I bought my 2004 GXP in February of 2004. It was the 25th one off the assembly line.

Currently I have 138,000 miles on it. I did the plugs at 110,000.

While under warranty I had the power steering pump, water pump both replaced, at 99k miles.

After the warranty I now need, a catalytic converter, the water pump started leaking last week, the gauge cluster is a mess, my hoses from the compressor to the shocks is rigged so they won't leak and set off the SSS, the alternator belt is squealing at low idle, and low speed.

I recently changed the plastic adapter that connects to the coolant resevoir to fix that coolant leak, I changed the thermostat not long before that, and last year I was blowing plumes of white smoke due to a head gasket issue.

I spoke to tons of Northstar repair guys and they all said to punt, so I couragesly tried the 3 step commercial Bars Leak product. It took 4 hours to do all three steps per the instructions, and when my brother in law and I were done, the smoke had stopped, all my other gaskets that leaked had stopped leaking and I was so proud of myself because I kept my beast on the road for 70 bucks. <------not recommended I know, but no one wanted to do the repair, not even the dealers

Now I just need to do the other minor items, two of which are on tap for this weekend, the pump and the belt, btw thanks GM for the special 100 dollar+ cost tool(socket) for replacing the water pump.

Thoughts on the converter? Can I use the universal? or should I really do it all like GM says I am supposed to?

Eventually I will replace the gauge cluster and then I'll be like new...