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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

Date: 17 October 2003	Miles: 5,000
We're only a couple of months and about 5,000 miles into our relationship with the totally revamped 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. This top line GTP with the Competition Group performance package is part of General Motors' big push to reestablish itself in the family sedan market. So far we have to say this is the best put together and most enjoyable sedan that Pontiac has ever fielded. It has all the familiar Pontiac boy-racer cues, an overt twin-port grill heading a sleek exterior, that covers a well bolstered and roomy cockpit. But the theme has been tamed just enough to broaden its appeal to family car buyers looking for more spice in their four-door without giving up practicality. The log book is filled with positive words like tight, well-built, sharp, solid, and comfortable. The supercharged 260-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 reacts like a thunderbolt when you nail the throttle, but it's also easy to live with in stop and go traffic. Fuel economy so far is an acceptable 18.3 miles per gallon. The F-1 style Tapshift steering wheel gear selectors also beg to be used more than most manual mode automatics. So, so far, our impressions are very good about the all-new 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP.
Date: 2 January 2004	Miles: 8,000
We're at the 5 month and 8,000 mile mark with our 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP with the Competition Group performance package. The new Grand Prix sedan is part of GM's move to reclaim family car market share from Japanese brands. So far our car has been solid, with the only mechanical problem being an out of balance front tire. No doubt due to both the GTP's low profile rubber and our potholed roads. The Supercharged 260-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 has quick throttle response, and the F-1 style Tapshift steering wheel gear selectors beg to be used. Still, fuel economy is reasonable at 20.3 miles per gallon. A fine family four door that's fun to drive too? That makes the new Grand Prix sound like a successful comeback to us.
Date: 27 February 2004	Miles: 10,000
After almost 8 months and 10,000 miles in our 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, we know it quite well. What a fine compromise between the need for a cutting edge family sedan and the desire for a muscle car. That is it's comfortable, competent, and still a lot of fun when roaring over to the mini mart, and reliable. Besides an out of balance tire, the GTP with the Competition Group has been rock solid. And, despite fat 17-inch tires, managed to get through snows quite well. The front-drive Supercharged 260-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 is always at the ready. Mileage has dropped a little due to winter warm-ups, but it's still an acceptable 19.9 miles per gallon. A fine family 4-door that's fun to drive, too. Our take so far on the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP CompG.
Date: 4 June 2004	Miles: 12,000
About 12,000 buyers a month are discovering what we already know. That the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix is a mid-size sedan with sporty style, room, and a real driver's attitude that's foreign to segment leaders Camry and Accord. After 10 months in our Grand Prix GTP Comp G, our staff praises it for the abundant power from the 260-horsepower supercharged 3.8-liter V-6. And with mileage of 20.4 miles per gallon after 12,000 miles, it's not overly thirsty. In fact our long distance commuters love the car. It handles tight traffic like a breeze, and the steering wheel mounted Tapshift lets you instantly select the right gear for the moment. A lot of recent owner polls on quality have pointed to giant improvements at General Motors in recent years, and we offer our Grand Prix as proof. Except for a tire balance problem early on, this GTP has been rock solid. We haven't even noticed a significant degrading in ride or noise control that is typical with our long termers. We love the head-up display for monitoring speed at night, but agree with our earlier findings that the rear seat is too thinly padded for adults. The 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Comp G is an impressive family four door that's great fun to drive, too.
Date: 08 October 2004	Miles: 20,000
It has been a very good year-long road test for this 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Comp-G. After 13 months and over 20,000 very varied miles, Pontiac's sportiest mid-size four-door has exceeded all of our expectations. In performance, the spirit of the 260-horsepower supercharged 3.8-liter V-6 is long winded. Press the pedal and there's a pleasant whoosh to carry you from stoplight to stoplight. In comfort, the deeply padded front seats cuddle you with support. Both the available dual zone climate controls and premium audio system keep things airy and entertaining. Meanwhile, redundant steering wheel audio controls and a head up display let the driver concentrate on driving. In economy, the Grand Prix GTP Comp-G was remarkably consistent and reasonably frugal with 20.6 miles per gallon the final average. And in reliability. This car is still almost as tight as new and we have had no faults except an out-of-balanced wheel. The 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Comp G is a terrific combination of family sedan practicality and sport sedan prowess that is uniquely American in execution.
Date: 12 November 2004	Miles: 20,000
Our 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Comp-G has been with us 15 months and 20,000 miles. In all that time, Pontiac's sportiest mid-size four-door has really proved its worth. While some might complain that the 260-horsepower supercharged 3.8-liter V-6 is a less tech savvy pushrod engine, the truth is this low-friction, high-output motor is smooth and responsive. Not everybody loves the boy-racer exterior and interior design that is Pontiac. But, we ask you, would you rather drive this, or a plain wrapper sedan that never gets noticed? It's the Comp-G for us. Plus, the Head Up Display lets the driver concentrate on the driving. A great road car, we managed a reasonable 20.4 miles per gallon. That, plus impressive reliability, makes the Comp-G the sport sedan that doesn't forget family realities. Pontiac Grand Prix Comp-G. It's been good to know ya!