Pontiac Grand Prix - 2000-2005

orwoody

I ran across this company selling high performance, cleanable, reusable air filters.

http://www.greenfilterusa.com/

Has anyone tried them? The price is pretty reasonable if they are truly reusable filters. They do claim some performance improvement, but I'd be more interested in being able to clean and reuse.
Thought I'd check around before spending the money.

oldsman01

One of the advantages of being single and 28 is I don't have to worry about being in the minivan market for a while:) But if I were, I think the Chrysler Town & Country is the best looking van out there. I sat in one at an auto show last year and other than aftermarket conversion vans, it was by far the nicest van I had seen. If only minivans had been that nice 14 years ago when my parents bought one:)

oldsman01

Your right about those old Auroras, they still look new and modern. Thats one of the things I liked about the Intrigue as it had alot of the original Aurora in it's styling. And yes, that was a solid car. Slam and door and there were no rattles or vibrations. Today, that is the big advantage the Bonneville has over the GP is it is built on the G-platform and that is a very solid chassis. The W-body is close, but has it's compromises.

regfootball

The original Aurora is truly an awesome car design.

dindak

We test drove a Honda van last year, but we aren't ready for that yet. I think unless you have a lot of kids you can do ok with a large sedan. I may look at a Maxx next year though, we shall see.

gunit

Regfootball, I would still have my 1995 Aurora if it weren't for all the electrical problems and oil burning issues in 2000-2001, Still was rattle free, and drove like new with nearly 75k+ miles on it in 2001. Only American car that I ever had that was built that well.

I really wanted the 2 door RIviera, but didn't want the 3800, wanted the Aurora's 4.0L DOHC. Riviera is just as impressive looking still. I believe the Rivera/Aurora were the same car, just 2 door vs 4 door. Same platform,etc. same futuristic styling.

GM's new 2001 Aurora, lost its styling for me, made it too dull... though they did improve handling big time !! they cited "people don't want spaceships" Other people dubbed the Aurora the "stealth bomber" esp in the black color, but still looks newer then most of hte new cars on the road. LOL.

Only drawback on the Aurora was its slow turn in response and so-so handling. THey fixed it for 2001, but made it dull looking

gunit

Dindak, we have one kid and with a 2nd on the way and 4 door luxury cars and 2 door sport coupes suit us well. If we had a 3rd kid or more then we would have to look the van/suv route. Otherwise 2 kids fit fine in the GTP coupe,

Besides it looks alot better then sitting behind the wheel of a minivan or SUV. If I'm paying $300 a month + I don't want to be stting in a van/suv unless I have to

I have many friends that think just because you have kids you can't still drive a fun/nice coupe, they are wrong. In many cases, my GTP Coupe is a bigger/roomier car then their sedan is. In fact with #2 on the way, I we still went out and bought the '02 Coupe, my friends thought I was crazy, but to each their own.

I'm not the one stuck driving a dull mommie mobile like they are, my opinion and 2 cents. It's funny beacuse they paid more for their dull vans/suvs then I did for my GTP coupe.

Have no prob putting 2 kids and their stuff in it including 2 strollers in our GTP coupe. Have alot more fun driving it then a minivan/suv.

midlifecrisis

We owned minivans for a total of 11 years. Finally my wife said no more. So we bought a Chevy Avalanche and she drives that around town. It can still seat 6 comfortably, so you don't lose much seating compared to a minvan. What you gain is a giant trunk that can fit tons of stuff without blocking your back window. Oh, and you gain about 4000 lbs towing capacity, which is great when you have a camper.

For me, I still want my car to be a 4-door. My daughters are 12 and 9, and it is much better for them to have their own doors. Since my oldest is already 5' 5" tall, getting out of a back seat will be a real hassle.

oldsman01

I've always said that unless I ever have more than 2 kids, a large car will do. Now I know that minivans and SUVs have improved big time since I was a kid and subject to ride in the back of one(bench seats, tin can audio system, rough and noisy ride), but I remember way back in 89 or 90 when my parents bought a minivan(Grand Caravan) I tried to convince them to buy a large sedan such as a Cadillac Deville or Buick Park Avenue. They didn't listen(imagine that, parents not listening to their 14 year old) and bought the van and after about 2 summer vacation road trips, no one wanted to go anywhere in it. I remember one summer when the van was still pretty new, we rented a Lincoln Town Car for our trip rather than take the van. Again, I know vans have come a LONG way since then, but I much rather prefer a great driving sedan. Heck, while most people my age today like SUVs, I prefer the better performance and handling of a coupe or sedan.

