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Pontiac Grand Prix GXP 2006

1495 messages,  Last post on Jan 21, 2013 at 12:15 PM

You are in the Pontiac Grand Prix Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Prix, Car Leasing, Car Buying, Sedan

Messages Page 15 of 150

#136 of 1495 Re: GXP first driving impressions [rayainsw] by v8cat

May 24, 2005 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: rayainsw (May 19, 2005 6:13 am)
Think twice before you ( buy this GXP. Look at my post about all the problems I had with the quality of a 2004 GTP which I finally traded. The car listed for $28000 when new and the Kelly Blue Book value in Apr. 2005 was $14000. I should have bought a Nissan Maxima (which I was considering). The Pontiac is FRONT WHEEL Drive, with cheap interior materials and questionable quality control. Look at Consumers Reports Reliability for Grand Prix supercharged. But, hey, it's your money.

#137 of 1495 Re: questions, questions [rayainsw] by justgreat47

May 25, 2005 (3:27 am)

Replying to: rayainsw (May 24, 2005 10:09 am)
thanks for the info...from what i have read from a very reliable source, dod only operates at cruising speeds. the question i posed was due to something i read on the pontiac web site that led me to believe that dod would operate under idle conditions, once the engine reached operating conditions. it's too bad, imo, that the dod DOESN'T operate in idle conditions, which is the type of driving that myself and lots of other people operate cars in. i geuss the idle characteristics aren't the greatest and based on what happened the last time gm tried this technology, i can understand why they wanted to be conservative with it's application. jackg 90seville 97k

#138 of 1495 DoD by rayainsw

May 25, 2005 (5:08 am)

Every place I have seen thorough published analysis of the new DoD technology also has 1 or more message boards, so I cannot refer you, but there is a bunch of information about how it works, the design goals, the lessons learned from the 8-6-4 Caddy effort, etc.
 
I am looking forward to additional feedback from testers (and owners) regarding how successful GM was in addressing these concerns in the 'real world'.
 
I am interested in how well the transitions are managed. And my understanding is that the V4 mode is timed. At some maximum duration, it will revert to V8 mode.
 
I am also interested in the technology they utilized to make the V4 mode at cruise sound "ok". . .
 
During my test drive, I was focused on several other things. . .
- Ray
Willing to give up a wee bit of additional 'waste' in fuel at idle, to hear a V8 - and not a V4 . .

#139 of 1495 Re: robh3 [iwantonetoo] by 442man

May 25, 2005 (7:12 am)

Replying to: iwantonetoo (May 22, 2005 9:05 pm)
I chose the 2005 GTO over 2005 GXP. I had a 2004 Loaded CompG company car. GTO is the best car Pontiac has in terms of build quality-interior quality. It wasn't made here. Interior and seats in the GTO is one of the best in GM's lineup period, quoting Car and Driver.
 
Sorry, the GTO's steering handling is superior to the GXP. Not the Magnasteer of the GXP which feels fake and artificial. They have improved it but enough. Front wheel drive equals torque steer and understeer. That 303hp has some nasty torque steer on it.
 
GTO's backseat is 10x more comfortable then GXP, go figure! It has the same 37" of rear legroom too. It is a pain to get in and out of GTO backseat, but once you are there, much superior to the GXP/Compg.
 
REAL performance cars have rear or all wheel drive and near 50/50 weight distrubition not front drive and a 65/35 weight distribution like GXP!
 
That said GXP is a nice car. But GTO is that much better and isn't really much more $$, getting Corvette drivetrain.
 
Highway ride is BETTER in the GTO then my Comp G was. BMW 5 series like in GTO.

#140 of 1495 Re: DoD [rayainsw] by 442man

May 25, 2005 (7:14 am)

Replying to: rayainsw (May 25, 2005 5:08 am)
Sorry but the GTO engine exhaust is MUCH BETTER then GXP. Sounds like a 1960's GTO. Almost like there isn't mufflers, glass pack sound.

#141 of 1495 Re: DoD [rayainsw] by 442man

May 25, 2005 (7:15 am)

Replying to: rayainsw (May 25, 2005 5:08 am)
The Major problem I have with the GXP is that it looks like a RENTAL CAR. Looks similar to a 4 door Grand Prix from Enterprise. Too many on the road.
 
