Overview & Reviews

The Pontiac Grand Prix started out as a personal luxury car in the early 1960s. Back then, personal luxury meant a big coupe with a big V8 and a stylish interior, usually featuring plush bucket seats and a floor shifter. Exterior design bordered on flamboyant at times, but the Grand Prix made no apologies for its unabashed sense of American style and performance.

In more recent times, the Pontiac Grand Prix offered consumers a sensibly sized family coupe or sedan, with plenty of performance on tap thanks to the availability of peppy V6 engines or even a powerful V8. Styling continued to be a draw, with a sweeping roof line and the signature twin-grille nose. Unfortunately, another hallmark of the Grand Prix was an overly plasticky interior, with various switches and knobs typically rendered in gray plastic that looked more Fisher-Price than General Motors. Pontiac improved the interior toward the end of the Grand Prix's run, but it still couldn't hold a candle to the high-quality interiors of its import-brand rivals.

Would the Grand Prix be a good choice for a family vehicle? That depends on what dad (or mom) wants. If performance is paramount and a smallish backseat is not a problem, then a used GP deserves a look. On the other hand, if high-quality fit and finish and roomy rear quarters are more important, then the import competition will be a better match.

Most Recent Pontiac Grand Prix

The last-generation Pontiac Grand Prix debuted in 2004 and was terminated after 2008. It benefited from a refined engine lineup, fine-tuned ride and handling characteristics and a more driver-friendly cockpit with large gauges and, for the most part, simple controls. The coupe was dropped, leaving the sedan as the lone body style.

There were two trim levels for the Grand Prix's last year of production in 2008 -- base and GXP. The base model came with a 200-horsepower V6 as well as 16-inch wheels, OnStar, a CD player, cruise control, air-conditioning, keyless entry, and power windows and mirrors. The GXP included a 303-hp V8, firmer suspension tuning, performance tires, a head-up display, unique trim and 18-inch alloys. Leather seating and automatic dual-zone climate control were optional.

Performance, even in the base model, was satisfying, and got quite a bit stronger from there. Although the V8-powered GXP provided a thrilling rush of power, torque steer was a problem with this front-drive chassis. Sadly, the abundant power infusion wasn't enough to keep the Grand Prix wholly competitive. Compared to the top sport-oriented sedans, the Pontiac felt unrefined in terms of handling dynamics and cabin fitments.

Prior to the 2008 model year, the last-generation Grand Prix was available in a GT trim level that featured a supercharged 260-hp V6, 17-inch wheels and some features that were options on the base model. For buyers interested in a used Grand Prix, we would recommend the GT over the other trims because of its balance of power, fuel economy and handling.

Past Pontiac Grand Prix Models

The previous-generation Pontiac Grand Prix was built from 1997-2003. Available as either a sleek coupe or a handsome four-door sedan, this Grand Prix offered brisk acceleration and a tight suspension for a relatively affordable price. The supercharged 3800 V6 debuted with this generation (in the GTP trim) and offers a great combination of power and fuel efficiency. Downsides include a somewhat raucous power delivery, a harsh ride over rough surfaces (in GT and GTP models), cheap interior materials and needlessly complex controls. Still, consumers have given this generation high marks in terms of performance, handling, fuel economy and style. It should be noted that this generation's base model had slightly different (and less sporty) front and rear styling from the GT and GTP models.

Prior to that, there was the 1988-'96 generation, available in both coupe and sedan body styles. This car was a bit smaller and its styling went overboard in the body-cladding area. Typical of many GM products, this Grand Prix's strengths lay in its powertrains and performance, while weak points included cheap interior materials, overly busy controls and mediocre rear seat comfort.

From 1978-'87, the Pontiac Grand Prix was offered solely as a personal luxury coupe, which had been downsized from the excessively large cruisers of the '60s and '70s. But like those earlier GPs, this era's priorities were flashy styling and plush interiors. From a collector's standpoint, the 1962-'72 Grand Prix are most worthy of consideration, as powerful engines (such as the 421 V8 with tri-power carburetion) and eye-catching styling make them cruise-night favorites.

