2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,376
From: Sarasota FL
2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
Last weekend, I did have an opportunity to drive our one and only '05 GP GXP. I drove it for about 8 miles, and did not drive the hell out of it because, well, it isn't mine and it won't be. But I needed some seat time to give camaroz28.com members an accurate portrayal of this fine automobile 
Exterior:
Looks good. The nose is better in person than in the pics. It is a definite improvement. You only notice the larger front tires if you stare at them, and then stare directly at the rears. The wheels are sweet...bold and aggressive without going over the top. The red calipers look good, as well as the cross drilled rotors. The dual-dual rear tips have a Borla-like look to them. Overall, a significant improvement with such subtle changes. Oh yeah...fender grilles look sweet, too.
Interior:
Gague cluster is WAY better than the ugly font in normal GPs. Engine-turned aluminum background is neat, too. G meter? I can't work it, so whatever The leather/suede seats are great...comfy, grippy and look beautiful.
Engine:
When I walked up to the car for the first time, I hit the remote start to hear the burble on start-up. Oh my...this thing sounds like its got soul. A muffled soul, for sure...but this LS4 has a distinctly deeper and better tone than any stock LS1 F bod. Pop the hood, and its crammed in there, but it works...
The Drive:
Like I said, I didn't drive this thing at 10/10ths or anything near that, but I drove it enough to get some good observations. The stiff ride people sometimes complain of in the Comp G is conspicuous by its absence. You EXPECT a hard ride based on the 18s and previous Comp G experience, but the ride with the Bilsteins is really quite nice. Brake feel and power is EXCELLENT with the cross-drilled...the pedal feels a little scratchy, but very positive. Turn in is crisp. Sure, it leans a little bit, but this is still a 3,600 lb FWD 4 door. I thought the handling was excellent.
So the big question of the day is...torque steer????
I normally never, EVER floor a new car. Personally, even though people do it all the time on test drives, I'm **** when it comes to breaking in my own personal cars, and have a personal feeling against mischief behind the wheel of something not my own. But, I have a confession to make. I've driven new Firehawks. New GTOs. Never, ever floored them. But this car? It begged me. It WANTED to be run once. And I admit...curiosity killed me. The result????
Adrenaline. This thing pulls HARD. Upshifts are crisp and perfectly executed at 6k. I floored it once, and yes, there is a little dancing of the wheel in your hand, but its far from objectionable or dangerous. Considering what you're driving, I think it is more than tolerable. I admit it...I should not have done that. But you gentlemen needed to know...
On a scale of 1 to 10? I give it an 8.5. The chassis is there. The engine is there. Torque steer, indeed, is there. What keeps it from a perfect 10? Style. I love the GXP changes, but this car still needs a new skin and a new dashboard, IMO. However, this car does something for me in a way the GTO never has, to be honest. The GXP, IMO, is pure to its mission. Its a bad *** sedan that doesn't pull punches or apologize for what it is. Its imperfect, and doesn't care. The car has soul to it. A GTO, to me, is a great drive but puts me to sleep somehow. I'm not saying the GXP is a better car than a GTO...its not.
But to me, its more true to its mission. And I must admit, the car impressed me significantly more than I thought. Now, for $3k or so less I REALLY want my MC SS
Exterior:
Looks good. The nose is better in person than in the pics. It is a definite improvement. You only notice the larger front tires if you stare at them, and then stare directly at the rears. The wheels are sweet...bold and aggressive without going over the top. The red calipers look good, as well as the cross drilled rotors. The dual-dual rear tips have a Borla-like look to them. Overall, a significant improvement with such subtle changes. Oh yeah...fender grilles look sweet, too.
Interior:
Gague cluster is WAY better than the ugly font in normal GPs. Engine-turned aluminum background is neat, too. G meter? I can't work it, so whatever
The leather/suede seats are great...comfy, grippy and look beautiful. Engine:
When I walked up to the car for the first time, I hit the remote start to hear the burble on start-up. Oh my...this thing sounds like its got soul. A muffled soul, for sure...but this LS4 has a distinctly deeper and better tone than any stock LS1 F bod. Pop the hood, and its crammed in there, but it works...
The Drive:
Like I said, I didn't drive this thing at 10/10ths or anything near that, but I drove it enough to get some good observations. The stiff ride people sometimes complain of in the Comp G is conspicuous by its absence. You EXPECT a hard ride based on the 18s and previous Comp G experience, but the ride with the Bilsteins is really quite nice. Brake feel and power is EXCELLENT with the cross-drilled...the pedal feels a little scratchy, but very positive. Turn in is crisp. Sure, it leans a little bit, but this is still a 3,600 lb FWD 4 door. I thought the handling was excellent.
So the big question of the day is...torque steer????
