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
I can just see all the GTP quarter mile racers that this car attracts racing down the track with their funky coloured seats.
As for colors - Remember up to 5/6 years ago you could get a large selection of color choices interior and exterior.(my 96 Bonneville with Teal/Teal leather was the most beautiful car I've ever owned.) Then Pontiac cut choices way down on some models... in fact I think in 2000 or there abouts the only leather color you could get in a GP was charcoal. It is one way to save $$. The only choices I saw for 2004 were charcoal and parchment. Add to that the cheap looking PW/PDL toggles, pull bar, steering wheel and those ugly 10 spoke wheels. Knowing there will be few if any incentives on the 2004 led me to decide on getting a 2003(which I got for ~$8k less than MSRP) and wait to see how the 2004 GTP pans out.
Johnc - I drove the Mazda6s and liked it, especially the interior; but Mazda has funny option combos, low/no incentives and it's smaller inside.
dindak - I got a brochure at the PDX Auto Show 1st of Feb, dealers should have some.
VCJ - I agree on the cloth pattern
damn long day at work, must be testy!!
FYI - I do some international travel with my job. Funny - the various mfrs tailor models, options and quality level to the particular markets:
- Quality of fit/finish is much better on Toyotas., Hondas, BMWs, Fords and GMs offered in places like Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong...
- Ever see a Toyota Corolla with real wood trim? It's offered in Singapore!
- Distance sensors are options on most cars sold in places like Singaporee, Japan... only see them on Luxo models here!
Granted many of these countries control the availability snd cost of autos in those countries, but based on what I've seen even the Japanese car companies have bought in to the fact that Americans(and some other conutries) will accept lower quality than some other cultures...
I don't see how they claim Pontiac has actually improved on the plastics front. Same old same old from what I can tell.
And I do want to be seen as an adult.
As to leather, I am a noise freak extraordinaire. And cloth equipped cars are much quieter. I have had one car with leather. Never, ever again.
I had the GenII 3.8L blown engine. The GenIII should be even better still.
I'm 6' tall and the back seat wasn't an issue for me.
The only thing I'm still not sure about is the rear end. The jury is still out on the rear design All-in-all, it looks as good, or better than what's currently out there as a sports sedan in the $25K-$30K range.
Then if I were you I would not think about the somewhat "boy-racer" inspired Mazda6 or Altima.
1. Cloth seats screamed "cheap". The multi-colored fabric inserts didn't seem as bad as I originally thought, but the texture of the fabrics seemed Hyundai-like.
2. Leather seats were as nice and comfy as Cadillac leather. A HUGE upgrade over the old design.
3. Gauge lighting looked very nice.
4. Monsoon radio sounded great.
5. Rear seat is VERY low. I don't really care since I don't have kids, nor do I often transport people in the rear. But I am only 5'6" with my knees awkwardly positioned, and I could imagine how a 6-footer would feel.
6. Comp-G suspension was rough, but not as rough as I had imagined after reading some earlier posts.
7. GT2 suspension was smooth. Much more so than the old design.
Overall, I am strongly considering it along with the Accord. The Accord interior is nicer, but the GP is sportier, plus I can use my GM Card Rebate with GMS pricing.
The cloth seats were gray while the inserts were gray and white (I think). The cloth colors looked fine to me, it's just that the fabric texture seemed very low quality. If it wasn't for the texture, I would order the cloth. The cloth on my 98 GP is much nicer.
Anyway, I was very impressed with the leather seats.
Anyway - I expect to (at least I'll try to) check this site before I leave for the evenet tomorrow AM. So: any specific issues I can check for anyone - poste here?
- Ray
Owned a '97 GTP w/Thrasher pulley and Magnaflows . . .
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5833&n=157,- 180&sid=180
The reason I wouldn't get the Comp-G is because it rides too rough.
I'd like to get the supercharged GTP, but may settle for the GT2 to get the rims I like (while also saving some cash).
Has anyone else had experience with getting dealers to switch rims on GM products? In reading the Accord group posts, it seems like dealers do this sort of thing all the time.
For those who may not have like the look of the car from seeing pictures, the car looks much much better in person.
I'm waiting to take a test drive of the 2004 and see how it compares to my 2003 GT and also the 2000 GTP I had. Some of the design choices and lack of interior color choices have turned me off of getting one this year. I'm willing to wait since I got such a scream of a deal on my 2003. (no incentives on the 2004)
Anyway – on to the car. They had 1 car to display and Craig Singhaus (of Motorweek) gave a marketing pitch. I was able to crawl in and around it for a while.
