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Comments
I am confused here – yet again.
The GXP wheels are certainly not ‘covers’.
(There is a small center cap ‘cover’, yes.)
The GXP wheels are forged (lighter than cast) and polished aluminum. And bolted to the hubs.
What suggests to you that there are ‘covers’ involved here?
- Ray
Born confused . .
1 - If you are experiencing buyers remorse with your new GXP, I am truly sorry to hear that. I don’t understand it, having driven several current and previous generation GPs, but you feel what you feel . .
2 – Those 10 Torx head looking ‘bolts’ out near the rim on each side of the 5 spokes are purely cosmetic – they do not fasten anything to anything.
My guess is that GM Styling was trying here to make them look something like, or add a dash of the flavor from some custom \ aftermarket wheels - such as these, for example:
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/DisplayWheel.jsp?wheelMake=AT+Italia&wheelModel=Presa&wheel- - Finish=Black+w%2FPolished+Stainless+Lip
One reason I spend the amount of time and effort that I do in selecting a new car is to make as certain as possible that I will be happy with it – at least for a while. Due diligence, if you will.
I greatly appreciate others who take the time to try to address my questions, here and on other Forums – and I try to help others by posting my experiences and whatever I know. In an effort to “return the favor”.
I thought I had seen where you had posted previously that you’d spent some time testing the GXP. What exactly is so bad about your GXP as to believe that you should have kept your other car?
- Ray
Just very curious . .
I am not experiencing buyer's remorse. I actually am very happy with this car. I did a lot of research on the car, but didn't even think about the tires or wheels. I looked at the wheels but didn't pay attention to those ten bolts. I thought changing tires in the winter went out long ago. I didn't know. I am a woman who bought this car because I wanted something different and fast and a car that I wouldn't see all over, as my Anniv. Edition. I have not seen one of the 2006 GXP's on the road yet. I have been told they are hard to get. But, I am very pleased with it and get a lot of compliments on it. I bought it in August and it just took me a while to get used to it. It's completely different from my other GTP's. I guess I should have expected that. Thank you again for your assistance. I appreciate it.
Well - I (seriously) do not want to sound like a 'know it all' or a wise [non-permissible content removed], but in case you didn't already know - be aware that you also have no spare tire \ wheel in the trunk of your GXP.
- Ray
Who simply would not want you to discover THAT tire / wheel fact at a bad time .. .. ..
With just over 2,000 GXPs built as 2005s, there certainly were not many GXPs available in some areas of the country.
GMBuyPower currently shows 12 2006s within what I’d consider a reasonable driving distance (40 – 45 miles) from the Metro Atlanta area. I don’t think I ever saw any more than that during MY 2005.
Clearly, GM \ Pontiac did little to spread the word to their dealers or their (potential) customers about this car during the 2005 MY. It has taken a while for ‘word of mouth’ on this car to spread.
I also suspect that (as I may have posted here before) some dealers decided to carry 1 or more Bonne GXPs in their inventory. And they have not been easy to move. For several reasons not appropriate for discussion in this thread. And the GP GXP may initially have been looked at as potentially a similar proposition. There are superficial resemblances.
And many dealers already had enough “sales challenged inventory”. And they may not have been willing to risk more $30K+ (MSRP) sedans piling up on their lot. [[ Mostly speculation here, obviously. ]]
I will be interested to see how sales run this year – particularly as the incentives that helped push me to buy my GXP in June are now expiring.
- Ray
Who did drive 200+ miles round trip (and out of state) to buy one equipped as I wanted, and from a dealer that treated me well . .
Overall impressions of the GTO were good, but it just didn’t seem like a good daily driver. Since this was the wife’s car, she was ready to jump on the GTO, until I suggested she look at a GXP. Once she saw that, looked over the options it had vs. the options the GTO did not have, a short test drive sold her. 400hp from a GTO is fun, but far from practical for our purposes.
GXP fit and finish were very good. The interior looked fresh, and softer than earlier model GM vehicles I remember. The 5.3L has plenty of power, have tried no T/C off burnouts, but that isn’t what we bought the car for. We were looking for plenty of HP for passing situations, interstate merging, good highway mpg and just general getting out of the way. Handling is like it is on rails. So far it is living up to our expectations.
I have spent a couple of days reading through the posts and was pleasantly surprised not to see the usual list of complaints. A rare occasion that we buy a car that I have not poured through the internet researching before hand. This was a spur of the moment deal after the GTO didn’t meet our requirements.
