My (Mom's) New Car

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YSSMAN

YSSMAN

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So, yeah. After months, years, God knows how long its been, we've finally found a replacement for the Camry. Granted, money has been tight, but here is the good news: We're getting this one for free!

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Its a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix SE with the optional 3800, among a few other extras. With only 105K on the clock, the car is still pretty fresh, despite it going back and fourth to Florida at least twice. The car used to belong to my Grandmother, but she is getting a new (ish, 2004 or 2005) Dodge Stratus (maybe a Charger... She doesn't know the difference) for free from her brother because he is moving to Central America to do some relief work for a while.

So, we get the Grand Prix, Mom's Camry goes to my brother (replacing his Sentra), and my brother's car goes to my cousin. Not too bad of a deal, considering Grandma is taking the Grand Prix in on Thursday to get everything checked out and fixed (no matter the cost) so we don't have to do it... In sum, we only end up being out $750, as we have to pay off my Dad before my brother can give the car to my cousin.

Hooray! I'm back to driving an American car!
 
Yeah, but Grandma wouldn't have sprung for that. Still, the power is good for the 3800... And surprisingly, fuel mileage is identical to the Toyota. Insurance should be cheaper too, so thats a good thing as well.
 
M5Power
I've always liked how those GPs look
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Almost all Pontiacs look good.... then again, I am bit of a Pontiac fanboy. :p

I thought it was pretty funny that Grandma's car was making trips to Florida. Also loved how she doesn't know if the car is a Stratus or Charger. :D

Here's to free car. :cheers:
 
a6m5
Almost all Pontiacs look good.... then again, I am bit of a Pontiac fanboy. :p
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Pontiac was GM's styling leader - in the late '60s and early '70s. Somewhere it all went to hell in a handbasket, particularly around 2000-2001. Things are on the upswing very recently, but it's been a loooooong 5 years or so.
 
I always thought this Grand Prix looked good, particularly with the color. Although, generally speaking, I like my Aunt's Grand Prix a bit better...

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Its a 2006 Grand Prix "Base" (formerly GT) with the same engine and transmission in ours, although, hers looks a lot nicer... And yes, that is the car at the dealer before she bought it. More or less, I like the color, the gray splitter thing up front and in back, and the GTO-style wheels.

...But our GP is a nice car. I still love the back seats and how low they sit. And with the 200 BHP V6, it should be good for some heads-up burnout contests. That is, after the transmission gets fixed tomorrow. Its suffering from the rather common grinding issue, so we're getting it sorted out.

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And I forgot to mention that this is Grand Prix #3 in the semi-immediate family.

Brynley (Cousin): 1991 Grand Prix GT Coupe in Red
Nancy (Aunt): 2006 Grand Prix "Base/GT" in Red
Kim (Mom): 1999 Grand Prix SE 3800 in Blue

...I'm getting the feeling that I should buy one just to be "cool." Of course, that would mean I'd need to find at GTP...
 
Dude, the non GT/GTP Grand Prix's of that generation (the one your mom is getting) looked hideous without the cool larger front fascia and rear bumper w/dual exhaust tips.

On another note, I may be acquiring one of these for $500 myself next month:

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It's a 2000 or 2001 SE I think with the sport package or whatever GM's equivalent is. It's my aunt's old car and she just bought a 2007 Ford Escape and didn't use it as a trade in because of a few reasons. It's mine for $500 when I fix the cooling system. I can't pass up a $500 car that's only 5 years old.
 
YSSMAN
Although, generally speaking, I like my Aunt's Grand Prix a bit better...

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Its a 2006 Grand Prix "Base"
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OMG, d00d, that thing is hideous. That's one of the cars that has made me loathe Pontiac's recent styling, in addition to the way they screwed up the FWD Bonneville's styling over the years.
 
I know I'm crazy because I like those Grand Prix, but it was a nice change seeing them a bit more "different" from the Impala/Lumina that shared its platform with the GP. On the subject of the interior alone, I'd take the newer model...

Either way, I like the GP better than the outgoing Camry. I nearly fall asleep every time I'm behind the wheel... I'm glad its going to my brother...

More pictures when I pick it up Thursday or Friday...
 
Eww dude, the interior in the new GP is horrible. Really. Way too plastic-fantastic for my tastes.


But I'm sure its cool when you are driving it. :D


JCE, my dad was going to buy a Grand Prix Coupe back in 02, but the dealer said they didn't make them as '02s. But they did.


On the upside, my dad purchased the far superior 2002 Volkswagen Passat. I lurved that car.


EDIT: I forgot to mention how much I love the Bonneville GXP. :D
 
JCE3000GT
Dude, the non GT/GTP Grand Prix's of that generation (the one your mom is getting) looked hideous without the cool larger front fascia and rear bumper w/dual exhaust tips.

On another note, I may be acquiring one of these for $500 myself next month:

4989A.jpg


It's a 2000 or 2001 SE I think with the sport package or whatever GM's equivalent is. It's my aunt's old car and she just bought a 2007 Ford Escape and didn't use it as a trade in because of a few reasons. It's mine for $500 when I fix the cooling system. I can't pass up a $500 car that's only 5 years old.
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It's bit flashy, plus I prefer the sedans(remember, I'm old), but it's very nice. I love Grand Ams. 👍
 
Flashy or not it's $500 freaking USD! Oh and I finally found one that has the rims that my Aunt's have.

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My Boss has a Grand Am just like that...

...That he bought from his MOM!

[Nelson]Ha-Ha[/Nelson]
 
Hey, like I said...its $500! I'd buy a purple 2001 Civic for $500 if it was in same mechanical shape as the Grand Am.
 
Mista Kellah
Eww dude, the interior in the new GP is horrible. Really. Way too plastic-fantastic for my tastes.
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I don't mind some of the interior, but that radio has to have been in use since 1976. I can't believe that's still in new products.

What I like about the Grand Prix's interior is that when you turn the key all the dials max out briefly, including the speedo. It's kind of cool when you notice it. :D
 
All Grand Prix's of that generation had the 3800 Series II engine. Some where supercharged (GTP) and some weren't (SE/GT).
 
Actually the SE had the 3100 as the standard engine, but ours has the 3800 option-box checked.

There was a bit of a delay on getting it, as apparently Grandma didn't know what week she was going to Colorado to get her Dodge. So by Thursday or Friday, I should have the car in my driveway... And there will be plenty of pictures!
 
JCE3000GT
All Grand Prix's of that generation had the 3800 Series II engine. Some where supercharged (GTP) and some weren't (SE/GT).
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160-horsepower 3.1-liter was standard '97-'99 and became a 175-horsepower 3.1-liter in '00; went through '03 along with the model. Lots of '97-'03 Grand Prixs have that engine. When the vehicle was redesigned for '04 that engine said goodbye to the Grand Prix but stayed in the Buick Century; Century was retired in '05 and so too was the 3.1.
 
I had no idea the 3.1L even lasted that long. I've never seen a Grand Prix with anything but a 3.8L. Guess I learned something new.
 

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