Then on to the 4 cars and a low speed ‘handling’ course. I believe that these were all early production cars – as opposed to specially assembled one. All were GTPs with the Comp. Group / WS6, moonroof, and leather.
We were allowed 3 circuits – there was no place to exceed maybe 40 mph without mowing down a BUNCH of cones. I chose not do risk that. We had to wear helmets – affecting the ability to judge NVH.
So -
Power – Good power at these low speeds. Very smooth. Very easy to smoke the front tires at launch – over half those I observed driving did so – some quite dramatically, given the tight course. (This is with the standard traction control on - interesting.) Further, I expect that the 3.29 final drive comes into effect here. I believe this may lead to variation in published 0-60 and SS ¼ mile times depending on the level of expertise of the driver in launching high torque FWD automobiles . . . The Motorweek “road test” (update of the preview that aired a while ago) quoted the GM 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds, but made no mention of further performance numbers – no quarter mile time / speed.
[Possible S/C pulley swap? Looks like the same basic set-up as ’97 – ’03. Meaning a quick, easy, cheap 20 – 30 hp increase will likely be available for those willing to risk possible drivetrain warrantee issues.)
Trans. – As has been confirmed, the TAP paddles upshifts by pressing either paddle forward. In ‘(M) manual’ mode, you can start in either 1st or 2nd gear? Smooth shifts. TAP paddle positions swung beyond the noon / 6 positions in this tight course – and they were ‘in motion’ during much of the run. Thus, I will need more seat time to judge some aspects of their use. [Sadly, the GP is not a Grand Prix car – where full lock is typically not much more than 90 degrees!] The fact that the TAP allows a forced upshift at WOT at less than red line is a plus compared to BMW’s Steptronic, for instance.
Ride – no real opportunity to judge – see below under noise.
Handling – Overall: Responsive. ‘Rotates’ well. 225/55 BF Goodridge Comp T/As howled under high load – but hard to tell how they would sound under normal (umm . . ) “brisk” street driving. Again, further, real world test drives will certainly be required.
Steering – Again: responsive. Good feel, given conditions.
Interior –
Overall, the interior impressed me with a good overall presentation, logical and clear control and display placement, excellent legibility, and very good quality of materials. The climate control offers flexibility – 2 intermediate positions on the rotary knob between each of the 5 primary / main Mode settings – for fine tuning. A good design.
DIC: much improved in display and flexibility / functionality from the one in my ‘97. Several personalized settings possible. Trans. temp can be displayed, for instance.
?? “18 HUD functions?” I see 17 listed in the “Getting to know your 2004 GP” guide (from page 12) = Vehicle speed, high beams, turn signals, 8-position compass, secondary PRNDL, outside air temp., TAP up/down gear position & Upshift ISO, Radio station frequency. Single CD: track number, Multiple CD: disc number and track number, Cassette Active, Check trip computer, Cruise Set, Traction Control active, Traction control off, Stability control active, and Stability control off.
Room:
Front seat - fine (though understandably a bit tight with a helmet on).
Rear seat – sitting behind myself (6’0” and about 225) there was probably only reasonable room for someone 5’6” and 175. And toe space was very tight, as I typically drive with the seat lowered as far as possible. OTOH, I could probably have adjusted the driver’s seat somewhat to provide a bit more room, if necessary. And again, all cars I examined had the optional moonroof and a possible impact on headroom. The fold flat forward passenger front seat, that produces a sort of desk – including the mesh / netting found on the seat back as a mechinism to hold the things I often just toss into the passenger seat, is quite an interesting and useful feature.
Comfort –
Front seat excellent – bolsters felt more supportive than in some other cars that look like they ought to be . . .
Rear seat – probably OK for people of, say, 5’ 6” to 5’ 9” tall - though a fold down armrest would certainly be useful – and this seems rather an odd omission.
The traction control can be turned off – and so can the Stability system – according to the information I see. But there have been instances (the new G35, for example) where the traction control system cannot actually be completely disabled.
Noise – Again, NVH very hard to judge given course and helmet. No visible or audible problems with the section of the course that including several tacked down tire tread ‘bumps’. Structural integrity seemed ok – particularly given the huge hole you can open between the trunk and interior.
