Pontiac Grand Prix GXP 2006

tonygxp

Ya, I know the C5 is clearly the faster car, but I gotta tell you, I never expected to hold him off like that, give it time you'll have a run in with one, or another car you never thought you could hang with & you'll be thinking the same thing I am..Why did they put a 2.93 axle ratio in here (obviously to sneak around a gas guzzler tax), I once blew a rear end in my 84 Z28 HO (3.73) & replaced it with a 3.08 out of an IROC, I lost .50 in the 1/4 (14.4 to 14.9) I
have no doubt if this car had a 3.73 axle it would be mid 13's.
Im getting a little over 20mpg now (city/hwy mix) not bad for A/C on & 303 HP.
Can't wait for a few mods to come out (even K&N's air filters for this are still "under development"

tripowergto

SPEED channel is often running a commercial featuring the GP GXP as well as the GTO.

gxpgtodanman

That was a good run against the C5. 2.93 is fuel economy, but still a fast car regardless, there is a 3.30 in Comp GTP and regular GT. On the highway my best with GXP is about 23-24mpg. I'm slightly hard on it. 75-80mph. not bad.

I had to pay that Gas Guzzler tax on my '05 GTO :mad: Because I bought automatic, same 3.46 gears as manual. Gets 13mpg in town :sick: It isn't driven much so no big deal.

nasscargtp99

I'm so accustomed to the sound of drilled/slotted rotors from my 99 GTP that I don't even notice it...but if I listen for it, it's there.

tonygxp

lets just hope they don't pull an 04-05 horsepower jump like they did with the GTO, that would suck.

gxpgtodanman

Hopefully not! I doubt it, since this the first yr of the 5.3L in a car for GM.

I almost bought an 04 GTO, but then GM announced improvements to 2005 while still selling 2004 :confuse: Not much of a price increase, so I waited and got '05.

bryan

I have an 04 Bonny GXP and it's just a blast to drive. Did any of you who purchased a GP GXP consider a Bonny GXP?

gxpgtodanman

When it came time for my company car, I wanted a Bonny GXP, but my company wouldn't pay that much. So I waited and got a GP GXP which they did pay for.

GP GXP has a lot more power then Bonny, esp down low and offers more bang for the buck. However the Bonny GXP is a more refined car/engine and slightly larger. Sales of the Bonny dropped 5+ yrs in a row, thus it's cancellation.

rayainsw

“I have an 04 Bonny GXP and it's just a blast to drive. Did any of you who purchased a GP GXP consider a Bonny GXP?”

I did drive a Bonneville GXP. I was not impressed with the acceleration. The Northstar is a wonderful motor, but needs higher revs to produce reasonable torque (compared to the 5.3L V8) and even with the 3.7:1 final drive, this combination in the Bonne GXP was still only capable of mid-15s in the Quarter. And the only published test I have seen (C+D) quotes a 0-60 time of 6.9 and Quarter 15.4 @ 91.

This acceleration performance & ‘feel’ just didn’t do it for me. I really like Torque. Great, steaming piles of low speed Torque. And low RPM at cruise.

I am curious, now that the Bonne is out of production, if Pontiac will explore an ‘upmarket’ interior for the GP. I’d have seriously considered options like a power tilt & telescope steering wheel, cooled as well as heated front seats, a rear seat center armrest, etc.

Or perhaps Pontiac will be the Division that is ‘sacrificed’. . .

- Ray
Happier with 6.0 / 14.2 or 3 . .

hammen2

I am curious, now that the Bonne is out of production, if Pontiac will explore an ‘upmarket’ interior for the GP. I’d have seriously considered options like a power tilt & telescope steering wheel, cooled as well as heated front seats, a rear seat center armrest, etc.

Something like that is coming... but it will be the Grand Prix's replacement.

hint:

http://www.holden.com.au

Look at the Commodore SS. The next-gen model will be shown in September, and released early next year.

