Grand Prix GXP

[kevm14]

Interestingly, the Impala is actually roomier, even though it's the same wheelbase (and also a W-body).

Code: Select all

            Grand Prix GXP   Impala SS
Weight         3600           3711
Length          198.3"         200.4"
Body width      71.6"           72.9"
Turning radius  18.7'          20'
Front legroom   42.2"         42.3"
Rear legroom    36.2"         37.6"
Front headroom  38.8"          39.4"
Rear headroom    36.2"         37.8"
Front hiproom     54.5"        56.4"
Rear hiproom      54.3"        57.2"
Front shoulder    58"           58.7"
Rear shoulder      54.8"        58.6"
Pass volume        98 cu-ft     104.5 cu-ft
Trunk             16 cu-ft       18.6 cu-ft

It seems bigger in enough dimensions that it would probably "solve" the cramped-ness of the Grand Prix. Except the seats probably suck and the suspension probably sucks.

[Bob]

The trunk on the old Impala is huge! I can't believe they still make that car, even if it is only for rental fleets.

[kevm14]

The Impala did get shorter diff gearing and in one review, trapped like 101.

EDIT: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/200 ... -road-test

14.2 @ 101. First gear goes to 49 mph. So short.

You can see the snap in the 5.6s 0-60 vs the 5.8s 5-60.

After stepping out from behind the wheel, the driver can't help being impressed by the SS's power and its ability to generate astonishing numbers - 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds, for one. The SS seems to have been created to produce impressive numbers on paper with little regard to driver enjoyment.

Perfect!

[kevm14]

Part of the reason the Impala SS feels so uncomfortable with the V-8's power is that it doesn't benefit from all the chassis tweaks bestowed on the Grand Prix GXP. Opt for the Chevy, and you don't get the Pontiac's wider front wheels and sticky Bridgestone tires, Bilstein shocks, and larger brakes. Although the SS's chassis gets its own special anti-roll bars, bushings, and shock and spring rates, the suspension simply monkeys around too much.

The thing is, the GXP fails as a sport sedan (despite a list of mods, including bigger brakes!). So why not get the better practicality of the Impala SS with actually more speed?

[kevm14]

From the comments. I think I agree. The GXP is trying to be something it's not. The Impala SS is old school.

Everybody said this car is what was so wrong with GM in the past.

Inexpensive materials, two hands on the wheel handling, huge torque and good horsepower for the weight of the car.

It reminds me of a time when cars and American life was cheap, fun and fast.

I've owned Audis, BMW's, a Mitsu EVO, SVT Mustangs, but this car is more real fun than all of them combined.

It's almost free. Used. . . I paid less for a perfect conditioned 2008 than I did on the down payment of the Audi. With magnaflows, a tune, new intake and headers, it draws heads ever time you pull into a parking space.

It's trunk has the utility of any new SUV and if I was in the body disposal business, I could throw 4 fat guys in the trunk without lowering the pass through seats. I would imagine they sold a lot of these in New Jersey.

When I rumble up to a stop, someone usually walks up and says "wow, that car is sick" and that's living on the westside of L.A. where NOBODY drives anything made in North America, except SUVs.

The best part is it's stealth to the ticket happy California police. Twice I've passed cops on the 10 going about 90 and both times they passed me back lights flashing to chase down a BWM or Audi with flat paint and black wheels.

I've been waved at by so many cops I believe they think it must be some kind of undercover police vehicle, or maybe because it's black.

This machine takes me back to my past where cars didn't have to be computerized Danish modern, leather contoured works of computer controlled art. It's just a car, with a few knobs, buttons, a steering wheel and the ability to smoke the tires like John Force.

Granted it smokes the fronts, but I like that as I can see the results come through the air conditioning vents.

Living in the new Normal where everyone is so P.C. and the 25 year old Trophy generation I employ think their being punished by only being able to afford a 328 3 series instead of an M5, this car makes me smile every time I remote start it.

And don't kid yourself. Every time the 25 year olds drive it, they say, wow this thing is really fun

[Bob]

This is what you need! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Impal ... 599wt_1029

[kevm14]

Man, no auto climate control.

[kevm14]

The salesman called me back and left a VM. He wanted to know if I was still interested in the GXP.

[bill25]

I think you made the right choice. I knew at least 2 people that had transmission problems with the Grand Prix (my sister's friend got one with very low miles and needed a trans somewhere between 60 and 80K). Granted, I think they were more like in the 2000 to 2002 year model. Not sure if they share a trans with this model... Aside from that, they were pretty awful with reliability. They were quick though.

[kevm14]

The transmission in the LS4 cars I guess was known to fail before 100k, but some folks made it far longer. Reminds me of the 4L60-E and LT1 situation. What I always found surprising was the LS4 cars all had the 4T65-E with some upgrades. That transmission (and the 4T60-E) was based on the old 440-T4, which was used in all the 80s mid- and full-size FWD applications (so, not a lot of power). Technically the LS4 cars used the 4T65E-HD but overall the design is old. The Trailblazer SS with the LS2 and 4L70-E has similar issues (lots of torque management required).

Anyway, what's surprising is that in the 90s with the FWD Northstar platforms, GM used the 4T80-E which was stronger. Similar HP and actually the LS4 makes more torque than any Northstar. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_4T80_transmission

The 4T65E was used in that Buick LaSabre that Ed and I test drove from Joan at work. It had slippage issues off the line due to a defect/failure in the pressure modulation control valve (could have been saved but it's a fair amount of labor - and it probably doesn't slip at all when normal people drive it).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_4T65-E_ ... ion#4T65-E

I will say the transmission in the example I drove felt great.