Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Pontiac Grand Prix - 2000-2005
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
And besides, I'm not referring to a score an owner gives in some arbitrary rating. I'm referring to owners on this forum who have driven their car for several months, who can give objective opinions and details about certain aspects of a vehicle's handling, power, quality, etc. That info is much more valuable than some reviewer who is comparing different cars.
Yes, some of that info is useful when comparing models, especially if you don't have the time to test drive 20 different cars. I do read the reviews and other specification data on the internet before I even start a search for a new car. But the best info is obtained from people that already own the vehicle. I don't care whether a reviewer thinks a certain curve in the dashboard is awkward. That's useless superfluous information to me.
Half of the what the reviewer writes down is a rehash from the manufacturer's claims anyway. "Pontiac says the chassis is 35% stiffer...". In the other half they are trying to be cute or overly sarcastic to make a name for themselves.
My opinion on the GP:
Is it a good car? Yes
Does it lead its class? No. It is an average car. Unless you buy the GTP model, and some of the performance is at the top of its class.
Is it a good overall value? Yes. I bought my GT2 model with leather and HUD for around $22K with all the incentives. I moved up from a Grand Am, but still lowered my monthly payment and reduced from a 5-year to a 4-year loan. The car has a big 3.8L engine with decent power, and still gets 25-28 mpg on a regular basis. I get a decent amount of performance and a good bit of luxury with all the options and leather interior.
Does it have "issues"? Yes, including a low, flat and poorly padded back seat, headlight flutter and some other minor issues that I have not encountered, but others have.
Is it good looking? I think so, but that is a personal preference and part of why I bought the car. Others may think it not the greatest looking.
Positives:
3800 Engine. Say what you will about older technology, but this is a great engine with a good history, acceleration, handling, fun to drive, great looking, not a mere 'A to B' car that quite a few cars fall into (base Altima is one), feel, wind noise, cockpit interior design, stereo, options available, and performance.
Negatives:
Rear seat comfort (doesn't affect me), kind of loud for engine noise, ride can be bumpy, no rear cupholders (not affected), some options not available that should be in this price range (some of these ommissions are huge for what my car sticker for: dual climate control, heated mirrors, automatic climate control, and an autodimming mirror).
Has any one heard of any incentives to get current Gm leasees into a new car before their lease is up. A Saturn dealer told me that Gm will allow people to bring their cars back if their lease is up between now and Dec 2004 with no penalty. Could this be true ?
But after 6 months, there may have been one or two times that we could have used them for the kids - no big deal. But I don't take long family trips in the GP - we use our other vehicle for that.
I do take many trips to drive to meetings, etc with adults in the backseat. I mention that the seat is not that great and nearly everyone says "What's the problem? It is fine for me."
I thought of another thing that bugs me. The stock exhaust tips on the Grand Prix are pretty bad. They don't look good at all and are almost impossible to keep looking good. I don't have the extra cost chrome exhaust tips on there right now, but I do intend to spend the money to put these on sometime shortly. I have been way too busy to go to a dealership, so I just am not sure how much they cost at this point.
I learned it with my father. He once bought a car that everybody and their dog, in the press or outside it, would rate it as a pile of junk. It happened to be the best car he's ever had. The bad rap came from its 1st generation, but the 2nd was solid.
I do ask owners about the major problems they've had and about the car's most evident virtues and vices. Then I drive paying attention to that and make up my mind. That's why when I was in the market for a used car, I got an Intrigue: I knew its Achile's heels, but also its virtues, many of them.
TIA
SO can these engines be safely operated on regular fuel? Only to a limited degree. With the Pontiac it should be kept out of boost when regular is in the tank and premium should be rum whenever possible.. Think of this low-octane tolerance as a convenience measure for shuttling from one gas station to the next when premium fuel is temporarily no available.
Evidently the person who wrote that is misguided.
GM claims that the new refine 3.8 for 04 is design with closer tolerances to run regular fuel.
I can not think of a car I would less like to own. Well built and holds it's value YES. Otherwise I see it only as a japanese Buick.
