2000 SSEi *Christine*

[94SilverSSEi]

Well, just picked up our first 2000+ never owned one or looked at one until today.

2000 SSEi
150,000 miles

Previous owner bought it in 2004 for $11,000
Seems to run and drives well. Engine was replaced. Engine has 60k miles. Shop did "head gasket" and never changed oil and blew the last engine.

Problems with the car:
2.) Fuel gauge only reads accurately half the time

3.) Oil pressure gauge pegged-Fixed by new pressure gauge

4.) Paint bubbling on gas door, front bumper has fist size dent from ex-wife ramming garage

5.) Sunroof was leaking so owner sealed it off with caulk and headliner is falling in. New sunroof and headliner

7.) Headlights fogged

8.) Power steering pump or hose is shot. Makes bad noise and spewing fluid- New hose installed and pump

9.) Front transmission mount is shot-Fixed with hockey puck mount

10.) Radio display lights not working (radio works great!) (Have another radio ready to go in with good lights)

11.) Rear passenger window non-functional (Window motor waiting to be installed)

12.) No key fobs (went missing when car was stolen) and owner only has valet key so I think I would have to go to the dealer to get new normal keys cut.-Ordered new set of keys and key fobs, yet to have them programmed


Overall the car runs and drives great and is in overall good condition. Engine and trans seem solid.

Have to go to DMV tomorrow and I'm hoping the title is fine. It had title loan lien on it from '08 but the guy said it was paid off long ago and for some reason he never got a new title. Probably should have looked into title first but I've got my fingers crossed.

Pics will come tomorrow.

[1oldman]

can't wait - lol - BC

[94SilverSSEi]

Reading about all the problems the 2000+ has, I always wondered why do so many people have them instead of trying to find a clean 92-99.

Now I know why

IMO, they're more sporty and more modern.


I don't know if it was the snow or this cars power or the tires. But even at only 1500 rpms the car was going sideways instead of forwards

[gweg_b]

Yeah, I bought my '01 before I knew of all the problems. Would I take a 92-99 that was in good shape? You bet, but I've learned and developed a love/hate relationship with mine. Even with all the problems, and because of the time I've put into it, I won't give it up for anything now.

Once you get everything worked out, I hope you enjoy it!!

[SSEiMan01]

Would I take a 92-99 that was in good shape? You bet, but I've learned and developed a love/hate relationship with mine. Even with all the problems, and because of the time I've put into it, I won't give it up for anything now.

Exactly my feelings on mine.

[94SilverSSEi]

Here's some pics:


Corner of bumper. Ex-wife banged garage.








See that little red thing in the background. Yeah, the SSEi is replacing that!




Paint chipped and spider webbing on other corner of front bumper


Silicone Sunroof Seal


Rusty Door Trim


Paint discolored from rusty door trim. Maybe buff/polish out??


Fuel Door Rust- Doesn't look horrible yet but it will soon. Looks like bubbling but most of that is water and ice I didn't


Interior is horribly filthy but nothing that can't be cleaned up. No rips on the seats.




Filthy Rims


Ex-wife plowed into the curb wheel. Gets a little shake over 55mph. But they guy included 4 more of these rims with the sale.

[crash93ssei]

Not bad at all, that rusty discoloration on the door from the rusted trim will easily polish out. Not a bad buy for $1,200, same color as my '02 SE I just picked up too!

[sandrock]

That interior will clean up well, it'll just take a lot of time and effort.

The window sweeps will easily come out, replacing them is a cinch.

Sunroof...find another glass with a good seal. I don't think you can get new seals for them anymore.

The fuel door rust...haro had posted a few pics of a repair he had his shop do. It was a fiberglass patch job, but it turned out good.

I paid 900 bucks (I think) for mine, but I've spent about 4 grand on it the past year so far getting it the way I want it, most of that is in the engine though. Once it's done I won't have to replace anything on it for a while though!

[harofreak00]

You need these: http://stcloud.craigslist.org/pts/3556982644.html

[ga93sle]

^^I concur.

[94SilverSSEi]

You need these: http://stcloud.craigslist.org/pts/3556982644.html

That is why I contacted you a few days ago. Don't like these rims at all that are on the car.

BUT, this will be the lil bro's car. So he needs to fix the major items first. Power steering, and check engine light.

May be contacting you on those rims shortly though.

[94SilverSSEi]

Went to DMV Tuesday and they said there was a lien on the title


So I contacted the previous owner and he called the title loan place.

Long story short, he paid off the lien long ago and the title loan place never released the lien to DMV. So he had to call and have the lien released.

All is well, and I scanned the car. Engine light turned out to be O2 sensor related. Cleared the code and have yet to have it come back so we'll see.

First thing will be power steering pump.

[94SilverSSEi]

Need a little help with this.

I only have one key and it is the valet key.

Called my GM dealer they said $41 each for a key. $20 to take my vin and lookup original key cut pattern. And $95 each for the key fobs. That's too much for me. I can get the keys for $10 each. The key fobs I could get on ebay or junkyard as well. But without have ANY fobs at all. How do I know which ones will work or which model number I need??


Any thoughts? I know programming they key is simple enough, but there is really no way to get the original key cut without going to the dealer is there?

[harofreak00]

Any key making place can cut the key if you provide the blank. There is no special technique.

You need a KOBUT1BT keyfob, check on ebay.

[00Beast]

Well, you can get the keys cut cheaper, but the first one will have to be programmed by the dealer, because the Valet Key won't work for that.

Just saw haro's post. I'm assuming each year has a different FCC ID?

[94SilverSSEi]

The valet key works fine in the ignition. Not sure what u mean. Why would dealer have to program keys?

I was just saying to buy a blank key GM charges $41 I can get them for $10 on eBay

[00Beast]

Because you can't do the "turn the key and program" with the Valet key.

[sandrock]

For the kind of money the dealer wants for new fobs you can get a remote start, keyless entry system with 3 or more aux outputs...with new fobs(!)

[94SilverSSEi]

Will any year PK3 key work? On ebay they show different years working for different keys??

[94SilverSSEi]

Any key making place can cut the key if you provide the blank. There is no special technique.

You need a KOBUT1BT keyfob, check on ebay.

Any KOBUT1BT will work? Or is there a certain FCC that I would need?