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Pontiac Grand Prix - 2000-2005
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Comments
You know, when I was shopping for a car, when I bought my Bonneville, I considered an Accord. According to Edmund's true cost of ownership estimates, over 5 years, even though the Accord was $2000 cheaper than the Bonneville, with better resale value and supposedly more reliable, it would cost me the same. Thanks to the 2.9% interest from GM and 5.9% from Honda and the Accord's exorbitant premium.
Boy, am I happy with my Bonneville!
In a nutshell, they give the example of a G35 with a sticker of ~30K and a 3 year residual of 60% vs. a Sable with a sticker of ~$24K and a residual of 32%. Based on those figures, the G35 will cost $4,400 less to drive for 3 years. They go on to say, however that the Infiniti will sell for at or close to sticker, while the Sable will sell for about $19K after all discounts and rebates. The bottom line is that the Sable will actually cost less in depreciation over the 3 years.
Interesting.
The only people that make out on this are Honda and Toyota because they are making a lot more money per car. The car owners end up paying a lot more in the long run.
Not to mention the additional cost of getting maintenance done at Toyota and Honda dealers. I know plenty of owners that have complained about that. I try and bite my tongue when they bring up this issue.....
I know GM also recommends this type of service, but you don't actually have to get it all done, nor do you have to get it done at a GM dealership to keep the warranty. I'm not sure how Toyota and Honda handle their warranty maintenance, but I have heard a lot of complaints from their owners.
I remember back in the 60s and 70s when they were more reliable but the American cars such as Grand Prixs were more durable - at least that was my perception. I thought the Japanese cars with small 4 cylinder engines and tinny bodies would go fewer total miles vs Grand Prixs built with big, substantial drivetrains and chassis and bodies, but that isn't the case anymore. The Japanese cars have gone upscale to meet US expectations, and the Grand Prixs have gone downscale to save weight and cost.
I never found US carmaker service departments to be any bargain - I think one near where I live here in the Phoenix area charges about $100 an hour, and you know the parts are a rip-off too.
Bottom line, I think the automotive market is very competitive, there is free access to a lot of information with the advent of the internet, and you get what you pay for. Nowadays, pretty much all cars are good. Japanese cars have a lower depreciation, but have a higher initial cost, so it evens out. Drive what you can afford and what you like
If I am wrong about this, I apologize, but I think this is the case, or at least was the case.
RM
I have a couple of questions for other owners.
1) Lasst weekend it was about 75 degrees.(First hint that winter in NJ was over). The car was abominally and uncomfortably hot. Car is dark green with black interior. I felt this when I first got into the car and also when driving with AC off.I have another car that is black on black that doesn't get this hot at 75 degrees. Is this normal or common.
2) When the windows are open a small amount the air pressure gets screwed up and everyone feels as though their ears are clogged.Anyone else experience this? I've been driving for 30+ years and have never experienced this.
3) Does anyone have trouble setting cruise control. Dealer says that mine meets specs. But I often cannot set it.
Thanks
"That nose-heavy feel is common in front-wheel-drive cars with powerful drivetrains, but the TL's handling and steering response fell far short of the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, which is probably the best-handling front-drive midsize sedan."
read the review here
http://www.freep.com/money/autoreviews/phelan22_20040422.htm
:-)
Honda doesn't seem to be what it used to be these days.
I don't expect a problem free Honda product. You make more you burn more meaning you make more cars you have more problems with them.
I always notice GM fans knocking Honda and than Honda fans knocking Mazda. Its kinda funny after awhile.
There IS a quality difference still between the US makes and the Asians. Believe it or not, both are now superior to the European cars sold in the US...according to recent studies. The European cars quality has not improved as quickly as have the others. This is particularly true for BMW and Mercedes, but you don't read much about that.
All I know is the Grand Prix is a solid reliable car and anyone looking at a midsize will not go wrong with one.
If every car was built like a lemon no car brand would be an existence right now. If every GM car was built like my Mom's 92 Grand AM was GM would be out of business. My Mom did give GM one more chance and it has worked out well.
I have heard horror about every brand of car(Ford, GM, Mazda, and Toyota.) I have heard it all.
TSB 0-408-63-004
Engine Compartment Dirty in Front of Shock Tower (Install Wheelhouse Liner) #04-08-63-004 - (04/01/2004)
Engine Compartment Dirty in Front of Shock Tower (Install Wheelhouse Liner)
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
Condition
Some customers may comment that the engine compartment is dirtier than normal right in front of the shock tower.
Cause
The wheel house may have been trimmed short. Refer to the arrow in the illustration above. There shouldn't be a gap between the liner and the frame of the shock tower.
Correction
Replace the wheelhouse liner. Refer to SI Document ID #1242911.
Looks like a few have had this fixed. So will I
Frank
Frt Left 21998881
Frt Right 21998882
The parts are $3.70 each on GMpratsdirect.com
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7086&sid=17- 5&n=156
Nice that GM continues to improve. Cadillac's new plant seems to be giving Lexus a run for the money.
I just replaced the blower motor resistor in my 97. My blower motor would only work on the 2 highest speeds 4 & 5. The part number for mine was 15304891. The resistor is located in the passenger side footwell. Remove the panel below the glove box. You will see the blower motor mounted in the HVAC unit. Just forward of the blower motor is the resistor which is mounted right up next to the firewall with 3 screws. It has 2 wire connectors, 1 square and 1 long rectangular. 1st remove the rearward screw and then loosen the front 2 screws. The resistor should slide out at that point. The front 2 screws are a little difficult to get to because they are so close to the firewall so a universal joint on your 1/4" ratchet/driver might help. My old resistor looked pretty bad with much of the green coating on the circuit board peeled or missing perhaps due to moisture. Hope this info helps. Good luck.
This summer we have to travel out to Columbus Ohio from NJ. The round trip will be nearly 1000 miles. I calculated that we could save about $60 in gas by taking the GP as opposed to the truck. That ain't no chump change!
I'm just trying to put the high gas prices in perspective...
If gas continues to rise, it may end up being a $100 savings!
Meanwhile, I enjoy a spirited and comfortable drive and up to 32MPG on the highway.
But no one has to agree with me...
Enjoy your GP! ;-)
Ironically, it doesn't get that much less MPG than the Ford Windstar it replaced. Around town, the Windstar was only getting 16-18 MPG anyway. On the road it barely broke 20 MPG.
I have to say though, with gas prices where they are I am happy to be driving my 04 GP rather than the 02 Yukon I had before. My wife's lease is up in the summer on the Bravada so we may scale back a bit with a Equinox, especially if prices at the pumps stay high.
Frank
This ain't right and it is under warranty!
Thanks.