Opportunity to buy out lease on 2002 Grand Prix GT

My Grandparents have a 2002 Grand Prix GT that they have leased for the last 3 years, and I have an opportunity to purchase this car for about $13000 CAD (~$10500 USD) when the lease runs out in March. This car is totally loaded, all the options, and I know that they are very easy on it, plus there are only 31000 km's (less than 20000 Miles) on it in 3 years!

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on this vehicle? Are there any major problems with the 2002 Grand Prix? How many more years/km's could I expect to get out of this car? I'm also hesitant to buy a GM car - in my experience, they just aren't the same quality as Toyota or Honda. I don't really want to get into that debate, but I would like to know - as far as quality issues and repairs, how does this car compare to other GM vehicles/industry standards? I am curious though, do you think I could get as many km's out of this car as a used Corolla, Camry or Accord in the same price range (13000 CAD)?

Any information you could provide would me much appreciated. Also, any links to sites that have information like this would be great too!!

Reply to
daryl.edwards
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You can't touch a 2002 Camary V6 or Accord V6 with 20,000 mi for less than

16-17K USD. Yes, they are a lot more reliable than anything GM makes, but you get what you pay for. I own a 2000 GP GT and it has been very trouble free. The 3800 engine and transmission in these cars is one of GM's strong points. They are nearly bulletproof for 200K miles if taken care of. I've had this engine in my last 3 cars and have rung up 150K on the last one and it was still running strong. My 2000 has 65K miles and runs like new. It's just the little interior squeaks and rattles that bug me. Typical GM rattlebox. 10,500 USD is a great deal on it.
Reply to
tony kujawa

Daryl, my son goes to Brock and owns a '98 Grand Prix GT with the 3.8L V6 engine. He now has over 250k kilometres on it and it has been reliable and trouble free, with the exception of an alternator that he had replaced. My son isn't particularly conscientious when it comes to adhering to scheduled maintanance issues, but the car just keeps soldiering on. In my humble opinion, this car has been a great acquisition.

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Reply to
StingRay

I'd jump on it in a minute.

The 3.8 is about the most reliable engine in history. You can do some preventive maintanence to avoid a couple of the known problems (ie. intake manifold). Knowing the history of the car is a big plus, too.

I doubt you can find a well-equipped used Camry or Accord with that few miles at anywhere near that price. And, not to get into the debate: yes, I do.

JGM

Reply to
JGM

Go ahead and buy grannies car. It has lots of years left on it.

========= Harryface =========

1991 Pontiac Bonneville LE 3800 V6 ( C ), Black/Slate Grey _~_~_~297,575 miles_~_~_

~_~_~_~_U.S.A._~_~_~_~_~_

~~~The Former Fleet ~~~

89 Cavalier Z 24 convertible 78 Holiday 88 coupe 68 LeSabre convertible 73 Impala sedan
Reply to
Harry Face

It's a great deal. Go for it.

Ten years ago I obtained a Grand Am in the same manner, by paying the buy out option on somebody elses lease. It was the best deal I ever got on a car.

I still have that car and with close to 249,000 miles on it, I have to say it's also the best car I've ever owned.

Dave

92 Grand Am SE, 3.3L
Reply to
Dave

it would be a great car for you...i owned 2 of them

Reply to
Nascar24Rulz

I have a 02 GP GT loaded and it's a great car. I have 78K highway miles on the car and it runs like new. Excellent gas mileage

Reply to
Matthew

Thanks for the replies everyone!

In response to a couple of comments about getting a used Camry or Accord instead:

I was thinking that I wouldn't need to get a Camry or Accord with that few miles on it, since they would last longer. ie, if we said that a Camry would last for 300,000 km, and the Grand Prix would last 200,000, then a Camry with 131,000 km on it so far would last for 169,000 km more, the same as the Grand Prix (200,000 - 31,000 = 169,000)

So then a Camry with 131,000 km on it would be equivalent to a Grand Prix with 31,000 km (with my example numbers)

My questions then are these:

1) How many more km's (or miles) do you think a Camry would last vs. the Grand Prix? 2) If you add the answer from question 1 (in km) to 31,000 km, what do you get? 3) How much would it cost for a Camry (around 2000-2002) with the number of km's on it as the answer to question 2? I think that this is the only real fair way to compare. Thoughts?
Reply to
daryl.edwards

Dude, no one is going to be able to tell that especially when you are buying someone else's shit. Sure a well maintained Camary or Accord may outlast a Grand Prix, but you don't know the previous owner's habits. You know your grandparent's habits and they sound pretty darn good. It's a great deal.

Reply to
tony kujawa

I guess that's the point with used cars: 90% of knowing whether or not it is a good deal is knowing it's history. In that sense, this Grand Prix has been totally babied, so it's a good deal. Thanks for everyone's help! If anyone else wants to put in their 2 cents, feel free!

Reply to
daryl.edwards

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