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Pontiac Grand Prix - 2000-2005
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Comments
I previously had a 98 GP and could very easily sound the horn with just a tap on the wheel.
The 3800 Series III features an intake manifold constructed entirely of aluminum, with the Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system purge valve fitted directly on the manifold. Previous 3800s were equipped with an aluminum lower manifold and an upper manifold manufactured from composite plastic. The all-aluminum manifold is stiffer. Moreover, aluminum more effectively damps the sucking sound of air rushing though the manifold, and the new design contributes to an overall reduction in noise, vibration and harshness in the Series III."
hopefully no more blown intake manifolds........................
That's exactly why I went for the 04!
2003 GTP about $24k when your done, you will never come close to a '04 Comp G for that price. But then you are getting an older car design that will depreciate faster and has a few less gizmos... there is PROS and CONS to both. I personally like the 2003 styling better, but my opinion. The 2004 is built on the same W body chassis that dates to at least 1997 in current form !! The body structure rigidty mhz is still the same as a 1997, not much improvement. Take another $300 put a pulley on that '03 and you will have yourself a car that will blow the doors off a 2004 GTP comp. Pulley adds 30-40 hp !!
The coupe was also $1k cheaper then the GTP sedan... even more bang for the buck
Back in 1997 they didn't offer any rebates, sales increases 50% that year. This year they are on the pace to do not much better then 2003.
Alot of those GT sales are to rental fleets already and company cars... I have seen alot of rental 2004 GT's on the road already....
Another reason I loved my GTP coupe, didn't have that rental car feel as opposed to driving a 4 door SE or GT
The new 3800 series 3 is still NOT as refined as its competition even with the new changes. Esp at the higher RPMs... My i30t at 6500rpm red line is smoother then a 3800 at only 3500 rpm. My i30 engine is older then my 3800. "The best V6 ever, Wards auto world, on the 3.0L V6 227hp" No vibration at any rpm and very smooth throughout.
I had to laugh at the change to 5W30 oil from 10W30, "to further enhance cold starting and prolong engine life..."
In cold conditions you can use 5W30 as a sub for 10W30 in your 3800 series 2 of 2003 and older. Read you owners manual.
If you want to do that you use a good Synthetic motor oil like Amsoil or Mobil 1 syn. Esp in very hot or cold climates or if you are hard on your engine, It's a proven fact your engine will last longer and start easier on colder morning/hot driving/ hard on the engine with synthetic oil then regular oil. You can also go further on your oil if it's synthetic. Though I do not.
I change my oil every 3 months regardless of mileage and only use Mobil 1 and the mobil 1 oil filter.
If its a lease I would use regular motor oil, for a keeper Synthetic. Esp in that 4565 tranny.
I wish I could have the throttle response of the 3800 Supercharged with the refinement of the Maxima/I35 engine/interior.
I would wait until 2005 or 2006 when the fixes are out for the 2004. I got screwed twice with that on my '95 Aurora and "97 GTP. Not only do they fix things or improve them, they usually add more options or more equipment too.
Maxima ran from 2000-2003, redone for 2004
Camry ran from 1997-2001, redone for 2002
Accord ran from 1998-2002, redone for 2003
Yet the GP ran from 1997-2003, redone for 2004 !!
Worst offender here is Crapalier, oops Cavalier and Sunfire that still date to 1995 !!! Even with totally new front & back ends and new echotech engines, still a 1995 in disguise !!! Meanwhile the Neon, Civic, Escort have been redesigned since...
The previous GP ran from 1988-1996, 8 yrs...
wait too long.
Change the shape of the car every 4 yrs like the competition...
Sorry, the worst offender is the Crown Vic/Grand marquis, date to 1992 redesigns... with just dif front and back ends...
All new Cobalt coming next year to replace the Crapalier thankfully.
Maxima ran from 2000-2003, redone for 2004
Camry ran from 1997-2001, redone for 2002
Accord ran from 1998-2002, redone for 2003
Yet the GP ran from 1997-2003, redone for 2004 !! "
They could redesign the CamAccords every year and I still wouldn't buy one. And you can't convince me that the CamAccords exteriors change that much during the redesigns. It seems that the only thing that changes is how much uglier their designs get. Every time I see the rear of my neighbor's 2003 Accord I want to hurl.
It's ironic that they keep redesigning the Camry when the average person who buys one is probably older than the people that buy Buicks!
I bought an Intrigue, and while it was decent, they kneecapped that awesome engine with a ridiculous transmission. Not to mention the overall cheapness of the car.. when I dumped it, it had rattles galore and things were just falling off the car. I bought a closeout 03 Maxima, and I'm MUCH happier now. My mother in law, whose family are lifelong GM'ers, commented, "it feels like I'm in the cockpit of an F16!". Compared to GM cars, it sure does!
I checked out the 04 Grand Prix before I went "to the dark side", but GM still hasn't bought a clue yet. The interior, to me, still feels like the older Grand Prixs. I suppose this is great if you're a fan of the car... but the only GM make I ever really liked was Oldsmobile. Maybe the redesigned Buick Regal will be nice, but I'm 29 years old.
For the record, I always try to buy domestic, and still do feel a bit guilty for buying Japanese. Really, though, what are my options? A Taurus? Chrysler junk? The Big 3 just don't make cars like they used to.
I like to drive fast, and like tight-handling sports sedans. The 04 Grand Prix WOULD have been right up my alley, and SHOULD be. I just can't get over that interior, which is a shame since I really do like the exterior, probably even more so than my Maxima.
