2006 Grand Prix review

[ddp127]

Hi all, this is my initial and 8 month review on my 2006 Grand Prix.

First I'll start off with the basics.

- Base sedan

- Power windows/locks/mirrors/driver seat

- Sunroof

- 6-disc in dash CD changer

- Steering wheel radio controls

- OnStar

- Remote vehicle start

- White exterior

- Black and Tan two-tone interior (Ebony & Tan? I can't remember what GM calls it)

The Grand Prix comes fairly well equipped even as just the basic, plain Jane Base version. Aluminum wheels, power windows/locks/mirrors are all standard. Basically just the niceties that many of us want. If the car didn't have any of the other features, I'd still have gotten it.

Since it's the base sedan, it's powered by the 3800 Series III engine routed through GM's 4T65-E transaxle. I can't complain, this the 4th (well maybe 3rd, I'll differ in that my first was an '85 Cutlass Supreme with the 231) 3.8 that I've had, and I can't complain about any of them. ('85 231 in an Olds, '92 3.8 in a Buick, '95 3.8 in a Buick, '06 3.8 in the Pontiac) It seems to pull pretty well down low in the RPM range, but you have to have a light foot or it'll downshift into the powerband. Remember, I'm coming from a diesel with a standard shift, even after 8 months I'm still trying to get used to the transmission's brain. Shifts seem to be fairly firm and quick, no hesitation. For the most part I like it, but I do wonder why it picks a certain gear sometimes. I still feel I'd be able to pick a better gear but GM didn't give me that option (I wonder what would fit though). If you're trying to win races, don't count on it with the base NA engine. It has more than adequate power for your everyday sedan, but it's no rocket. It does what I need it to do really well.

I can't complain about the ride either...but I have no other recent experience to compare it to, just the Silverado. On our fine interstate highways here in Pennsylvania, it rides a heck of a lot better than the truck did. I miss sitting up high, even after 8 months it still feels like my behind is dragging on the ground. I expected to be able to throw the car around more than I can, but if you drive sensibly, you won't get into trouble. Strong crosswinds unsettle the car more than I'd like, it's almost as bad as the truck was, I wasn't expecting that, but that could be a tire issue that I don't even feel like persuing, I'll just keep 2 hands on the wheel. Adverse weather doesn't seem to be a problem either, even with the stock tires. When we had the Valentine's Day storm, I made it to Harrisburg before I found out we were closed. And then I made it home when others were stuck on I-78. If the roads are plowed, it drives good, if they're not, it grabs a track and takes it, but I expect that out of any vehicle. All-in-all, it handles everything fine.

I'll move on to styling. I don't think it's a bad looking car. I wouldn't say it's "hot," but it's no Aztek either. I think the rear overhang should be a little longer, but... 'Nuff said, styling isn't one of my priorities when I go look at cars, it needs to be pleasing, but doesn't have to be what some would deem "sexy."

Time for the interior. In a word, smallish. I'm used to the crew cab, don't forget. There is plenty of room for me and one passenger, in the front seats. There is no dummy pedal to place your left foot, but there is an angled part of the floorpan there, and it is contoured well enough for me to get comfortable. The drivers seat is 6-way power, and I can get comfortable behind the wheel no problem (I'm 5'10" and 200 lbs) as can my finacee (she's 5'3" and like 10 pounds it seems she's so thin). So we run the gammut and we all can get comfortable. The rear seat is a dissapointment though. For a decent sized car, the rear isn't so decent sized. I wouldn't want to be sitting in the rear, behind the driver, when I'm driving. There just doesn't seem to be enough leg room. Or head room, my head whacks the ceiling just sitting in the street, not moving. That is the biggest gripe, for a family car, it seems kind of tight. Besides that, fit and finish is top-rate. No squeaks or rattles, and panel gaps are way better than the truck was, and better than my buddies '06 Ion. It won't win awards, but it is functional and semi attractive.

