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Pontiac Grand Prix - 2000-2005
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Comments
GT instead of GTP...that's OK, too. The 3.8 engine is a gem no matter which iteration of it you choose...smooth even power no matter what you're trying to do with it.
I think the GP is just a smidgeon smaller than the Bonny but not by much. Price difference between the two can be sizeable.
I know you'll be happy with your GP...Congrats and let us know when you pick it up.
I left all 5 windows open in a down pour, when I got back to my car, there were puddles of water in the seats. That was last summer, and there are no cracks in the leather.
I've gotten soaked in my leather jacket many times - and no cracks. Are you sure your not talking about pleather.
Also to follow up about sunroofs - my parents both have a sunroof in their cars. I just don't see the purpose. Is it to get sun on you? Because when you drive, air flows over, and not in. In fact if you drive fast enough in the rain the water doesn't get in. My friends old monte had T-tops, which exposed you much more to the air.
I was thinking of getting it in my GTP but then I thought, what practical reason is there in having one? Can someone explain?
I'd say during the summer, I use it over 50% of the time as opposed to having the A/C on.
There's just something about having the windows down and the sunroof open that puts me in a good mood when I jump into my GTP.
That said, when it gets hot and humid, the sunroof stays closed (maybe cracked a bit) windows up with the A/C on.
On very hot days, I roll down the windows and open the sunroof to quickly let out all the hot, stuffy air inside the cabin to get the car cooled quickly with the A/C blasting away. Once it gets cooled down (takes about a minute in the GP), I close everything up.
But then subtlety is probably "Over-rated".
I hope you enjoy the Bonneville and that it serves you well.
I take back what I said about the Geritol and prune juice. I saw the Bonneville on a tv commrecial, and it was definitely not a grannymobile!!!
Let us know how you like your car.
tsjay
Electricblue, tell us about your Bonnie.
You've had it several more days since your last post, so bring us up to date.
Somebody post something, for Pete's sake.
tsjay
I spot some fast car closing in on my 6, then surprise them by beating them to 100mph (or sitting right on their tail if they managed to pass me), and then let them go, all upset, to collect the ticket harvest.
I just put a deposit on a 98 GP GT that was GM certified w/ 36K miles. It's Forest green with Graphite leather. I really like it. I'll be picking it up tomorrow. I'm psyched.
See ya,
thewilman
I also have the same issue on my Sunfire GT and am slightly bothered by it. Anyone else think it could look better?
They are the shape they are for cosmetic reasons, and I like them like that. I think they look much better than just regular round pipes sticking out.
I had a '94 Z28 with the very flat, wide tail pipes, and I thought they really looked good too. I'm sure that was just for cosmetics also.
tsjay
What I'm trying to say is that they could have started the oval shape further back so that it looked like it was more than just skin-deep. I believe that the shape of the Z28 exhaust doesn't change until near the end, but it is more difficult to tell that because they are very flat, making it more difficult to see what's inside.
All I can say is that oval and flat exhaust look WAY better than the ugly "coffee cans" put on riced cars. I just hope that the GP redesign doesn't make the exhaust go the way of the GAGT, not that it's bad, but ovals are better.
electricblue
(and polish the outside edge and clear coat it)
I feel that the exhausts are very important to the rear profile of the car, and especially so for the GTP. With all the power, most people on the road tend to see the agressive front of the car coming from behind really fast, and then they pull over. But when the GTP passes, they should see an equally agressive and distinctive rear, that IMO isn't quite agressive. It just seems a little soft compared to the front. I think that the exhausts and brake lights do a lot (Trans Am).
Is this common for the GP's? I thought just about every car has to go back to the dealer for at least minor things.
Really likin' mine!!!
tsjay
I drove a little slower than usual, but I wasn't creeping along. I ran about 60 in the 55 speed limits and 70 on the interstates.
Who has a great gas mileage story (FACT not FICTION) to share with the group on a 2000 GP GT?
I'm sure my 30.6 isn't the world's record- I did have about 80 miles of two lane roads and a few small towns to drive through, plus the drive through Evansville, Indiana (Stoplight City).
I wonder what some of you have gotten for mileage on a whole tank of purely interstate driving???
Tell us your story and include your speed. Has anyone ever driven a steady 65 or less on a whole tank of gas out on the interstates? I'll bet a 2000 GP GT would get 33 or 34 mpg under those conditions.
tsay
Isn't your LA freeway driving done in heavy traffic with lots of stop and go?