Thanks goodness - because those cars used to be absolute junk. At least GM is on the same playing field as the imports, even if they are still losing the game. Maybe they can make a late inning run.....
As for the Maxima, it's generally a more expensive car so yes it has a better interior. If I was buying today I would very likely get a GP (assuming it drives as well as everyone says) as it offers good value (I can't afford a Max) and I think the interior is just fine as a GT/GT2. In the GTP price range, I would tend to agree with you a little more that the interior could be better. GM should upgrade some parts for the GTPs perhaps.
Perna, I'm sort of with you on there not being many domestic cars in my price range that appeal to me(single 28 year old male), but the truth is there really aren't any cars from ANY manufacturer that do. The new GP has some appeal to me, but as I've said before even when fully loaded it lacks some features I want and lists for over $30K. For that kind of money, I'm going with a Cadillac CTS.
To me, space shuttle is better than F-16.
Oh, and the Max has been reported to have some wild torque steer.
If a 1997 GTP was $25K with no rebates, and a 2004 GTP Comp G with rebate is $29K, that is less the a 2% increase per year. And that excludes the value of the improved / new features on the 2004. Wish my cable, electric, heat, insurance, real estate tax went up less the 2% per year or had improved features.
not sure why,
a) you should get the car that best suits your needs for the money REGARDLESS of the 'nameplate'
b) domestic or import is all smoke and mirrors today anyways. Many domestics are made all over in Mexico and other places, the new chevy equinox will have chinese motah! Meanwhile, Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords build near a million in the US each year. There are just as many if not more jobs created for US citizens building and selling Camrys as their are selling Centurys. The profits go to shareholders, not countries. Shareholders are from many different countries.
0.4% of the US population's health care costs were paid for by GM last year. The production of Camrys vs Centurys may equal, but with 2.5 retirees for each active worker at GM, the impact is much greater.
Agree wholeheartedly, buy the car/deal/dealer that feels best to you.
If so please let me know who....
I want to drive a car, not an appliance.
It's not as cheap as it's been made out to be... in reality, it's even cheaper.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Oh my gosh - I better call my dealer and cancel my new GP order! Tonight I'll run down to buy a CamAccord because they have perfect interiors!
I have a 2004 GTP with leather. I like the interior. Granted, it's not the best in the world, but to me it looks nice, and that's all that counts. No rattles, nothing is loose, everything fits good. I live in Florida and have never have a problem with the glare or seen the 'rainbow sheen' on the center stack. The front bucket seats are very comfortable. They have done a good job of making the cabin more quiet. The ride is good considering I have the 17 in tires.
All in all, I like what I got, and look forward to driving it every day. It's almost a pleasure to come to work every day.
I echo your evaluation of the cabin. Very good and comfy - but not perfect. And it is a pleasure to get to work - it just sucks once you actually get there!
I just wish they would change the surface finish of those pieces of hard black stippled plastic on the dash and the small pieces on the doors as well as the airbag cover. The rest of the dash material is very nice.
Maybe someone will make aftermarket replacements for those, heck maybe even GM will make those changes for 2005 that can be fit into a 2004.
Even with my small gripes I still plan on buying one in the very near future.
Some of the gripes I have with the GP was the seat comfort, or lack of. Front seat cushion seems a little long for my taste and the back seat was no better in terms of comfort. Your feet won't even go under the front seat and the cushions was very flat. Also, rear visibility was poor IMO as it was difficult to judge where the rear end was when backing up.
All in all, it’s a car I will be considering in the near future. Probably consider a GT2 with the InfoTech Package and head curtain side airbags in either graystone or polo green. Sorry for being so long.
What's wrong with burgundy or especially blue interiors? I would kill for a blue interior in a new car these days. Gray just looks too much like a prison cell and doesn't go with many shades of blue paint very well.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I had a burgandy 85 Pontiac 6000 and everything inside was burgandy. Then a blue 89 6000 and everything inside was blue. I just don't think when the outside matches the inside color, except black, it looks good. I just prefer the beige, gray, or black interiors. Those colors go with any exterior colors and the latter 2 are easiest to keep looking clean.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I am trying to decide between the GT2 and GTP and I just wanted to get some ride quality feedback from others. I have my test drive tonight of both.
From the documentation it seems that the suspension is EXACTLY the same on the GT2 and the GTP (non-CompG). The only difference would be in the larger wheels and their effect.
Is the ride the same on those 2 versions of the 2004?
Perhaps it's the different tires, but the GTP ride is much harsher than the GT2. My car had 40 PSI in the tires when I drove it off the lot, which didn't help. I subsequently lowered it to 30, but the first impressions were lasting. What bothers me the most is that I can hear every little "thump" when going over seems in the pavement.
GM is offering to replace the throttle body fasteners and run cooling system sealant through the system....through July 31, 2005 on 2000-2003 GPs and Bonnies w/3.8L series II(L36) motor.
They also included a letter-claims form to those who had to pay to fix this problem - it is a reimbursement program.
I recall a number of posting about this subject;
However, this recall from is pretty much an admission that it is a problem and not just here and there.
Also having routine maintenance done- oil,filter and rotate tires.
Curious to see exactly what parts are being replaced.
I know I have not posted here since around Nov/Dec 2002- my last post was about the problem with the trans(with less than 2000 miles on the car!) and the side molding coming off the lower section of the right rear door- just like to say that since then, the car has performed with no further problems(which is what it should have been doing from day one)and now has around 8200 miles on it.
However,I still prefer the ride and handling of my
98 Bonneville SSE better than this 03 Grand Prix GT
Chuck.