Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
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
Hey, the Camaro may be faster by a little bit, but I'll bet you couldn't tell the difference in the acceleration unless you were using a stop watch or racing. The "feel" of the power would be the same.
But, in the looks department, the T/A is the winner, and it ain't even close!!!!
I have nothing against Camaros, but I think they ruined the styling on this last model. I owned a '94 Z28 with the 6-speed transmission, and I absolutely loved it. It was FAST and BEAUTIFUL!
She was the polo green with T-tops and tan leather interior. She also had the Boze sound system, which was totally awesome.
I don't know about the T/A 2002 model's additional features or anything, but I know for my part, there's NO WAY I could wait that long. I sure hope they're not really going to discontinue the T/A or the Z28. Please tell me it ain't so!!!!!!!
America needs the muscle car- at least a few models. Old farts like me still need to be able to go middle-age crazy and go buy hot cars.
Later
tsjay
I own a Chrysler too another bad car.
My advice is get a Camry it is the best car for the price range. Or an Accord.
He just wants some attention!
The Grand Prix is a BIG moneymaker for GM.
I've got a 2000 GTP with 7000 miles on it, and the only complaint I have is--The little lights on the climate control buttons aren't bright enough for daytime use. I've owned alot of cars, trucks, and vans in my 58 years, and I've never been as happy with a purchase (except my 89' GMC 3/4 ton van which I still have,and,have never had to take back to the dealer).
Someone at Pontiac must have really pissed someone off at EDMUNDS (Not the proper Respect or kickback?) because I don't suspect I'll have to take this one back either.
AND,ELECTRICBLUE- Don't get a Trans AM! Get a GTP!
It checked out twice before at 29.9, but today it was 30.0 on my trip back to Ky. from Illinois. Those are calculated values, not read-outs from the on-board gas mileage computer.
I usually get twenty-eight point something on my trip home.
This week I filled up as usual in Henderson, Ky. on my way up to Taylorville, Illinois, and drove up there, and drove around town all week on the same tank of gas. When I filled up in Taylorville just before starting home this morning, I got 20.0 miles per gallon.
Then on my way back through Henderson, I filled up again, as usual, and got 30.0 mpg.
The car has about 9400 miles on it, and I haven't had to take it back for anything at all so far.
Great car!
tsjay
What other Matchbox cars do you own and how do they compare to your Grand Prix and Chrysler?
He now supposedly owns several cars, including a 'Dodge' Intrigue. And he supposedly rented a Regal for a month, of course he says all these cars were total junk. Everything he says is full of wild exaggeration and contradiction and is probably fabricated.
From his minimal literacy level I suspect he is a teenager getting his 'kicks' stirring up trouble.
his statements lack a great deal as to credibility.
And with fastfoodman's luck, he actually managed to get this rare specimen.
So far as a GTP, I don't think you'll feel cheated in terms of power. But if you need more boost, hit a GP club site. They can get that thing taking off like a Mustang GT (stock version, anyway), if you don't mind overtorquing (sp?) your transmission a little.
I have to admit I'm a little disappointed that you decided against the T/A, but the GTP is actually just as good-looking in my book- it just won't stay with a T/A in a speed contest (bet you weren't planning on racing anyway, huh?).
Hope you find one just exactly like you want and get a great deal.
PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU END UP WITH AS FAR AS COLOR AND OPTIONS!!! This is exciting!!
I love new cars so much, I even get excited when someone else gets one.
Good luck in your car hunting!!!
tsjay
You buy a T/A for the engine. GTP gives you above average performance, better interior AND some practicality. You can transport 5 people in comfort and you have a big trunk. Not to mention that insurance will be lower.
IMO - the GTP sedan is the better choice. It looks better (car was designed as a sedan first), and you don't have the hassles of transporting passengers.
'Cause this is how it was.
I can see how someone will get a GTP for the engine. It is a great engine.
I told her if she had the bucks she ought to go with the T/A, since she was considering one anyway.