Have you ever driven on a long trip on regular interstates? I'm sure your car is capable of much higher miles per gallon than 20.
tsjay
There has to be some reason that you are not getting anywhere near the mileage that I do.
The EPA mileage estimate for my car is 19 city and 29 highway, but I do so little city driving that I don't know how accurate the city rating is. It sure seems that the highway estimate is on the money, though.
tsjay
Hey, Brother, why in the world would you be disappointed with 28 mpg? What were you expecting?
A car with all the power that a GTP has that still gets 28 mpg should have you smiling from ear to ear.
tsjay
Glad you came back to visit us.
Still in love with your Bonnie?
I am still enjoying my Grand Prix, but I have a bug for a new Jeep Wrangler now. There's no way I can trade again so soon, so I'll be keeping the Grand Prix for a while. Still haven't had even a minor problem with it, and the gas mileage has been great- you might have read my posts here on that subject.
Holler at us now and then.
tsjay
Anyway, I set a new record today with my 2000 Grand Prix GT. I got 31.5 mpg coming home from Illinois. From Taylorville, Illinois, to Henderson, Ky., I drove 202.0 miles on 6.411 gallons, which works out to 31.5 mpg!
I just had to try it- I drove 55 in the 55 speed zones and 65 on the interstates, using my cruise control. The temperature was only in the high 70's most of the way, so the air conditioner wasn't having to work very hard.
Sorry, people, but this news group ain't exactly a hotbed of activity, so posting about gas mileage might be slightly better than no one posting at all. I think it ranks one notch above watching paint dry, but somewhere lower than watching a stoplight change.
Later, guys and gals
tsjay
I was looking for a Camero! I Had an 82 Cross Fire Injection Camero back in 91, and Loved it!
Needless to say after only 3 days with my new used Grand Prix You couldnt trade me 4 Cameros and 2 corvettes for this GP! I love this Car! I have never felt more relaxed in a car. When I was younger, (early 20's) I would drive just to drive.
A few years back I stoped going for drives without reason. I just thought it was my Growing out of childhood. Plus the fact that I Have been a truck driver for 7 years now. Driving was the last thing I wanted on my time off. I was dead wrong! Must have been the Car (maxima). I know feel 16 again! Feels like that first big wheel I got like a million years ago on christmas morning!
I'm now 31 going on 12,lol. This seems like a great group! Gotta go! Im getting ready to take a long needless fuel wasting aimless drive on my day off!
P.S. can someone tell me how to get the door speakers out? do I need to remove the whole door panel? or can I get these speaker covers off seperate? I have already switched out rear speakers and Fixed the stock tape player. I'm also interested in the fact that i can see a cd light on the lcd if the sun hits it right, so im assuming there is an easy way to add a changer to this stock am/fm tape system?
Thanx
Does anyone have any experience with a high-mileage GP to share with the group?
Assuming one takes care of the car and performs preventive maintenance on schedule, how many miles are these cars good for before major money has to be spent for engine or transmission repair or replacement?
tsjay
Some of the guys on the gp-owners.com site have their cars in the 80k ranges and no probles.
You said your car was less than a week old when you took your trip to Minneapolis. I think that probably hurt your mileage by a mile or two per gallon.
You also said you drove 70 to 75 mph. I think you would have picked up another mile or two per gallon by driving no more than 70 mph.
Anyway, Dude, I would gladly give up a couple miles per gallon for the power of a GTP vs a GT.
I was trying to trade my Grand Cherokee even for a new Grand Prix, and that put a GTP out of the picture. I did trade even for the GT, but I had to pay tax and license.
I grew up in Hammond, Ind. What part of Chicago are you from?
tsjay
Best I remember getting for mileage was about 31-33. But, in New England the limit is 65, not that people drive that speed, that's just the limit.
Looking at a 98 GP now.
ANyway - the GTP is only about $1200 dollars more than the GT. BY all means, get it. Not only do you get a better motor - you get a more rugged transmission and beefier springs.
But of course - you get a great motor. If you can afford the premium fuel and the extra cost - you will not regret it.
When you see the GTP badge...and see other GP'rs with the badge - you will know you are one of the few.
P.S.
Comment on recent post on cast iron blocks with aluminum heads. The '86-89 Honda Accords have that set-up and they don't have problems at way beyond 100K miles.
This definitely is a small world. I grew up in Hammond as well. Went to Gavit - Class of '89.
I guess I have a year or two on you- I was class of '67 at Dear Old Hammond High.
Are you still living in Hammond? I now live in Kentucky.
tsjay
Keep enjoying your GP.