1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 3.8

Summary:

American power at 1/2 the price

Faults:

Door panel became loose, dash squeak, leather wore out on drivers side prematurely, OEM tires (Michelen) were outright dangerous, front discs completely shot at 40,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car hauls serious Butt, I have a K&N cone intake and Flowmasters that give it a few more ponies, The warm up time for the supercharger is long in cold weather and the same goes for the suspension. The best part of owning this car is leaving the BMW s and the MB s in your rear view mirror. Power off the line is instantaneous, bye, bye euro turbo s.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th February, 2004

20th Oct 2005, 16:43

I am the original poster for this 97 GTP. Although it never lost its ability to accelerate like its rear end was on fire, several issues popped up in the next year and a half. The alternator went south requiring a tow, the headlight lens fell off, the display lights were acting funky, the belt tensioner and several pulleys needed replacement, and the killer problem that make me get rid of it.. the supercharger bearings were screaming and needed to be rebuilt. Bad things were happening too frequently to hang on. Traded it for a 4X4.

14th Oct 2006, 19:28

Question, I just got a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, and at the moment it is in good condition. What I am wondering is after reading all the comments is about what mileage did all problems start occuring?

5th Jul 2007, 11:34

To answer your question. Except for the brakes and headlight problem, the car ran well up to 55-60,000 miles.

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT California Edition 3.8 V6

Summary:

Excellent car, quiet ride, good sound system

Faults:

Well, at 121000 miles the radiator cracked, cost 800$ to get fixed.

At 123000 miles the water pump went out, it was my fault tho.

At 125000 miles I had to replace a little plastic elbow tubing that went from the block to the water pump, part was only 10$ but still was a nuisance.

At 130000 miles I had to replace the power steering pressure hose, it didn't cost much just was hell getting it back in there.

Although all this has gone wrong the car has never left me stranded on the side of the road, it is a extremely reliable car (engine IS made by Suzuki), that I will love and swear by until my death, if you are thinking about getting one, you will not be disappointed it is a great car (to me).

General Comments:

This car is nothing short of perfect, it has been reliable, fun, and has quite possibly the most attractive American styling I have ever seen. It also has great pick up, those kids in their Honda Civics try to race me all the time, of course I always win. with 200hp and 230lbs of torque this car is a great competitor. The handling is great, there isn't much body roll to it, and it hardly leans. But mine is the California Edition so it has 5 more horses and it has sports tuned suspension which make even more fun than the GTP. The only thing the GTp has on me is more hp.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th February, 2004

8th Feb 2009, 22:54

I'm not entirely sure I know what you mean by Suzuki making the 3.8L V6, it's simply from the same family as the 3.1L and the 3.4L. The 3800 is a great engine, it's very reliable and powerful. Any other American car manufacturer couldn't get the same power, look at Ford's 3.8 in the Taurus and Mustang, you'll see that the stroke and bore are almost identical to the GM 3.8L.

I do think that the first commenter maybe misinformed. Besides, Yamaha made the SHO motors.

Suzuki actually helped Mazda make the KL line of V6s.

9th Feb 2009, 16:15

Yeah this review has flawed info. the NA 3800 has 205hp and it is not limited to a Californa edition ponitac. A couple years did have 200hp but not the early Series II 3800. Also the 3800 is actually a Buick engine. And the GT version of the Grand Prix has the supercharged 3800 and it has bit more horsepower and torque. 240/280 for some of the older supercharged 3800's and 260/280 for the newer ones. Also the 3.1 and 3.4 engines are based of of the 3800 not the other way around.

3rd Apr 2009, 22:38

One more correction; the 3800 V6 is indeed a Buick engine, but however the 3.1 and 3.4 V6's were originally designed by AMC motors when it was a 2.8 liter... GM bought the rights to this engine. The 3800 has been around since the 60's and it is a 90 degree angled V6 originating from a V8 with 2 cylinders chopped off... The 3.1 and 3.4 are 60 degree engines. The 3800 has been known for bulletproof reliability along with good fuel economy.