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Pontiac Bonneville
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Comments
Looks like the SLE get the same side moldings as the GXP and maybe same front and rear facias for 05.
There are options I'd want but to get them On$tar is mandatory. Can't put packages of desirable options together without the On$tar $500 option.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
From a techie viewpoint, the telematics technology is getting pretty interesting. Now, an OnStar advisor can collect information about the vehicle including GPS position, DTCs, and of course air bag deployment. Additionally, they can remotely unlock the doors. It seems that it will be only a matter of time before they can remotely start the engine, open the windows, change the radio station -- all but drive the darn thing. The new Cadillac STS will have the "next generation" OnStar which will automatically report any crash -- whether the air bags deploy or not -- directly to emergency services. This can be good -- and bad, depending on whether or not you really want this kind of information to be shared so transparently and without your control.
Reading the OnStar service agreement, there is a blurb about how if the bank or leasing company wants to repossess the vehicle, they can (presumably with a court order) use OnStar to locate the vehicle. Scary? Speed, and the police send you a ticket? Don't wear your seat belt, and the insurance company ups your rates?
With all the information available on the Avalanche's DIC (personal and business trip logs, fuel used, engine hour meter, and personalized settings), who's to prevent a hacker from calling an OnStar-enabled vehicle and getting (or setting) all sorts of information?
Now, I'm not typically the paranoid type, but as a software engineer I am well aware of the potential capabilities of this technology. And I don't like Big Brother. It may be a little premature to predict this, but the way GM is going, it may not be long before you cannot drive one of their vehicles off the dealer's lot without some sort of OnStar capability. Just like Microsoft requires you to register Windows XP before you can use it. Already GM has gotten to the point where many (if not most) repairs must be done by the dealership, as the small shops or do-it-yourselfer simply cannot get access to the tools or software required to maintain these vehicles. The new 20" "factory-approved" wheels for the Silverado and Sierra cannot be mounted by anyone except a dealer, as a special authorization code must be obtained from GM (for a fee) to recalibrate the PCM (and another code if you want to put the original wheels back on later). This is the road GM seems to be headed down (I'm sure others are doing the same).
It will be interesting to see what develops.
Vehicle Tracking and Recovery systems (ex. GM OnStar, MB TeleAid, BMW Assist)
This is the only discussion I found about OnStar.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I guess my worry (perhaps unfounded?) stems from those air bag modules. They record the last five seconds of vehicle data, and this data has been used in court successfully. Again, maybe for the better but you never know. Who's to say that someday OnStar might not be used in a similar manner?
I could have sworn that the IEEE published a great article on automotive telematics and information privacy, but I can't find it right now. Maybe it was someone else. But this two-year-old article is a good summary: http://www.drivers.com/article/549/
I understand the potential for invasion of privacy of such services, but it's not less than that of your ISP.
Sure, something may be what they state and what it is, but that would be really, really paranoid. :-)
A former co-worker was on his way home last August and was in a remote part of the state when he felt faint. He stopped on the roadside and pushed the button. On star called rescue, identified his location and continued talking to him until rescue arrived. He then notified a relative of the emergency and car location. My friend had open heart surgery and is now fine.
The privacy issues were never a concern for us. I remember how irked I was that I had to buy a tilt wheel to get intermittant wipers on an 86 Olds custom cruiser wagon for my wife. I hate to have something forced on me. I would never be without tilt now and my wife's car will always have On Star. My 2 cents.
Could you repost please?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Once you have a few more miles on your GXP and have an opportunity, please let us know what highway MPG you see?
Thanks,
- Ray
Used to 2000 rpm at 60 . . .
It is VERY fast off the line—for a 3800 pound family sedan. One can certainly tell it has a 3.71 axle. Shows on the highway, too—65 mph @ 2100 rpm vs. 1750 in the SSEi. I’ve put 100 miles on it, mostly around town driving—15 mpg so far, so I’m thinking I’ll get at or near the EPA 17 in town when it loosens up a bit. Maybe a K&N filter will help the mileage a bit? I’ll miss the 21 mpg in town of the SSEi, but the V8 engine and exhaust sound is just too, too sweet, as is the pull of that V8, when I punch it! And no torque steer. Amazing!
Very nice touch:
First thing I did was replace the puny “V8” emblem on the passenger side of the trunk lid with a “Northstar V8” badge from an ’04 Cadillac:
If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for your Bonny GXP? Congratulations, btw. Hey how about some interior shots?
