Haven't had a chance to look at your exhibits...but I will. One question: Assuming the design is theoretically inferior, why then would the Corvette Team use them on the Z51 and the Z06?

 

Interesting, so why bother to cross-drill, then? Just make the rotor a bit shorter and save the same amount of rotating mass with less effort.

I can see on an aftermarket mod how that might be your only choice if there are no slightly smaller rotors, but on a factory car you think they might just be doing it for looks?

 

I have heard that the only reason Porsche went with drilled rotors was because thier buyers wanted them. At a certain cost level they are just expected like many other features that decrease the performance of the vehicle. I assume the same for Chevrolet and Z51. Remember, they are in the business of selling cars first and foremost.

Threxx, I think it is because you need the wide diameter to put under a big caliper.

Now back to the point I was really getting at. What do you think about the GT w/ 3.8SC and the special edition package as opposed to the GXP? How much money will you save, and what do you really give up by not going GXP?

 

Short answer:

GT with s/c 3800 + "$1,800" SE package (have to verify this #...seems like its out of thin air to me) = $28,600. Base GXP = $29,400

What you gain:
1) Killer looks
2) Infinite modability with a s/c 3800
3) 87 octane usage if kept stock
4) You can rotate your tires (Yes, I'm serious...the GXPs wheels are 1" fatter in the front and the tires are 255s versus 225s)
5) The ability to get aftermarket wheels. Currently, NO ONE makes a GXP wheel for the front.
6) The $800 you save over the GXP will put you in the 13s easily, and give you more HP than the GXP stock.

What you lose:
1) 43hp, stock
2) HUD
3) Evil chassis tuning
4) Better nose
5) 18" wheels
6) Tap Shift (BFD if you ask me...)
7) Bigger front brakes with cross drilled rotors
8) GXP interior upgrades
9) An exhaust sound so sweet, in doesn't seem possible from a W body

The verdict...

If you want the most looks for the least dough, go GT with SE package. If you want a car specifically designed to make your blood boil and your eyes to see red, go GXP...without question. IMO, a GXP is nearly as much fun as an LS1 F body while being far more comfortable to drive with a ton more amenities, and is more fun IMO than a GTO. Don't ask me why...I can't explain it.

There are drawbacks. GXPs do not seem to get the greatest MPG, and require 93 octane. Those 18" tires are over $220 each for the front, and cannot be rotated. Their treadwear rating is a paltry 140 or 160, so to me they'll last 20-25k, and thats about it. You cannot currently get aftermarket wheels for a GXP. Without question, the OEM wheels are sweet. However, for those of us like me who don't want to subject those sweet polished wheels to winter conditions, there are zero options in terms of mounting cheaper wheels with snows for the winter. I looked high and low when I intended to buy one back in June, and found nothing.

Honestly, its purely a toss up. The s/c 3800 is a sweet engine, and can be modded to run like hell. If you don't need the all out handling of the GXP chassis and don't want to pay to replace 18" tires and cross-drilled rotors, the GT makes great sense. In June, after going through hell trying to sell my '01 GP GT to purchase the '05 GXP, clearer heads prevailed and I kept my car. Then in September, a customer wanted my car BAD. So I took a Blue Green Crystal '06 GT with black leather, polished wheels and a sunroof for a spin...I was hooked all over again. It didn't have the hardcore, bad-*** feel of the GXP, but the power was great, the ride was smooth and quiet, and the comfort factor was excellent. I priced it all out, and was ready to pull the trigger when the customer offered me $1k less for my car. No dice. I love it too much, and am glad I kept it (despite the fact its in the body shop right now having a ding and the RR window fixed after a bastard stole my Alpine last week ).

I'm also glad I didn't get the GT because 2 weeks later, our first '06 GXP showed up. I was seeing red all over again after 1 mile behind the wheel There's cars I love, and there's cars I lust after...

GTs I love. GXPs I lust after. I guess you can see where I'm going with this one Its a toss up, but either car is a great ride...

 

Sorry, guess that wasn't so short after all What can I say...after 2 years of dissapointing GPs, I'm selling a product I'm proud of and would own myself. My '01 is my first Grand Prix, and my immediate family's 4th since 1995. I know it will not be my last...all have had above average reliability, and I can't complement them enough. The '04+ dash is still a sore spot with me (as is the lack of a coupe), but the car is still better than many give it credit for. As for the GXP package, the total is greater than the sum of its parts...its one wild ride.