On the features and controls side, I can't complain, except for one thing. The dimmer switch, why GM hid it behind the turn signal stalk I have no idea, but it takes actually looking for it once to be able to find it. Once you find it you're good. Everyone complains about GM's multi-function stalk there with turn signals, and lights, and cruise, I don't know why, it works, I know how to use it, it's intuitive, it's no problem unless people want to make it a problem. If you've used a radio in any recent GM vehicle, you'll be able to use the radio in this one. Same with the HVAC controls, 3 knobs and you get what you want. I absolutely love the steering wheel radio buttons. I had them on the truck and I was going to miss them if I had to get rid of them. When I drive my fiancee's Jeep, I keep wanting to hit volume up on the wheel, but it's not going to happen. You can do everything, play a cd, mute the sound, switch bands, switch functions, switch stations, it's all there.

Time for the really optional stuff. Like the sunroof. If it didn't come from the factory this way, I wouldn't have ordered it. I don't know how much headroom it takes, but it has to take some, and headroom is at a premium in the car. Besides that, it is cool to have, I like having it on vent on the highway with the driver and passenger windows down. OnStar is part of the package that the radio and sunroof came with. It's kind of neat, I like the hands free calling, but it's too darn expensive, both parts. It's more of a "watch this" feature to me. Same with the remote start. No way would I ever have ordered this, but having it is really, really neat. When you remote start the car, it will run for 10 minutes then shut off. You can run it a second time for 10 minutes if you'd like, but after that you have to start it with the key, it won't do a third time. It works as advertised, no problems with anything about it.

I think I covered most of it. If any of you have questions about it, just reply to the post, I'll be happy to answer, I'll eventually get pics of it up when it is warmer out, and when it's clean!!! HAHA.

I'll go on to my 6 month review, two months late.

Gas & Go is basically all I can say. As of 3/16/07, I have 23,800 miles on the car. This is in a little under 8 months. I have had two minor problems. One is a cold start belt chirp, the dealer replaced the idler pulley, we'll see if that takes care of it, the other is the passenger side review mirror was loose. The housing is tight, the mirror glass itself wobbles driving down the road, the part is ordered, and the dealer will call when it comes in.

Besides these, it is basic maintenance. I've had 4 oil changes, and 2 tire rotations (my bad, hehehe!!), and I drove over a bolt with 6,000 miles on the car, didn't hurt the sidewall though, so a plug and all is good. I've had no major problems, and the dealership is a good one, they've treated me fair, and they have decent prices as well. I'm keeping track of all of my fuel and maintenance since I bought it new. The latest my spreadsheet is up to is 23,791 miles, and 947.569 gallons. This works out to 25.11 miles to the gallon. Not too bad, I was hoping for a mixed average of right at 27 miles to the gallon, but I can deal with this. And the $35.00 fill up beats the $65.00-$70.00 fill up on the truck any day of the week. My maintenance costs have been $109.14, not shabby at all for 8 months of ownership.

I'm a happy camper! Hopefully I remember in July to do an update!!!

Edited March 18, 2007 by ddp127

[ponchoman49]

Good write up. I am considering a 2007 white supercharged sedan with moonroof and black leather. The only thing I am hesitant about is the fuel economy with this engine which some have said is lower than the previous generation car with this engine. I would think that these are going to be reliable cars with the 3800/4T65 tranny with just normal maintenence and the odd wheel bearing or squeak.

[Ravenfreak13]

I cant stand sitting in them...its like being in a dark hole...

[Oracle of Delphi]

I cant stand sitting in them...its like being in a dark hole...

Dark holes have their place ...

[daves87rs]

If I wasn't holding out for a while, I'd consider a 05-06 GP to replace the Balt.

I still love the bodystyle....

[SAmadei]

I cant stand sitting in them...its like being in a dark hole...

He mentioned it is a tan and black interior, actually it think GM called it parchment and dark pewter.

As a 2004 GP Comp-G with this interior recently joined the my fleet, and me tell you, its NOT like being in a dark hole. In fact, its the cheeriest interior I've seen in a while.

[Oracle of Delphi]

I love my Purple Haze 2007 Grand Prix GXP ...