Soon To Be Proud Owner of 04 Grand Prix GTP CompG

Last edited by BigEd88 on Fri Apr 20, 2007 4:29 pm; edited 1 time in total

Recently was shopping for vehicles, looked around for biggest performance for my buck, but still maintaining that it would suitable as a daily driver and be able to handle the Buffalo snow (and since I commute on the 400, stability control in the winter is helpful). Used vehicles from the early 90's and 80's with big engines came to mind, but since I rely on a commute, I wanted something reliable.

Up to this point I had been "borrowing" my fathers 98 Deville, very nice ride, the Northstar V8 with some Solo Storm mufflers (plug: installed by Mufflerman on Kenmore ave) really sings and gets up to speed pretty good, once beat a Cobalt SS at a stop light drag...story for another time Razz

Anyway more on topic. I wanted a car with similar or better performance than what my Northstar loving right foot was used too.

Test drove a few vehicles, including a CTS which I couldn't afford. Then kept seeing the Pontiac solstice everywhere, a buddy of mine has a 39 (or 40) Pontiac hot rod, so I figured I'd see what they offered.

Well going threw my room and looking at old brochures and posters, I came across one mentioning the "All new grand prix for 2004". Liked what I saw, looked up on autotrader for GTP models, came across a black GTP with the competition package, heads up and tap shifter are pretty cool:

Should be taking delivery of this black beauty in the next couple of weeks (it will be washed, waxed, all scratches taken care off before I get the keys) Smile

I have been a pretty good contributer of knowledge at http://www.caddyinfo.com while I learned to wrench on the VERY tight quarters of a 32 valve V8 engine bay. I have the helm service manuals for the Deville, will probibly be getting them for this Grand Prix as I do enjoy working on cars, and heck, I'm sure I'll be looking into aftermarket as my saving account grows Smile

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Best Formula N-A 12.1 @ 110 (pre-engine swap)

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:46 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the forum Ed!
Nice choice in vehicle. Our club Pres has the same car (modded of course).

Check around this forum under the track section and club events to see when we get together.

Feel free to ask away as far as modifications go. We have a pretty diverse group and some good experience.
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Good Bye.
BHO sucks.

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:34 pm Post subject:

Welcome. Congrats on the new car!

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:59 pm Post subject:

Welcome! I think you'll love the car (unbiased of course)! Very Happy

I hear the alternator replacement is fun on the N*... (lol@BlueBastard)
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2018 Acadia
Retired: 2014 ATS, 2004 GTP

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:13 am Post subject:

I've never seen one that doesn't have a black interior.

I drove Brian's. It was nice. Very comfortable for my wide American ass.

FWIW, Leave the car 'stock' or 'lightly modded' and it'll last forever and still be faster than 85-90% of cars around you.
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Hi, I'm Matt.

I'm the resident smartass and I have fourblack children: (ok, one's only half black..)
07.5 2500HD, Duramax, Edge Race Evo CTS, MBRP 5" Stainless, TransGo, Sleeves, EGR!, PCV
09 VRSCDX - Night Rod. Flat black, gloss black
02 Black Z06. All work done by New Era Perforamnce. 519/497 at the rear, 3100 lbs.
05 Arctic Cat Firecat F7 - Sold
07 Arctic Cat F8 Sno Pro - Smashed into 1000 orange pieces.

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:12 pm Post subject:

congrats man, looks good

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 2:03 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the greetings, in my search around for Grand Prixs this one did stick out not only because it was a GTP but because it wasn't the same interior that I had seen over and over.

Yea the alternator on the northstar can be a real pain in the ass to change...but its "designed to last the life of the engine" so along with the starter thats under the intake manifold, I should never have to change those Razz

Should is key word, and pain in the ass in dropping the engine.

As with any vehicle, normal maintenance is key.

As far as mods go, I'm going to hold myself back till next year probibly when my insurance rate will go down, last thing I need is a ticket to make the already pretty high insurance higher. From the test drives that I have done, it certainly will easily spin the tires and cruise control is going to be important because it easily creeps up in speed.

I hope to be part of some "Might Taco" meets that I've heard some info about.

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 4:28 pm Post subject:

I should also mention I've read in magazines alot of about GM actually having performance parts, so I'll have to look threw their catalog for some goodies Smile

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject:

Two great resources:
http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tt.asp?appid=35
http://www.paceparts.com

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:24 pm Post subject:

On more question to all who are familier with this particular year and vehicle.

What are some of things I should look out for? Such as common engine problems and other accessories before i take delivery of this vehicle Smile

Much easier to get the dealer to fix stuff before you drive it off the lot Razz

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 4:18 pm Post subject:

Is it 'new' or 'new to you'?
Search the above clubgp forum for 'tsb'...there's a list somewhere.
Off the top of my head...

-some have leaks from the On* antenna
-rear brake line recall (other listings are tsbs)
-pcm update for shifting/surging after cold-start
-radio replacement for leap-year
-shaky headlamps

I think those were the major ones people ran into...

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:39 am Post subject:

new to me, just under 35,000 miles, so still somewhat new to all Smile

I'll look into the radio problem, I guess a way to test that is to try and set it to a leap year date.

First car wash (I usually use the Mobil touch free washes that have that sprayer that moves around your vehicle) will probibly show any leaks.

I did read in its GM service history that the only thing it was in for service (for warranty/gm dealer) was a rear brake line recall.

I'll ask about the others I see in the search.

Thanks again.

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:13 pm Post subject:

Hiyas and welcome. Look forward to meeting ya.

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:18 pm Post subject:

I shouldn't have said soon....

In any event I'll, unless another paperwork, or father slow with getting information together, event happens, have my GTP keys by this coming weekend (shooting for Thursday if all my needed papers come in the mail).

So I'll be looking into events to attend and will hopefully be getting in touch with some of the buffalo are members, heck taking a drive on the 90 to Rochester isn't bad either. I'll be out the Oswego way at some point too.

Also any of you familiar with these products:
http://www.gtechpro.com/prod.html
or
http://www.race-technology.com/whats_in_the_box_10_1564.html

I ask because they look to be a toy any car guy would like to have Smile

Even if it were just for some parking lot fun, a lot to invest in though.

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject:

My stance:

There are Tracks AND Dyno Shops in both Buffalo and Rochester.

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