Newbie searching for a GXP

[Melon]

Hello everyone! New guy here and hoping to be part of the community at some point. I currently drive a 93 Taurus SHO that is getting tired - almost 223k miles. I've started to look for a GXP with intentions of purchasing in the spring unless I find a deal I can't pass up. I'm also holding out for a good example in hopes it will make a good daily driver.

[1oldman]

Hello everyone! New guy here and hoping to be part of the community at some point. I currently drive a 93 Taurus SHO that is getting tired - almost 223k miles. I've started to look for a GXP with intentions of purchasing in the spring unless I find a deal I can't pass up. I'm also holding out for a good example in hopes it will make a good daily driver.

You don't have to own a Bonneville to be welcome here. It is more fun if you do though. There is a lot of information about the GXP on the FORUM. Be sure and read as much of it as you can before you buy one so you understand what you're getting into. If I had the money, I would own a GXP, but as you can see, I have a "retired" '92 SSE and a '05 SE. Merry Christmas! - BC

[Melon]

I have done reading on the car and know the Northstar V8 isn't the best engine ever produced, but I think the car looks great, has the room for my family, and will get reasonable fuel mileage.

I've been looking at the Grand Prix GXP as well, but I think the Bonneville looks better. I'm still working on convincing my wife to let me replace instead of put money into

[nos4blood70]

Welcome!

The GXP certainly has its fair share of quirks and little niggles, but if you don't mind turning a wrench you shouldn't have many issues as long as you find a cared for and lower mileage example.

Just beware that both the GP GXP and the Bonneville are pretty cramped in the rear seating area.

With the two choices you have, it's really a pick your poison kind of deal. Do you want engine problems, or trans problems? Hahaha. The GP GXPs are notorious for eating their transmissions alive.

[Melon]

I'm not afraid to turn a wrench or two when needed. In fact, I'd do more of it but living in an apartment makes it rather difficult

Most of what I've seen that's reasonably close to me have around 130k miles. I need to get up close and personal with one and actually drive one. I've considered an SSEi or GTP, but I miss the V8 rumble so have been leaning that way.

[1oldman]

I'm not afraid to turn a wrench or two when needed. In fact, I'd do more of it but living in an apartment makes it rather difficult

Most of what I've seen that's reasonably close to me have around 130k miles. I need to get up close and personal with one and actually drive one. I've considered an SSEi or GTP, but I miss the V8 rumble so have been leaning that way.

Read what harofreak00 did to his 2004 GXP, turned it into a SSEi, which production stopped in 2003 due to the GXP production starting in 2004. That should give you a little bit of a hint about one of the most knowledgeable Bonneville owners. He also makes his living repairing and flipping 2000-2003 Bonnevilles and as a source of parts to Bonneville owners. He is fair and dependable should you need his help. - BC

[Melon]

That may not be so bad - SSEI in GXP clothing I'd still want a nice exhaust note to go with it. In my experiences, it's hard to make a V6 sound good.

And speaking of him, I found his latest purchase that he's flipping on Craigslist. I wish I was ready to purchase - I'd talk to him.

[nos4blood70]

The 3800s sound terrible, but are the more reliable and powerful option versus the N*, especially after mods.

Either way, there's plenty to love about these cars! If you don't mind turning a wrench then you'll get plenty of enjoyment out of it!

Andrew, AKA Harofreak00, is a great guy. Bought parts from him countless times and his old flip threads are always an interesting read.

[CMNTMXR57]

It isn't that the Northstar is a bad engine. Actually it's a VERY good engine in it's own right. Enough to be elected to Wards 10 best engine list 3 years (consecutively if I recall). It, along with a handful of other GM engines, were a little ahead of their time compared to other engines GM had in that timeframe, and it's "modularity" in terms of parts, harnesses, and other components with simple R&R interchangeability have filtered down to other GM engines over the years.

It, much like the 3.0/3.2L Yamaha in your SHO, does have it's quirks though. Early versions were prone to head gasket issues and warping, and needing restudding. By 2004/5 in the GXP's that has pretty much been all eliminated though, save for a few here that have had issues. Mostly, it's just a leaky engine. It likes to leak oil from the cam covers, and coolant from the freeze plugs in the block. Read up the GXP section for all our issues (if you haven't already), that'll explain why all these little niggles take place. It also can become a little more "needy" once it gets over 100k. This is not to be confused with a situation that once it hits 100k, it's gonna fall apart. NO! Many N*'s go well past 100k. Again, it just becomes more needy in terms of preventative maintenance.

