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Comments
As for Pontiac caddling I really didn't notice it on 80's models for Pontiac. From 1992-1999 it looked terrbile on Pontiac models though. As for Mitsu I think there is cladding on the Montero. The 2000+ Eclipse has those ripple strips on the doors sort of like the Ripples potato chip. The optional caldding on the 03 Corolla I do not like. The cladding on the 99-03 RX 300 looked alright. I don't like the new 4 Runner. The new one is too gimmcky looking. The 97-02 Runnner was one of the most beaufiful and timless looking SUV's I have ever seen. I'm not an SUV fan but I did like the previous generation 4 Runner. Toyota did a good job with the Celica. It kind touches that borderline of gimmcky but doesn't cross it.
The ABS system on my 2001 I30t is ok, The Factory 17" speed rated Bridgestone tires are bad in the snow/rain, which makes the ABS come on much faster then it should, no traction, but good on dry pavement.
The 3.0L 227 horse engine was perfectly suited to that car, not much torque steer in mine, however the 3.5L, is horrendous...
In that test, the Maxima would always end up 90° on the road after braking on uneven pavement. I don't know about you, but I'd never buy a car that did that, even if it's just a sample.
Accords are just everywhere though, they are the Japanese Taurus. GPs are much less common and much nicer to look at.
:-DExactly!! Especially my GTP COUPE, I very rarely see a GTP coupe, when I do its usually a GT. Too bad GM killed the coupe which had the same size as the sedan.
Only problem with the Accord Coupe is that it is SMALLER then the sedan.. trunk is only like 12.5 cu ft. Where as the OLD GP the coupe was identical, right down to the same 16.0 cu ft trunk.
Insurance is very reasonable too. Especially for such a sporty car.
Richm4, As I posted earlier, a GTP is about 20% less to insure then a Mustang/Camaro V8. A GTP is NOT much more to insure then the GT. Yes one of my complaints on the 1997-03 GTP was the very stiff ride, but it also handles slightly better then the GT, so thats the penalty. 18-19mpg? The car is only EPA rated at 18, nice. I only get 14, but mine is modded to nearly 300 horse.
GTP sales were only about 25%-30% of the total GP's from 1997-2003. For me, I like the supercharged engine on the highway, the regular 3800 doesn't have enough after 40mph for me.
I read last night that Mazda 6 sales are not going that well which is why the 0% financing has already hit the car. I wonder how 04 GP sales are going? Someone mentioned there is a $1000 cash back offer.
MSRP $ 26580 GM Employee Price $23580.70 plus tax, title and license.
Also with approved credit you may select 1.9% interest for 3years; 2.9%
interest for 4 Years; 3.9% interest for five years plus a bonus rebate of
$250 or a cash rebate of $1250.
These incentives would be in addition to the GM dollars and Olds Loyalty
rebates
Same thing with the Marauder, was orignially selling for sticker and higher, $35k.+ Now you can get one for as low as $28k and there was a Ford $2k rebate back in October. Maruader sales were ONLY 50% of what Ford had hoped...down big time. It's a car that's body dates back to 1992 !! and the frame dates back to 1978 !! Time for a redesign on that aging body.
If EVERYONE drove a 04 Pontiac GTP, are you saying you wouldn't? Who cares what others drive? Drive what you want. We must assume the alleged herd does.
That's their choice. No problem, as long as it doesn't also HAVE to be mine. And it doesn't.
My neighbor came home with a new Accord last week. It is boring looking and everyone has them. No thanks.
The fusion Orange is a nice distinct color, I like it. Too bad that wasn't available on my '02 coupe...
BTW.. Black is a very HARD to keep clean color... Nothing like a black car when its shined up well.
The 1997-2003 GP had a pretty loud wine sound when turning the wheel at low speeds. Both my 1997 and 2002 GTP coupes where that way. Also other GP's of that generation were the same when I hear them turning into a parking spot. Just curious.
By comparison the Maxima is pretty quiet when turning.
Martypa, I wish they had those deals up here. No incentives on the GP here.
Gunit, I think the GT is very peppy and I just have no need for all the extra power. The fuel economy is better in the GT and no premium needed. I suspect GTPs only make up a small percentage of sales.
My 1997 with 58k miles traded in 2002 never had a problem other then oil leaks from the valve cover gaskets. Tranny was fine after mods. Just have to not drive it hard all the time, that is the key.
Remember the tranny was only designed for 280 ft lbs torque, that is why the series 3 engine only got a horsepower increase and no torque increase, it was a cost cutting measure by GM so they didn't have to redesign the tranny. Tranny can take more then 240hp.. just limited to 280 torque.
