If I can get a 134000 mile black 2005 GXP that is not running for $1500... Should I?

Newer tires and brakes.

How it "Blew Up" from the seller:

"It was making some lifter noise, stopped and checked the oil. It was 3 qts low. Added the oil, kept driving. Noise got better. Took it to the mechanic. He said it will either blow in 30 miles or run for another 20,000. Well, it went 20. Now it will start, but has no power."

Not sure if I would part it or fix it.

Thanks

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2003 Pontiac Bonneville SE Daily Driver

Are there any pics available ? also what is the condition of the body, paint, and inside ?
Have you investigated a replacement engine at a salvage yard ?

Well, since the N* doesn't have "lifters", if it's got noise, no matter how much "better" it may get, it leads me to believe something more costly is involved.

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Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

I do not have the pix available.

It is about an hour away... I could go take some this evening.

Looks like an engine would be $1000-1500. I would probably stud the heads while it was out.... so that is another grand or so.

I would do my own work, a few hundred in tools. Probably have it running for $4000-4500. And know exactly what I had.


Or I could part it out, get nice wheels and brakes for my current 03 for free or even make a few $$.

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2003 Pontiac Bonneville SE Daily Driver

A 130k GXP in running condition is only worth about what you would have invested into it to get it running, so you wouldn't necessarily turn it for a large profit.

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Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

Yes, that was the funniest part of the "Blown Up" part.

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2003 Pontiac Bonneville SE Daily Driver

Flipping it would not be my plan. I would hope to have a nice fairly reliable car for $4500, that I could drive for quite a while, then give to my next teenage boy coming through the ranks.

Am I wrong thinking that if I bought a used 100,000-ish mile motor, then did the head studs, the other "while you are in there" items to the engine, and some basic maintenance to the transmission... I would have a 200,000 mile car? (Other than wheel bearings, suspension parts, etc. which would be needed on any $4500 car.)

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2003 Pontiac Bonneville SE Daily Driver

I would say pass personally. Unless you're going to be doing the work yourself to save labor costs. I think once fixed you will be close to the FMV of the car itself. So for all your hassle, it won't be worth it. If you were planning to keep it and get use out of it, different story though.

Another thing to ponder... It's a 2004/5 car. Which is now 12 - 13 years old on average. Other things start to fail and need love. Not that having a car that old is a bad thing, just trying to put things in perspective.

_________________


Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

No, you're probably right. But, like that mechanic said, it could last 20 miles too. Hopefully not.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Thank you for all of your input.

I think I will wait a few days and see if I can scoop it up for even less.

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2003 Pontiac Bonneville SE Daily Driver