R.I.P. Grand Prix?

[guitarfish]

The April '07 issue of Car and Driver reports that a new Pontiac available in Austrailia will be coming to US shores, dubbed the "G8". When a Pontiac exec was asked if it was a replacement for the Prix, he said, "We have no plans for the Grand Prix after 2008."

Incidentally, the G8 is REAR WHEEL DRIVE. For northeast PA where I live, that means it's not an option. Front wheel drive is a requirement for the weather I face every winter.

Having been in 3 different Prix's in the last 13 years, and due for a new car in about 9 months, I'm saddened by this news. Yes, I can still by a Prix next year, but that's it I guess.

The G6 is smaller than the Prix, not really where I want to be. The G8, rear wheel drive aside, looks like a pretty big car, ala Bonneville. Read that: $$$

What's going on there in Detroit?? Sheesh.

[wethepplebmxer]

whats going on? Exactly what SHOULD be going on. It's about time Pontiac shed the front wheel drive system and went rear wheel. It's certainly in the best interest of performance. personally, i cant wait to see the G8 on the road, it's a beautiful car, and who could argue with 360 ponies and a 6-speed?

[guitarfish]

Originally Posted by wethepplebmxer

whats going on? Exactly what SHOULD be going on. It's about time Pontiac shed the front wheel drive system and went rear wheel. It's certainly in the best interest of performance. personally, i cant wait to see the G8 on the road, it's a beautiful car, and who could argue with 360 ponies and a 6-speed?

Considering the "success" of the GTO, on the heels of the discontinued Firebird, Pontiac's rear wheel drive track record hasn't been too good of late. The G8 looks like a hot car - by all means, build it. But it ISN'T a Grand Prix. With the Prix gone, they've cut off a pretty successful segment and left us with what...a G6? No thanks.

[xeroinfinity]

I feel at this point every car out there should be AWD.

AWD is the best, especially with 360 hp.

[98gpking]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

I feel at this point every car out there should be AWD.

AWD is the best, especially with 360 hp.

turn that car AWD and then well see how much power it has...it wont be 360. besides i dont think id buy an all wheel drive or much less a 4 door car which is why dodge has made a large mistake making the charger only a 4 door. but to make me and other ford haters happy they are highly debating on a 4 door mustang. they are just waiting to see a few more years of results on how the 4 door charger lives.

should all cars be AWD. IMO- no its more gas to use, more problems to go wrong and more crap to service. just do some suspension work to a rear or front and leave the AWD to the import world

[GooN25]

As much as i love my grand prix.....i also think Pontiac is making a great move with the G8. Saw it at the Chicago Auto Show and the car is incredible to look at(although it wont be wearing the hood scoops and huge rims on the first year production model). It is said though that Holden built that car so that AWD would be an easy revision. Motortrend just did a drive with the commadore(G8) and it had great reviews.

[guitarfish]

Size-wise, isn't the G8 more along the lines of the Bonneville (R.I.P.)?

[wethepplebmxer]

yea it is... but the last gen grand prix was no small car either, and a two door version hasn been available in what, 6 years? I understand people being upset about the grand prix being cut, but let's face it, the grand prix was never a true porformance car. Its about time pontiac took a step forward if they want to live up to their "porformance" slogan. Yes, the GTO sold poorly, but was largely due to the lack of aggressive styling and publicity. How many people are willing to pay insurance on a 400hp two door that looks like a revised grand prix? Obviously that was a problem. The G8 targets a much much larger group of auto buyers. Just look at the number of chargers and 300's on the road. Proformance 4-doors are practical and fun. The G8 will be a hit.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by wethepplebmxer

Yes, the GTO sold poorly, but was largely due to the lack of aggressive styling and publicity.

I always thought the Monaro GTO looked like a weird looking Cavalier. I almost bought one this year but decided to wait until the retro Dodge Challenger comes out. Besides my '97 GTP is faster.

GM screwed up and dropped the Regal for the LaCrosse. That was a big disappointment and has hurt overall Buick sales. So if the Grand Prix is dropped and/or renamed there is a precedent.

I may consider a Japanese luxury sport coupe this time around if the domestics don't get any better. Including reliability.

[guitarfish]

A friend of mine bought a new LaCrosse 2 weeks ago. It's really a beauty. Much nicer than the '03 Century they had. I was never too familiar with the Regal, so I can't really compare it.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by guitarfish

A friend of mine bought a new LaCrosse 2 weeks ago. It's really a beauty. Much nicer than the '03 Century they had. I was never too familiar with the Regal, so I can't really compare it.

The comparison is simple. The Regal and Grand Prix are sister GM "W" body cars. All the beeps and bells. Where the LaCrosse fails is in the engine performance and handling areas. Many owners complain about too much body roll and instability on cruising trips. Plus there is no supercharged version of the LaCrosse like the Grand Prix. The top of the line LaCrosse CXS with the 3.9L VVT V6 is too buzzy and underpowered for my taste. After a test drive I told the dealer to keep it (stick it up his.....) even though he was going to give me a good discount on the price and top dollar for my '01 Regal GS for trade-in. My L67 (Series II 3800 supercharged) Regal GS will blow the doors off a LaCrosse CXS. It is fully loaded with heated leather seats, Grand Touring suspension, Joseph Aboud styling package, digital climate control, Monsoon stereo system, etc. Best part is it is fully paid for. Those Infinitys are looking better and better.

opcorn:

[pidees]

I agree with some people that the Pontiac G8 is a hot car but (in my eyes) nothing will replace the Grand Pix.
This is and always will be my number one pick for a car.