- sedan 148,732
- 2,807 below average
- 1,355 great
- Houston, TX
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- autoshopper.com
- 2,807 below average sedan 148,732 grey automatic
2005 pontiac grand prix review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Comfort and utility with fun and flair. introductionsince 1962, the pontiac grand prix has been a family-size car with custom-car styling and a performance-car attitude. The first two generations of grand prix were big cars, too, even by 1960s standards. For 2004, pontiac released the ninth-generation grand prix, and it's better than ever. the previous pontiac grand prix had been known as a fine mover, a good stopper, a fair looker and a reasonable handler. The current car brings improvements in all those categories, and a real revolution in interior design, not only in eye-appeal and ergonomics but in versatility, flexibility and utility. Model and trim designations have been rationalized, while the comp g option package still stokes excitement at the top end of the range. lineupthe 2005 pontiac grand prix is offered in three primary trim levels: base, gt and gtp, with an additional ultimate-handling competition group available on the gtp. Abs 600) is optional and comes with electronic brake-force distribution (ebd), advanced traction control, and a tire inflation monitor. A driver's package 500) combines a power driver's seat, front and rear floor mats and 16-inch polished aluminum wheels. gt 24,800) adds abs with brake-based traction control, electronic (rather than hydraulic) power steering, power front seats, upgraded interior appointments, aluminum wheels, and mp3 capability for the stereo. gtp 26,560) gets a supercharged version of the same v6 engine that generates 260 horsepower at 5400 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque at 3600 rpm. Goodrich comp t/a performance tires, stabilitrak sport, tapshift, and a more aggressive 3. 29:1 final drive gear (instead of the standard gtp's 2. 93). Stabilitrak sport is a vehicle-stability system tuned to provide maximum hands-on control during cornering. Tapshift (touch activated power) provides a set of small paddles on the steering wheel allowing semi-manual shifting of the automatic transmission. options for gt and gtp models include dual-zone automatic climate control 275); xm satellite radio 325); a 235-watt monsoon audio system 695); dvd-based navigation with monsoon audio 2,390), trip computer with head-up display and dual-zone automatic climate control 875); leather upholstery 795). side-impact and curtain airbags 395) are available on all models. So is a remote starter 150) and engine-block heater 35). walkarounda commitment to style separates the grand prix from other mid-size transportation pods. The rear end is as muscular as a speed skater's. Pronounced, enlarged taillights are mounted at the corners. A discreet spoiler finishes the deck lid. through the taillights and extended into the sheet metal are two horizontal bulges, like cladding segments escaped from the sides of a grand am. If this were a fashion story i would say they were 'to add eye interest' to the rear. Anyway, following a grand prix down the highway is a pleasant occupation. The rear is important in appearance and certainly distinguishable from its road mates. appearance is the most subjective aspect of any automobile. Suffice it to say i would rather follow this grand prix than spot it in the rearview mirror: i'm not delighted with the front end. The slightly sculptured hood is a good beginning, but when shaping lines come off the hood swooping down to trace around the grille something goes wrong for me. The resulting grille with its trademark pontiac division is straight across on top with bowl-shaped curving sides. It appears to me like a tight smirk, ungenerous and simpering. The headlights are even more slanted and attenuated than on the previous grand prix. the so-called coke-bottle sides are marked (marred i would say) by two parallel character lines through the two doors about a hand's span below the door handles. Gratefully, there's no cladding, but these lines bother me. I think one reason the new grand prix looks best in black is because black hides these creases. the black grand prix at the press introduction also had a solution for some of my objections to the new grille: a heavier, more important optional chrome surround. (now if a black grand prix came with a crew armed with california dusters i'd consider it in a heartbeat.) the aerodynamic door handles are hard to grab and hold onto. interiorinside is where the grand prix absolutely shines. Leather and satin nickel set the tone for the interior style of the grand prix, and materials pleasant to both eye and fingertips continue the experience. the seats are supportive and comfortable. The leather-wrapped steering wheel fills the hand just right. The outside mirrors are remarkably large for a sedan. That's a feature suv drivers often mention as a reason they like suvs. The large center speedometer stands out from and overlaps the tachometer (on the left) and the circle containing the fuel and temperature gauges (on the right). No cluttering inner-ring of numbers. Below an organized cluster of white icons on simple black buttons and dials keep the driver tuned in, warm or cool, etc. Pleasing to look at and nothing bewildering. as comfortable as the seating, as pleasant to look at and feel as the interior is, what is really special is its functionality and flexibility. Not only do the back seats fold down in pairs or singly (with a 60/40 split) to effectively increase cargo capacity, the back of the front passenger seat folds forward (on gt and gtp), table flat. all this flat and nearly flat space can be accessed through the trunk (with a particularly low lift-over height.) thus it's easy to fold the appropriate seats and load long objects into the vehicle: a roll of carpet or a ladder or skis or italian market umbrellas. That trunk opening besides being lower is also about ten inches wider. The products had to be stripped of their packing to manipulate them through car doors. Cognizant of that problem, grand prix designers played dentist: 'open wider, please.' and now the doors swing out 82 degrees, improving ingress and egress for people and. AM/FM✔ Tachometer✔ Climate Control✔ Cruise Control✔ Air Conditioning✔ Aluminum Wheels
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