GTO only sells 12,000 and none to rental agencies. For every GTO there is going to be 10 grand prixs out there.

#142 of 1495 Re: GXP first driving impressions [v8cat] by 442man

May 25, 2005 (7:17 am)

Replying to: v8cat (May 24, 2005 6:45 pm)
I agree, the interior in the Grand Prix is CHEAP!!! Improvement over 1997-2003, but that was Very cheap.
 
CR rated the Kia Amanti/SG350 as overall better then Grand Prix, LOL! That tells you something.
 
If you want a Front Drive performance Sedan, buy the Maxima, hold it's value better, won't look like a rental car. better build quality and you can get manual shift if you wish.

#143 of 1495 alternatives to the gxp by justgreat47

May 25, 2005 (9:28 am)

if i were to buy a new car at this time the gxp would be on the list. along with the avalon, the maxima, and that's about it. i'm just under 6'4'" 200 lbs and i creak alot...so size is of the essence when picking a car. i need four doors so that eliminates alot of choices and i'm always looking for a deal. i want as much interior space for the driver in the smallest package and still get 4 doors.
 
when i look at the gxp i see the following (compared to my front runner the avalon):
a rather cheap interior, a lack of content of items that i'm looking for (hid's and a multi speed automatic...four gears just isn't enough, imo), a decent size overall with good numbers for fitment in the driver's seat. but most of all, what i see is the gxp's biggest asset: THE ENGINE!! THAT'S why i would buy the gxp over the avalon...it's got a v8 for god's sake and as far as i'm concerned, for the type of driving i do (around town, stop light to stop stuff) i'll take a pushrod v8 anyday over any v6...i've shamed some seriuously expensive hardware with my 4.5 in the seville but i pick my battles...i know my engine's strong suit.
 
the only point i am trying to make is there's alot of apples/oranges going on...there's no replacement for displacement...bottom line. that's not to say i wouldn't buy the avalon, but i know that i would not be getting that instant punch away from a stop light without thrashing the motor to 6k...VERY uncool.
 
imo, the gxp is a good deal...lot's of good stuff at a competitive price...i just don't know if i can get around the interior being so chintzy and the lack of xenons'.
 
another apple/orange: the gto is a great car with a beautiful interior and great performance; but, it's two doors...the gxp is four... jackg 90seville 97k

#144 of 1495 GXP vs Avalon by 1487

May 25, 2005 (2:42 pm)

To me the two cars appeal to differnt types of buyers. The Avalon has a ot of features and is fast but it's no sports sedan. The GXP appeals to a younger demographic in my opinion. It looks aggressive and rides on 18" rims. I dont think the Avalon was made to be driven the way the GXP can be driven. To a person of my age the Avalon isnt even on the radar. It's kind of like a Buick only not as attractive. The GXP is what it is. We all know you can get a 300C or 330 and have RWD but neither car is much faster and the GXP is bound to be more rare. The 300C is a dime a dozen where I live so it has no exclusivity. The GXP will be slightly slower, but its a smaller, lighter car, gets better mileage and undoubtedly handles better. The 330 or G35 are great cars but their base prices are close to the price of a lightly optioned GXP plus we all know the transaction price on a GXP would be much lower than either of those cars. I do wish it had HIDs but I dont know if I would base a decision on that alone. People keep complaining about the GXP being FWD but no one is complaining about the Maxima, Avalon or TL.

#145 of 1495 Re: GXP vs Avalon [1487] by justgreat47

May 25, 2005 (3:38 pm)

Replying to: 1487 (May 25, 2005 2:42 pm)
yep...i would agree with that assessment...i am older and the comfort level is of prime consideration. fwd versus rwd is a non issue with me...they both have their attributes and their negatives...since size of the overall package inside and out are important to me, i try to look at all comers. another plus for the gxp over the avalon would be the handling....BUT, after seeing the pictures of those beautiful rims and the red calipers,i just KNOW i would be down there on my hands and knees cleaning the xxxx out of them constantly...that is a drawback to me....see, i told you i'm older.
 
i have always liked the grand prix for being a decent compromise between a nice ride and decent handling...l like it a bunch more since they put the small block (in aluminum, no less!!) in it. jackg 90seville 97k

Messages Page 15 of 150

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