Just as a point-of reference... my 6-speed GTO is currently getting me about 21.0 -21.5 MPG in mixed city and highway driving... probably a 60/40 split, with the bigger portion being city driving.

 

Its funny, the car is in excellent tune, and I rarely hit the throttle hard enough to create any boost.

 

I have a qeustion for you GXP owners. What does the engine sound like when you are cruising, and 4 cylinders a shut down?

 

I haven't noticed a difference in sound. You can't even tell when it's only 4cyl.

 

So where exactly do you get the GM spec tires? I read in the article about the GM changes they forced Bridgestone to make to eliminate some of the torque steer, so I know what you're talking about.

However, I'm still not buying that those tires will go anywhere in snow. Seriously. They look nearly identical in tread pattern to the Z Rated Dunlops used on '03 Vibe GTs. Those cars went nowhere...we had to push them all over the lot. I realize the cars have Stabili-Trak, and indeed that does and will help. I guess I'll be trying our GXPs in the lot over the winter, because I'm really, really not buying that those tires will work well in snow. I am aware of them passing GM's "tests," however.

As for the wheels, uhm...my girlfriend has stock 15" alloys on her Grand Am. After 6 winters, the clear coat is peeling in several spots on the spokes. Within a year, they're going to start looking pretty BAD. I would hate to have that happen to the much nicer, much more expensive polished 18s on a GXP. If I bought a GXP, I'd be having it for a long, long time...you'd better believe those wheels wouldn't stay on there if it was my car...but I digress.

 

They sound sweet all the time, and no...you can't tell when the cylinders shut off...

 

My wife drives the GXP every day so the car doesn't get driven hard and it has about 1800 miles on it (13.1mpg). My 2004 Impala SS gets around 17mpg (3.4 pulley, 180 t-stat, wizaired) and I drive that pretty hard. With my 1999 GTP (same mods) I was getting over 20mpg. My buddy has a 2000 GTP and before he blew his motor (3.0 pulley, headers, 3" exhaust, MSP, rockers, and DHP) was getting 23mpg. FYI these numbers are not from the DIC because those computers are useless, I calculate them myself.

 

Next time you have a chance, compare what you calculate to the DIC...I'd love to know how close or far off they are. All my tire grumblings aside, I really, really love GXPs...a blue green crystal GXP is my dream daily driver at this point, as I haven't seen an '06 MC SS yet.

If gas prices stabilize and come down a little in '06, and this job search goes well, its going to be hard to keep me away from ordering a GXP...but to make up my mind for sure, January can't come soon enough

 

On my Impala it says 20.8 mpg compared to my 16.8 mpg. On the GXP it's closer, 12.9 mpg to my 13.1 calculation. On my 350z/wifes Jetta VR6 the computers were both on the money 24mpg for the 350z and 19 for the Jetta.

With these prices I'm thinking either TDI Jetta/Golf or I wonder what kind of milage a STI gets.

 

An STI is something like 18/25 I think...real world is in the mid teens I've seen. At that rate, I'd rather see you get a second GXP At least the 13 MPG is nice and comfy versus the STI's econobox feel yielding 16-17 MPG.

 

I think I will have to give that I try, I have been basing my numbers off of the DIC and I have always questioned the accuracy of that thing.

 

Is it really too hard to just fill up, keep track of how far your drive, fill up again, and divide miles by gallons?

 

Not at all, but when you have a DIC that is supposed to do that for you, then why bother. I dont even know why GM put that damn thing on there, the boost gauge is worthless, the total gallons of fuel used is always at least .5-1.0 gallons off, the Range feature flucuates too much where I now pay it little attention, and the MPGs rating never quite matches up. The only thing that works, or at least I think works, is the Oil Life monitor and the Door Ajar feature. At least I got 2 out of 6.

 

I wonder how accurate the g-meter is?

 

As far as tires I think any bridgestone dealer can order them. I haven't had trouble with clear cote wheels in the winter but I always wash the car, I guess if you neglect them it could cause some problems. You need to find front wheels that clear the 12.7 inch rotors if you don't stay with stock. By the time the tires wear out, I would hope some other alternatives are available.

I do have gripes about the car, minor ones. I don't like the auto climate control. Constantly have to change the temp to get it where you need to be, so there is nothing auto about it. It runs the air conditioner alot, which hurts power and economy so I shut it off. It doesn't work well in the manual mode either. I usually end up with it turned completly off, no air flow, but thats no fun either. With the windows down there is very bad wind noise. It hits the piller and the seatbelt attachment, right next to your ear. The sunroof isn't any better. I would not get the auto climate again.

I can get higher city mileage in my area because we have a lot of 35 to 55 mph streets with no stops. I can cruise for miles on side streets and watch the mpg on the dic climb. Probably in 4 cyl mode alot. At 75 mph I don't think I hit the 4 cyl much with the a/c on. Maybe this fall the mileage will get better.