Which to Buy - Late 90's Grand Am or Grand Prix

[TazMan]

Hello. I'm going to picking up a late 90's 60 degree 3X00 Grand Am or Grand Prix. Aside from the differences in Torque/HP, does anyone know if there are any advantages to owning one over the other. The cars I've been looking at range in mileage from 85,000 - 115,000 so my main concern is reliability.

[PCGUY112887]

If you can find yourself a 2000+ Grand Am GT in your pricerange, then you will get 175hp/200torque and a 3400. Same thing if you buy a 2000+ Grand Prix SE however it's a 3100.

Anything older will have the 160hp/175tq 3100.

[TazMan]

So the Grand Am also has to be a 2000+ 3400 to have the large port intakes? I was under the impression all Gen 3 3400's had them. That's okay though. I have set of 2000+ 3400 heads, ported manifolds, and a 65mm TB I'll eventually bolt on. I'm really more concerned with it being reliable than anything else. I'm just wondering if the Grand Am's would tend to be more reliable since thay have slightly more power pushing slightly less car, or if there's really any difference.

[IsaacHayes]

grand am should be a little lighter. 99+ grand ams got 3400. older cars were small port 3100.

grad ams have 4t45-e and prix 65-e i think.

[TazMan]

grand am should be a little lighter. 99+ grand ams got 3400. older cars were small port 3100.

Ah okay I got it.

grad ams have 4t45-e and prix 65-e i think

Is either one better than the other?

[gpse3400]

They are all about as good as each other honestly. The GP will be more roomy, will give a sporting ride. But a GA mainly a GT will be a much more entertaining car and will have more bottom end.

[1988GTU]

I'd rather buy a GP over a grandamn for the room. Also around here grandamns! are usually a girls car where as the grand pricks is a dudes car. Although if the GA was way cheaper with lower miles and a better history... GA all the way!

[3100 MPFI]

One thing to consider is do you plan on doing any interior upgrades? The Grand Am has a LOT more complicated interior electrical system than the Grand Prix.

Also, the Grand Prix will have a larger ENGINE COMPARTMENT, so it is a lot easier to work on. If you want me too, I will take some pics of my Grandmothers 1999 Grand Am with the 4BANGER so you can see how tight it is in there even with the small engine.

I wanted to add keyless entry to my grandmothers 1999 grand am for her. I had the module, and a wiring diagram and everything I needed for it EXCEPT a tech2 scan tool. She even already had power door locks.

Even if I wired in a working RKE into it with an already matched remote it would not work. The BCM (body control module) has to be reprogrammed by GM to have the RPO code for keyless entry in order for it to work (and GM wanted $400 just to program in 1 RPO code).

I could not wire in the older system because unlike the older setups with a LOCK wire, and an UNLOCK wire, the Grand Am only has 1 wire. It sends a full strenght signal for lock, and a resisted signal (built in resistor in the switch) for unlock.

I would also get the Grand Prix for the interior room. I don't know how big you are, but I am 6'1", 280 lbs and it is a pretty tight fit in her car.

[IsaacHayes]

I agree with everything so far. And yeah the GP with the large port 3100 is a dog down low, but on the highway it's pretty decent. The grand am should be good all around probably close to the speed of your 3100 Corsica if not maybe a little faster. The GP will be slower than the Corsica.

[TazMan]

Yeah I agree with everyone too, but my wife loves the Grand Am's, and yes, Grand Am's are considered girls cars here too. I happen to really like the late 90's GP's but we've always gotten cars that suited me so the Grand Am will be a good compromise. I'm not quite 6'1", I'm 5'10" so I'm hoping the 3 inches makes a difference.

I don't have much to spend so I'm looking at some higher mileage models. Any idea about how long these engines/transaxles usually last? Are there any known problems to watch out for (other than manifold gaskets) that occur at certain mileages. Here is one that I'm going to look at, even though the mileage is a little high. 1999 Grand Am SE Sedan

3100 MPFI, thanks for the offer to take the picks, but I'm gonna look at it in person. You mentioned that it will be harder to work on, which is something I was a little concerned with myself. Do you know if the engine can come out the top, for future mods, or does it need to come out the bottom.

[3100 MPFI]

to be honest, I dont know, but if I ever do it in this car (the rear main seal is leaking), then I am going to try to do it from the top. If I have to REPLACE the engine, then I am going with an older HIGH OUTPUT QUAD4. That way there will be no real issues, and I will not have to get a V6 BCM.

[IsaacHayes]

GA: About as much space as the corsica to work on the engine.