My dad backed into my GP today

[W30olds]

Went to my parents today to give them a hand doing some work at their house. Parked in the driveway. Dad decided to take us out to eat. In the process of backing out of the driveway he backs into the passenger side door of my GP. Busted the mirror all up and left a huge dent all down the length of the door. It's nasty looking and my heart sank. So needless to say it's got to go to a bodyshop to be repaired. Have no idea if GM still makes body parts for the car. The plastic molding on the door is badly damaged also. Messed up his Torrent pretty badly too. Felt sorry for him because he was super upset about it. He's 70 and didn't even think about my car being in the way. Good news is the enormous door dent I got 2 weeks ago will get repaired! Man what a bummer accident.

[Imp558]

That sucks

[mfewtrail]

You could try the three Pull-A-Part yards around/near Atlanta for a replacement door if you want to remove it yourself and potentially save some money. Car-part.com should list some doors not too far from you as well. If a body shop sources the parts for you, they're likely to jack up the prices a lot. Used would be the way to go. Even if the B4U kit pieces are by some chance still available new, they've always been outrageously priced from GM.

[W30olds]

Depending on what my dad's insurance guy says if they can't fix the car, or the repairs are more than the value (pretty sure it will be) then I might use the money for a newer GP. Been wanting a GXP, or later model GTP. Will see what happens this week. May sell the 95 outright. It's a great car and is in amazing condition minus the passenger door.

[W30olds]

You could try the three Pull-A-Part yards around/near Atlanta for a replacement door if you want to remove it yourself and potentially save some money. Car-part.com should list some doors not too far from you as well. If a body shop sources the parts for you, they're likely to jack up the prices a lot. Used would be the way to go. Even if the B4U kit pieces are by some chance still available new, they've always been outrageously priced from GM.

Most of the parts are discontinued from GM. I looked last night and didn't have much luck with door parts, or ground effects. I figured when and if I ever had body damage it would be difficult to find parts to fix it right. Sucks balls because the car is in really good condition minus the door being FUBAR.

[Galaxie500XL]

Model year/color/ interior color? You’d be surprised what’s out there.

[W30olds]

Model year/color/ interior color? You’d be surprised what’s out there.

Found 3 really nice GP GXPs for sale around me. Found an 02 GP and it's really sweet. 2 door silver exterior and dark grey interior.

 

My cars 1995 SE 2 door SE Red with graphite/dark grey interior

[Imp558]

Lose the car over a door?

[redgrandprix]

Surely theres a door somewhere nearby, have to be careful with the gxp's take into consideration the person you buy it from and its life before. I consider myself lucky to have put almost 60k miles without any sort of trans failure but i know its lurking. Just assume if you buy a gxp look for sub 100k mile and get a handheld tuner immedietly to turn off dod to minimize oil consumption and lifter failure risk, then a trans cooler and shiftkit to make it mostly worryfree.

 

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[W30olds]

Lose the car over a door?

I'd like to have it repaired really. Looked at it today in the light and I believe the dent might be able to be pulled out. Dunno. Maybe just a door skin if thats possible. Not sure. The ground effects not cracked. Just needs to be sanded and painted. Same with the mirror housing, a sand and paint. The mirror functions and the glass is good.

[W30olds]

Surely theres a door somewhere nearby, have to be careful with the gxp's take into consideration the person you buy it from and its life before. I consider myself lucky to have put almost 60k miles without any sort of trans failure but i know its lurking. Just assume if you buy a gxp look for sub 100k mile and get a handheld tuner immedietly to turn off dod to minimize oil consumption and lifter failure risk, then a trans cooler and shiftkit to make it mostly worryfree.

 

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I've done some research today on the GXP and have decided to mark it off my list of interest. With all the horror stories I've read about the transmission failures, oil consumption and overall reliability of them I'm going to stick with the V6.

[Imp558]

If all the trim is good you're good. A door from a base model will be fine.

