in 1996 fleetwide. It was a higher performance motor of the same displacement so they could have changed the alternators as well. You're going to have a new harness for the OBD-II stuff so why not go with the "corporate" alternator as well?
That 3100 was the first to really blow intake gaskets, but a car this old has probably had them done and done correctly by now.
I had a couple Cutlass Cieras, biggest complaint is the loose & squeaky unibody. I hit a pothole and cracked my (structural) windshield. Good news was it was only $130 to fix in "long ago" money.
Somebody else was supposed to come purchase the Buick this morning for $1500. Fortunately they didn’t show up. It has 109k miles, not 140k. Runs and drives great! Clean vehicle although it does have some body rust. The guy has owned it for 10 years. It was a second car for the family and a kid’s school car. It will make a great vehicle for my son. Will put new iridium plugs in it, pcv valve, and run some Cataclean through it. He stated that he was getting a catalytic efficiency code. He put new O2 sensors in it and a new battery. Code didn’t come back…yet. Car hasn’t been driven the past 2-3 years.
Owner stated that he did the intake gaskets when he purchased the vehicle .
Is a spark plug anti fouler the same as an oxygen sensor extender? And does it install in the O2 port?
Take a look at the coolant reservoir. If it’s murky, plan on overheating issues. The 3100 was well known for head gasket failures and for numerous other cooling related issues. My parents had two back in the 90s. They made it to about 80K before giving major issues. Pretty good for those days.
I'd skip the iridiums and just use AC Delco coppers in it. They always ran best in my 3.1l and the motor is easy to change the plugs on, so every 30k isn't bad. I'd also siphon and refill the trans with Maxlife, works well in these older GMs.
Nice score on the car, hopefully your kid enjoys it. My son was not easy on his Cutlas Supreme and the motor/trans never missed a beat.
Yes
He couldn’t be happier. It’s old enough in his eyes to be a classic and still be a daily driver. The only problem with that is he will spend money trying to fix up every little rust spot rather than just enjoying it as a reliable daily driver. That’s his ADHD at work . But I get it. I was probably the same way when I was his age.
