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Pontiac Grand Prix - 2000-2005
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Comments
I considered it as much a safety item as a luxury feature in the GP. With the controls that are mounted on the steering wheel combined with the HUD and auto temp control, you don't have to avert your eyes from the road or your hands from the steering wheels for any reason.
I have found very little about the Grand Prix that I don't like, and that test drive was surely a fluke. You shouldn't let one bad experience sway you permanently, although my 93 pathfinder se was a nice vehicle too...
Jwoods4 , after you get your GTP you gotta get a pulley fot it , big fun! That was a main selling piont on getting my SSEi , the ease and low cost level of increasing HP output of the L67 engine. For about $375 I put a 3.25 diameter pulley , short SC belt, Thrasher Cold Air Induction kit and a 180 deg. thermostat in Bon for about 60-65 more HP and alot more fun!
Well, I said I'd never buy another GM after my crappy '97 Malibu....
My Malibu which has been somewhat problematic brake-wise, just got totaled on the freeway, and surprisingly it held up pretty good.
Had a giant Toyota Tundra V8 swerve from lane 3 to lane 1 and ram me into the concrete guardrail at ~60 MPH. Surprisingly, he did not 'bounce' off me, but stayed stuck to me, and actually gave me an honest to goodness James Bond moment.
In CA, the freeways usually have 4 foot cocrete lane dividers seperating N/S-E/W traffic. If you take a look at one, you'll notice that the bottom of the divider ( Jersey wall per CHP), it is wider and tapers up about 6-8 inches before becoming truely vertical.
Well, let me just say that that is one hell of a killer design. The Toyota hit me so hard that its driver's front wheel actually broke off and was flung across the freeway.So, I guess he hit me at around maybe 50 MPH, wheel broke off, and he was left jammed into the passenger front of my car. Pushed me into the jersey wall. Above the incredible shreiking as he had his brakes locked up, I heard my drivers side wheels hit the wall, and both blow out. Also heard a really wicked grinding, crunching wail that just went on and on. After 4-5 seconds, suddenly felt me car lifting up!! I drove right up the damn wall, and actually was about vertical. The truck was still jammed into my passenger front fender, roof now, and my car was up on its passenger side wheels.
I tell you, there nothing like looking out your windshield and seeing the world sideways, with the freeway looking like a wall all along your passenger side of the windshield.
Needless to say, after about 7-8 seconds, the truck dropped off finally, and I literally drove down the side of the wall and stopped. Thankfully, besides minor whiplash, both my girlfriend and I were ok.
The funny thing is, aside from some minor pre-existing dings on the drivers side, there was a small scratch on the rear fender, and no other damage from the wall.
Absolutely insane.
I tell you, what I wouldn't give to have been in the car behind me and to have seen this accident.
In the end, it was a 5 car pile up, and the Toyota had actually swerved to avoid an accident in front of him, and lost control after he was clipped on his passenger front.
So, why am I posting here?
Well, I just replaced the Malibu with a 2000 GT.
Now, I bought an '88 w/90K in '96 for $3300. Thought I got a good deal. Ran it into the ground, and blew the engine at 180K. Actually put a new engine in it for $2000, and sold it a few months later in Oct 98 for about $2200. I have to say, even with that pukey 2.8L it was not a bad car.
So, fast forward several years, had several memebers of family buy Grand Ams, Grand Prixs, everyone has had good luck, aside from the general rotor problems exisiting up to I think the new '97 versions.
My dad got the GM employee discount on a 99 SE, and when I visited last I thought it was just great. So, after doing a lot of research the past week or so, settled on the GP as a replacement.
Had the chance to get a nice 98 SE w/29K for $12000, but kept looking. Yesterday, found a 2000 GT, 29K. The salesman was new, and didn't quite realize or later mention to the Sales Mgr. that the car had a Blaupunkt 12 disk changer in the trunk......
So, went in, and following Edmunds excellent tutorials, made an offer of $15K.
They sort of gawked, and sputter that they were asking $17.6, and couldn't go down that low. Also, as a SafeAmerica FCU, they told me that the best they could do for a 'member' was $15.8. I stuck to my guns, and mentioned that the Pontiac dealer down the street had the same vehicle ( minus CD) 2000 GT Coupe w/29K for $15.7 sticker.
End of story, made it clear I wasn't going to dicker, and would walk.
Got it for $15k straight, +tax/doc/lic.
I guess this is about $600 below Edmunds TMV, so I'm laughing to myself thinking I got a good deal.
Anyone care to confirm, or could I have gotten it even cheaper?
I do have a few questions though. I will read the previous threads, but are there any 'problems' with this model, like rotors, etc?
From the research I did, most people seem to be pretty happy, and haven't read of any major, systemic problems with the line, but it is a GM afterall.
For comparison, you might want to take a look at the Malibu forum, and see the hassles we've had with that line.
Anyways, thanks for any advice/suggestions you might have.
Fred
Even with the stock SC, you will easily overrun by 5 car lenth a base Camaro or Firebird. I did it, with my Buick retiremobil.
Sure, the Camaro had a 3.8l engine, not 5.7l one.
My GT is the best car I ever owned, however, if I had to do it over again I would go for the GTP.
Other observations: The Taurus suspension isn't as nailed down as the GP. Also the GP comes with 4 wheel disks. The Taurus may not. Big difference in braking. GPs come with 15" wheels, 16" optional. Tauri come with 14" with really cheap tires. 15" optional?
Transmissions don't comapre either, GP wins here too.
The 3.1l engine is good and reliable, but not a match for the 3.8l.
The intrigue does have a different intermediate shaft design and the impala has an aluminum engine cradle.
Why would the intrigue and impala be affected but not the grand prix or regal?