I normally never, EVER floor a new car. Personally, even though people do it all the time on test drives, I'm **** when it comes to breaking in my own personal cars, and have a personal feeling against mischief behind the wheel of something not my own. But, I have a confession to make. I've driven new Firehawks. New GTOs. Never, ever floored them. But this car? It begged me. It WANTED to be run once. And I admit...curiosity killed me. The result????
Adrenaline. This thing pulls HARD. Upshifts are crisp and perfectly executed at 6k. I floored it once, and yes, there is a little dancing of the wheel in your hand, but its far from objectionable or dangerous. Considering what you're driving, I think it is more than tolerable. I admit it...I should not have done that. But you gentlemen needed to know...
On a scale of 1 to 10? I give it an 8.5. The chassis is there. The engine is there. Torque steer, indeed, is there. What keeps it from a perfect 10? Style. I love the GXP changes, but this car still needs a new skin and a new dashboard, IMO. However, this car does something for me in a way the GTO never has, to be honest. The GXP, IMO, is pure to its mission. Its a bad *** sedan that doesn't pull punches or apologize for what it is. Its imperfect, and doesn't care. The car has soul to it. A GTO, to me, is a great drive but puts me to sleep somehow. I'm not saying the GXP is a better car than a GTO...its not.
But to me, its more true to its mission. And I must admit, the car impressed me significantly more than I thought. Now, for $3k or so less I REALLY want my MC SS
Banned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,954
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
Originally Posted by Jason E
Last weekend, I did have an opportunity to drive our one and only '05 GP GXP. I drove it for about 8 miles, and did not drive the hell out of it because, well, it isn't mine and it won't be. But I needed some seat time to give camaroz28.com members an accurate portrayal of this fine automobile
That's not "an accurate portrayal."
Originally Posted by Jason E
Exterior:
Looks good. The nose is better in person than in the pics. It is a definite improvement. You only notice the larger front tires if you stare at them, and then stare directly at the rears. The wheels are sweet...bold and aggressive without going over the top. The red calipers look good, as well as the cross drilled rotors. The dual-dual rear tips have a Borla-like look to them. Overall, a significant improvement with such subtle changes. Oh yeah...fender grilles look sweet, too.
Looks good. The nose is better in person than in the pics. It is a definite improvement. You only notice the larger front tires if you stare at them, and then stare directly at the rears. The wheels are sweet...bold and aggressive without going over the top. The red calipers look good, as well as the cross drilled rotors. The dual-dual rear tips have a Borla-like look to them. Overall, a significant improvement with such subtle changes. Oh yeah...fender grilles look sweet, too.
Originally Posted by Jason E
Interior:
Gague cluster is WAY better than the ugly font in normal GPs. Engine-turned aluminum background is neat, too. G meter? I can't work it, so whatever The leather/suede seats are great...comfy, grippy and look beautiful.
Gague cluster is WAY better than the ugly font in normal GPs. Engine-turned aluminum background is neat, too. G meter? I can't work it, so whatever
The leather/suede seats are great...comfy, grippy and look beautiful.
Anyway, the interior of the GXP remains just as cramped and dated as any Grand Prix.
Originally Posted by Jason E
Engine:
When I walked up to the car for the first time, I hit the remote start to hear the burble on start-up. Oh my...this thing sounds like its got soul. A muffled soul, for sure...but this LS4 has a distinctly deeper and better tone than any stock LS1 F bod. Pop the hood, and its crammed in there, but it works...
When I walked up to the car for the first time, I hit the remote start to hear the burble on start-up. Oh my...this thing sounds like its got soul. A muffled soul, for sure...but this LS4 has a distinctly deeper and better tone than any stock LS1 F bod. Pop the hood, and its crammed in there, but it works...
Originally Posted by Jason E
The Drive:
Like I said, I didn't drive this thing at 10/10ths or anything near that, but I drove it enough to get some good observations. The stiff ride people sometimes complain of in the Comp G is conspicuous by its absence. You EXPECT a hard ride based on the 18s and previous Comp G experience, but the ride with the Bilsteins is really quite nice. Brake feel and power is EXCELLENT with the cross-drilled...the pedal feels a little scratchy, but very positive. Turn in is crisp. Sure, it leans a little bit, but this is still a 3,600 lb FWD 4 door. I thought the handling was excellent.
Like I said, I didn't drive this thing at 10/10ths or anything near that, but I drove it enough to get some good observations. The stiff ride people sometimes complain of in the Comp G is conspicuous by its absence. You EXPECT a hard ride based on the 18s and previous Comp G experience, but the ride with the Bilsteins is really quite nice. Brake feel and power is EXCELLENT with the cross-drilled...the pedal feels a little scratchy, but very positive. Turn in is crisp. Sure, it leans a little bit, but this is still a 3,600 lb FWD 4 door. I thought the handling was excellent.
Originally Posted by Jason E
So the big question of the day is...torque steer????
