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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 321 of 447

#3196 of 4457 GT1/GT2 bested by minivans by gunit

Oct 21, 2003 (6:13 am)

One more distressing thing I have seen is that the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna minivans are FASTER 0-60mph then the 2004 Grand Prix GT1/GT2.. go figure? Bested by a minivan? Ugh!
 
The Honda ran 8 seconds and the Toyota ran 8.2 seconds. Meanwhile the GT1/GT2 runs 8.5 seconds, LOL
 
Although I'm sure the GT1/GT2 out brake and out handle the minivans, it is still embarrassing for Pontiac though! Remember the vans are 800 pounds heavier!!
 
And I believe Edmunds has the Odyssey at an IMPRESSIVE 7.8 seconds, very good!

#3197 of 4457 by midlifecrisis

Oct 21, 2003 (7:23 am)

I used to have a Ford Windstar with the 3.8 L 200 HP engine. It was quite powerful and quick. But it was a minivan....
 
I need to take my GT2 to the track. I don't believe the 8.5 second time. My Grand Am GT was supposed to do a sub 8 second time, and I think the Grand Prix is just as quick. I rarely push the GP to the limit - but when I do the car responds very strongly. I just don't see how it would take 8.5 seconds to go from 0-60 in the GP.

#3198 of 4457 by dan165

Oct 21, 2003 (7:44 am)

Gunit, I really don't car much though I think the car is faster than 8.5. Those mini vans have big motors and burn more gas (not to mention they are both ugly). 8-8.5 seconds is just fine, if you want really fast get a GTP.
 
Wpbharry, saw a new Malibu parked on the street a few days ago. Very dull looking car a la Camry but seems nice inside. Probably a huge improvement over the current car.
 
Regfootball, We had a Ford Explorer for a number of years and the transmission never gave us any trouble. My sister has a 95 Windstar and it's been fine also. Don't think Ford trannys are that bad.

#3199 of 4457 gunit by dindak

Oct 21, 2003 (11:01 am)

The Ody has a 3.5L 250hp motor so yes it's fast, it's got 50 extra ponies under the hood. That said, I'm not so sure that the GT is as slow as 8.5 for 0-60. 3.8L powered cars have generally done 0-60 in the 8 second range in the past.

#3200 of 4457 GP vs. Maxima by evandro

Oct 21, 2003 (4:50 pm)

These cars are definitely competitors, but the Maxima is out of my list because its front end styling could only please me if I were bulimic.
 
Now, if the Japanese version were sold here, I'd probably switch to "the other side": photo #1, photo #2, photo #3.

#3201 of 4457 shiney plastic by orwoody

Oct 21, 2003 (9:33 pm)

So is it my imagination or has Pontiac "toned down" the shiny surface of the plastic around the dash and console?
I've had several 2004 GP rental cars and they all have very shiny plastic. While at my dealers for an oil change last Sat I cruised the lot and it seems like the plastic trim is not as reflective as that in the rentals I've had....
just wondering... if so I am very glad as it was th4e cheapest look that pushed me even more to jump on the 2003 GP GT I bought.

#3202 of 4457 by regfootball

Oct 21, 2003 (9:35 pm)

it may show as an infiniti
 
i thought only off the line acceleration mattered to pushrod fans.....
 
8.5 0-60, wow that's not quick.
 
The minivan mills make more power with less displacement....I wonder why....even in heavier vehicles.
 
a 'high feature' motor in a GP wouldn't that be sweet.

#3203 of 4457 orwoody by dindak

Oct 22, 2003 (5:48 am)

Very possible they have made a change quietly, they did that with the seat materials and the rear seat construction also.
 
Interesting story for the critics of some of the hard plastic in the GP. Took a rental Corolla out for a spin yesterday. I had not been in a Corolla in a while but I had forgotten how much hard plastic is on the dash of these car, wow. Yes it looks good, but people rave about the interiors of the Corolla and there is certainly more than average amounts of hard plastic in that car. I still hate the driving position in the car also!

#3204 of 4457 by gunit

Oct 22, 2003 (7:45 am)

Dindak,
 
The old Grand Prix 3800 of 1997-2003 did 0-60 in 8 seconds flat, but for some reason the new 2004 is only rated at 8.5 seconds? I saw that in a few magazines and that is according to Pontiac's official numbers. The 2004 lost 1/2 a second somewhere. Though the 2004 is heavier, but not by much.. I think only 100 pounds? Very strange. I would think the 2004 would be about 8 seconds.. but even GM has it now at 8.5 ??
 
A 4 banger Altima is nearly as fast at 8.5...
 
These are the official 0-60 numbers according to Pontiac...
 
1997-2003 GTP is 6.8
1997-2003 GT/SE with 3800 is 8.0
2004 GT1/GT2 is 8.5
2004 GTP is 6.6
2004 GTP Comp is 6.5

#3205 of 4457 by gunit

Oct 22, 2003 (7:59 am)

Pushrods have high end power too.. remember the Grand National 1985-1987, GTP or current Vette with pushrods??
 
A stock GTP is slightly faster then a Stock I35 in the quarter mile. A testament to the pushrod being faster at higher speeds too.
 
I don't know if you have ever raced at the track... but Remember this.. The infiniti I35 has a 15 horsepower advantage, 255 vs 240 is 200 pounds lighter, 3350 vs 3550 and has a better final drive gear ratio 3.50 vs 2.93 then the GTP. YET the GTP does the 1/4 mile slightly faster FASTER then the DOHC I35... LOL Stock vs Stock.
 
The GTP's engine was named to Wards top 10 engine list of the past 100 yrs, just like the VQ series engine in the I35 was. They are both good engines.
 
I own both have a 2001 I30t and a 2002 GTP. Both nice cars.. yes the I30 is much more refined then the GTP.. but the GTP is the more fun to drive and sportier of the 2. In most competitons the I35 finished 8 out of 10 in the entry luxury segment... most drivers thought it dull. Also the GTP garners the looks, knowone looks at a I30/I35 and says, Hey nice car.. they do all the time in the GTP coupe ! They are both good cars..
 
As for reliability my GTP has been just a tad more reliable then my I30t. Go figure? the I30t has been in for repair more then the GTP.
 
Also you can easily change the pulley on a GTP instantly adding 30 horsepower bumping it to 270 or 290 depending on if it's a '97'-'03 or a new '04! You can NOT mod the I35 as cheaply as that.
 
So pushrods are NOT only just about off the line acceleration. If you raced at that track you might know.
I see GTP's spanking I35/Maxima Auto trannies all the time.
 
Watch out for the 6spd manual Maxima... with proper mods that can be an entertaining race at the track.

Messages Page 321 of 447

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