Penny for Oppo's Thoughts?

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
02/13/2015 at 13:29 • Filed to: None

So I was wondering, how good are the 7th gen Pontiac Grand Prix (post '04)? Are they any good? Reliable? Fun to drive? I know they are family oriented, which I like. But I was just wondering about everything else about it. Thoughts?

DISCUSSION (25)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > zeontestpilot
02/13/2015 at 13:35

If you avoid the GXP V8 model you'll be fine reliability wise.

The GTP will be fast and fun to drive, and have the 3800 supercharged so reliable.

I'm not too sure on anything below that, just make sure it has a 3800 under the hood. The W-body isn't a terrible platform and they always seem to have the most comfortable seats. You might have to get past Pontiac's somewhat interesting interior design, but it isn't that terrible.

Nibbles > zeontestpilot
02/13/2015 at 13:37

If you can get over the Plastic Fantastic interior, they are quite good cars. The 3800 Series IV is smooth and provides just enough low end torque to bust the tires loose. The rear doors open something like 171° which makes loading things like old people and children really easy. The 4T65E-HD tranny holds up to the power of the super six well; just don't expect it to quite do the same if you find yourself a GXP.

zeontestpilot > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/13/2015 at 13:41

I failed to mention it on purpose (it would distract from my question), but I have inlaws who highly recommend the grand prix cars, but only with the 3800.

The GTP has a super charger? Hmm, thinking if insurance costs though...still, supercharged... :).

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > zeontestpilot
02/13/2015 at 13:44

Yup, supercharged 3800 Series III making 260 horsepower and 280 ft-lbs of torque. Apparently quite the speed demon.

zeontestpilot > Nibbles
02/13/2015 at 13:44

I read online that it has like 200 horses. My current car, a pt cruiser, has under 120 (I forget the actually number), so anything fun to drive, family oriented, and good mpg is a welcomed addition in my book, :).

zeontestpilot > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/13/2015 at 13:50

That's what my brother-in-law said too. plus it gets like 27 mpg hwy I think, which is crazy!

Nibbles > zeontestpilot
02/13/2015 at 13:51

3800 L26 NA has 200 hp, 240 torques. 3800 Series IV L32 is 260/280.

zeontestpilot > Nibbles
02/13/2015 at 14:10

One of them has a a projection who h projects the mph, if I remember correctly...I think the l32

Nibbles > zeontestpilot
02/13/2015 at 14:32

The HUD was avilable on the GT and GTP for all years 2004-2008 (also an option on GTs and GTPs of the previous gen too)

I sold these things when they first came out. Loved the hell out of 'em

zeontestpilot > Nibbles
02/13/2015 at 14:50

Ah, here's a good question, the cost of repairs, does it get expensive quickly? I'm in Michigan, if it makes a difference.

Nibbles > zeontestpilot
02/13/2015 at 14:59

It's still a W-Body. The only thing people were really worried about was the electronic throttle control which, to my knowledge, never became an issue. They resolved a lot of problems inherent with previous gens 3800s as well such as gaskets and intake mating surfaces. It's still a 4T family transmission, parts are pretty ubiquitous. The whole Dexcool fiasco was resolved by this point as well IIRC. I cannot attest to rust factors as I've lived in non-rust states all my life.

NaturallyAspirated > zeontestpilot
02/13/2015 at 16:21

My brother DD's an '04 GTP Comp G, and it's been very reliable except for the lower intake manifold gaskets, which are a very common problem on all GM 3800 engines. Google "LIM gasket 3800" and you should find plenty of info. The easiest way to tell if the LIM is blown is if there's coolant on top of the intake manifold around the fuel injectors. Fresh gaskets cost less than $100, and it took the two of us less than 4 hours to do the swap.

The Dex-cool coolant can also be an issue, especially if you don't notice the LIM gaskets right away. We had to replace the radiator in my brother's car because the Dex-cool turned to goo from exposure to air. We ended up flushing the system thoroughly and replacing the Dex-cool with Peak Global Lifetime which is much more tolerant.

Here's a clip from my test drive after swapping the radiator, including me giggling like an idiot at the end.

No Prius Needed > zeontestpilot
02/13/2015 at 16:42

If you enjoy fisher price products, you will love the interior.

zeontestpilot > NaturallyAspirated
02/13/2015 at 17:38

Nice vid! That was the super charged one, right? That's a extremely nice engine note!

zeontestpilot > No Prius Needed
02/13/2015 at 17:41

that's good, I love the bright colors! But seriously, i would mind so much. My kid will probably mess it up anyways, :).

NaturallyAspirated > zeontestpilot
02/13/2015 at 18:05

Yes, it's the supercharged model. He has a K&N intake and cone filter on it that really lets you hear the whine, and a catback exhaust that is too loud for my tastes.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Nibbles
02/14/2015 at 01:19

Hmm, interesting that you say the trans holds up well. I had to put three of them in the GTP I used to own. And it had no performance modifications nor did I beat on it. While owning that car I discovered that they apparently are prone to trans failures.

Nibbles > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2015 at 10:38

What year GTP? Many 6th gens came with the 4T60E which was widely regarded as a bad mistake.

The 7th gen has the 4T65E-HD - literally, cop-spec - tranmisssion. They hold up to the super six pretty well. Of course, this all hangs on whether or not the fluid was managed and changed properly. 4Tx transmissions will grenade themselves shortly (within 250 miles) after a flush if improperly performed.

Nibbles > zeontestpilot
02/14/2015 at 10:45

My Impala LS got 34 on the highway with its L36 NA 3800. If you stay off the go pedal, they do quite well. Inertia is your friend :)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Nibbles
02/14/2015 at 10:59

Mine was a '98. But it did have a 4t65e-hd. Had the GM sticker on the side case with the model number. When I bought it it had already had a reman unit from GM put in. I bought it from the original owner who always had it serviced regularly from the dealer. That trans failed about 6 months after I got it. I bought a used one, which maybe lasted another year, even though I put in new PWM and TCC solenoids as well as dex 6. Then I rebuilt the original GM reman unit. It had all of the updated, hardened parts from the newer generation already. But one of the clutch packs was completely gone and the channel plate was so worn out it was like trying to fit the round peg in the square hole. Every part that was even slightly written was replaced, all of the clutches were upgraded to aftermarket sets, and a brand new torque converter installed. I personally rebuilt it. And I've done those a few times before so nothing new to me, pretty basic. Got another year before it started shifting weird again, just barely. I sold it cheap and said "fuck this".

Nibbles > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2015 at 11:10

Wow, that's a pretty rough time. Sorry you had that experience :(

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Nibbles
02/14/2015 at 11:19

Shit happens. Sorry for rambling on about my [GTP] life story.

Nibbles > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2015 at 11:24

Lol not everyone has happy endings.

zeontestpilot > Nibbles
02/14/2015 at 14:40

Ok, I'm still learning the technical stuff about cars. What does l36 refer to?

Nibbles > zeontestpilot
02/14/2015 at 14:58

L36 is the NA 3800 Series III. L67 is supercharged. In the 7th Gen GP, L26 is the updated NA 3800 and L32 is the updated supercharged unit.