I normally never, EVER floor a new car. Personally, even though people do it all the time on test drives, I'm **** when it comes to breaking in my own personal cars, and have a personal feeling against mischief behind the wheel of something not my own. But, I have a confession to make. I've driven new Firehawks. New GTOs. Never, ever floored them. But this car? It begged me. It WANTED to be run once. And I admit...curiosity killed me. The result????
Adrenaline. This thing pulls HARD. Upshifts are crisp and perfectly executed at 6k. I floored it once, and yes, there is a little dancing of the wheel in your hand, but its far from objectionable or dangerous. Considering what you're driving, I think it is more than tolerable. I admit it...I should not have done that. But you gentlemen needed to know...
I normally never, EVER floor a new car. Personally, even though people do it all the time on test drives, I'm **** when it comes to breaking in my own personal cars, and have a personal feeling against mischief behind the wheel of something not my own. But, I have a confession to make. I've driven new Firehawks. New GTOs. Never, ever floored them. But this car? It begged me. It WANTED to be run once. And I admit...curiosity killed me. The result????
Adrenaline. This thing pulls HARD. Upshifts are crisp and perfectly executed at 6k. I floored it once, and yes, there is a little dancing of the wheel in your hand, but its far from objectionable or dangerous. Considering what you're driving, I think it is more than tolerable. I admit it...I should not have done that. But you gentlemen needed to know...
I should have taken you along on my GTO "road test."
Originally Posted by Jason E
On a scale of 1 to 10? I give it an 8.5. The chassis is there. The engine is there. Torque steer, indeed, is there. What keeps it from a perfect 10? Style. I love the GXP changes, but this car still needs a new skin and a new dashboard, IMO. However, this car does something for me in a way the GTO never has, to be honest. The GXP, IMO, is pure to its mission. Its a bad *** sedan that doesn't pull punches or apologize for what it is. Its imperfect, and doesn't care. The car has soul to it. A GTO, to me, is a great drive but puts me to sleep somehow. I'm not saying the GXP is a better car than a GTO...its not.
But to me, its more true to its mission. And I must admit, the car impressed me significantly more than I thought. Now, for $3k or so less I REALLY want my MC SS
But to me, its more true to its mission. And I must admit, the car impressed me significantly more than I thought. Now, for $3k or so less I REALLY want my MC SS
Disciple
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,479
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
My dealer of choice got their second one in. If it ever stops raining here and they get it out of the showroom before it sells, my guy there, the fleet manager will be calling me to so we can take if for a ride. I'm quite looking forward to that.
On Monday I should be getting a Canyon as a courtesy vehicle. I'm interested in some first hand experience with the I5 since there is such a wide range of opinion on it.
On Monday I should be getting a Canyon as a courtesy vehicle. I'm interested in some first hand experience with the I5 since there is such a wide range of opinion on it.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
Originally Posted by redzedBelieve me when I say that a Dodge Charger R/T will have more "soul" than the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP - unless your definition of "soul" has something to do with [B
torque steer.[/B]
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,376
From: Sarasota FL
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
red,
Just because you enjoy driving like a retard in something that isn't yours doesn't mean you're right. Haven't you and I and everyone else already been through this? Your track record test driving cars is not impressive, to say the least. Does it make you feel like more of a man to beat the hell out of a brand new car you have no intention of buying? Are you compensating for some deficiency? Oh wait, you drive an Armada...I guess you are.
As for the G Meter, I didn't bother to open the owners manual and have a look. I don't care. If that bothers you, good
As for torque steer, I'll take that over a fishtailing Charger this winter any day, thanks very much. Good to see you're flaming still has no impact on, well, anyone's opinion
Just because you enjoy driving like a retard in something that isn't yours doesn't mean you're right. Haven't you and I and everyone else already been through this? Your track record test driving cars is not impressive, to say the least. Does it make you feel like more of a man to beat the hell out of a brand new car you have no intention of buying? Are you compensating for some deficiency? Oh wait, you drive an Armada...I guess you are.
As for the G Meter, I didn't bother to open the owners manual and have a look. I don't care. If that bothers you, good
As for torque steer, I'll take that over a fishtailing Charger this winter any day, thanks very much. Good to see you're flaming still has no impact on, well, anyone's opinion
Registered User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 188
From: Tampa, FL
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
anyway, you may not have to worry too much about your "spirited" 8 mile run with a sprint to 6K...There's an alternative train of thought about how to break-in new engines and it differs to the traditional method in almost all owner's manual, granted (according to the article) that engine has less than 20miles. you may just have done the new owner a favor.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
caveat...not my opinion 'cause I have never done this; Simply relaying what I found on the net.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
caveat...not my opinion 'cause I have never done this; Simply relaying what I found on the net.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,376
From: Sarasota FL
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
I appreciate the link...I'll have a look later. I still don't like the idea of ragging on something new, but one run to 6k never hurt anything I don't think!!!
