Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Just got back from 6.5 hours of driving around the Inland Empire looking at Grand Prix(s). Saw five and test drove four of them: two NA and two supercharged. All I have to say about the supercharged engine is
HOLY COW! (Thought that was the best I could do without being censored.)
I didn't realize what an extra 60 hp could do, but I guess when you put it in the perspective of 30% more horsepower than NA, it makes sense. After driving one with a SC, there is no way I can settle with the NA version, premium gas and slightly lower fuel economy be [censored]! My 2008 Impala felt like a peddle car afterwards.
I think I have found "the one":
2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GT Supercharged
Love the color, it's only a 2006, it has a leather interior (black, which is problematic as I easily overheat, particularly when sitting on leather), 6-disc CD changer, and moonroof. The only problems are that the ABS and TC warning lights are on, there appears to be a slight oil leak from the valve covers (easy fix and will give me a chance to check for sludge/buildup), and the suspension felt a bit "clunky" when making a right hand turn out of a parking lot. We tried to take it to a mechanic today to do a basic inspection and have it checked out for the warning lights, but they said they had not idea what the lights were for and I skipped on having them check the whole thing over as I don't think I would trust that shop as far as I could throw it.
The owner is taking it to another mechanic tomorrow and will give me a call afterwards. I'm not too concerned about the ABS/TC as neither are really necessary here (although things may get a bit squirrelly pulling away from lights or getting on the freeway as the tires broke loose a bit when mashing the peddle on the one with functioning TC) and is a negotiating point in my favor. Thinking if I can get him down to $4,750 or even $5,000 I am getting a good deal as the KBB for private party is $6,999 Excellent, $6,624 Very Good, $6,399 Good, and $5,424 Fair.
My other option is
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. Color not as good (but still doable; not red, white, or black), cloth interior (no complaints there), single disc CD, and moonroof, but obvious leaks from the valve covers, needs two new front tires, don't like the wheels as much, and will need front brake pads soon. If the 2006 above does not work out, I will have this one checked by a mechanic and try to negotiate down to $5,500: they have had it on the lot since mid-November, the KBB private party values are $6,116/$5,791/$5,591/$4,741, and I would have to put $600+ into the car to make it worth $6,000.
And to address some concerns mentioned by others:
Originally Posted By: jsnyder49090
the lower intakes leak often as does valve covers the coolant elbows also.The blowers are solid the couplers sometimes make noise but is not that hard to repair a 20.00 part.The transmissions are problematic with higher miles they tend to shift hard when hot but they make a kit to fix and can be installed pretty easily.Look for these issues and service the trans should be good for atleast another 100,000
From what I've read, the LIM are not a problem after 2003, blowers sounded fine, and both shifted like champs (better than the NA models I tested).
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
When gas goes back over $5 will the 1-2 MPG make a difference?
If you buy the souped up version, can you afford an additional $1k part replacement?
Those are the questions Id be asking.
Not worried on either account as I can always bypass SC like Shannow said.
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Who drives "reasonably" in a supercharged car?
I didn't think this would be a problem with me, but after test driving two, I am having second thoughts!
Originally Posted By: Trav
What really helps this car is Bilstein struts and GM performance chassis upgrades.
Tubular rear trailing arms, strut connectors, performance sway bars front and rear really help in handling.
I put later model impala front rotors 12" up front with Camero front twin piston calipers,
SS lines, its a huge improvement.
I'm happy with the handling but may have to do some brake upgrades as the braking performance is worse than the Burb!
Originally Posted By: supton
I'm not sure I'd buy anything used unless if I had a couple grand sitting around "just in case". Even if it checks out great, it's still used, and, stuff can and does just break. Out of the blue. That couple grand is your "warrenty" that pays for it.
Will still have $16k+ in the bank after purchase price, tax, and registration. (And no, I will not consider purchasing new to take advantage of the warranty as I do not want to be saddled with the depreciation drop, especially because I may be offered a company car again after a year.)
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
(In reference to no ABS/TC) AT least around here, that will make it fail inspection.
Surprisingly, no safety inspection in the People's Republic of California.
Well, besides the fact that Id argue that ECU tuning is likely different and youre doing yourself a disservice pulling the belt as an economizer on the blower, Id say go for it.
I kind of always wanted one of those grand prix gtp cars myself. I think its a good opportunity.
GM AC usually is pretty good, so Id not worry much about the black leather. Heck, get yourself a remote starter if it becomes that much of an issue.
Have fun!
You could argue, but it you can't or don't go into boost it does not matter. The ECU ,like any looks at fuel and air. No boost, the ECU accounts for that.
The car has a bypass and will not be in boost 90 percent of the time.
If you were to Supercharge a N/A 3800 that is where the problem is. You can buy the top end upgrade for the N/A car (intake and up), that package comes with a supercharged car ECU. The blocks and crank are the same but everything else is different.