oldsman01

My dad's Aurora never had the oil leaking problem, but he only had it for 4 years(it was a lease) so it had about 55K or so when he turned it in. Only major problem was the A/C evaporator coil had to be replaced because it had a leak. This was covered under the warranty. Interesting, the "original" Auroras had the same warranty that Cadillacs had(4 year/ 50K) rather than the typical Olds 3/36. The new 01 models just got the standard warranty(until GM phased Olds out and started giving away the 5 year/ 60K deal). The Riviera and Aurora did share the same chsssis, but the Buick had different powertrains. I would have loved to have seen a Riv with the V8. Not that the S/C 3800 was a slouch(heck, I think Rivs were faster than Auroras) but the that DOHC V8 was such a smooth operator it would have been perfect for the Riv. I've also said Buick needs to put that engine in the Park Avenue Ultra.

carguy58

It seems like these days if a couple has 1 kid they automatically go out and buy an SUV or a Mini-van. I ask myself why not just buy a Sedan? A Sedan costs less to put fuel into and gets better mpg than an SUV/Mini-van. Like everybody else says on this board if you have 3 kids you definately need a mini-van or SUV.

evandro

I'm with you on that. I've got 2 kids and sedans serve us very well around the country. Instead of cashing out on space I don't need, I get better engines and luxury features. ;-)

As for the MPV, if you're unsure about Windstar's reliability, the MPV shares with it the powertrain and electrical systems...

gmalltheway

and this room is about the Grand Prix

midlifecrisis

I too come to read posts about GP and find everything but that. Somehow the 2-door vs 4-door GP morphed into a discussion on minivans vs SUVs vs sedans.

What minivans give you is three rows of seating and the ability to separate kids so they don't fight as much. With a sedan you'd have to stick one kid in the trunk to get separation (I've thought about that once in a while). On many minvans you can take out individual seats to customize the layout and storage configurations.

One plus for the sedan is definitely gas mileage. My Windstar had a 3.8L engine and 200 HP, but it was a pig on gas. We never used to get more than 20-21 MPG, and often got 16 MPG around town. I almost get that with my 5.3L V-8 truck! The GP gets 20-30 MPG for a mid-sized car, which is very impressive.

ng55

My 99 GP GT didn't start after being parked for a wk. It clicked but starter wouldn't crank. I tried on an off for a day with no luck. (The battery is in great shape.), I pushed it out of the garage to get it towed. Guess what it started right up after getting pushed out. Has anyone encountered this before?

orwoody

I don't recall the exact details but a couple of years ago my brother had a similar problem. It was sort of intermittent, but more prevalent after the car sat for a while. What I remember was that they found a dead spot or something like that in the starter or starter solenoid...
I've also heard that a bad ground connection on the starter can cause similar problem.
Anyway, a couple of places to look.

regfootball

"What minivans give you is three rows of seating and the ability to separate kids so they don't fight as much"

that's pretty much the whole market impetus for minivans and 7 seat SUV's in a nutshell. Its easier for parents to let the kids have their own turf instead of just telling them to shut up and get over it.

I had two sisters, and our family car was a 1977 Buick Electra COUPE for many years, this followed the 1973 Monte Carlo. All three kids in the back of the coupe. It was a pain getting in the back seat, and sure, we fought. But my dad basically told us to keep our traps shut and behave. In nearly 10 years of growing up with two sisters sitting in the back seat of a 2 door coupe I report no lingering emotional scars or broken family relationships.

I haven't tried it yet but the rear access doors on the Saturn Ion coupe looks like they would have been a nice distinctive feature to apply to a GTP coupe and provide coupe lovers with families style and easier rear seat access.

That is how the RX-8 distinguishes itself.

dindak

I agree, coupes are bad news for kids. My parents had a 2 door Dodge Dart and we hated it as we could not get out unless we were let out. For my parents it was a pain also as they had to get out to let us out if they dropped us off somewhere.

With kids or regular back seat travelers I need a sedan at minimum. Most sedans look so good these days, it doesn't cramp your style. Have to admit, as a kid, I would have loved a van though.

midlifecrisis

My wife said if we got a 2-door it would be a pain for her to drop off kids at school every day. Because you pull up in this orderly line of cars and have to get the kids out quick. Sounds like a very minor issue, but still inconvenient.

dindak

Doing it on a daily basis makes it a bigger deal than it seems at first.

Have not had a coupe since 98 and won't likely get one again until kids are at least in their mid-teens.

oldsman01

As a kid we had a minivan and I hated it! And it was the best on the market at the time(Grand Caravan).

midlifecrisis

As a kid they hadn't invented the minivan yet! Although we did have station wagons with rear facing back seats that folded up out of trunk area.

I can remember in the late 70's, I took a ski trip to Vermont with a friend's family. There was one adult and 7 kids in an Olds station wagon, with all the luggage and skis, for a 6-hour trip. I don't know how we did it....