Scott
Also since the GXP V8 is the same LD8 V8 that is in the 2004 Cadillac Seville SLS, I imagine the Cadillac K&N air filter (K&N part 33-2063-1) might fit. The K&N website has the dimensions on the filter, so I’ll be comparing that to my current filter in due course. K&N lists part HP-2006 as the oil filter for both the GXP and the SLS.
Blade: I was a tad disturbed some months back when I heard the GXP was going to have the 275HP version of the Northstar (LD8) and not the 300HP version (L37), but after checking the specs out on the two engines, I understand why Pontiac went with the LD8 and then hooked it to a 3.7:1 axle – more low end grunt. Boosting the LD8 horsepower with aftermarket stuff could make the GXP pretty competitive with the 300C, but I’m happy with mine the way it is. The 300C might be faster off the line, but it is such an ugly looking beast by comparison, I just would not be as happy tooling around in that thing. And the GXP engine/exhaust sound is awesome. I love XM radio and the Monsoon sound system, but I keep it turned off a lot so I can hear that ear candy.
jbm: I got what I consider to be a very generous purchase offer by the dealer. I have been doing business with them for several years now, and they treat me well on pricing. With the $3,000 rebate that Pontiac is offering on the GXP until June, every GXP deal should be a good one. I'm not posting the final price because that might upset those who didn't get as good a deal, and I might hear from others that I didn't get as good a deal as they did. I'm very happy with the deal I made and will leave it at that. Before I closed on the deal I checked with other dealers in the area, and found that others were ready to make good deals, too, so I think anybody in the market for a GXP will make out just fine. I'll post some interior shots this weekend if the weather cooperates.
Bill
I got the Northstar badge from the local Cadillac dealer's parts store--cost about $22.
Good luck on the XM radio. I had it on my SSEi for a year and like many other things, after I used it awhile I wondered how I ever got along without it before. Between the clarity, variety, and the Monsoon system, I rarely listen to AM, FM, or CD's anymore.
BTW, dark metallic blue was my 2nd choice of colors. It's very attractive. I went with black because I have owned several black cars in the past and believe there is nothing prettier and more striking than a clean and polished black (or dark blue :-)) car. It's a lot of work keeping it that way, but worth the effort. I used to put cars I've owned in car shows, and I learned about Zaino products from some of those guys and have happily used that stuff ever since.
Go to www.zainobros.com for information on the Zaino products, and there’s also an interesting Zaino board on Edmunds: "Zaino Car Polishes/Products--Your Experiences (Part 2)" Apr 22, 2004 1:34am.
I’ve got all my Zaino stuff ready to go on the GXP—just waiting for the weather to break and stabilize a bit.
this price makes it in the same ballpark as the GTO which is not discounted. Performance or luxury. Would the GXP be that much different than my 2000 SSEi? I know the GTO would be different.
GXP vs. SSEi vs. GTO: Depends on what trips your trigger I guess. Of course the Bonneville and the GTO are two different concepts. Performance vs. luxury as you say. Or pure performance in the GTO vs. luxury with attitude for the GXP as Pontiac would say. If I was Jay Leno I would have both a GXP and a GTO, but I have to choose. I had my fill of pure performance and teeth-jarring “hay wagon” ride qualities with my 6 Trans Ams, and decided I was ready for a little more luxury and gadgetry and a little less performance when I bought the SSEi a year ago. I didn’t regret that move at all for many reasons. I really wanted a GXP then, but it wasn’t available yet. So is the GXP that much different than the SSEi? Again, I guess that depends on what trips your trigger. The upside differences to me have been the V8 of course and all its sound and performance attributes, the gorgeous 18” flangeless wheels and tires, the dual-dual exhaust tips, all the interior touches like the carbon fibre everywhere, the white faced gauges, the black “chiclets,” the Monsoon audio system, and XM radio. Another upside difference, to me anyway, is the fact that since I spend a lot of time washing and waxing my cars, the new front and rear fascias, bodyside cladding, and rear spoiler are all much smoother feeling and easier to both wash and wax. And the final upside difference to me is that IMHO the GXP just looks classier and not so aggressive or “in your face” as the SSEi looked, although that look never bothered me. The downside differences for the GXP are the 250 lbs heavier weight, the lower gas mileage, and maybe the UltraLux suede-like seat inserts because I’m not sure about their long term wear ability and stain and smudge resistance compared to the all leather seats in the SSEi. And maybe the minor downside of the carpeted floor mats not including any “GXP” embroidery whereas the SSEi mats were embroidered. My $0.02 worth.