I have a 2000 GP GT (not the GTP), and I love the car! But, if money were not an object, I would sure like to have a T/A.
I wish I had gone with the GTP, but I was thinking about the premium fuel requirement plus the extra bucks up front, so I just got the GT.
What are the GTP's, a couple thousand more than the GT or even more than that?
tsjay
For some reason, I didn't find the supercharged engine to be much faster than my Avenger..I have no idea why. Also, insurance wise, the Bonneville is the cheapest insurance so far that I've been quoted on the cars I've been shopping - my insurance agent told me because it rates very well as far as safety is concerned. I also started looking at the T/A's again, but, in the end, I decided that the practicality of the Bonneville outweighed the T/A. (Maybe when I decide to have a mid-life crisis I'll get a muscle car, if they still make them ) So, I'm either getting a 2000 in a couple of weeks, or a 2001 around April...I haven't decided yet. I'll keep you posted, and as always, thanks for all the input!!
But the Bonniville IS a great car IMHO.
(BUT go with the supercharged Bonniville.)
IMO - If I were gonna shell out all that money for a T/A which I would buy for performance not practicality, I would save the extra $$$ and get a corvette.
Also, tsjay - the GTP is roughly $1200 bux more. Most insurance company charge little or no premium for insurance. The premium fuel is an issue for some, but since I dont use my car to commute it isn't for me.
Electric Blue - I cannot believe you could even compare a POS Avenger to a GTP. Engine wise we are talking nearly 100hp difference. Did you actually floor the GTP on the highway? There is no way you could mistake the two.
I agree though - the SSEi Bonnie is the one to get.
If I would have opt for a Pontiac, My choices would have been the GP GT or GTP.
greywolf - Regal GS was designed as a sedan and it shows. So was Intrigue. The Grand Prix's roofline is a coupe's roofline - maybe they put 4 doors onto it right from the beginning, but they always had a coupe in mind. Mine is a coupe and looks great with 2 doors.
It also shows on the sedans. The backseat has a kind of low roofline (coupe nod).
It's a quibble. Personally, I hope they take the same approach with the next-gen GP, because it worked out very well this time.
GM might have opened a real can of worms with the GP. When the GTP first came out, there was nothing like it. Now it seems everyone is beefing up their power and accessories to match or beat it. With their long, long development cycles, everyone else will have 2 generations of cars in before GM releases the next GP in (what? '03 or '04 I think). From what I understand, GM is mostly experimenting with a 3.5 DOHC supercharged engine for the next GTP. I'm wondering if maybe GM has underestimated the desire of the competition on this one, and if they will be nimble enough to respond to it. I certainly never thought I'd seriously consider a Chrysler, but that 300M almost wooed me last time. If they keep up their pace of improvement, they're gonna trample the General, methinks.
It will be on GM's new lower midsized platform called Super-Epsilon, also to include the next Intrigue. "Pontiac's car on the platform is code named Banner, and will be to the Grand Prix what the Acura TL is to the Honda Accord....more power and amenities and better handling, a source says."
I've also heard rumours of AWD. But I'm sure the general will deliver on power. Looks - I'm holding my breath. I hope they dont put all that ugly plastic rib stuff on it.
If the next GP, code named Banner, will be to the Grand Prix what the Acura TL is to Honda Accord... then what will the next GP be? I mean, GP, not the GP.
Also - electricblue all new GTP's come standard with leather.
I don't have sunroof on my GTP but I like the look of it on other GPs. Kind of looks like the back of the neck of some angry animal.
But are you sure that you don't want a GTP? I think leather is always a nice thing to have.
I am glad you got a Grand Prix- wait 'til you're on prune juice and Geritol to get a Bonneville.
I still would have liked to see you get the T/A, but the GP is definitely more practical and just as good-looking.
I sure like my 2000 GP GT. I also got the 4-door, which I think looks maybe even better than the coupe. I would have never thought that I would like the looks of a 4-door sedan as well as the same car in the coupe version, but in the case of the GP's, the sedans are actually better looking in my book.