Ray, saw a lot of positive comments from you, reassuring to find someone with some knowledge of the car and also happy with it.
About 150 mile on the clock now and one VERY happy wife, what more can you ask for. Except a chance to get to drive it more often!
Mike
A - This has reportedly been addressed, as may have been reported above.
P/N: 12603159
CVN: 0000993D
Description: New software to address A/C performance during remote start.
One who has had the procedure done quoted the service order:
PCM IS OUT OF CALIBRATION
REPROGRAMMED PCM PER BULLETIN 05-01-39-005
0K93J7904"
So far I'm having no luck with this. Both the dealer and Pontiac customer service say that's an invalid part number and invalid TSB number. Can anybody provide any additional info? Do I have to use a secret pass phrase?
Also, Pontiac CS told me that they've determined there's nothing they can do about the hissing sound in the speakers. I'm having the dealer look at it today, we'll see what they say.
Aside from these problems, loving the GXP with 8700 miles on it now. (Took a road trip from Orlando, FL to Austin, TX. The complaint from the back-seat passengers was the heat. They couldn't quite escape the sun beating through that long rear window.
But, this car is awesome in just about every other sence. They made the inside better, the outside is now even more agressive, the engine is sweet, and the price, especially after discounts, is just right!
I never meant to either say or imply that you are . . .
RE: Spare wheel \ tire – Please verify that the tire \ wheel you were given will actually fit both front and rear of the GXP.
Due to offset and diameter, my understanding is that there were issues with a replacement Front tire fitting into the trunk tire well.
I read somewhere early on that the (one?) reason that there is no spare from the factory is that one large enough to clear the larger GXP front brake disks and calipers would not fit in the well – and they decided that including the tire repair kit was a better choice than including one that would only fit on the rear of the car . . .
Again, this is (clearly) an unusual situation with anything but a rather exotic sports car and \ or one with ‘run flats’. That’s the only reason I even mentioned it.
- Ray
Renewing AAA roadside service . . . with the long distance tow option.
http://calid.gm.com/vci/VINEntryPre.do
Enter your VIN.
You can print any \ all Calibration info.
Select: PCM/VCM Powertrain / Vehicle Control Module
and then:
Normal
. . for Programming Type.
It will print GM logo, etc. and the VIN you entered.
The part # and CVN that I quoted above should show up under:
Calibration History for: Main Operating System.
Perhaps your service department will be able to do something with this detailed information from GM?
Good luck!
- Ray
Disillusioned with most automotive Customer Service . .
FWIW.
- Ray
Wondering how MY first service visit will go with a local Pontiac dealer . .
They couldn't do anything with the speaker hiss. He showed me that a new 2006 has the same problem. He said to keep checking to see if they come out with a TSB on it. Is this only with the Monsoon system? Does anybody without Monsoon have the hiss problem?
As a side note - when you call roadside assistance, make sure to tell them you don't have a spare tire. My whole visit started when I got a nail in my tire. Roadside initially sent a guy in a Saturn to put the doughnut on for me. Of course I had to call back, and they later sent a flatbed to take me to the dealer. It would be nice if they'd at least give you a jack and wrench so you could take the tire in yourself.
I bought a 2005 GXP for my wife, who HAD TO have the power, as she'd been driving an SHO for the past 5 years. The car is an absolute blast to drive, a true performance car in sedan's clothing.! It's fast, powerful, fun and one of the sexiest looking vehicles on the road!
As I told her when we got the car, "she got the car she wanted and she got the car I wanted"! The sad part is, now she won't let me drive her car!
But I have one concern: The back seat. I've got three kids -- nine and younger. I need a wide-body, bigger car. The GXP fits the bill.
Does anyone out there haul kids a lot in their GXP? I'm concerned about:
1: back seat comfort.
2: window sill height. (the side window is pretty high)
3: back window sun/heat.
I've sat in the back and the seats could be either described as either cozy or claustrophic. The fronts are very nice. I'd like some feedback as to what owners with kids say....
Thanks
There is a back seat in my GXP?
Seriously – the only kid that has been in my GXP is me . .
Sorry.
- Ray
Card carrying AARP member . .
Where did you find the production numbers I've tried Pontiac twice and first they told me the data would be available end of Sept. Now they say in a couple of months... It seems like a lot less than 2000 were made as fast as they were gobbled up out here.(NW)
I say this because not long ago on vacation I was -- no kidding -- given a day-long demo with a BMW wagon. I thought it would be cool, but my kids hated it. They were hot -- no AC in the back. They were crabby and sweated out by the time we arrived home.
