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Pontiac Grand Prix - 2000-2005

4457 messages,  Last post on Jul 28, 2011 at 9:56 PM

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What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Prix, Sedan

    

Messages Page 226 of 446

#2249 of 4457 2004 GTP - WS6 by 04gtpws6

Jun 15, 2003 (1:45 am)

I've been lurking around these forums for years because I've been to lazy to register, and I hate an assigned password that I can never remember.
 
I thought maybe I'd better say something because it looks like I'm the only one with a 2004 grand prix (GTP-WS6 in sport red metallic. I bought the very first one that came in to my dealer, and I've had the car for almost two months now. There was a day when I'd wait for a couple of years after a model change before I'd buy a new GM car. I've had such good luck with the last several GM cars that got brazen enough to buy one built in the second week of production.
 
The lows: 1) Hard low back seat bottom 2) amazingly firm ride, not harsh, but very very firm 3) Faux coupe styling makes it hard to see out the rear quarter
 
The highs: 1) As the magazines all say, virtually zero torque steer 2) Vibrationless engine at idle 3) Good firm supportive front seats 4) Less wind noise than any car I've owned 5) strong low end torque 6) can't hear the supercharger at all 7) excellent fit and finish 8) pretty decent interior quality for a GM car 9) No niggling little GM new car problems.
 
My 2004 is replacing a 2000 Deville DTS and will be used primary as a work car. I'll also do some drag racing with like I do all my cars. I got this car because my lease was up on my DTS and I couldn't wait until the CTSv was available or even the 04 CTS with the new 3.6L. I wasn't about to get another Deville because I could get DTS exactly like the one I have now, and that's no fun. I will not, under any circumstances, buy Japanese and I've heard plenty from everyone I know that has/had a VW Passat. In fact a neighbor bought a 2003 Passat the same weekend I bought the GP, and hers has been back at the dealer for problems 4 times now and mine has never been back. I didn't really see all that much else in the $30,000 range I'd buy. I still don't have the interior material quality that one would have with the Passat, but the 2004 is a big improvement over the old GPs. The 2004 is obviously built to a price point as everything is, but the compromises are acceptable to me. Pontiac got a lot of details right with this car. So far so good.

#2250 of 4457 by johnclineii

Jun 15, 2003 (4:32 am)

Congratulations on your GP! And thanks for that very informative post!
 
From a Deville DTS to a GP! Wow.

#2251 of 4457 04gtpws6 by ruski

Jun 15, 2003 (8:09 am)

what good is a great interior if the car spends a lot of time at the shop?

#2252 of 4457 2004 GTP - WS6 by 04gtpws6

Jun 15, 2003 (8:19 am)

I've had a 93 STS, 95 STS, 97 Cooncours and the 2000 DTS so that's enough for right now. I currently have the 04 grand prix, 63 grand prix, and a C5 vert so I do have a decent variety. I decided, first, that I don't want a new one just like the one I'm getting rid of, and secondly, I want to put my money into collectables such as a 61 Pontiac Ventura 389 tri-power bubble top and maybe a 65 Riviera GS. GM made so much junk in the late 70s and 80s that we forget just how nice the early and mid 60s GM full size cars were. I want to own a few again. However, it is my completely restored 63 grand prix http://hometown.aol.com/scotth3886/myhomepage/personal.html and http://hometown.aol.com/scotth3886/index.html that made me think of a new one. GM's support of the old car hobby paid dividends.

#2253 of 4457 fusion orange by dindak

Jun 15, 2003 (8:22 am)

I would consider it but I know my conservative wife would veto that choice so we would have to go with a "normal" color.
 
04gtpws6 : Congrats on the new GP. Great pictures!!

#2254 of 4457 fusion orange by 04gtpws6

Jun 15, 2003 (8:37 am)

Thanks! I need to get a digital camera so I can post some decent pics. The second link's photos were done by the same photographer that did the 350Z ad and we are in the same location down in the LA harbor. So forgive the artsy fartsy appearance.
 
Had the fusion orange been the first color that came in I would have done it. I've seen one that color and it works quite well on this car

#2255 of 4457 by gunit

Jun 15, 2003 (9:04 am)

04GTPWS6, what kind of drag racing? A pulley will add 30-40 horse alone on the '97-03 geneartion GTP. Not sure on the mods for the Series 3 3800 yet, though probably similar. My 2002 is tuned to around 300 horse and the 1/4 in the low 14's. Yeah, my modded 2002 GTP has LESS Torque steer then the STOCK Maxima/I35/V6 Altima, which if you ever drove them, have HORRENDOUS torque steer almost to the point of being dangerous in certain driving situations... IE wet pavement.
 
 Thanks to FWD I can still drive in the snow and pay 20% less insurance then Mustang/Transam owners. Yes, the '04 is more refined, with better seats, but NO COUPE? that kills it on my list. The 2 door GTP looked more stylish then the 4 door, my opinion . The coupe was 20% of the Grand Prix sales, doesn't make sense..
 
 I've heard that the 2004 GP and Max aren't selling that well, mabye the resession? The Max is too much $$, $32k loaded for a Nissan, when one can buy a Infiniti for the same price range with a longer warranty and free loaner cars. To each their own.
 
I am also leary of first year GM cars, I had a 1995 aurora and 1997 GTP... they were problematic. My 2002 has been the first GM in a while that has been TROUBLE FREE, knock on wood in my 9 month now.
 
Historically, especially on the 1997-2003 GP, the 2nd or 3rd year GM corrects problems, IE condensation in the headlights, water on the passenger front, windshield wiper motors, NO Traction control, noisy Delco ABS system that was loud in 1997 etc.. stuff that plagued the 1997 GTP, including mine. For 1998 GM utiilzed BOSCH for the ABS/Traction and it became quieter more refined, that was a big improvement.. the ABS in my 1997 sounded like a system from the early '90's loud and intrusive. The Best radio in the 1997 was garbage as well. Thats why I will never buy a 1st year GM car again.
 
Besides with NO more GTP coupe that means I will never be buying another one. I will have to look at other 2 door Powerfull/Roomy FWD coupes for 2006. if any exist. None that I know of, except the UGLY Monte SS. Rumor has it GM may cancel that if sales don't pick up as well. Besides the Monte is too ugly for me.. GTP coupe looked way better.

#2256 of 4457 gunit by dindak

Jun 15, 2003 (10:10 am)

The 97 had very few issues and that was 5-6 years ago. The new GP is built in the best plant in NA so I personally would have no problem buying one out of the gate.

#2257 of 4457 by ab348

Jun 15, 2003 (11:52 am)

Don't confuse the GM that built cars like the '63 GP with today's GM. They share only one thing - the name. GM no longer cares about making cars, just about making money. The soul and passion for style and performance is long dead. Instead we have atrocities like the Aztek and interiors like the '04 GP with uglycloth (TM Regd.). GM used to know how to build great cars, but no one there now remembers that.

#2258 of 4457 ab348 by dindak

Jun 15, 2003 (3:24 pm)

If you knew anyone who worked at a car plant (any maker) you would understand how incredibly passionate they are about the cars they build. Living out east, I'm sure you haven't got a clue though.

Messages Page 226 of 446

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