got a free car yesterday

Mom calls me yesterday to ask if I want her old car. 2002, grand prix, 107k, no dents, no rust. It only needs a cat (or a straight pipe, he he). Not sure why at that mileage, but my good buddy(pro mechanic) and the dealership both agree. They both had it in the shop for inspection. Just had all new brakes, struts, tires, and basic tune up just a few months ago. Offered them some money, but they wouldn't hear of it.

Even a blind squirrel gets a nut once and a while.
My mechanic buddy just broke his leg. He would have straight piped it for them. The dealer wanted 1700 to fix. So they just bought a new car instead. Moms been wanting a new car for a bit anyhow.

 

Can't beat that deal..................Sounds like Mom made Xmas come early.

 

Just before I got that call I had just finished making Xmas come early for my 9yo nephew. I picked up a brand new electric bass guitar in trade for a pair of rubber boots I didn't like. Decided to just give it to him. I was too excited to see his face to wait.

Christmas karma??

 

You bet. It all works out in the end.

 

LOL......can't wait to see the looks on the faces of his parents when he plugs it in for the first time. Should be good!!!!!!!!

 

Holy chit Pyro! That is awesome! Nice car and good for you. That will be fun to drive and decent on gas.

 

He has an electric guitar and a drum set. They are prepared. It was plugged in immediately.

We all hope this inspires him to practice some more. He spends most of his free time outside, which is a very good thing. Rare these days.

 

maybe you should play the lottery next, they say things happen in 3's.

 

Two really good stories. And this is a good time of year to hear about them. Giving forward like that is so important.
One of my kids and her husband came over and dug me out after the storm. Heck, they are in their 40's. They didn't want the fat old man out in the cold. 3 f here now.
Thanks for sharing. Good stories need to be told much more than others.

 

Nice, our newest car is an 01.

I needed new cats in my 07 work truck at 50-60k miles. U never know when they go out?

 

Didn't those have the supercharged engine?
Be nice on the skinny pedal or you can watch the gas unappear.

 

Only if its got the 3800 vin 1 engine.

btw whats wrong with the catalyst?

 

Wow congrats, very nice Christmas present.

 

That's a nice car...good for you!!

 

3800, but not supercharged. I think that was only the GTP.

Cat is plugged according to two mechanics. Runs fine until about 2500 rpm, then it's like you're standing on both pedals. No power at all up there.

 

what usually happens is the honeycomb substrate breaks loose and turns sideways causing poor flow.

 

So is this going to be the type of cat that can just be hollowed out and reinstalled. I don't care about the check engine light. The car went from fine to this in under a week so that seems plausible.

 

Yea u can gut it, straight pipe it or if u worried about nosey police or something buy an aftermarket.

 

I am not worried about the police or anything, just looking for the simplest answer. My mechanic/welder has a broken leg so I'm ok my own for this fix.

 

Hack it out and clamp in a straight pipe