Trying to plan ahead since I'm in the North East. Has anyone found a cheap wheel good winter tire combo that will fit properly on the GXP?
Pontiac Messed up the practicality of this big car in favor of style, as such the back end drops a bit to make it seem like a coupe, so rear headroom is an issue. The rear glass intrudes into headroom and it seems as if in a bump your head would hit the glass. Its great for tanning, though
If you have three kids, this is probably not the car for you. I'm not sure what GM was thinking, but practicality and sales were not poart of the equation (just kidding) but seriously, they had to offer up a mean V8 to spark interest in this car. I am not saying its bad, its really great, especially with NAV now, but not for kids.
If you want to buy American, then choose instead the new Impala. Its got the same V8, and a better rear seat. They look great too. I would not choose the charger b/c I like American cars, not German posers.
I have found it to be "a usually reliable source". . .
2019 Total GXPs built in 2005MY
232 12U Galaxy Silver
171 26U Bermuda Blue (Bleen)
144 40U White
646 41U Black
67 63U Sport Red
488 77U Dark Cherry
271 88U Medium Spiral Gray
Further, some were internal (Captive Fleet) evaluation vehicles and some likely (white ones) went directly to the Bondurant Driving School.
- Ray
With 1 of 646 . .
-Larry
-Larry
-Larry”
GM has an interesting habit of call the same color (in this case, Code = 26U) different things (descriptions) when applied to different vehicles.
See:
http://www.gm.com/automotive/innovations/altfuel/vehicles/suv/e85_suburbanYukonXL/color.ht- m
In this case, Blue Green Crystal is what Pontiac called 26U on the GP.
My source listed it as the alternative color description of “Bermuda Blue” – how that same color is listed on the Sticker of my Boss’s new Suburban.
Sorry for any confusion.
- Ray
Black is Black . . pretty much . .
If the darn car weren't such a sweet driving vehicle I'd be sold on the Impala or something else.
But I like the stabilitrack, and the V8 and the navigation....My wife just likes the way it goes forward when she pushes down on the gas.
I'll have to think on it....
I'd like to know what kind of high mileage you're hearing (not from drag racers..
I hope it gets closer to the 27 when it gets a couple thousand miles on it.
Mike
lol - thanks for using my terminology
I've been lurking here for I don't know how long, but that made me HAVE to sign up!
And to expound on your explanation, 26U is Blue Green Crystal for Pontiac & GMC; Riptide Blue for Cadillac; and Bermuda Blue for Chevrolet (except on the SSR it's called Aqua Blur). Same color; many names :P
Monsoon/no dvd
Mileage.
Short answer – my overall average, in 4,769 miles, is 18.66 MPG.
Best full tank has been 19.78.
That is calculated (with Excel) not DIC indicated.
Now, the EPA rating for the GXP, as everyone here likely knows, is 18 \ 27.
Highway:
If I fill my tank, with a warm engine (as I did this morning) and then immediately jump on the Interstate and head from North East of Atlanta toward Mid-Town at 6:00 AM, the DIC (proven fairly accurate) showed 28.2 AVG MPG when I pulled off I85 after approx. 18 miles. That included a couple of short WOT bursts to merge into traffic. Traffic was typical for that time of morning, and the fast lane was moving at 70 to 75 most of the way. A couple of times, I briefly touched 80. A couple of times I needed to slow to 60 or so. [[ NB: The EPA highway test STILL limits vehicles to a ** maximum ** speed of 60 MPH!! ]] By the time I pulled into the parking lot of my office, including a couple of miles of surface streets, the DIC showed exactly 27. Ambient air temp. was below 70 – so I was quite comfortable running with the sunroof open to ‘vent’ and the A/C compressor off. (A/C can cost 1.0 to 1.5 MPG under most driving conditions.)
Point here is that I believe one could achieve very close to (or even more than) the reported EPA highway mileage, IF one drove under essentially the same conditions as the EPA assumes for their testing. (IE: A/C off, do not exceed 60 MPH, travel only on relatively level limited access highways with traffic light enough to not significantly impact speeds.)
In the now current ‘real world’, where speed limits are 70 MPH in many areas outside metro districts, traffic often travels at 75 to 80 MPH in such areas, A/C is much more common (than it was when the EPA test parameters were defined) and on and on – I think 25 MPG would likely be an excellent number to average over a full tank – even one that includes primarily such driving.
