Just test drove a Grand Prix

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot) 06/11/2015 at 20:24 • Filed to: Grand Prix

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A ‘07 Base with 82k miles, with the unreasonable price of $7500. Don’t worry oppo, I’m not getting this guy, it had an uncomfortable amount of interior damage, but I test drove it anyways, to see if the prix was something I’d like. It was awkward. A good awkward.

Keep in mind for the past 5 years I’ve been DD a pt; a higher sitting, shorter vehicle with 150 hp max. The Grand Prix being a lower sitting, long vehicle, with 200 hp. The drive was a completely difference experience. There was no grace period between putting your foot on the gas, and moving forward. With the pt, it gradually got faster; with the prix, it was a gleeful kick forward.

The one weird thing is the windshield, it felt small to me, but it was probably it’s angle. But the size and feel of a vehicle is something that is acquired over time. I literally felt like I was driving a boat, because of the massive hood in front on me. Again, this is something you get used to other time.

I did enjoy it though, so I plan on keeping an eye out for a good Grand Prix deal, :).

Vimto > zeontestpilot 06/11/2015 at 20:27

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This thing was still being made in 2007? Thats boggles my mind a bit. It just seems ‘old’ in my head. (this is coming from a guy who drives a 2005 Volvo...)

facw > zeontestpilot 06/11/2015 at 20:31

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Only Grand Prixs (How do you make Prix a plural?) worth buying are the 5th generation ones, which had coolness like vertical door handles and digital dashboards:

AM > Vimto 06/11/2015 at 20:32

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This was made until 2008 model year. 2009 if you consider that GM allows to order the car a few months into the next year.

Amoore100 > Vimto 06/11/2015 at 20:35

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Soon I’m gonna join you in the ‘05 Volvo club...2.4i V50, coming up!

zeontestpilot > facw 06/11/2015 at 20:37

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I really like the last gen grand prix. It looks fantastic, everything blends together seamlessly, and it’s a sedan, so family car.

I think there’s a private seller nearby with a 5th gen, with like 60k miles on it.

zeontestpilot > Vimto 06/11/2015 at 20:42

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Yeah from ‘04 to ‘08.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > zeontestpilot 06/11/2015 at 20:45

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Your kids are still small. It’s time for:

zeontestpilot > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/11/2015 at 20:49

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I think you mispronounced G8, :).

sellphones2493 > zeontestpilot 06/11/2015 at 21:05

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I drove next to a pristine grey Grand Prix GXP the other day. The guy was driving like a douche (I think is a common trait in these), but it actually looked really nice.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > zeontestpilot 06/11/2015 at 21:29

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What could have been

facw > Amoore100 06/11/2015 at 21:56

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Woo old Volvos! ‘03 S40 here.

Nobi > facw 06/11/2015 at 21:57

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They had that crappy fiberglass monoleaf rear suspension and no S/C 3.8 available though. The availability of a transmission(standard) that isn’t made of glass is enticing though.

Amoore100 > facw 06/11/2015 at 22:18

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My dad has an ‘01 V70 T5...better make it the Ford-era Volvo club!

boxrocket > zeontestpilot 06/11/2015 at 22:37

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This seems like going to an exotic country with the hopes of getting a wretched communicable disease.

They’re nicknamed “Ponti-ack!”, “Pile-o-crap”, and “Ponti-crap” for a reason.

Now had it been a Cutlass 442 W-30...

Dunnik > zeontestpilot 06/12/2015 at 02:42

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Oh, so you’re parting ways with the Jolly Roger?

I think you’re on the right track, though, W-Body with the 3800 SII motor. My previous car was a 2002 Impala LS. Sold it to a buddy at work, still running like a champ with 270,000km on it with the original transmission . GM automagics of this era are some of the best in the business, so good, other manufacturers used them under license.

The 3800 SII is one of the best motors of all time, with a lineage going back to the Buick Fireball V6 of the late ‘60’s. With 200hp it’s not powerful by today’s standards but it’s quite torquey. They’re also pretty bulletproof and reliable if you take care of them. Timing chain, not a belt, of course.

There are other options with the W-Body. In SS and GS trim levels, each of these can be had with a factory supercharger. Vanilla versions are available in the $2000-3000 range in good condition. One or two owner cars are easy to find. Tend to be cheap to insure, too.

The Impala is the best looking of the bunch, imo:

Or the Monte Carlo, if you’d like a coupe:

Or the Regal for more luxury:

zeontestpilot > sellphones2493 06/12/2015 at 06:34

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What I usually see is these cars going slower than everyone else, :/

zeontestpilot > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/12/2015 at 06:35

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I know, it's so sad...

zeontestpilot > boxrocket 06/12/2015 at 06:39

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Well I like Pontiac, they seem like the younger, cooler brother of Chevy. I’m also keeping it mind availability of parts, insurance rates (with this guy it’s $135 a month), and reliability. Plus how much the car is and it's mpg and mileage.

zeontestpilot > Dunnik 06/12/2015 at 06:44

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Jolly Roger will be downgraded to backup car. if I sold it, I'd be able to afford more car then my current price range. And I aim for the prix because of the 3.8L specifically. Plus it's a sedan, and i have had a crazy on the prix for a while, :).

boxrocket > zeontestpilot 06/12/2015 at 10:15

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Pontiac used to carry higher insurance rates because they were the “sportier” brand before they were killed, and while there’s a lot of commonality between them and their gm brethren, I’m not sure how much will be available for a dead brand. Probably more than Oldsmobile since Pontiac was axed a few years later, and more than Saab and Saturn because of volume, but still. I personally just don’t see the appeal of pretty much any gm, especially Pontiac with their dark interiors with swaths of hard plastic and tiny, angry red lettering induce disgust and irritation whenever I get in one. At least the PT had some character of sorts.

zeontestpilot > boxrocket 06/12/2015 at 12:02

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Hahaha, I laughed at that last line. I’m not a GM person, and I’m not even interested in Chevy at all. Pontiac, I just like what they did. If they aimed for sporty, I like what they did, especially with the Prix. Plus the 3.8L I hear is a cockroach, it won't die. And to me with car problems, that's appealing. :)

Schaefft > zeontestpilot 06/12/2015 at 19:01

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What about the Bonneville? A bit less common, prettier, and maybe better equipped? Same bullet proof 3800, too, if you don’t like the V8. In super charged form, it should be pretty quick.

zeontestpilot > Schaefft 06/13/2015 at 07:09

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Well I....wait, I can’t remember the last time I saw one of those for sale. And I want the bulletproof 3800, it's why I sought out the prix, :).