2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP: In the Autoblog Garage Day 1
One thing's for sure; this is the best sounding Grand Prix since 1987. The Pontiac Grand Prix GXP is the first application of GM's 5.3-liter Displacement on Demand V-8 in the front wheel drive platform. First of all, I'd like to say that I am impressed with this car in the little time that I have spent with it. The sticker price had me doing a double take because I expected the GXP to be priced much higher than what it is.
The GXP comes pretty loaded for under $30,000. Were talking the V-8, a TAPShift four-speed automatic, heads up display (HUD), nice cross-drilled rotors and red brake calipers, 18-inch rims and much more Ill get into on the next couple of days. The only options on this car are heated leather seats with suede inserts, XM Radio and a remote starter. All said and done, with destination, the sticker topped out at $31,135. Not bad for a 303 horsepower sedan with highway mileage rated at 27 mpg.
I havent driven the car enough yet to talk about torque steer or if I notice anything from the cylinder deactivation system, but I do like the HUD that displays what gear Im in when using TAPShift and that transmission is very obedient. The Pontiac gives a nice kick when you lean into the V-8 and the quad exhaust pipes sing a great tune that my old 1992 Grand Prix could only dream about.
This GXP is painted in what has become the official Pontiac GXP color; Dark Cherry Metallic. The color plays off the light very well and makes the lowered stance of the GXP seem a little more menacing. Tomorrow Ill take apart the interior to see if its a place Id like to spend my time funneling 323 lb ft of torque through the front wheels.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Chris S 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Dang, that seems like a lotta torque for a front-driver. I had an Acura TL with like 220 ft-lbs and the thing torque steered like a bastard.
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Ahkmel 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Another Pontiac for Walter to be a pussy in... yawn
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Brian Kvalheim 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
"by Ahkmel
Another Pontiac for Walter to be a pussy in... yawn"
Then don't read it.
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Whydrive 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Pontiac's done a pretty good job at alleviating torque steer. There's no substitution for RWD but you won't experience the torque steer that you see in many FWD high-horsepower imports (ahem, the new Nissan Maxima comes to mind).
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sam 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Ahkmel, you internet tiger, you are a loser.
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Sid Ghosh 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
I was at a Pontiac/Buick dealer last weekend and this was there in the same color. It looked AWESOME.
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Joel A 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
How are the back seats? Virtually every review I've read of the GP pans them for lack of comfort.
If possible, could you take and upload a pic of the HUD while it's displaying on the front windshield? I've never seen one in action.
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Spencer 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
I really like the new Grand Prix's I think the seats are the most comfortable I've ever sat in.
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Gary 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
My '97 GTP (280 lb-ft stock, around 310 when modified) had some torque steer, and it was noticeable on bumpy roads or when turning, but it was never enough that I thought it was a problem.
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Patriotic Dissent 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
I'm not much of a GM fan, but most Pontiacs are the exception to that rule. The Grand Prix is a great looking car and the addition of the GXP is a huge bonus. My only experience with the GP was driving an '04 GT as a rental and I really liked it. I may have to head down to the Pontiac dealer and take a look now. To make the deal sweeter, with the GM Employee Pricing deal the GXP starts at about $24,700. What a deal!
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74TA 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
This car is sweet. I think the roofline looks great, but the car is low on headroom because of it. And the back seat is a little stiff. reminds me of riding in the back of a truck.
but... IT WILL ROAST THE F'ING TIRES!!! It's an awesome car for the money. Let's see some burnouts!
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Brooksie 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Walter, what's up with all the Pontiacs?
Are they feeding you free cars to review in hopes of getting us to buy them?
I'm not knockin, just askin. I work in advertising and that's how it goes. Its called viral marketing. A perfect example is that crap post #10...gee that's not transparent, eh fellas?
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rob rudorf 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
i will continue to read these blogs. I am really hung up on the hokey tap shift 4 speed autobox though. come in to the 90's guys and get a 5 speed.
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CH 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
#12: at least, he identified (or gave himself away) as a GM employee by mentioning that he gets the "GM Employee Pricing". You're right, not very transparent... The "As Seen on TV" exuberance would have gave it away nonetheless!
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V?or Rubiera 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
This Pontiac brings back the old feel of a car not so well made by GM. Just look to this panorama: Chrysler has the 300 & 300C, Dodge with the stunning Charger & Magnum, Toyota with the Avalon. Although there is the matter about the price; the cheap plastic, dated platform, dull styling doesnt make it that good.
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Pip 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
My question: why is it FWD? Lowers the cost, I guess. And, I just have to say that, in my opinion, the interior looks incredibly ugly and cheap. The steering wheel also looks incredibly huge. I liked the Autoblog Garage more when it had imports...I guess only Dave Thomas wanted to do those.
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michael 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
#14, have you been watching TV recently? *everyone* is getting GM employee pricing now..
http://www.gm.com/employeediscount.do
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Patriotic Dissent 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
Crap post? Just saying what I think. I like the car and it's a sweet deal right now.
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Scott 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
The rear end of this latest generation Grand Prix still looks too frumpy to me. Same way I feel about the entire back half of the Honda Ridgeline. I still wish they sold the '02 and older Grand Prix body style. Those were mean looking cars.
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Tom W 10:32PM (12/18/2005)
It will get a lot of attention on the road. Not for being beautiful, but for being crazy looking. It's as if the marketing department said "Hey, we need a four door", and the designers threw some leftover ideas together and painted them the same color.
I think it's amazing that a car manufacturer will invest millions in tooling up a production line, but skimp on the most important part.... Product design.
With 6 billion people on the planet, it seems like they could find a few talented car designers. Car designers (or stylists, whatever you want to call them) are the most important part the entire process. The talented ones deserve royalties on sales and employment contracts similar to sports stars.
After the product has been created, everything else is monkey work. Tooling up. Marketing. It's all pretty basic. It's the initial creation that needs to be focused on.
College degrees in manufacturing and marketing don't mean jack if you don't have a gifted artist at the beginning of the process.
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