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It's the labor. Not the parts. Most GM things, since the mid-90's are modular P-n-P things. So when something goes out it's a simple R&R. This is across all product lines and many of the vehicles, be it a N* or Vortec V6 take some of the same common parts. After all, they all come from GM's parts bin. The problem is, the N* is a size 10 engine in a size 5 dress so doing that R&R can sometimes be a little more involved.

techweenie wrote:I think the only reason these engines get a bad rep is how expensive they are to fix. Just look at how EVERY 3800 and most 4.3l v6's need new intakes gaskets. It's much cheaper and easier to do that repair, yet it affects close to 100% of those engines. I still see tons of cadillacs on the road, many of which are old enough to be prone to studs pulling out. In my opinion, the Northstar in and of itself is a good engine.

That is a good way of putting it. Seems like as long as I've been into cars I've heard how bad the N* is lol, might be why it was somewhat off putting.

CMNTMXR57 wrote:It's the labor. Not the parts. Most GM things, since the mid-90's are modular P-n-P things. So when something goes out it's a simple R&R. This is across all product lines and many of the vehicles, be it a N* or Vortec V6 take some of the same common parts. After all, they all come from GM's parts bin. The problem is, the N* is a size 10 engine in a size 5 dress so doing that R&R can sometimes be a little more involved.

This is good to know, they way its said around the forum is they cost you literally an arm and a leg. The one reason we're looking for another car is to free up some of my time from working on our cars. Her car is now pushing 170k so more and more little things are due to be replaced. Already done wheel bearings, intake gaskets, struts/mounts, ect and it runs great. I drive mine for work, which is about 40k miles a year and it has to be reliable for my job obviously. We are at a point in our lives where we can afford a nicer car for her and our future family so definitely looking for something that would treat us well.

Thanks for the input!

If you're looking to free up time from working on cars, I'm not so sure the GXP is the right car for you. The risk and reward are both high on these cars. They're great fun, you just have to be willing to spend more time than usual when wrenching on them - or you could always shell out big bucks on labour.

It was 100% worth it for me when I had mine. I'd do it again.

98SSE wrote:Its black and about 2 hours from me, that's all the details I can give you . It's looking more and more promising that this might be the one for us so don't want to give away too many details and lose out on it.

Go for it, I won't buy a black one.
I've got one black car & it sucks trying to keep it clean, ...