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Pontiac Grand Prix - 2000-2005

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

You are in the Pontiac Grand Prix Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Prix, Sedan

    

Messages Page 357 of 446

#3558 of 4457 Re: Spartanman by dialn24

Feb 02, 2004 (9:37 am)

That's the review I read, and I still didn't see anything about it being "a decade behind the competition". In fact, that is one of the more negative reviews on the car I have seen.
 
Here is a small part of one from a writer that liked the car:
 
"A 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT sedan has been a regular in my driveway going on five years now - driven by myself, my wife and my teenage son. It has been fairly dependable and enjoyable.
 
But having recently spent a week in a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, my car comes off as a poor, downtrodden cousin. The new Grand Prix, extensively reworked for the 2004 model year, is so much better than mine that I almost feel like I was suckered into buying my car when the Y2K bug was still big news.
 
Even taking into account that I bought the GT instead of the GTP with a supercharged version of General Motors' delightful 3.8-liter V-6, the new Grand Prix has improved by approximately a light-year over its previous self."
 
All this means is that a review is very subjective. This individual has direct experience with Grand Prixs and notices the differences between it and the previous generations. I too have direct experience with both cars, and I also think this car is quite a bit better then the previous generation.
 
As far as the rear seat, I definitely agree with you on that. However; that rarely comes into play with me. I am either alone in the car or it's myself and my girlfriend going out to do something.
 
I would suggest driving a new Grand Prix before you formulate an opinion on it entirely based on your experience in the back seat of your friend's car. There is no doubt that rear seat comfort is one of the areas that I think this car has room for improvement. When I first looked at a Grand Prix (granted it was a GT1 with uglycloth) on the showroom floor, I was not impressed. In fact, I was going to look at something else because of it. Then I saw a GT2 with leather and in a different color, so I decided to at least drive one. This is my first Grand Prix ever, so I am not a diehard previous owner of this model of cars (not that there is anything wrong with that). It didn't take long driving to realize just how much I liked this car. For myself, it drives this good. I have worked at a Nissan dealership in the past, and I have been a huge fan of their cars. However; I may be in the minority, but I think what they are putting out now is just too far over the top and I find them boring and horrid to look at. I do know what kind of looks I get driving in this car, and I have heard many comments sitting at a gas station filling up, they are almost all positive.
 
In my opinion, GM is starting to put on some very nice products. The Colorado is a definitely improvement over the S-10, the Malibu is a definite improvement, and there are other cars to look forward to like the Equinox and what is being called the G-6 (which should be a dramatic improvement over the current Grand Am).
 
As far as quality goes, the plant that makes the Grand Prix is award winning. They are known to put out some great products as far as quality goes. I don't see any obvious blunders in this category. Some don't like the thought that the dash of the Grand Prix has a lot of plastic that is kind of peiced together. I like the way the car looks inside and out.
 
I think GM has a winner in this car and as I said before, I can't think of one car at this price or under I would rather have.
 
Good luck with your minivan!

#3560 of 4457 by evandro

Feb 02, 2004 (11:01 am)

It's funny that it's been mentioned that the new GP is "just" 80% new when the Japanese cars are usually 40-60% new between generations...
 
<cynicism>
Of course, Japanese cars are perfect in each and every sense, it's the American cars that need to be bashed whether they're done way or another, always.
</cynicism>

#3561 of 4457 by midlifecrisis

Feb 03, 2004 (5:56 am)

Pretty funny how someone who read a (supposed bad) review of the Grand Prix is trying to convince an actual OWNER of a Grand Prix that it is a bad car....
 
dialn24 and I know the real deal, and we like our Grand Prixs - not that we have to justify our purchases to anyone but ourselves....

#3562 of 4457 spartanmann by dan165

Feb 03, 2004 (7:19 am)

I can think of lots of other cars than have poor back seats, big deal. You sound like a typical GM basher and I have seen your posts in other forums.
 
GP is a great car, it smooth reliable and looks great. Yes GM can improve the back seat but otherwise the car is nice and the price is right. A nice 3800 for the price of a 4 banger Accord, I'll take the GP anyday.

#3563 of 4457 Nissan being over the top: by carguy58

Feb 03, 2004 (11:40 am)

Well they must be doing something right. That their hottest automaker in the indusrty right now alongside with Cadillac.
 
Oh yeah somebody mentioned resale value on the Grand Prix before: before the whole 0% bannanza and rebates Consumer Reports actually rated the Grand Prix's resale value as average so depreciation wasn't that bad on the Grand Prix.

#3564 of 4457 Enough of the Back Seat Driving! by etcb

Feb 03, 2004 (8:24 pm)

Come up front and sit in the driver's seat! Is that all there is to complain about. Back seats,, come on! Get real!
 
Glad GTP Owner
04 GTP Graystone.. Varooom!~ See Ya in my rear view!

#3565 of 4457 Front Seat by midlifecrisis

Feb 04, 2004 (8:05 am)

Every time I slip into the driver's seat I have to crack a smile. And there are enough cockpit goodies to keep me happy for a very long time!

#3566 of 4457 Re: Nissan by dialn24

Feb 04, 2004 (7:58 pm)

All I know is that Nissan sales in the area I am from are horrific. The owner is scrambling because he isn't seeing any results, there isn't hardly any traffic, and they just aren't seeing new vehicles leave the lot. So, they may be the 2nd hottest car maker out there, but that surely isn't reflected anywhere near where I am from.
 
As far as being "over the top", that was said as opinion and was referred to as that. Nissan makes some very good cars, but I find their styling terrible these days. The Altima is a decent looking car, but I think the new Maxima is just downright putrid.
 
All I know is I just put about 500 more miles on my car in the last 3 days. It was comfortable, drove and handled great, and I definitely just love the way this car drives.
 
The best part is I got one heck of a deal on this car. I mean how can you go wrong when you buy a car that stickers for $31320 for right under $24,000 without a trade? So, resale might not be great based on that $31320 sticker, but I didn't pay near that to drive a loaded up GTP Comp-G. I don't regret it at all.

#3567 of 4457 Re: Nissan by etcb

Feb 04, 2004 (8:32 pm)

7K off sticker on a GTP that's one heck of a deal! Try getting a deal like that at Nissan. No way!!
 
Glad GTP Owner
04 GTP Graystone.. Varooom!~ See Ya in my rear view!

Messages Page 357 of 446

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