[Leadfoot]

Sadly, as these cars get older the value plummets and it doesn't take much for it to be totalled.  Even if new parts are available, insurance will insist on used.  Generally unless its OEM, a used OEM door is better than Taiwanese replacement junk according to all my contacts in the bodyshop industry.  You may have to haggle with the insurance company a bit to have it repaired, but you can probably pursued them whichever direction you want.  

 

As for a GXP, I have one as a DD.  I like it.  The trans is basically the same as what was used in the other GP's, but the increased power is harder on the trans.  The biggest thing is to put a cooler on it and add a magnet to the pan when you do a service.  I read all about the horror stories before I bought mine.  I wasn't set on a GXP, but found a better deal and it was cleaner than the other GP's I came across.  With the price I paid, I could have TEP do a full trans build and still come out well.  I haven't had any trouble out of mine.  I don't beat on it constantly like many.  Doing so can kill any trans, but the GXP is more susceptible just because of the increased power and the heat that creates.

 

As for oil burning.  I have read about it as well.  I know plenty of people with GM DOD engines and several dealer techs.  From what I know, it happens, but isn't nearly as prevalent as people make it out to be.  All vehicles use some oil between oil changes.  People with DOD engines seem to be very sensitive about it after reading that it is a common problem.  It can happen, but again I think is overblown.  

 

The nice interior and suspension certainly is nice.  Depending on your needs for that car to fill, I wouldn't rule it out entirely.  They are getting very cheap for what you get.  You can also find them very very cheap with a blown trans.  Get TEP to build a bulletproof trans and you are set.  

[W30olds]

Sadly, as these cars get older the value plummets and it doesn't take much for it to be totalled. Even if new parts are available, insurance will insist on used. Generally unless its OEM, a used OEM door is better than Taiwanese replacement junk according to all my contacts in the bodyshop industry. You may have to haggle with the insurance company a bit to have it repaired, but you can probably pursued them whichever direction you want.

 

As for a GXP, I have one as a DD. I like it. The trans is basically the same as what was used in the other GP's, but the increased power is harder on the trans. The biggest thing is to put a cooler on it and add a magnet to the pan when you do a service. I read all about the horror stories before I bought mine. I wasn't set on a GXP, but found a better deal and it was cleaner than the other GP's I came across. With the price I paid, I could have TEP do a full trans build and still come out well. I haven't had any trouble out of mine. I don't beat on it constantly like many. Doing so can kill any trans, but the GXP is more susceptible just because of the increased power and the heat that creates.

 

As for oil burning. I have read about it as well. I know plenty of people with GM DOD engines and several dealer techs. From what I know, it happens, but isn't nearly as prevalent as people make it out to be. All vehicles use some oil between oil changes. People with DOD engines seem to be very sensitive about it after reading that it is a common problem. It can happen, but again I think is overblown.

 

The nice interior and suspension certainly is nice. Depending on your needs for that car to fill, I wouldn't rule it out entirely. They are getting very cheap for what you get. You can also find them very very cheap with a blown trans. Get TEP to build a bulletproof trans and you are set.

Thanks so much for your reply. I've looked at several GXPS and really love them. The interior is super nice and the V8 screams. Love the suspensions on those cars also. If I can find one that's in good condition for the right price I might jump on it.

[Leadfoot]

Thanks so much for your reply. I've looked at several GXPS and really love them. The interior is super nice and the V8 screams. Love the suspensions on those cars also. If I can find one that's in good condition for the right price I might jump on it.

 

 

There are several LS4 groups on FB.  Of course the trans and oil burning issues are talked about often, but, like most forums, people only show up when they have a problem.  That is where I often see deals on them, esp with a blown trans.  It might be an easy way to track down a deal on one.  

[W30olds]

Cars going to the body shop next week to get repaired. Shop manager told me it was a fairly easy repair that didn't require a new door. The ground effects aND mirror just needed to be sanded and painted and would be fine. Thankfully dad was only coasting in reverse and not going any faster.

[W30olds]

There are several LS4 groups on FB. Of course the trans and oil burning issues are talked about often, but, like most forums, people only show up when they have a problem. That is where I often see deals on them, esp with a blown trans. It might be an easy way to track down a deal on one.

