Well, sorta

My apologies if someone else posted these changes already...I was gone on vacation for over a week, and we got our first '06 GP in right before I left. Don't know if others have already posted this info...

Optional on base models as part of an option group, and standard on GTs and GXPs is a new interior trim package for '06. It includes the following changes...

-Brushed metal trim on door pulls where ugly "pinhole" trim used to be
-Chrome trim around dash vents
-Perforated leather wrapped steering wheel with contrasting stitching and brushed metal trim on the spokes. Honestly? They took the ugliest steering wheel I ever saw (’04-‘05 GP wheel) and made it the nicest I’ve seen in a GM car. Amazing what some stitching, spokes and perforated leather can do for a wheel!
-Same leather and stitching on shifter
-Contrasting stitching on center console armrest
-Perforated vinyl trim replaces the former cloth swath on the door…looks far better.
-New gage font!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s the same as the ’05 GXPs…I always thought the current gage cluster font would have looked far more at home in an Aztek…

I expect the gages will be the same on all base and GT models, not just the uplevel package cars. FYI, I was wrong in stating the ‘06s would all have the GXP nose…this base model most certainly has the normal nose. Great for GXP owners, a bummer for those who aren’t crazy about the current nose. I actually have grown to like it.

The end result is far more than the sum of the changes. While the design is still not the best, the truly ugly things inside (steering wheel, door panels and gages) are now the highlights of the interior. I can actually say my bias against the inside of the GP is no more…the changes make the GP interior feel like what its supposed to be…slightly upscale for what is now the flagship Pontiac sedan. I sat in a G6 right after sitting in this new GP, and I have to say the GP inside feels appropriate finally. Sitting in a non-GXP '05 GP always felt like a significant step down after sitting in a G6.

 

Ttiwwp

 

pics please

 

Sounds good. What's it look like??

 

Nice! I'm happy with every sign - even small ones like this - that GM isn't just letting Pontiac and its models rot. I heard the GT gets the GXP front end next year. That true?

 

Eh, you're still polishing a turd. Even though the materials might be slightly better in the 2004+ Grand Prix, the 97-2003 cars had a much better, pleasing layout and design for the interior.

 

I had a rental '04 Grand Prix GT and the build quality was good. although it was an oddly shaped interior it was good quality

 

As the owner of an '01, I don't disagree with you. I like the dash of my car very much...I don't really care that the materials may be a little more "Rubbermaid" than the new one...IMO, it just looks better from a design standpoint.

However, I give Pontiac credit for at least dressing up what the car's key problem was. Its a much more enjoyable place to sit now. For those of you who want pics, check out Pontiac.com I guess...I don't have any Just thought I'd mention the above on here because the interior of a GP seems to be the car's Achilles heel.