And red, one other side note...torque steer is annoying, yes. But it isn't always there unless you drive like an ***. Driving in inclement weather with RWD? Many days out of the year, that issue is ALWAYS there...I'dencounter fishtailing up a hill with a Charger in the winter far more than torque steer during ownership of a GXP, I assure you.
And red, one other side note...torque steer is annoying, yes. But it isn't always there unless you drive like an ***. Driving in inclement weather with RWD? Many days out of the year, that issue is ALWAYS there...I'dencounter fishtailing up a hill with a Charger in the winter far more than torque steer during ownership of a GXP, I assure you.
Good to see Pontiac added more than just a bigger engine to the GTP. Sounds like a nice package (for a FWD 
)
Disciple
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,479
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
Originally Posted by Jason E
I appreciate the link...I'll have a look later. I still don't like the idea of ragging on something new, but one run to 6k never hurt anything I don't think!!!
If it hurts every new 'vette out there is "damaged" goods.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,954
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
Originally Posted by Jason E
red,
Just because you enjoy driving like a retard in something that isn't yours doesn't mean you're right. Haven't you and I and everyone else already been through this? Your track record test driving cars is not impressive, to say the least. Does it make you feel like more of a man to beat the hell out of a brand new car you have no intention of buying? Are you compensating for some deficiency? Oh wait, you drive an Armada...I guess you are.
Just because you enjoy driving like a retard in something that isn't yours doesn't mean you're right. Haven't you and I and everyone else already been through this? Your track record test driving cars is not impressive, to say the least. Does it make you feel like more of a man to beat the hell out of a brand new car you have no intention of buying? Are you compensating for some deficiency? Oh wait, you drive an Armada...I guess you are.
Originally Posted by Jason E
As for the G Meter, I didn't bother to open the owners manual and have a look. I don't care. If that bothers you, good
Originally Posted by Jason E
As for torque steer, I'll take that over a fishtailing Charger this winter any day, thanks very much. Good to see you're flaming still has no impact on, well, anyone's opinion
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
Originally Posted by redzed
I don't think that the Charger's stability control system will allow very much "fishtailing."
On the Charger R/T however, it feels as if it has less of that than Magnum or 300.
When I turned off the TC control on the Charger I drove, you could very easily induce fishtailing....glorious fishtailing.
Thread Starter
Registered User
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Posts: 3,376
From: Sarasota FL
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
Oh I love fishtailing when I want it...hate it when I don't
red,
Do you have reading comprehension difficulties? I didn't TRY to use it. Can I be any clearer for you? Do you merely pretend to have such a low level of comprehension, or does it come naturally for you? Bottoming out cars on test drives (as you have bragged in previous posts) is not a lack of "sparing the horses." Its called being an ***. Period. As for stability control, you yourself called it a "band aid" at one point...I think I'll search your past posts when I have nothing better to do. And that's what it is...an electronic band aid.
red,
Do you have reading comprehension difficulties? I didn't TRY to use it. Can I be any clearer for you? Do you merely pretend to have such a low level of comprehension, or does it come naturally for you? Bottoming out cars on test drives (as you have bragged in previous posts) is not a lack of "sparing the horses." Its called being an ***. Period. As for stability control, you yourself called it a "band aid" at one point...I think I'll search your past posts when I have nothing better to do. And that's what it is...an electronic band aid.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Re: 2005 Grand Prix GXP = One Fun Ride
Originally Posted by Jason E
Oh I love fishtailing when I want it...hate it when I don't
red,
Do you have reading comprehension difficulties? I didn't TRY to use it. Can I be any clearer for you? Do you merely pretend to have such a low level of comprehension, or does it come naturally for you? Bottoming out cars on test drives (as you have bragged in previous posts) is not a lack of "sparing the horses." Its called being an ***. Period. As for stability control, you yourself called it a "band aid" at one point...I think I'll search your past posts when I have nothing better to do. And that's what it is...an electronic band aid.
red,
Do you have reading comprehension difficulties? I didn't TRY to use it. Can I be any clearer for you? Do you merely pretend to have such a low level of comprehension, or does it come naturally for you? Bottoming out cars on test drives (as you have bragged in previous posts) is not a lack of "sparing the horses." Its called being an ***. Period. As for stability control, you yourself called it a "band aid" at one point...I think I'll search your past posts when I have nothing better to do. And that's what it is...an electronic band aid.
Let's face it... rezed is lying about test driving all these cars.
First of all, he has supposedly test driven every car and truck and SUV ever made... riiiiiiight.
Second of all, after a few of his "beating the hell out of the car on the test drive" moves, no dealer is going to let him come back and test drive again... so at this point, he'd be driving 200 miles one-way to test drive a car.