difference with the V-8? My SSEi had gobs of low end torque. Does the GXP feel stronger? I did have the pulley up grade which probably made around 260 HP. I'm wondering if I might be disappointed? As for the GTO, I too had a 98 trans am. Can the goat be that much better? It sure wont look better. I'd probably choose the GTO just to have something different, but it looks kind of bland, has a limited gadget factor, and a 6.0 400 hp version is already in production overseas as the chevy SS, soon to be here as a 05. Check it at http://www.gmstars.com Good to see some action on this board again. Need to hear from Iceman. Perhaps Intense has installed a warp drive in his bonneville by now.
Ezrapon: SSEi vs. GXP stoplight performance. I haven’t done that with mine yet, but I did with the one I test drove awhile back. My sense is the GXP is a tad quicker, but not by much. Certainly not a night and day difference. Pontiac says the SSEi does 0-60 in 7.6 seconds, and the GXP does it in 6.8. Maybe my sense that the GXP is a little quicker is influenced by Pontiac’s pronouncement. I don’t know. We’ll know more if one of the car mags ever flogs a GXP. I imagine an SSEi with a pully upgrade, K&N, etc. would be a match. When I used to hang out at the drag track every Saturday, I could maybe feel the difference between a 7.6 and 6.8 car, but they both feel about the same to me today. Again, the V8 ear candy is what trips my trigger the most. I agree on the GTO—just doesn’t have the eye appeal yet. Needs hood scoops or something to jazz it up, a pipe on each side out the back, etc. The 400hp upgrade will help, but it needs to look more GTO-ish in my mind.
It's great to see Bonneville excitement back here again.
It is kind of unsightly looking, to be sure, as one looks through those 18” wheels. I don’t remember seeing rust there on my SSEi, but I also don’t think I ever paid that much attention. Maybe the SSEi wheels did a better job of hiding that part of the rotor? Or maybe that part of the rotor wasn’t painted silver? I see similar rust in that area on my wife’s GTP, and I park next to a new Mazda 6 and a new BMW 330i and they both have rust there, too. Not as noticeable, though, because that part of their rotors is not painted silver—both are kind of a dark grey. So it would seem that Pontiac’s choice of the silver paint is the culprit.
Like you, I never paid much attention on either one of my SSEi's.
Perhaps I can post a picture in the next day or so.
Thanks for the pics.
Here is the rust pattern on mine. Only 6 weeks on the road!
Blade: Since the LD8 Northstar that we have in our GXPs has been around for 10 years, there have probably been lots of mods made by various people over that amount of time. You might want to go to http://www.domesticperformance.com to see what they have to offer. That is a California company selling a lot of Cadillac engine performance parts—V6 Bonneville stuff, too. Some of it is pretty pricey, but they also custom build parts if they get enough committed buyers.
Saw my dealer this morning. They are going to re-finish (repaint) all 4 rotors rather than replace them. It sounds like there may be a problem with the coating degrading over time. Although I'm without my car for 2 days, my dealer has supplied a rental, so I'm alright with that. I just hope that the fix turns out OK.
You are right about the GXP’s power not being a quantum leap over the SSEI, but the power difference has been pretty noticeable to me. And I agree that the engine/exhaust sound is not as “American” as the raucous sounds of my former Trans Ams or some Mustangs I’ve heard, but it is to my ears clearly a familiar V8 sound, and when I punch it, it produces a nice, refined “rap.” Of course, if I ever get to missing my Trans Am sounds, I can always tweak the GXP exhaust a tad to make a little more noise, but I doubt that I’ll do that. I think Pontiac got it about right given the nature and character of the car. And on the GXP torque steer, maybe you got hold of one with a funky transaxle or something because mine exhibits almost none—less than my SSEi did. I was impressed with that on the first GXP I test drove. I was expecting something worse, but I concluded that the Northstar and the 4T80E transaxle combo must be a better match for the Bonneville than the supercharged V6 and 4T65E combo. I’m not an engineer by any stretch, but the torque steer difference between the two was slight but noticeable.