1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 3.8L supercharged

General Comments:

Bought this car as my first car in Ontario (talk about 450 insurance a month, under 25 years of age) with 180k (now at 270k). It cost me $2000, it was broken down but still could run (drove it home).

When I originally got it, the car had a blown intake gasket (was told it was the head gasket because lots of oil was being shot into the coolant rev, but no coolant in the oil?), blown valve cover gaskets (front and back were leaking), plastic coolant elbow was leaking, radiator hoses were deteriorating (upper and lower), water pump was leaking, blower coupler, etc. The car was left for dead.

Started fixing her up with a friend; new spark plugs and wires, transmission oil, supercharger coupler, oil and gasket, engine oil and filter, valve cover gaskets, intake gasket, water pump. Spent around 500 for all of it by doing the work.

After all that, the car ran like new. For a coupe it has a very roomy interior. I got 23 MPG city and 30 MPG on the highway out of it on 91 octane. The car came with the usual stuff - leather, sunroof, Bose, HUD, etc. It came with special edition Pontiac racing floor mats. Haven't had any problems yet after around 100k of driving.

It is pretty damn fast for a 99, with just an intake and down pipe, and has beaten many brand new cars that would cost me 10-20x more. I'm going to run this car for another year or two, it still has original brake lines, which I haven't bothered to do (15 year old car LOL). For the price I can't complain. I would recommend Pontiacs only to people who know how to service and work on them.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th February, 2013

1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 4D 3.8

Summary:

Damn good!

Faults:

Rack and pinion started leaking around 170,000 miles. Since it was going to be so expensive, I did the math, and it was more economical to just keep buying power steering fluid. Since it was stop-leak, the leaks became less and less frequent.

Right around the 180,000 mark, random acceleration started to happen when going up hills. Throttle body? I don't know, but I wasn't about to worry about that.

Emissions was a constant problem. My Check Engine Light was on more often than not.

Right around 194,000 miles, the whole heating and cooling system, went out one by one. It all started when the intake manifold started leaking coolant. Once that was replaced (for $60 :D), then the water pump failed, the thermostat (which I was gonna replace anyway), the radiator hose ripped, and last but not least: THE RADIATOR!!!

After I replaced all that stuff, I noticed that now the engine was giving me bad vibes (leaks, and SE light start blinking while stalling out.) So I said the hell with it and traded it in.

General Comments:

Damn good vehicle! 4.5 years out of it, and most of the problems came in the tail end of ownership.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th October, 2011

1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 3.8

Summary:

The GTP coupe is the perfect blend of sport and style

Faults:

For months it's had an intermittent problem with the idle; it will sometimes not stay at idle (dies). It always seems to do it when my wife drives it...

General Comments:

In 2004 I was looking for a replacement for my worn out 92 Mustang GT. I wanted something fast, but with some style and more room than the Mustang offered. After much research, I bought a 99 GTP coupe with 70k miles.

I love this car! In my opinion, it has the perfect combination of sport and classy styling.

It is fast, and fun to watch the "boost" meter when I get on it. Plus, it's comforting to know that I can pass quickly when needed.

The Bose sound system is the best factory system I've heard.

It now has 165k miles and some issues, but I can't let go of it! I have looked all over, and have not found another vehicle for the money that looks and performs like my 12 year old GTP! I just wish that GM made GTP coupes beyond 2002.

Have replaced all belts, hoses, AC compressor, water pump, supercharger idler pulley, tuneup. Oil changes every 3k miles.

I've owned cars in the past where a breakdown is cause for cursing the car. With my GTP, I treat it like a sick child and get it fixed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th February, 2011