Dan165, the GT is very peppy off the line and up to 40mph. But after 40mph, on the highway I felt it to only be so-so... If you are doing 65mph in the GT and put it to the floor there wasn't much acceleration. That is where the supercharger made the difference for me. Yeah that stinks that the GTP needs premium but almost every car I have ever owned has required premium, including my I30t and Aurora, so no big deal. BTW... the GT only gets 2 mpg EPA rated better then the GTP. Not much.
GTP's made up about around 25% of GP sales. It varied from year to year. So it was rather small.
gunit : As I've said before, 0-60 is not a priority for most people so long as it's got good power. The 3800 III is the best choice for most people.
As for the premium fuel, in the SC Series III engine can tackle regular gas, but one doesn't get all the performance. When the tough gets going, just feed the horses with the good juice.
:-)My parents have bought nothing buy Toyota Cameras for the past 20 years - all 4 cylinder. Sure they've served them well, but they are in their 70s and the cars look like.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................
I don't know how easy/difficult if at all you can directly bolt the Aurora/Caddy V8 tranny into the GTP?? It is a different engine, 3800 vs Northstar!! Supposedly I have heard of a few people swapping the larger 4.6 Caddy motor in their 1995-1999 Aurora's... That would be nice.
In my car club a few of the guys with GTPs of '97-'03 vintage have used regular gas on long highway trips with no reported problems. As long as they didn't get on it hard or floor it, they said there was no knock. I wouldn't trust that myself though.
I would never try to run regular and run the risk of damaging my engine or decreasing the performance. I know people that run regular in their I35 and claim it runs fine, but I wouldn't take a chance like that...
Most horses eat oats. Most cars use regular gas. When you find one that does so much better if you spring for the good stuff, and the horse cost so much to start with, why would you ever go cheap on the fuel?
I put new tires on my car and was told that both tire rods on my car are loose and should be replaced before getting an alignment. With 5 months and 6,000 miles before my warranty expires, I called the local Buick dealer and he was "indecisive" whether this was a warranty issue. I called Buick's 800 number and they too were indecisive but will call me back next week once they gather 'more information'.
Am I wrong in expecting the tire-rods to be covered/replaced under warranty? Without this correction, indirectly my tires' waranty will be void (not to mention other safety issues). Any input/thoughts on this subject is greatly appreciated.
Someone told me that was a problem with the early W bodies of 1997/1998? Tie rod ends prematurely wearing out/loosening? It happened to me and to you so far... anybody else?
Well, do what I do and drop an eMail to Pontiac or GM or Ford or Volvo or.... I'll leave it to you to speculate whether or not they read them or immediately deep six 'em.
just go here:
http://www.pontiac.com/
Click on the Contact Us, then click on eMail. You could even cut and paste your message from this board.
I have dropped them a list of my dislikes; things like interior color choices, the "cloth" pattern, NO auto climate control - I think dual is worthless; uncomfortable seats, cheap looking PW/PDL toggles, cheap looking vent louvers, No auto dim rear view mirror... some of the reasons I went for a greatly discounted 2003 GP rather than the 2004. They sent me an acknowledgment back... time will tell as the changes roll out next few model years. After all Lute does admit they are not there yet when compared to some of the competition... I think they'd be excited to hear from prospective customers.
Instead, I will be buying my first non-GM car in many, many years when the hatchback and wagon Mazda6's come out.
THAT will be my feedback.
Never buy a 1st year GM car, usually the 2nd or 3rd year has improvements and more features/options. I know from experience with having to be the 1st one on the block to have a '95 Aurora and '97 GTP when they first came out as all new models. The longer you wait the better chance of getting good rebates/ better deals.
The '03 GTP was $4k cheaper due to rebates then the '04 GTP, I don't see $4k worth of improvements in the '04, it was wiser to buy the '03. Plus in my opinion, the '97-'03 looked better then the '04 GP. They are the same sized car.
It wasn't like back in 1997, the '96 was smaller and uglier with too much cladding.
Back in 1997 a GT made 200 horse and a max made 190 horse. Today in 2004, the GT is still the same 200 horse and the max is now 265. That was an exclusive advantage to the GP back then, more power. Not anymore.
The competition for the GP has signifigantly increased power since 1997, while the GP has remained the same? WHy?
I think it's tranny issues, saving money by using the same one, which is quite a good tranny, but the competition is now going to 5 spd automatics which would do wonders for the already fast GTP.
Basically any new 2004 GP buyers, except GTP buyers are still stuck in 1997, power wise...
I'd rather have my GTP's 4-speed that never skipped a beat.