Of course, the worst was a trip to New England as a kid. Our station wagon was in the shop for repairs, so my parents and 4 kids (6 total) piled in a Volkswagon Beetle for a 4-hour trip. My youngest brother was only about 3 yrs old, so we stuck him in the cubbie hole in the back. About half way to Boston, the car broke a rod or something and we lost a couple cylinders. We chugged along at 25 mph on the shoulder of the Mass Turnpike for about 100 miles. It was a scary experience!

dindak

We had a Ford LTD and a Plymouth wagon. My sister and I loved them as we could sit in the back and play on long trips. Of course that kind of behavior is unsafe in 2003.

;-)

carguy58

The MPV has been rated as good as its Toyota and Honda counterparts reliability wise but the Windstar I have heard about Head Gaskets blowing off.

orwoody

GP doesn't look, act or try to be a mini-van.
Is there a virus here redirecting my browser????

dindak

Good point...... back to the GP!

midlifecrisis

My salesman tells me that my 04 GP should be delivered sometime this week. I have never ordered a car before, and I've been going crazy with anticipation. I went for the unique orange color, the first sold by this dealership. I have yet to see a fusion orange metallic GP on the road in my area, so maybe I'll be the first.

oldsman01

A Pontiac dealer in my area has a GP in fushion orange. I saw it Saturday when driving by the dealer. Is yours a GT or GTP?

midlifecrisis

I got the GT2. I seriously considered a GTP Comp G, but realistically it didn't fit into my budget. I like performance, but my priority is comfort since I drive 20K miles a year. So I opted for the cheaper GT2 with leather seats and the heads up display (I'm a real gadget person).

I may upgrade to the GTP a few years down the road. For this car, I'm upgrading from a Grand Am to a GP, so that's quite a big step.

dan165

GT2 is a nice car, I could not be happier and the orange is a nice color, I saw one at my dealer last week. How much is the HUD upgrade? I wish we could get XM radio up here, I would have gone for that.

Lots of talk about vans and 2 doors. We have an SUV so not an issue here, but the coupes are just not real handy and the wide doors on the 04 make it very convenient for loading boxes in to the back seat. The rear flat folding seats offer a lot of cargo room for long items if you need it also!

midlifecrisis

The HUD is about a $600 option, and it includes an upgrade to the info center by providing 5 buttons vs 3 buttons. The HUD can project 18 different functions on the windshield.

It is certainly not cheap, but I'm a real techno gadget lover, and this option is what swayed me to buy the GP over a few other models.

I just wish I had ordered the Monsoon stereo upgrade as well.

dindak

Love tech gadgets, but I'm not sure I would get the HUD for $600. Still, it would be cool to have.

Did you get much off your 04 or were they pretty sticky with the price?

I think GM is trying hard to keep incentives off these new models. I know CTS really hasn't had much in the way of discounting.

richm4

is the current rebate on the 04. I wish I would have waited until now instead of buying in April!

bobbyz34

I was just at a Detroit area Pontiac dealer checking for availability of the GT2 I want. The dealer said there was the $1,000 standard rebate + an additional $750 for this region and if you have a non-GM vehicle in your household an additional $500 = $2,250.

I am also getting conflicting information about redeeming GM credit card earnings. The side that you are now limited to $1,500 for the Grand Prix but my dealer said that that isn't the case. You can use the entire amount.

Has anyone bought the 04 GP with GM blue credit card earnings?

bobbyz34

I meant to say that the web site says that $1,500 is the maximum you can use.

orwoody

congrats... I saw the fusion orange on a GTP at the dealer I service at. It looks good. It sold within a week of hitting the showroom.
I also saw a Vibe in the orange - also looks good. I'm starting to think orange is the next rage, sort of like yellow started a couple of years ago.

dindak

No incentives at all on the GP up hear that I have seen. Local dealer still has 4-5 03's so I guess they are still trying to clear them out.

montanafan

Blue GM Card rebates can be used in full on a purchase. The second generation GM Card (Copper or Platinum) would be limited to $1,500 on a 2004 Grand Prix. Another rebate is $500 to current Grand Prix or Intrigue owners. I think it runs through July only.

gunit

Dindak, its easier to take out and install the infant/car seat in my 2 door GTP coupe then it is in my 4 door I30t, go figure. The backseat is lower to the ground givin you more height to put in/take out the seat. Front right seat slides forward all the way instantly, much more room on right side.

Actually 3800 supercharged sucks gas like a V8, I get the same or WORSE gas mileage then my 4.0L V8 Aurora did. I get 14 in town and 24 highway with the GTP, though am slightly hard on the gas and with mods.