My gas mileage ‘problem’ with the GXP is likely 3 pronged:
[[ Emphasis = MY PROBLEM. Not really the GXP’s problem . . . ]
Prong 0.5 = I live near and commute into Atlanta. Traffic is terrible. (Not quite LA terrible, but really, really bad almost all the time.)
Prong 1 = I am soooo tempted to bury the throttle, to feel and to hear that V8 rumble and rush. I do try to restrict that activity. Sometimes, resistance is futile. I really enjoy it – and even with gasoline prices as they are (and have been recently) it is worth an occasional blast.
Prong 2 = I am afraid that my typical commute just does not allow the DoD feature to engage often enough and \ or long enough to provide much benefit for me. My commute into Mid-Town is typically early enough that I am running 65 to 75 \ 80, but there is enough traffic even before 6:30 that I am rarely running at a steady speed for long. Also, the trip begins and ends at roughly the same elevation, but there is generally up and down all the way – relatively gentle during the Interstate 85 leg, but still not ideal. My trip home in the afternoon is typically too late in the afternoon to be in light to moderate traffic. (sigh) Thus, I am almost certain that I have never been in DoD mode during my afternoon drive home . . . I am either accelerating or decelerating – and I am often in first or second gear from I85 \ I285 (spaghetti junction) to my house. That is 4 to 5 miles. Sometimes the acceleration rate is mild, as all traffic is held back – but that combination of slow \ go \ slow \ stop kills my average.
Prong 3 = When I do cruise in relatively light traffic, as I did driving to Braselton and back this past weekend, I do NOT stay below the maximum speed limit during the EPA highway test (still 60 mph!) that resulted in the 27 MPG rating. Cruising up I85 on Saturday morning and back early afternoon (over 20 miles of Interstate each way) I was running at 75 to 80. As was most other traffic. Clearly, the difference between 60 and 75 \ 80 is non-trivial.
If I am ever able to drive on a relatively level freeway outside metro Atlanta traffic of an extended trip, and I decide to maintain a ‘reasonable and prudent speed’ (below 80 MPH) I expect that I can average 25 or so MPG. If I can set the Cruise Control & maintain a steady speed and the roads are relatively level. We’ll see. I don’t expect to have an opportunity until Thanksgiving weekend (planning a run to see friends in the Florida Panhandle) to run for a long distance away from the typical traffic in and around Atlanta.
- Ray
Overall, still quite content . .
I see a lot of your posts here. You put most paid auto journalists to shame with your detail. Rock on!
Your estimate of a real world 25 mpg sounds reasonable and is close to what my wife got on her trip to Dallas, until she hit the traffic. I estimated the strong head wind cost her 1.5-2.0 mpg and the car is not broke in yet, that could account for another 1-2 mpg easily. She should have well over the 500 miles on her return trip, but still no good check of mileage, since she has to get out of Dallas.
Add me to the happy list. I would be happier with a larger fuel tank to increase the driving range but you cant have everything. My Yukon has me spoiled with 400-450 mile highway range between fillups.
Mike
I agree. There are probably a dozen such changes that I’d make if I were modifying the design to (only) fit my taste. In this case, I expect that the tank size is constrained by similar sorts of issues as resulted in no spare tire \ wheel. Not enough (expected, incremental increase in) sales volume to justify modifying the tooling for the rear end of the GP platform to allow an enlarged gas tank.
Now, if we were to experience anything like the gasoline shortages of previous decades, having another 3 or 4 gallons (75 to 100 miles of additional range – or hours of sitting in gas lines – yuk!) might be of sufficient marketing value to prompt GM \ Pontiac to make such a change.
Given that a new, RWD platform appears unlikely anytime soon, I wonder if there will be additional changes to these FWD mid-sized GM vehicles in the interim???
“Perhaps the most well-known AMC car was The Gremlin. Made during 1970-1978, the unusual car with it's "chopped off" end was one of the first true economy cars of the time. With a whopping 21 gallon gas tank”
Goofy looking, but a ‘sign of those times’.
- Ray
Who once had an Audi 5000 (1980) with a 5 speed manual trans., a 5 cylinder motor, no ‘unintended acceleration’ (and leisurely acceleration when it was intended!), pretty reasonable gas mileage, and a tank capacity close to 20 gallons . .
My guess would be that we wont be seeing anymore changes to the current GP platform. I don’t think there are too many other GM cars sharing that platform now. I have read that one possible direction GM is going is with RWD / AWD cars. Gives the people in the north the winter traction option and those who aren’t concerned with winter weather can have a RWD.
Mike