4th May 2008, 22:17

My name is Dexter and I am going to buy a used 2001 Grand Prix GT. Can you tell me if I should keep my money, since I am hearing all this negative feedback on this model car?

5th May 2008, 19:26

I would go else where with your money. If you're looking for something in that size and performance area, I would perhaps find something like an Altima or even a Maxima, or if you don't like the imports, something like a Taurus/Fusion with the 24valve Duratech engine or if you can find an Intrepid ES or R/T with the 3.5liter/the newer Charger. All of these should be somewhat comparable as the GT is only rated at 200hp. Im not sure what you are spending, but any of these are better in terms of overall quality and reliability. I had a 2001 Grand Prix GT for a little less than a year. It was very fun to drive, but way too many issues at low mileage. We traded it for a Taurus SES Sport with the duratech and it does 0-60 in about 8 sec, which was pretty close to our GT. Never had a problem with it. I also own a 2002 Altima and it totally beats the GT in every aspect. Anyways, that's just my two cents. Enjoy what ever car you end up with!

6th May 2008, 18:34

I am the original owner of a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT (purchased in June of 1999)...and currently at 160,000 miles. With almost 9 years of ownership of my GP, I have been experiencing a major oil leak that is hard to pinpoint and fix.

I originally noticed this oil leak back in January of 2007...I finally ponied up $1,200.00 to have this fixed in August of 2007. I was thinking my mechanic had diagnosed that area that was leaking... might as well bite the bullet as I want to reach 200k miles on this GP. It worked until a week later and it started leaking again.

I took it back to my mechanic and he advised that the area he looked at and had the parts replaced was not the problem. The oil leak was now coming from a different area. My mechanic advised it would be another costly repair as he would have to remove the engine in order to get to the leak. I said no...

I am at the point where I need to take my car for an oil change every 2k miles... if I wait for every 3k miles, there will be no oil left due to the leak.

Besides the leak... I have seen that during a major rainstorm (I reside in CA), water will leak on the floor of the front passenger seat... it does not rain too often, so I am not going to spend more money to fix that problem. I have also noticed that the window motors seem to break down more that one would reasonably expect... in my 9 years of owning my GP, I have replaced the motors on all 4 windows at least TWICE... and that is more that $600.00 per window if you take it to a GM dealership, which I did. You do the math...

Also, for about the past year, I have noticed that my key will get stuck in the ignition when I arrive at my destination and try to turn off the engine. I have to continually try to play with the key to remove it (only happens in the cold weather, usually in the morning). There was a time where my shift lever would be stuck and I would not be able to change it from Park to Drive... also noticed that would happen in the cold weather... has not been happenning lately though.

Other than that, I guess I have been fortunate that I have not had any transmission problems or gas leaks. At this point I am not going to fix any of the problems I mentioned... I will still 'maintain' the GP, i.e., oil changes, brakes, etc. until my GP eventually gives out...which I hope will be another 30k to 40k miles (I can wish, can't I?).

Anybody interested in a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT... still under the original owner...? ;>

11th Sep 2009, 13:56

Own a 2003 SE. It's now got 80K on it with no big issues except a squealing belt. Kept all the maintenance, put on new brakes, water pump and struts. That's about it. I did change the trans fluid and filter at 50K. No problems with the trans. Plan to give this car to my 16 year old daughter. It's been a great car

12th Jan 2010, 13:42

I just traded my 02 Grand Prix GT for a Charger R/T, a MUCH better car. Seriously gets about 25mpg on the highway, which is close to what my GP got, Only the Charger has a HEMI. It's smoother, more quiet, and the exhaust actually makes a nice, low note, where the Grand Prix made some God-awful loud rumbling noise...

The interior of the Grand Prix started falling apart around 40K, where as I bought the Charger with that many miles and it is still solid.

The A/C never worked right, the transmission was always a little funky. But I've put about 15K miles on my Charger and have had no problems at all. As a matter of fact, I have been able to go longer than a week without a car repair, something I cannot say is true about my Grand Prix.

So, overall, I guess I question the guys that are saying "Consider yourself lucky that you have a GM and not Chrysler." You guys must have hit the Pontiac Lottery, because I would be on the other side of you guys...

29th Jan 2010, 23:46

I just bought a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT TODAY. Since I'm blonde, I bought the car as is for $3700 in great condition. However as soon as I pulled in my driveway, my key was stuck. Fortunately it came out. After reading the complaints, I am scared I made a huge mistake. I'm hoping not. This car has 140,000 miles as well. I just wanted a car to last until my husband's truck is paid off in 2 years - not sure by the complaints it will last that long. Any advice besides hitting the lottery to pay for the repairs that seem to happen with this car!