Hello. I'm brand new to GPONA, I hope I am not violating protocol by posting the same message in two different forums (2004-2008 discussion), but it focuses on the 3800 supercharged engine. I know little about GP's, but am considering buying a used supercharged model in the 2004-2007 range. Many GP's for sale are former rentals; one GP that interests me is a former rental, 2007 with 29K miles. My question is this: If a supercharged GP was previously a rental car, wouldn't most renters fill it with the cheapest gas they could, i.e., 87 octane, since they don't care about the engine? And if a supercharged rental has been run primarily on 87 octane, how much damage would have been done to the engine? Until now I never gave any thought to the fuel that renters might buy. Any comments or recommendations? Thanks, Mark.

I would just plain stay away from buying a former rental car. It's a fact and I'm sure almost ALL of us are guilty of it, rental cars are treated like crap for every mile on the odometer. And yea, most renters would fill it with the cheapest gas possible, I know I would.

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My car was a formal rental car, the biggest reason I bought it is because it was everything I wanted. The car fax was clean, and it was down south according to it. I now run Ultra in it and never had a problem (knock on wood) I agree that we all beat the hell out of rental cars, and I still drive the car hard. I guess what it boils down to is take care of it and everything should be fine.

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2009 Pontiac G8 GT- Roto-Fab Intake, Roto-Fab Radiator cover, Superchips Cortex Tune, Tinted Tail lights, Corsa Cat-Back Exhaust, Tinted side markers, Painted GXP Diffuser, Tinted Reflectors, Painted Grilles.

My car was also a rental. I bought it with 15,000 miles. It's now approaching 170,000 miles and still running very strong even with the abuse I've put it through. The 87 octane does not matter with 04+ GP's. They were designed to run with any octane. The performance will suffer with 87 octane, however it will not harm the engine. The PCM detects the lower octane and automatically switches to a lower timing table which protects the engine, but reduces performance.

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3.5" MPS, 1.84 Rockers, 3" DP, Frt PEM, 39lb Injs., PowrTuner, Wizair
14.07@ 98.85mph 2.180 60'

Former rental............. a lot of us are.

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04 GTT - Retired
Best ET 13.016
Best Trap 115.56 MPH

How often do you guys change your supercharger oil? I changed mine recently and I have heard different things on how long you should go.

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2009 Pontiac G8 GT- Roto-Fab Intake, Roto-Fab Radiator cover, Superchips Cortex Tune, Tinted Tail lights, Corsa Cat-Back Exhaust, Tinted side markers, Painted GXP Diffuser, Tinted Reflectors, Painted Grilles.

I wouldn't worry about the engine too much.
It would be the trans I would be worried about.
Maybe you can rent the car for a weekend?
Take it out on the highway and get the trans up to temp.
Then have a *bit* of fun.
If it passes,buy it.
I would also look at the brake pedal for excessive wear or replacement on the rubber pedal pad and look at the oil filler tube for brown sludge or varnish buildup inside.

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2005 GT owner [Non S/C] with a "big DIC".
Two years later and I still love the car.
Thanks Pontiac...Bleen is keen!

OK, thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apPPOJBHbQA


Prime example of why NOT to buy a rental car.....

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meh my 145k mile rental has been doing just fine besides normal ware items (yes i count the trans as a ware item exspecialy in a GP lol)

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92 LeBaron Convert: Turbo 3L 97 Grand Prix GT 4dr "Frankenstein": L67 4t65 swap
97 Grand Marquis: Summer DD 99 Grand Prix GTP: Top Swap Beater