'04 Grand Prix review (that doesn't bash it)

[Mike Jung]

The Globe & Mail's newspaper (for Canadian business),
Globe Megawheels section article that actually praises the new 04 Grand Prix during their first test drive. (compared to their previous review that bashed on it [especially on it's 'out-of-date engine'], before they got a chance to drive it)

Pontiac power play
Grand Prix goes on the offensive in mid-size horsepower war (http://www.globeandmail.com/globemegawheels/20030313/power.html)

[red rocket]

"While the 260 hp GTP starts at $34,475, an all-singing GTP Comp G tops out at $36,570. Pretty costly considering some of its competitors offer their high output engines closer to the base GT's $27,995 starting price. "


Who's gonna spend that kind of cash on this car? Also, how many people are going to buy a car that needs 93 octane in the middle of a gas crisis when 93 is topping $2 a gallon?

[Weem]

Originally posted by red rocket
Who's gonna spend that kind of cash on this car? Also, how many people are going to buy a car that needs 93 octane in the middle of a gas crisis when 93 is topping $2 a gallon?

I read in Pontiac Excitement magazine that because of the more efficient supercharger premium fuel is not required.

[RedGrandTour]

That's to much money. How much does a 265hp Maxima cost? :D

[Silver02GT]

I don't know about those prices but I just got my april issue of Car and Driver and they say the GT is $22,395; the GTP is $26,495 and its another $1395 to add the Competetion Group package to the GTP. They actually give it a pretty good review too.

[RedGrandTour]

Originally posted by Silver02GT
I don't know about those prices but I just got my april issue of Car and Driver and they say the GT is $22,395; the GTP is $26,495 and its another $1395 to add the Competetion Group package to the GTP. They actually give it a pretty good review too.

That sounds about right. I'm still undecided about the body style but the Maxima doesn't look any better.

[red rocket]

I need to see one in person. I'll ask my local dealer when they expect one on the lot.

[Not2OLD]

Originally posted by red rocket
"While the 260 hp GTP starts at $34,475, an all-singing GTP Comp G tops out at $36,570. Pretty costly considering some of its competitors offer their high output engines closer to the base GT's $27,995 starting price. "



It seems to me those $$$ are Canadian

[Mike Jung]

Originally posted by red rocket
"While the 260 hp GTP starts at $34,475, an all-singing GTP Comp G tops out at $36,570. Pretty costly considering some of its competitors offer their high output engines closer to the base GT's $27,995 starting price. "

Who's gonna spend that kind of cash on this car? Also, how many people are going to buy a car that needs 93 octane in the middle of a gas crisis when 93 is topping $2 a gallon?
Originally posted by gpnomo
It seems to me those $$$ are Canadian
gpnomo, you are right. Those prices are in Canadian dollars.
(Since I am from Canada & that article was from a Canadian business newspaper.)

Based on last night's average exchange rates:
$1Cdn=$0.6738US or $1US=$1.4841Cdn

So that works out to:
GTP Comp G at $36,570Cdn -> $24642US
GTP at $34,475Cdn -> $23,230US
Base GT at $27,995Cdn -> $18,864US


If I had the cash for the GTP Comp G (& didn't mind a bigger car); I would love to have it :D

Even though the current gas price:
Sunoco 94 octane is at 87.9 to 95.9 cents Cdn /litre = $2.24 to $2.45US /US gallon :(
That's only more than 87 regular octane by $0.12Cdn /litre -> $0.30US /US gallon :rolleyes:

[Jagey]

Originally posted by gpnomo
It seems to me those $$$ are Canadian

Those prices are Canadian guys, that is the asking price as listed in the Canadian papers right now

[VTECSiGAH8R]

Originally posted by Jagey
Those prices are Canadian guys, that is the asking price as listed in the Canadian papers right now

OK, from now on, all Canadians put "CAN" in there instead of a "$" to accomodate us Yanks :D Seriously I usually put "USD" b4 I mention prices on specific items here. Might be helpful for future reference.

[Ackbar00]

Big Deal! So you have to pay .20 more per gallon. Is that not worth it to drive a nice car? I dont even own a car that takes unleaded gas.

[Jason E]

Doesn't matter anyways...'04 GTPs run on 87 :thumbs:

BTW everyone, my LT1 is faster than Ackbar00s pretend muscle car :cheers: :D

[SnM]

the 04 can run on 87 octan, but you will lose some hp, but it will not be bad for the car. use 93 to get the most out of it.

the nissan may have a bit more hp, but the gp has more tq, thus giving you better 1/4 times and all that good stuff.

it kinda sucks having to put 93 in my car with the prices the way they are, but I enjoy driving my Premium car!:D ;)

[RedGrandTour]

Here's a review I found .........

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/pontiac/grandprix/100252307/roadtestarticle.html?articleId=93322&tid=edmunds.h..reviews..4.*

[Jason E]

Originally posted by SnM
the 04 can run on 87 octan, but you will lose some hp, but it will not be bad for the car. use 93 to get the most out of it.



You sure about that? All my dealer literature recommends 87...says nothing about 93. And you know the old saying....if it don't ask for it, you don't need it.

Hell, a tech at work runs his '01 GTP on 87 all the time...car runs fine, even under hard throttle. But even I admit, he is losing something, somewhere...'04 that shouldn't be the case though!

[DavidScott77]

Originally posted by Jason E

BTW everyone, my LT1 is faster than Ackbar00s pretend muscle car :cheers: :D


I really doubt that. You ever run your Z at the track?

[SilverGA2001]

Originally posted by Jason E
You sure about that? All my dealer literature recommends 87...says nothing about 93. And you know the old saying....if it don't ask for it, you don't need it.

Hell, a tech at work runs his '01 GTP on 87 all the time...car runs fine, even under hard throttle. But even I admit, he is losing something, somewhere...'04 that shouldn't be the case though!

I think he's right. There was an article somewhere that I read that said the Series 3 will run 240hp on 87 and 260 on premium. Like he said, to get the most, you'd need to run premium.

[Hot_Stud18]

Being that it was sooo nice today, I went to the dealership just to look around and I seen a silver 2004 Grand Prix but unfortunately it was in a fenced in area:( hopefully next weekend they will have it out on the lot.

[GTspeed]

Here are some pics of the 2004 GP GTP

front

http://pontiac.com/pontiacjsp/grandprix/2004/gp04_800x600_front.jpg

rear
http://pontiac.com/pontiacjsp/grandprix/2004/gp04_800x600_rear.jpg

[Weem]

Originally posted by SilverGA2001
I think he's right. There was an article somewhere that I read that said the Series 3 will run 240hp on 87 and 260 on premium. Like he said, to get the most, you'd need to run premium.

How does a fuel's octane rating affect an engines power output?

[SilverGA2001]

Originally posted by Weem
How does a fuel's octane rating affect an engines power output?

Go read the article. :p