Grand Prix GXP 5.3

[Neanderthal]

Looking around the net at places such as Autotrader, I'm seeing what look like pretty reasonable prices for the 5.3 Grand Prix.
This is the ohv mill as used in the trucks, yes? So this shouldn't have the discouraging news I kept hearing when I asked about the Bonnieville 4.6 V8, I hope.

Any problems noted with these cars that anyone's heard of?
They're starting to look like a good bargain, I'm seeing fairly low miles examples for 12 grand on up.

http://cm.syndication.kbb.com/kb/ki....rix&3;PO;E4&&&

Also it seems a few went to fleet...oh well.

Thanks for any comments or history of folks who've owned them, from friends, or general reputation of this car reliability-wise.

Yes, I am aware this is FWD. Not interested in rehashing that debate yet again.

--From th cave

[big swede]

It's similiar to the trucks 5.3 but not the same. The LS4 in the W-bodies has an all aluminum block. Everyone will come in here saying how out of date the W-bodies are but they are excellent used car bargains. They are super reliable, fast, comfortable, and very roomy.

I just got back from a 700 mile trip with my 07' Monte SS and got 26.8 mpg over that 700 miles and 90 percent of it was 80-85 mph (packed trunk). These things will gobble miles at an amazing rate and you never have to worry about passing power.

[Neanderthal]

^^ Thanks, Big Swede.
These are looking like real bargains, here's a GM certified 05 w/30,000 miles for 15 grand before debating price:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...e&aff=national

[ryannel2003]

Personally I prefer the '06+ Impala SS's over the Grand Prix GXP's, but they are both really nice cars, and quite bargains too. My grandfather has put 28k miles on his '06 Impala SS and the only issue he had with it was the tire pressure monitors needing to be replaced. He also had his B-pillar trim replaced due to fading, but otherwise it's been a really solid car. Looks good, great gas mileage, comfortable interior, and fast. If you want to burn a set of front tires off a car in about 20k miles, these are the cars to have. I did a good job of helping wear down the tires on his car

I would easily recommend the GP GXP over a Bonneville just because the Northstar can be such a pain in the ass. The LS4's are extremely proven motors; If I could drop one in my Seville I would do it in a heartbeat.

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

I had an '05. Put 100,000+ miles on it in a relatively short time cause loved it so much! Fast, comfortable, beautiful, sexy, one of the BEST cars I ever owned! I only sold it to get a Bonnie GXP of the same year since that was the last and they are rarer, but I'll get another one cause I plum love 'em! One of the best Pontiacs and FWD V8s EVER made!!!!!!!!!! And she NEVER gave me any trouble at all!

[big swede]

Originally Posted by ryannel2003

Personally I prefer the '06+ Impala SS's over the Grand Prix GXP's, but they are both really nice cars, and quite bargains too.

I think it kind of depends on if you plan on putting a ton of miles on it and what interior you like better. If you like the Pontiac interior better and won't be putting tons of miles on it I think the GXP might be your choice. The Pontiac has sweet looking brakes (drilled) and a slight bit less torque steer due to the wider front tires.

If the interior preference is negligible and you plan on using it as a daily driver I would say the Impalla/Monte. The tires are the same all the way around so you can rotate them and it has normal brake rotors that don't eat pads for breakfast. I have read several tests where the Chevy twins stop as quick or quicker than the Pontiac.

Where the drilled brakes come into play is if you are tracking the car and doing multiple hard stops one after another. The drilled brakes dissipate heat a little better in that arena.

[CadiEldo67]

The local dealership got a GXP just a few months after I bought my silver GT. They only wanted 3 grand more for it and it had quite a bit more stuff + about 15,000 miles less. I got hosed haha.

The thing I noticed about the car is that the front brakes seem to put off a lot of brake dust.

But my car has been flawless as far as reliability thus far. Only thing is an ABS sensor that keeps randomly going haywire when I try to stop.

[F14CRAZY]

personally I'd go for a GTP Comp. G, but it sounds like you're set on a V8.

how are LaCrosse Super prices? Weren't they tested to be the fastest stock/production Buick ever, and were quicker, handled better, and stopped quicker than the Impala and GP?

[Olds88]

The 5.3L LS4 under the hood is basically the exact same motor a Silverado uses. The truck's engine can be had in an aluminum block too. The 4.6L Northstar is a POS by comparison. The 5.3L W-body cars have less torque steer than a Maxima and will keep up with a G8 at the drag strip. If possible find a LaCrosse Super as it has the best ride, handling, and pretty much everything. The GXP is a fine vehicle in its own right though. The w-body has proven reliable over the years and the 5.3L might be the most reliable V8 there is.

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

personally I'd go for a GTP Comp. G, but it sounds like you're set on a V8.

how are LaCrosse Super prices? Weren't they tested to be the fastest stock/production Buick ever, and were quicker, handled better, and stopped quicker than the Impala and GP?

Don't know why there'd be a significant difference in Impala, GP, and LaCrosse acceleration as they all use the same powertrain.

