Was that Galant built in Normal, Illinois? If so, several boaters built it!

I have no idea.

I didn't expect you to, Mike. I think they are all made at the plant in Normal, IL.

The deed is done. 2000 Grand Prix, 3.8L. The miles are higher than I would've preferred at 130K, but everything looks, feels, and drives solid, the Michelins have about half their tread, the seller had all the maintenance records. No codes stored, everything very smooth and quiet. The car's not perfect, but it's an honest car from a normal individual and we agreed on a very fair price.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and input!

Wow, you ended up with a GM product. I am stunned. I can say, welcome to the "W" car family!

Been a GM guy most of my life, until about 12 years ago.

Congratulations. Joining the ranks of the squeaky body eh?

Congrats!

We had a 2000 grand prix gt and it was a great car. Never had a single problem the whole time we owned it. Friend has a 97 gtp that he bought brand new. Only has 90k on it now and it still looks and runs like new.

Thanks! No squeaks at this point, knock on wood. The guy bought it from a co-worker who travels full-time between Oklahoma and Kansas (read: highway miles). The story is pretty well validated by what's on the Carfax. He bought it from the co-worker at 80K miles for his oldest son to drive back and forth to K-State (read: more highway miles).

Re: Tauruses

Older ones (1984-1995) always needed a steering rack and/or a tranny by 70,000

1996-1999 are better (my kid drives a 1996 with 80,000 miles on it) but the water pumps go out at some point due to the fact that the antifreeze corrodes the vanes inside the pump.

2000-2007 are rock solid and one of the best used car buys on the market. Go for the basic Vulcan engine, not the 24-valver and you will have a nice reliable vehicle. The 24 valves are better, faster, but more complicated and more expensive to start with. Not a reliability issue with them.

I always, absolutely, refused to let my used car manager retail any Chrysler product that was traded in with over 60,000 miles. It just did not make sense to keep it: recon too high, customers always came back with complaints they thought we should make the car work better...

Sorry Chrysler owners, but that was the rule at our Ford store.