I am terribly sorry to hear about your job loss. I haven't been in here for a few days, and I just now read your post.
Best wishes on finding another job, and I hope it is even better than the one you lost. I'm sure there's still a GTP in your future. You have more important things to worry about now, I know.
Holler at me in Wrangler IV or email me if you feel like it.
I would like to know how your job searching is going, so don't just disappear on us.
Once again, sorry, and good luck!
tsjay
I'm trying to buy a 2001 GP and the one dealership I've been to so far is not coming down much at all off the sticker price. Has anyone recently bought one and how did your negotiations go? Supposedly GM is down on sales, but you wouldn't know it from the salesmen. I'm in the midwest. I don't know if I should expect them to come down a couple thousand or more. I hate buying cars!!!
Well anyway, I was wondering if anybody did the conversion for the K&N Cone filter & if it's a big difference than the Drop-in K&N? Is it worth the trouble to convert it to the K&N Cone? 7" or 9", the difference? Also, Does anybody know of a Reprogrammed PCM for the GT yet or near future? Any other "quick & reasonably priced" mods for GT?
Sorry about all the questions but pretty excited to stumble upon this forum.
Thanks,
Boozer
Paint problems--most of the paint used by car manufacturers in the 80s was terrible. It was developed hastily to conform to new environmental regulations. IMHO, GM paintfinishes are some of the best I've seen on any cars.
GP deals--There's absolutely no reason you can't get a good deal on any GP today. If your dealers aren't willing to deal, go to a close by city and pit the dealer's against each other to "gain you business. GM (as well as the entire auto industry) is experiencing a "slowdown". Deals can be made.
Suspension--never had any suspension noises/problems with my GTP. I don't know what the differences are between the Intrigue/Impala suspensions, but I do believe the Regal GS/GP GT-GTP do have different components.
If GM buys back my Impala, I am seriously considering going to a GP GT or a Bonneville SE. Haven't heard too many complaints regarding suspension noises and the like.
Would like to have some serious input in regards to the reliability of the steering gear and suspension on the GP (and of course other problems relevant to this model) and also for those of you with some experience with the current Bonneville SE or SLE models. (Love supercharged engines, but too much $$$$ in gas and insurance).
Arguably, both GPs were among the best cars I ever owned (that includes a camry, Avalon, Accord and two BMWs). No squeaks, rattles, suspension problems. The only time either of them went back to the dealer was for routine maintenance.
The engine/transmission combo was great....smooth and seemless. Some have complained about the "interior plastics", but I found them to work just fine...easy to use...well placed and all lit up at night.
I know that there are some who are hesitate buying the GTP over the GT because of premium gas and mileage requirements, but the added "kick" of the supercharged engine is well worth the extra price.
I got about 19-20 MPG in town and about 28-29MPG on the highway with my GTP. Those numbers are very close to what you'll get on the GT.
This is my first look at this forum but it is about to be added to my subscription list. I am picking up a 2000 Bonneville SE tonight and will want to monitor both this and the Bonneville forum from here on.
Ifty53 - sounds like we are neighbors. I live in Kittery Me and drive I-95 to Mass every day. What's your GP look like? I'll watch for you on the highway (hopefully not in the break down lane!)
Teo - good to see you here! Best wishes to you on your steering problems. Hope it's fixed soon (and correctly).
Best to all
(Turnpike) Ken
I really like the car...it seems like a great value. Any comments would be very appreciated.
Overall a smooth powerful car and relatively quiet too. But you can tell that with a test drive. A good cruiser too. Did a 1200 mile long weekend with the wife and 2 kids. The back seat is comfortable too.
As you can tell I was not too thrilled with the GY LS tires and replaced them with Michelin X-plus. Big improvement.
Any particular questions?
Good to hear you are cruising the fast lane again! I'll watch for your red GP - you can see me in a green '00 Bonnnie SE (no spoiler) that I drove to work for the first time yesterday - I love this car!!
BTW - perhaps the Portsmouth shipyard should become its own state - perhaps called 'New Maineshire' with no taxes paid to either of the warring jurisdictions. What we need is a slew of Florida attorneys to battle it out at the Supreme Court!
Best wishes - have a great Pontiac weekend
Ken
I have a chev blazer now and they mean like a rock when they say it...ha.. Seriously , it has given me excellent service and still had value. But I need a change.
Got a quote of invoice minus rebate -1k.. plus 300. Is this a winner? ANd what is the delivery charge? WHy do I need one of those . The salesperson , WHo knew zero and had to 'be right back' with every question made sure to point the delivey charge out. I guess that is her commision?
felt like coming home bein in a gp again doe...
Thanks.
to 'chris6634', as for your dilemma in choosing the 4-door silver over the 2-door black...i would have to say do whatever makes the car more enjoyable for you...as for me, ive got a 2 door GT in white (no sunroof), that i chose over the 4-dr in black (which i had originally wanted black)....for the most part, i'm enjoying the car, but i always kick myself for not waiting for a 2 door black GT...in more comprehensible words, if you're going for black, get the black one, cause youre going to have to look at the car in your driveway for as many years as you own it..
V.
I test drove a silver 4 door (2001) GP GT and really liked but I also liked the Bonneville SE a little better.
Thanks for your comments.
How you doin'? Come over to Wrangler IV and holler at me. Still lovin' my little Thelma Jane.
tsjay
My mom bought a GP SE last year. She wasn't real happy with the car, not comfortable, not enough pep, etc. She struggled between the GT and the Bonnie SE. In the end, she felt she got more bang for the buck with the GT; although she thought the ride of the Bonneville was superb. The packages have changed slightly from last year to the 2001, so you don't get quite all the goodies for the $$. I think if you have a few extra $$$, then the Bonnie is a beautiful car; however, I would love the SSEi.