Wonder how that would be as a Grand Prix replacement? RWD, V6 and V8 models, all kinds of options...

rmozol

Hi, I'm another that has been looking at the GTO and the GXP. I'll probably go with the GXP due to price and those fold-down seats into the trunk. I have a brochure, but can't seem to find a few things. The Pontiac dealers know less than I do too! Is the limited top speed 149, or did they bump it up to 155 due to the "W" rated tires? Is there a spare? Can you put the windows down with the key or fob W/O turning the ignition on? The dealer says the tires are only good for 5K - 6K miles, and dangerous to drive in the snow. I'm getting this for a winter car, and am thinking of just throwing a couple of M & S on the front for the winter. How is that Monsoon 9? speaker system with the extra amplifier? Thanks.

davera

I have heard the top speed is 155 but this is not confirmed. That dealer is giving you bs on the tires. GM engineers specified the Potenza's that are on the GXP. They are not the same that you can buy off the shelf at tire stores. They have a different rubber compound so you cannot check specs or reviews from Tire Rack or other stores. Their tires are not the same as ours. The GXP tires were tested in snow and I have heard they perform very well. The car also has stabilitrak to keep you safe on slippery surfaces. GM is not sure why bridgestone did not put the M+S rating on the sidewall but has stated the tires are rated for snow, as that was a design critreia. I have over 2k miles on my tires and can see no visible wear. If your dealer was telling the truth they should be almost half gone. No on the windows , no spare but a can of sealer and a tire inflator, I have the XM radio and it sounds fine, listen to one yourself. Find another dealer, that one is not doing you any favors. Pontiac needs to get more contol over their dealers, they might sell more cars.

ocmike3

I didn't consider it, but I have driven both. The Bonne is a different car - nice to drive; but the GP GXP is a hoot with the 5.3l and handles much better. If the 5.3L was available when they developed the Bonne GXP - well they may have sold quite a few more.

gxpgtodanman

Pontiac rated the Bonny GXP at 6.5 seconds in their own independent testing. Not sure on the 1/4. Even C&D's 6.9 is still fast enough. The northstar V8 really shines on the highway. In town it's so-so. In town/city driving GXP and GTO are kings of the hill. Only negative with lots of low end pwr is driving in the snow and too easy to spin tires on dry pavement. Harder to launch the car off the line. Still fun. Both cars rock. When you burn GXP tires, the burned rubber smell lingers longer since it's the front wheels, funny.

GXP is the original front wheel drive muscle car
GTO original Rear wheel drive Muscle car

rmozol

Ok, thanks Davera. Your answers make a LOT more sense than the dealers. They even said that the front seat DIDN'T fold down like in the brochure. She also told me that I couldn't listen to the stereo since there was no way to turn it on unless the car was started. I just shook my head and walked out. Unless soemthing unusual happens, I'll get a 2006, or a good deal on a 2005.

bhandlos

I have read through every message in this post since May and I have to tell you that it is very eye opening. Early on, the writers tended to believe what was printed on major sites and repeated it sometimes with an air of authority. I even question some of the early "owners" because they were reporting results that just were not as significantly apparent as the car would deserve. Of particular note: torque steer.

As the months went by, the TS issue still existed.....after all....it is real.....albeit diminished to the point of acceptability.

Now for the facts:

I have been in mine for 1k Miles. I have found that the DIC shows consistently low mileage reports for city, long and combined reporting and it is always by about 1 mpg.

I have black with black interior. Love it. No squeeks yet and very tight. Wont address some of the complaints on the interior being too basic as it seems that those who criticize it actually are seriously considering wood grain dash kits. Wow, no way I want my dads interior on this beauty. The interior reminds me of my 280z from years gone by. Folks, this design was intended to take you back but still give you the modern amenities.

The brakes are simply the best I have every felt. Comments have been made about the tires mattering more than the brake design. Not true. As an engineer, I can tell you it is more complicated than that. Also, think about it....why would other cars with amazing tires have braking problems.

I shopped hard and nothing at any price offers the storage and hauling capabilities in this class. I bet many dont understand that you can lay all three non driver seats down and haul 12 pieces of 2 by 8 lumber. I can ski in this car.....I am in northern wisconsin.......and that leads to the fwd.

Yes, pure performance means rwd. But most of us are in the real world and 1/3 of us live in areas of slippery weather. I am not afraid to put my wife in this car in winter. TC makes it that much better. To get all this performance in a fwd is the perfect combo.

Speaking of rear wheel. Who are these guys worrying about whether it goes over 155? Geez, you need to think about who your are endangering if you are horsing around over 100 out there.

The sound of the rumble even in low acceleration, the way I feel inside this car......I am six foot two and if you put up the front of the seat and bury the back I have no probs and dont need to get anywhere near the full back setting so my kids....who are also tall......arent complaining back there.....are all reasons to love this car.