EPA only rates the supercharger as getting 2mpg worse then the regular, but I disagree, the GTP motor sucks a bout 4 more mpg worse, based on driving many SE and GT rentals over the years.

gunit

Through 2002 the HUD was standard on the GTP, I think they made it an option again for 2003 !! I believe it was ONLY a $300 option, not $600 on the '97-'03. Noticed how they doubled the price there? Just like they made ABS/Traction an option on the SE/GT starting for 2003. Yet you can bet GM kept the same pricing... another way to make more money.

All 1997-2002 SE/GT had ABS/Traction std. One nice feature of those cars.

gunit

Speaking of HUDS I have my 2002 in for its first possible warranty repair today, HUD is fine during the day, but at night, it starts out Bright, but then dims by iteself, then may rebrighten then dims, and stays on the dim side, only night time, day is fine. according to www.grandprix.net and other sources this is a sometimes occuring problem. We'll see what the dealer says...

My 1997 HUD was fine in the 5 yrs I owned it.

One thing I found interesting, is why you could NOT get the HUD on the Aurora?

gunit

Dan165, The coupe doors are ONLY 1 foot wider then the sedan, if that. Coupe doors are 4.5 feet long vs 3.5 ft for the sedan. They are not as big as you think, you get used to it. I don't have any problem parking and taking my infant seats out. I have done it faster the n people with minivans/suv's. I'm done and they are still struggling reaching up and into the rear doors to take the seat out. Easier to reach down and in.

The one thing I like is that the coupe GTP was the same size car as the sedan, unlike the Camry/Accord where the coupes are actually smaller sized cars.

gunit

RichM4, they NEVER had to rebate the 1997 GP back in 1997, sold like hotcakes with sales 50% better then 1996, I remember having to wait for my 1997 GTP and actually order it, there were mostly just SE's on the lot, GT and GTP were hard to find in august 1996

the Pontiac dealer I was at today for the HUD repair, said the new 2004's are not selling that well as he had hoped with the minor redesign. The COMP G editions are still sitting there.. knowone is buying them, too much $$. The 2003's he had left were flying out of there with the $4k rebates... Esp the remaining '03 GTP's. very good bang for the buck !

Also seems like Maxima sales are so-so as well..

part of the problem is the GTP comp G loaded is nearly $31k MSRP, Knowone is going to pay that much for a grand prix without rebating. You can get a BASE Infiniti/Acura/Lexus for that price range.

gunit

Oldsman01, Yeah the 1995 Aurora was unique in that it had the SAME 4yr 50k warranty as the Caddy's, not the std 3yr 36k. You got alot for $32k in 1995, on paper a complete winner, handling and interior room was the only negatives I had. My W body had nearly the same interior and trunk room. Aurora was never the seller Olds hoped it would be. Sales doubled when they offered the V6 std in 2001 re-design, but the V6 kind of said, gee I wanted an Aurora but really couldn't afford one and of corse increased sales

The riviera/Aurora were the same chassis in 1995, and YES the Riviera 3.8L V6 with 240hp was faster 0-60 and 1/4 mile then the 4.0L V8 250hp Aurora, go figure?? I wanted the Riviera, and they should have had the 4.0 too.

gunit

If you have 3 kids then you need a van/suv, with 1 or 2 a car is fine. I have many friends now just having kids, where they are running out to buy these big gas guzzling SUV's for one kid?? Ok... to each their own.

dindak

Having had 2 doors and 4 doors in the past, I will stick with the 4 doors. Life is easier for me that way. Coupes will maybe return to our garage in 12-15 years.

montanafan

$31,000 for a 2004GTP Comp G or a 2003 for $30,000 GTP ($31000 with Special Edition Package)(without, XM, Tap SHift, Stabilatrac SPort, Magnasteer III, 3800 Series III, electronic brake force distribution, folding rear seat, folding front seat, upgraded HUD and trip Computer, 6 disc cd changer, 17" wheels, heated passenger seat, pollen filters, 80% different parts, 20 more HP)

2003 HUD $325, 2003 Trip Computer $200
2004 InfoTech package $600 (Upgraded HUD and Trip Computer)

tek3

With over $2000 in rebates and all those additonal features, the 2004 sounds like "more bang for the buck" to me!!

tek3

This article has a list of the changes and updates made to the new 3800 Series III engine. Kinda technical but quite interesting.

http://media.gm.com/division/powertrain/products/engine/carengine- s/2004/2004%20L26A.doc

richm4

I had a black GM card (the original color card) and was given all my earnings, plus a GM employee rebate I was entitled to back in April.

BTW, July 31 is the deadline for being able to combine the 5% earnings with the employee discount.