However, GM doesn't promise the same power from that engine burning regular. You can count on delayed spark timing to avoid knock in WOT.
Any midsize sedan can be cross shopped. Camry just happens to be about the dullest thing on the market next to the Century.
Well, at least we agree about how dull the Camry is.
Glad GTP Owner
04 GTP Graystone.. Varooom!~ See Ya in my rear view!
Ya, no kidding. Toyota is dreaming on that one.
HTH
But not to worry - we all have the ability to delete our own messages. Check out the blue buttons to the right of the title of your message (assuming, of course, that you are logged in) - and there ya go!
:-)
EATON GEN V SUPERCHARGER
The 3800 Series III SC is fitted with the most-sophisticated supercharging technology available: the segment-exclusive Eaton Gen V supercharger. So equipped, the 3800 Series III gives the 2004 Grand Prix class-leading output and acceleration, with the overall “drivability” or flexibility that sport sedan and coupe buyers expect over a broad rpm range.
The 90-cubic inch Gen V supercharger is very compact. Its housing includes the throttle-body adaptor, crankcase ventilation plumbing, coolant passages, the evaporative emissions purge valve and the rotor drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is sealed and permanently lubricated, obviating the need for oil connections and eliminating a potential source of leaks. Moreover, the Gen V features all-cast components and a larger, low-restriction outlet port. The tuned inlet port is also less restrictive, compared to previous-generation superchargers, allowing a larger (75 millimeter) throttle body. As a result, more air is pumped by the supercharger through the Series III’s induction system. The Gen V’s rotor is finished with Abraidbable Powder Coating (APC) rather than epoxy. APC is a patented material containing graphite that is electrostatically applied to the rotor and baked on. As a result, the rotor requires less clearance within the supercharger housing, resulting in less leakage around its edges, greater airflow at a given operating speed and lower operating temperature. The Gen V’s rotor bearings have been enlarged to increase durability and reduce operating noise and vibration.
As a result, the Gen V operates at considerably higher efficiency than its predecessors. At wide open throttle, the Gen V turns at 700 fewer rpm (a 9 percent reduction), draws 13 percent less power from the crankshaft, decreases operating temperature 15 percent and increases volumetric efficiency 9 percent. For the customer, that means a 9 percent increase in horsepower (see product specifications), and best-in-class acceleration times for the Grand Prix. Moreover, the 3800 Series III SC does not require premium fuel, and even with regular it produces as much power as the Series II. A Grand Prix owner might use regular for workweek commuting, then fill with premium for more spirited, enthusiast-style driving on the weekend.
Link to the page for additional detailed info:
http://media.gm.com:8221/division/powertrain/products/engine/carengines/2004/2004%20L32A.doc
Yours is the first post since mine on 2/20. This was a lively board - what happened?
The GTP is a nice car, but I still prefer my '97 Eldorado Touring Coupe. I am surprised to find that 7 years later, the 2004 GTP has a noticably inferior build and materials quality to my '97. Sure, it's a Pontiac vs. a Cadillac, but it seems like it wouldn't cost any more to do things right, once you have discovered how to do it. For what it's worth, we also considered the Cadillac CTS and found it didn't seem any better than the GTP (the Seville and Deville seemed noticably better built). My wife preferred the GTP over the CTS, in fact (she thought it seemed more solid), and for ~10K less, that is what we ended up with. She loves it.
I do like the Fusion Orange Metallic color, but sometimes I wish it were a little more orange, and a little less copper.
Also, you (or others here) might want to participate in the rest of the survey whether or not the GP is listed...
I have got CARFAX report and it says that this car had at least 3 owners ???
Dealer told me that all their cars came from GM Auction of leased cars. Is that possible that leased car can have 3 registered owners?
I have also noticed that date of first registration was October 2002 ?( car is 2001 ),
then 1 year later it was second registration ( second owner) and 1 month later third one. So I am forth owner in this case.
I have no idea what to do? They want to sell me an extended warranty, which I can't afford to by.
I am going today to get this car - unless you guys can recommend me something else to do.
Thank you