I can't believe you don't like leather! I think a car looks ten times classier with leather interior, and the leather is comfortable as well.
Keep us posted on how you like your car.
Once again, congratulations!
tsjay
Cold in winter.....
Cracks, creases, and fades with age....
But 'everyone loves leather', so the auto manufactors refuse to offer decent cloth, in decent colors.
But, leather sucks.
Cold in winter.....
Cracks, creases, and fades with age
**********************
What? Have you actually owned a vehicle with leather? Or are you parroting what you have heard about leather?
Leather is not Vinyl! Leather breathes!
Leather is COMFORTABLE for crying out loud!
OK! I'll settle down now! For crying out loud!!!!
Leather is far superior. More comfortable, doesn't stain and attract lint. It just needs cleaning and conditioning twice a year.
I use the Zaino leather cleaner and leather in a bottle products. They mostorize, protect against UV and give you that nice leather smell.
My GTP is black with a leather graphite interior. I recommened the following:
- Tint your windows. Not only does it make the car look much better, but it helps keep the interior cooler and helps protect the leather from direct sunlight
- Get a reflective sun shield if you park in the sun. This will also protect the dash and front seats from the direct rays of the sun.
Electricblue - if you are a driving enthusiast, you will regret not getting a GTP. Everyone I have spoken to wishes they got the GTP over the GT in retrospect. The Bonneville is nice, but you have to pay a lot more for the super charged model (over 30k) - which is why the GTP is a bargain.
I would avoid the sunroof - it's not very functional. Sunroof's in general are overrated - and you have to worry about it leaking or breaking as it gets on in age. Not to mention you lose the overhead console compartments.
Any case, it is always possible to buy a seat cover. The covers are not expensive and do not need much work. But it is impossible to buy supercharged GrandPrix or Regal without leather. And, as good as the standard 3800 engine, the extra 40hp form the supercharger are very noticeable.
280 ft-lbs @ 5,200 rpm-GTP
225 ft-lbs @ 5,600 rpm-GP
Torque is what gets ya going!!
http://www.gmpowertrain.com/engines_cartruck/other/38l36_torque.htm
and here
http://www.gmpowertrain.com/engines_cartruck/other/38l67_torque.htm
It does what a sun roof is supposed to do, and, as weather permits, I drive with mine open.
"and you have to worry about it leaking or breaking
as it gets on in age."
My first car, has a sun roof, that still functions and doens't leak (it's the only thing that hasn't broken), and it's 13 or 14 years old.
The car is probably the reason why I ordered my GTP with a sun roof, with the broken A/C, I just got used to driving with it open
My wife is a fanatic about cleaning the inside of our cars. As leather ages, even with conditioners, it will sag, crease, and if you keep it a while it will crack. Get it wet once, then watch it crack quick. Look at the used cars you see with the cracks, I've always thought the previous owners sit down in wet bathing suits a few times....
The car makers have some excellent 'cloth' materials available to them. Ones that wear like iron, do not 'pill up', or pull the stitches. And they are cool in the summer and warm in the winter!
Actually the torque peaks lower at 280lbs at 3600rpm on the GTP, while peaking between 225-230lbs at 4000rpm for the NA 3.8.
As far as leather goes, if you really don't like it don't get it. You will have to give up the supercharger for it however. Big mistake in my book...
I was only 2000 RPM OFF! 8-) Double typo.
Actually,as far as leather goes, I don't think I would miss it if I didn't have it. I just think it looks nice and feels nice, but then, for the last ten yrs. I've been driving a van with vinyl seats. I live in southern Michigan and the Hot and Cold never bothered me. Probably just got used to it.
But Electricblue, you'r doing right. Check them all out, change your mind a few times. Take your time, and end up with exactly what you want.
Leather or fabric.
Sunroof or not - (I like my sunroof)
Supercharger or not (I like my supercharger)
If you have owned 3 cars with leather,I'm sure that you know more about it than I do!
I'll keep quiet now.