The feature set available on this car is unbelievable. I got everything but the gps and at 27k I am simply amazed.

DOD that is imperceptable gives me 24 mpg and the reports are that it will get a litte better.

Folks, I have rambled......but trust me. Dont follow the majors on this one. GM has a real steal. I only wish that they would actually advertise and tell the world. Or maybe I dont. I love having something that I dont see on every street corner.

For those that have, enjoy. For those that dont........do yourself a favor and check it out. If you can find one that is.

gxpgtodanman

Coming from a Grand Prix and now GXP owner, you do see one on every corner, because it looks very simliar to the GT/GTP Grand Prix, other then some badging/fascia's etc.

I am in the real world and in NY area and I have no problem with RWD cars. Snow tires, TCS and driving scale take care of that. Otherwise FWD is better of course in snow.

Great car. I have only gotten it up to 85mph.

rayainsw

"Comments have been made about the tires mattering more than the brake design. Not true. As an engineer, I can tell you it is more complicated than that. Also, think about it....why would other cars with amazing tires have braking problems. "

A source (there are others that say essentially the same thing):

http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/brake_systems_and_upgrade_selections_122701.htm

“The brakes don't stop the vehicle - the tires do. The brakes slow the rotation of the wheels and tires. This means that braking distance measured on a single stop from a highway legal speed or higher is almost totally dependent upon the stopping ability of the tires in use”

I wrote something like this here a while back: “This means that the limiting factor in the typical published brake test is actually the tires ability to grip the surface. And the ability of the ABS to deal with the different (and changing) weight distribution between front and rear – and the rather violent weight transfer inherent in a simulated ‘panic’ stop.”

I am well aware that there are other critical aspects of a braking system than the pure ability of the calipers to clamp the disks. All I am suggesting here is that:

“My sense, after a lot or reading over the years, is that today, a (dry, clean, smooth pavement) brake test is largely a tire test.

By that I mean that nearly any competent, current brake system is capable of overpowering / locking the wheels / tires.”

There are a lot of other important considerations in many real world situations, and I do appreciate the engineering that went into the total brake / tire package on my GXP.

- Ray
Not a brake system engineer . .

olpalgary

My dealer called me, asking if i was happy with GXP,, MERCY YES, i told him..
He explained he only got 4 for this area our Black Cherry, a black, a silver & i think white.... Says mid-august before he gets '06s
If ya Got'em Enjoy'em;;; Ol'Pal Gary

gxppower

i just wanna ADD the testers for edmunds must not know how to drive or mabe yall eat to much RICE for breakfast. the numbers yall posted for the GXP is outrages. THEIR IS NOWAY IT TOOK YOU 6.7 second to reach 60 unles you was going up like a 50 degree hill. and you put handling poor. thats wierd because i can get into my friends beamer 3 series and we can take the same turn at 60 mph and he will start skidding and my GXP hugs the turn without effort, braking omg even at 3600 pounds our cars stop very quick. if i was edmuns i would have never posted those times of the GXP for the fact that it makes you look like you dont know how to drive a car. my GXP totally stock and VERY first time i timed it. i did 60 in 5.9 second so next time you do a review. FIRST make sure you get an experienced Driver. stop bashing domesctic cars. do not be mad because my V8 powered car gets 31 mpg on cruising and 21 in the city. and at the same time wip your little weak -ss 4 bangers all day long with turbo's slapped on them.

davera

What you said exactly. It's sad to see the anti-American bias of the media is so obvious.

pat

You can discuss this with Editor-in-Chief Karl Brauer over in Karl's Daily Log Book.

Oh, and no "rice" references of any sort, please.

gxpgtodanman

I will second that, it is quite sad to see the anti-American bias of the media when it comes to cars. 6.7? Even someone un-experienced should do that or better.

pat

The "anti-American bias of the media" isn't the topic here. Let's just stick to the GXP.

rlsedition

Somehow, your readers "get it" and you don't. The GXP was not intended as a performance competitor to RWD sedans and certainly not for GTO. What Pontiac tried to do was offer an affordable performance sedan that could be driven everyday, everywhere. FWD helps in this task, both for inclement weather traction and its packaging efficiency. The most direct competitor is the Altima SE-R, not the G35 or Charger R/T, both much more expensive to buy and much worse in snow driving.