I found a GXP with 48K on the car in Florida. Asking $10K for it and it's in mint condition! I checked out the transmission company you talked about and that's not bad for a built tranny. So will keep my eyes open for a nice GXP and if I find one that's in good condition grab it up.

[Imp558]

Cars going to the body shop next week to get repaired. Shop manager told me it was a fairly easy repair that didn't require a new door. The ground effects aND mirror just needed to be sanded and painted and would be fine. Thankfully dad was only coasting in reverse and not going any faster.

That's fantastic. There's so few first gens that have good owners. It would be a shame to see another one die.

[jiggity76]

I bought a new GXP in 06, never had any issues with it.  Sold it with 17,300 mile on it.  The only thing I had a "issue" with is when I was going to Wisconsin for a wedding and the low oil light came on or whatever they do to let you know there is a oil problem, can't remember.  It had 7500 miles on it I do remember that.  I had a Wisconsin GM dealer look at it and they just filled it with oil.  I remember the paperwork on it and that's why I remember the mileage due to that.  Great car otherwise!  Fully loaded except it didn't have the factory navigation system.  Maroon with black interior, bought it new at Watters GM dealer in Indianola, IA.

[W30olds]

That's fantastic. There's so few first gens that have good owners. It would be a shame to see another one die.

Indeed! I really love that car. It's basically brand new mechanically. Rides like a new car now with the suspension being fixed. I get compliments all the time on it. I'm super glad it's getting repaired. Hey on the plus side the giant door dent I got from the asshole driver will be gone too!

[W30olds]

I bought a new GXP in 06, never had any issues with it. Sold it with 17,300 mile on it. The only thing I had a "issue" with is when I was going to Wisconsin for a wedding and the low oil light came on or whatever they do to let you know there is a oil problem, can't remember. It had 7500 miles on it I do remember that. I had a Wisconsin GM dealer look at it and they just filled it with oil. I remember the paperwork on it and that's why I remember the mileage due to that. Great car otherwise! Fully loaded except it didn't have the factory navigation system. Maroon with black interior, bought it new at Watters GM dealer in Indianola, IA.

Man that's nice. I drove one a few months ago at the Buick dealer. They had one on the used car lot. It was awesome. Thought about buying it, but they wanted way to much for it and it needed some cosmetic work. Plus the rear rim was curbed pretty badly and the paint was scratched up badly. Must have owned a cat. I have not seen one in person until that car. It was charcoal grey with dark interior. Super nice minus the paint and curbed rim.

[jiggity76]

Man that's nice. I drove one a few months ago at the Buick dealer. They had one on the used car lot. It was awesome. Thought about buying it, but they wanted way to much for it and it needed some cosmetic work. Plus the rear rim was curbed pretty badly and the paint was scratched up badly. Must have owned a cat. I have not seen one in person until that car. It was charcoal grey with dark interior. Super nice minus the paint and curbed rim.

I like the silver and dark grey cars too.  Maroon is my favorite color so that's why I bought it.  I sold it only because I lost my job soon after and wasn't sure I would be able to make payments anymore.  I would still have it if that didn't happen.

[Leadfoot]

Glad to hear they are fixing it.  Any pics of the damage?  They aren't just filling it with bondo are they?

[W30olds]

Glad to hear they are fixing it. Any pics of the damage? They aren't just filling it with bondo are they?

No sir. Going to push the dent from the inside out. Then fix the rest from the outside by using rods to pull. Said there would be a small amount of filler if any. I asked first because I'm not a big fan of filling it full of bondo.

[W30olds]

I like the silver and dark grey cars too. Maroon is my favorite color so that's why I bought it. I sold it only because I lost my job soon after and wasn't sure I would be able to make payments anymore. I would still have it if that didn't happen.

Man that sucks. Sorry to hear that. I'm going to look at a 2007 GXP Saturday. It's red with black interior. 92K miles. Asking $7200 for it, but I'm going to make him an offer if it's in good condition.