Where the issue comes in, is that it is a size 10 engine (due to the big DOHC upper engine area), in a size 5 dress. THIS is where issues come in. Anything related to labor on it, is going to cost more to do on it, because it's harder to work within it's engine bay. If you're willing to do your own wrenching, this helps alleviate this somewhat, but time is also money...

I see mentioned you looked at a Grand Prix GXP. You forgot to look at (at least I didn't see it posted), it's sister car... The Impala. 2006 - 2009 Impala SS's (and it's two door sibling Monte Carlo SS), also were available with the LS4 (I have an Impala SS too). Much like the N* in a FWD platform, the LS4 V8 in a FWD platform isn't a joy to work on either. Simple things can be VERY difficult and require specific tools (I.E. simple serpentine belts are an absolute B*TCH on this car and even with the proper Kent-Moore EN-47988 tool, it's still a tedious process). I've done it twice now on mine, and I have the tool, and being a former GM mechanic, it still takes me about an hour to do... It's just that much a PITA! Much of the work is done by "feel" as you can't even see the point where the tool goes in to...

As noted above, the LS4 is backed by the 4T65E, that is the weak link vs. the 4T80E behind the Northstar. My Mother drives my Impala SS, so I'm hoping between her being 62 and not drag racing everyone and everything from the light, and the fact that I'm pretty religous on filter changes and powerflushing/purging it, it'll last. Just did another purge at 81,500 this past week while I had the car. From there it becomes what you like more in terms of styling. The Grand Prix GXP has an ugly duckling front end. Everything after that though, it is a great looking car. The interior is also a little sportier than the Impala. The big downside to the Grand Prix though, and if you have the kids this can be important, is the access through the rear door. The Grand Prix's door cuts down very low and in tight parking spots could be a real PITA to get a critter/critter carrier back there. The Impala on the other hand is a little more pedestrian inside, but is more user friendly, and much easier to get kids in/out (yes, I had both mine in there several times this past week). The other nice thing with the Impala's rear seat is that if you pull up on the bottom cushion, it tilts forward, opening up a plastic storage tray. My Mother uses it all the time... My only complaint about our Impala, and this has been since day 1, is I find the torque converter to be very lax upon initial acceleration/engagement. But this is probably just a form of torque management dialed in by the PCM to control the TCC, to help in an attempt to keep the trans from grenading itself...

Once again, all little things, but daily usability, especially coming from a Taurus, I would guess that user friendliness is pretty important...

One thing I ask, is what makes you think that your SHO is on it's last leg? That Yamaha motor should run forever. It's the rest of the car around it that is, well, a ford. Don't take that personally, the first two gen SHO's (89 - 91 and 92 - 95), are a few of the handful of fords I like, and I am actually looking at a blue '95 MTX in Ohio for dirt cheap with 150k on the clock. It's a great engine in a ford Taurus.

[Melon]

The car isn't necessarily on it's last leg - but it's far from being in showroom condition. It will need tires in the spring, the AC compressor replaced and AC system checked and probably refilled, and the transmission slips from time to time. I only paid 800 for the car at the time and with 223k on it, I can't justify putting 2-3 grand into a 93 with that many miles. I picked it up over the summer when my other car was totaled in a hail storm.

I have considered the Impala SS, but those are a bit more money than I'd like to spend. Atleast in the Omaha, NE area. I was originally looking at the Grand Prix, but I think the Bonneville looks better. Ideally, I'd like to keep whatever I find for quite a while and drive it. From the random looking on Craigslist, the Grand Prix and Bonneville can be had for 6 grand or less.

I was concerned with the Northstar, but it does seem the more I read about it, the more I see that headgaskets weren't as bad in 04/05 compared to prior years. I know every car has it's own quirks. I've spent the better part of 15 years in the Thunderbird Super Coupe community and those cars can also be fun to work on. Not quite a size 10 in a size 5 scenario though I'm probably looking for trouble since I'd like a V8 for a daily driver, but I'd like to have something fun and not a pocket rocket.