GP should handle marginally better than Impala due to tire and strut setup. I haven't seen the specs on the Super, what wheel/tire do they use?

GM's search engine sucks, but their specs did show the Super with an < 14 cu. ft. trunk. GP is 16 and IIRC Impala is about 18.
WTF is it with Buick, do they go out of their way to get the trunks smaller than any of their siblings?

Originally Posted by Olds88

The 5.3L LS4 under the hood is basically the exact same motor a Silverado uses. The truck's engine can be had in an aluminum block too. The 4.6L Northstar is a POS by comparison. The 5.3L W-body cars have less torque steer than a Maxima and will keep up with a G8 at the drag strip. If possible find a LaCrosse Super as it has the best ride, handling, and pretty much everything. The GXP is a fine vehicle in its own right though. The w-body has proven reliable over the years and the 5.3L might be the most reliable V8 there is.

That's good to know. When I had my initial Bonnie V8 brainstorm, the troubled-Northstar feedback I got put me off that plan fast.

A good solid ohv 325 cu. in V8 should be trouble free. Hope the same can be said for the trannies used in these.
These alum. engines supposedly weigh less than the iron 3.8.


http://www.automobile.com/2008-buick...r-preview.html

From the above, some interesting details.
Inside and outside there are a couple of minor hints that reveal the identity of the V8-powered model. Besides the obvious rumble of the exhaust, there’s a tiny little spoiler that sitsatop the trunk lid, a new rear bumper with integrated parking sensors, and special rocker moldings. There’s a new front end that features a bigger grille inspired by the Velite convertible concept. The LaCrosse Super also is the only LaCrosse to feature those aforementioned VentiPorts, and it also has the honor of wearing the largest wheels and tires to be fitted to a LaCrosse, measuring 235/50R18. The interior of the Super features bolstered bucket seats, special woodgrain trim for the dashboard and doors, platinum-effect trim on the console, plus woven-embossed leather seating surfaces.

The regular LaCrosse will get some of the same visual changes, such as the revised front grille, as well as a different hood and bumpers. The other changes made to the LaCrosse are basically to boost the car’s standard equipment list. All models will now get a leather-wrapped steering wheel with stereo and cruise control buttons, XM satellite radio,a telescoping steering column, an alarm with remote starter, dual zone climate control and a trip computer as standard. It’s not the most interesting of updates, and it’s unlikely that it’ll sway many extra buyers in favor of the LaCrosse, but what it will do is make those who’ve decided to purchase lower rung models a little more pleased with their purchase. Besides the Super model, there are no updates to the LaCrosse’s powertrain.

While we’ll have to wait until we drive it before we give the final verdict, the new LaCrosse Super’s upgraded performance probably won’t be enough to cause sport sedan buyers to leave their imports and Chrysler 300C SRT8s. It will be interesting to see how GM distinguishes it from the Impala SS and Grand Prix GXP, when it comes to driving dynamics, or if they will allow it to be as fiery as the other cars and merely allow the Buick’s styling to separate it from the pack (and our editor tells me that the Grand Prix GXP is a blast to drive).


Can't recall seeing a test of the LaC Super. Guess I'll have to go attack my stacks of C&D.

[big swede]

Originally Posted by Neanderthal

A good solid ohv 325 cu. in V8 should be trouble free. Hope the same can be said for the trannies used in these.
These alum. engines supposedly weigh less than the iron 3.8.

Most of the tranny issues actually happened to the GXP's and a lot of people feel it has to do with tap shift. I don't know that to be true or not but that is the only difference that could cause way more tranny issues with the Pontiac version compared to all the others. The good news is that it seems to happend early in the trannies life (under 30,000) or it usually good for a long service life.

The 5.3 is actually lighter than the iron 3.8 as long as it has the supercharger mounted on top otherwise it's a couple lbs. heavier.

The Buick will be slightly more expensive and softer riding but you are almost guaranteed that it hasn't been run hard, if you can find one.

[Neanderthal]

LaCrosse looks like it wears the same size shoes as the SS Impala.
From the photos, I must say the Buick dash appears pretty hideous if not outright 1980s.
IMO the Honda Accord had it almost perfect for the gen ending in 2002.

Dashboards need to slope down at around a 70 degree angle, not 90 degrees. The vertical dashboards are about three generations obsolete.

I can only conclude there are many, many lamebrains still making decisions @ the companies who still use the vertical, as the LaCrosse appears to.

In fact, I like my $12,000 KIA Spectra (MSRP $16,750~) dash layout better than most of the fancy stuff in the 30 grand+ department I've seen.
It's clear, simple, direct, it works.
I don't need fifty damned buttons down there, this is not a Mars mission. Way too much overthinking and wasting resources on something that was perfected (by OTHERS) before MY 2000.

Without laying eyes on the Buick, I'd say my choice would be the Poncho. I don't need no portholes.
Pontiac and I go back a long way, and I prefer Pontiacs to Buicks and Chevys in general over most of the model range, historically and today.