Let me take your test comments to task:

1."...GXP stickered at $32,600, which is about the same as an Infiniti G35 and a Dodge Charger R/T." GXPs are being bought for $27-29k, much less than the competitors' transaction prices. Sorry about GM MSRP issues; soon this may get sorted out.
2. Talking about wider front wheels/tires than rear: "Usually its the other way around, and the combo simply looks strange." If Honda came up with this idea you'd be full of praise for their inventive thinking. The fronts are wider because that's where the majority of weight is and where the power is applied to the ground. No one seems to complain when RWD do this in reverse and most of the RWD performance cars do. And I defy you to see the front/rear difference if someone had not told you to look for it. Plus, it works. Max lateral Gs went from .83 to .87, better than could be acheived with larger tires all-around.
3. Talking about torque steer: "Hammering the pedal at any speed causes ther car to dart around like there's a drunk behind the wheel." Bull. Yes, you can feel the power going to the front wheels, but it will "dart around" only if you apply power foolishly, like nailing it in the middle of a turn. Powerful RWD cars will break the rear end loose if throttle application is severe. This car handles the prodigious torque output quite well (note the owners on this thread are not complaining).
4. Considering TapShift actuation: "As it is, they're counterintuitive." Says who? I don't think there's an industry standard on this. The GXP upshifts by pressing the paddles rather than pulling them because its quicker that way.
5. "Its braking performance is good but not great." Don't agree. I found the pedal to be firm, short-travel and offered great driving confidence, not to mention fade-free performance on the track.
6. "The GXP just can't compete with its RWD rivals like the Charger." Yes, it can, for those who want/need the all-weather performance of FWD and have less money to spend on a car.

Like I said, you don't seem to "get it" like your readers do, many of whom have gone from mild interest in the product initially to very happy ownership after purchase. Though certainly not perfect, the GXP is an interesting performance alternative for many drivers.

pat

You seem to be speaking to the editors? They aren't going to see your comments here. You can post them in the discussion I linked a few posts ago or make them via the Contact Us tab at the Help link at the top of the page.

Which is not to say you folks can't discuss this review among yourselves - you are certainly welcome to do that. I just want to be sure you understand that the editors aren't likely to see your posts here.

hammen2

...on their automotive reviews, particularly when it comes to performance.

Why is that owners can take their car to the racetrack and get results that Edmunds can't match? Not even close? GTO and STi comparison was terrible for both cars. Ditto the GXP.

Over in the "Talk to Editor Karl" there is an interesting discussion going on about whether Edmunds' editorial has an anti-GM bias. From my eyes, it certainly appears that negative aspects of a GM vehicle seem to be focused on - sort of a "piling on".

BTW: rlsedition _knows_ what he is talking about when it comes to the GXP (hi Roger!).

--Robert

hennyh

Having owned a GXP for over 5000 miles I'm speaking with real life experience. (unlike Edmunds).

1. Why does Edmunds compare GXP with Charger and G35 when on page 3 of the review they list it's competitors as Impala, Maxima, and Acura?
2. GXP build quality is excellent. (JD Powers data says the same thing). However the interior design is somewhat dated. Edmunds can't seen to differentiate build quality from interior design and choice of materials.
3. The torque steer comment is totally off base. Edmunds must be bashing FWD just because it's the "in thing" to do. Torque steer is almost imperceptable in all but the most demanding situations.
4. "Tire size looks strange". You don't even see the width difference unless the car is on a rack or you crawl under it with a tape measure.
5. Test conditions affect performance. For Edmund to be credible, they should have done and apples to apples track comparison. As most of us know, temp, humidity, altitude, driver, fuel, payload weight gretaly affect the numbers.

bigdaddycoats

from June Motor Trend -

0-60 6.0 sec.

1/4 mile 14.3 sec. @ 98.1 mph

600 ft slalom 64.2 mph ave.

.82g

60-0 119 ft.

Results are better than Edmunds. It does seem that Edmunds performance results are usually worse than the major print magazines.

rmozol

"Speed Channel" is replaying a broadcast where they test the GTO and GXP against close competitors; even the I35. It's on at 6 P.M. CST Friday night. This is a good episode for these cars, and I'll tape it for future use. I got an e-mail from Pontiac saying that the top speed for the GXP was 180! Well, considering "W" rated tires are only good for sustained speeds to 168, I had them recheck on that. I'll update when I get it. Is the Monsoon stereo worth the money? Thanks.