Styling – Well, this is clearly VERY subjective, I acknowledge. But now that I have spent a while around several of these new cars, here is my reaction. This is an attractive car. The lager rear spoiler as well as the quad round exhaust tips and the grill inserts available as RPA-s all further enhance the appearance, in my view. The red painted calipers look terrific through the wheel spokes – but may be a cleaning nightmare.
But then, I’d probably replace the exhaust with a Borla, Corsa or Magnaflow a.s.a.p. anyway . . .
Conclusions –
It was certainly great fun to toss these cars around with someone else responsible for replacing the tires! BTW: I checked 2 of the front left tires (clockwise circuit) for wear – and they looked to be holding up rather well to the abuse.
The new GP is clearly a large step forward. Though I’d love to see 300 + HP and TQ, a six speed trans. and AWD, I suppose that is not likely now anytime soon. They have addressed several of the reasons that I did not buy a new GP when the time came to trade my ’97 GTP. I will drive one or 2 when the time comes to trade.
If anyone has further questions, post and I’ll try to answer – but it also sounds like new GPs are hitting some dealers.
Enjoy, all!
- Ray
Who probably made a mistake by taking a ride in a NASCAR stocker at over 165 mph
Out of curiosity, is there anyone in the Chicago area who is getting the 2004 GTP-Comp-G in the next couple of months and would be intested in swapping their Comp-G rims for my 5 spoke GTP rims?
Of course, if you Canadians lucked out and got better trim packages than the US (like, say, on the Mazda6), then none of this applies to you.
An interesting observation - all the photos in the various articles seem to be the same car - I noticed the interior color is a gray/taupe whereas per the Pontiac brochure the only interior colors are dark pewter or Parchment... hmmm
the dealer here in troy, mi has a bunch of GPs. Saw a white GTP with the comp pack and chrome wheels. freshly detailed. wow that looked great!
Remember the electric green Neons were avaiable in, but only the first year?
On the other hand, I think orange or orange-like colors are becoming widespread for newly released cars from just about every automaker. Nissan is making it on several cars and also offers orange interiors, Pontiac is adding it to several cars, Chevy has had it available on the Avalanche since introduction and it is now being replaced by a brighter orange, etc., etc.
I'm a real orange fan myself, and always say I'd love to buy a new orange or yellow car, but I think pure black is still my first choice when it comes to any car. I'm a detailer part-time, and there's nothing better than a shimmering, swirl and mark free black car! It just looks better than every color out there when kept properly (when not, it can look bad...).
I'm also a big fan of the new GP and just read a very positive review in Road & Track magazine about a Comp-G model--now I want one! Can't wait to see one in person and get behind the wheel!
The plant that manufactures the 10-spoke wheels burnt to the ground. A few dealers have gotten the CompG package with the intended 10-spoke wheels but now they have scrambled and are just using the standard GTP wheels until another supplier can be set up. On top of that they are charging customers for the chrome wheels ($595) even though customers are already paying a portion of the CompG option package for upgraded lightweight wheels. That is wrong in my opinion! They should not be charging more for this problem. While I like the chrome wheels better, I also liked the fact that the CompG wheels are lighter and fit with the rest of the CompG handling enhancements. What do you think about that??????
Greg
I've seen the "normal" Comp-G wheels and the base steel ones with hubcaps, but are there pics on the net anywhere of the other wheels? I'd like to see what they look like.
GTP is standard with 17" wheels and the Chrome is a $595 upgrade, so I see nothing abnormal with them being a $595 upgrade over the Comp-G 17" wheels. I would speculate it is just dealers running up the price by ordering all the options on the Comp-Gs.
Silver GT:
http://www.starcars.com/Pontiac/4P100_1.html
Black GTP Comp-G:
http://www.starcars.com/Pontiac/4P101_1.html
Wow!! That black one is goreous outside, but the interior is even better! It can't be a Pontiac--I hope this is just the start for GM interiors!
Copper Sunburst- The first Cadillac CTS I test drove nearly a year ago was this color. At the time, the dealer actually had two in this color in stock and while they didn't last long, they have never had anymore in that color in. I kind of liked the color, although for a long term purchase I think I would go with something more conservative. However, during the test drive we got ALOT of looks and double takes. I'm not sure if it was the car or the attractive female sales rep that was in the car with me but the car certainly did turn some heads in that color.