I don't have a great need to tap shift, I find my foot adequate to do my talking, so I'd hope the trannie would give me long life and good service.

ebay offer: http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Tru...&_tab=4&_rdc=1

[ryannel2003]

That was my only issue with the old LaCrosse to be honest. The interior is absolutely terrible... so plain, so cheap looking. Of all the 3 W-body LS4 cars the Impala by far has the highest quality interior. The Pontiac is a close 2nd, though I have to say I really like the angled dash. It makes it feel more like a driver's car than the Imp. It really comes down to what you like, and all three cars are great bargains.

Regardless, these cars will be much easier to maintain and keep running than any Northstar powered car. Not as smooth, but whats the point if you're too worried about what could go wrong next?

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by Neanderthal

Don't know why there'd be a significant difference in Impala, GP, and LaCrosse acceleration as they all use the same powertrain.

GP should handle marginally better than Impala due to tire and strut setup. I haven't seen the specs on the Super, what wheel/tire do they use?

GM's search engine sucks, but their specs did show the Super with an < 14 cu. ft. trunk. GP is 16 and IIRC Impala is about 18.
WTF is it with Buick, do they go out of their way to get the trunks smaller than any of their siblings?



That's good to know. When I had my initial Bonnie V8 brainstorm, the troubled-Northstar feedback I got put me off that plan fast.

A good solid ohv 325 cu. in V8 should be trouble free. Hope the same can be said for the trannies used in these.
These alum. engines supposedly weigh less than the iron 3.8.


http://www.automobile.com/2008-buick...r-preview.html

From the above, some interesting details.
Inside and outside there are a couple of minor hints that reveal the identity of the V8-powered model. Besides the obvious rumble of the exhaust, there’s a tiny little spoiler that sitsatop the trunk lid, a new rear bumper with integrated parking sensors, and special rocker moldings. There’s a new front end that features a bigger grille inspired by the Velite convertible concept. The LaCrosse Super also is the only LaCrosse to feature those aforementioned VentiPorts, and it also has the honor of wearing the largest wheels and tires to be fitted to a LaCrosse, measuring 235/50R18. The interior of the Super features bolstered bucket seats, special woodgrain trim for the dashboard and doors, platinum-effect trim on the console, plus woven-embossed leather seating surfaces.

The regular LaCrosse will get some of the same visual changes, such as the revised front grille, as well as a different hood and bumpers. The other changes made to the LaCrosse are basically to boost the car’s standard equipment list. All models will now get a leather-wrapped steering wheel with stereo and cruise control buttons, XM satellite radio,a telescoping steering column, an alarm with remote starter, dual zone climate control and a trip computer as standard. It’s not the most interesting of updates, and it’s unlikely that it’ll sway many extra buyers in favor of the LaCrosse, but what it will do is make those who’ve decided to purchase lower rung models a little more pleased with their purchase. Besides the Super model, there are no updates to the LaCrosse’s powertrain.

While we’ll have to wait until we drive it before we give the final verdict, the new LaCrosse Super’s upgraded performance probably won’t be enough to cause sport sedan buyers to leave their imports and Chrysler 300C SRT8s. It will be interesting to see how GM distinguishes it from the Impala SS and Grand Prix GXP, when it comes to driving dynamics, or if they will allow it to be as fiery as the other cars and merely allow the Buick’s styling to separate it from the pack (and our editor tells me that the Grand Prix GXP is a blast to drive).


Can't recall seeing a test of the LaC Super. Guess I'll have to go attack my stacks of C&D.

For what its worth my OHV 5.3L has provided me with 75000 miles of trouble free driving.

Here's a review of the super from TTAC, a website that hates GM and Ford products. Even they were positive about the car.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/200...-super-review/

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by Olds88

For what its worth my OHV 5.3L has provided me with 75000 miles of trouble free driving.

Here's a review of the super from TTAC, a website that hates GM and Ford products. Even they were positive about the car.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/200...-super-review/

Thanks for the link, Olds88. You sound like a happy high-miler. I see your 5.3 pushes an Avalanche around.

I completely missed the intro of the V8 LaCross, perhaps it was overshadowed by the G8. Car and Driver didn't do a test or quickie as far as I can discover.
Here's their Impala SS test:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...a_ss-road_test

Impala is geared tighter at 3.29 final vs. 2.93 for the GP.

Impala has 61.5% vs. GP's 63.8% front weight bias.
Chevy runs 7.0 x 18" cast aluminum wheels, rubber is 235.50.18 W speed rating, Poncho (f/r) 8.0 x 18/7.0 x 18 forged aluminum, tires are (f/r) 255.45.18/225.50.18 W speed rating.
Chevy has a compact spare, Pontiac no spare (?).

Top end 143 GP (governor limited), 154 Impala.

Grand Prix GXP:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/..._gxp-road_test

They didn't say boo about the LaCross Super. Odd.

MT did a brief: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ive/index.html

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