User Reviews:

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  GETTING BETTER; not there yet. - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Gingee - October 16 - 10:00 am

  WHERE IS MY AUTO-DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR?? A performance vehicle like this should not leave its driver blinded during night driving. Ive had my GTP back to sevice several times. My rear door panels buzz. One of my security lug nut caps flew off. The emergency trunk release was not hooked up and was rolling around in the trunk lid. YIKES! The entire interior vibrates at half of the Monsoons power. If you can get past the poor quality and less than advertised refinement at a bigger then should be price, the GTP maybe right for you. My GTP looks like a Grand Am and plenty of people let me know it. Booo. The incentives swayed me to this vehicle.

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  A Great Car For The Young People - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Young Gun - October 11 - 4:53 am

  I brought this car this past February with it having just 70,000 miles on it, did wanted a G6 GT Sedan(Plans fell through) but found this car for a steal, I was worried at first because I was giving up room because it was a mid-size car(car before this one was a 1993 Bonneville SE), but it was still pretty roomy, seats 5, 4 comfortably, and even dough the car is 8 and the design is 13 years old(1997), I still prefer it over the 2004-2008 model, gets good gas mileage for a big 3.8 V6, great for the highway and town, nice interior, just an overall nice ride, the only maintenance I have done so far is new brakes, oil change, support lifts for trunk, and cleaner for catalytic converter.

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  I love this car,BUT..... - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By lilphatgrl80 - October 9 - 10:53 am

  I have one payment to make on my car and 4 months ago i put a new transmission in it because it of course went out well i am having very bad problems with the transmission again,my keys also lock in the ignition and my RPM revs up by its self...it turns out that the car has electrical problems and the computer in it is having trouble communicating with things in it to make them work properly so i dont know what i have to do yet,it may just be a few electrical wires or the whole electrical system but it is cousing the transmissions to burn up

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  Love my Grand Prix!!! - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Donnie - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This is, hands down, the best car I have ever owned! I love this car! It is ellegant, classy, sporty and mean all at the same time!! It has nibble handling and still a smooth comfortable ride. It is mega powerful with tons of off the line torque. The engine is quiet and smooth. I love the way it shifts. It seems to know exactly what gear I want it in and moves there in an instant. I have test driven most cars in its class and it is NO CONTEST!! I have owned it since it was new and it now has 75,000 miles on it. Never a moments trouble mechanically, and I have driven it harder than anyone would. BUY A GRAND PRIX!! YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED!

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  Fun 2 drive terrible to fix - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By PEB - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car when it was about 3 years old. The car has good power and great excelleration, good to great handling depending on your tire selection. Electrical problems and nickle and dime repairs has plagued this car though.

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  Fast, Fun, but cheap interior feel... - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By John Mckee - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive and it is very forgiving and responsive at high speeds. The interior layout is excellent as far as the driver controls and my only complaint would be the cheap feel of the interior construction. If you are gong to get one of these (and I highly recommend it) you have to get the GTP with comp group "G". If you dont you will be sorry. I look forward to driving this car everyday, even to the store just to buy milk! The car is flat out FUN and will smoke the tires through an intersection if that is what you like to do, and that is with the traction control on. GM designers know what car enthusiasts like and they built it!

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  GM retired a powerhouse - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By zaranjjt - October 1 - 8:42 pm

  Bought the car in 2005 with 6k on it.Its now around 114k and still running splendidly.Never really had any major problems until last year when I accidentally hit a curb. Soon after had to replace tie rods, brakes found leaks in the coolant tank and power steering reservoirs. Got them all replaced at around 5k, now the car runs like smooth as silk. Even now i get a thrill out of an early morning acceleration rush. the a/c brings temperatures to polar regions in the peak Texan summer effortlessly. The car used to sheer through Michigan snows without so much as a sway. Many friends who had Hondas and Infinitis would ride with me because the stability of the Grand Prix in those conditions.

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  One owner, great car - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By smak - September 30 - 1:23 am

  I bought this car new from the dealership in Golden, CO. Had 1,000 miles on it, was the general managers car. It has been a great car and very reliable. Oxygen sensor went out under warranty replaced no charge. Mas Air Flow Sensor, fuel filter and power steering hose replaced at 80,000 miles by dealer. Just replaced 1 fuel injector at 105,000 miles myself as well as transmission fluid and spark plugs. Car is loosing a little coolant through leaks I believe in manifold or head gasket. Window problems intermittently but working fine currently. Had a problem with original rotors shimmying when hot at 78,000 but no problem since I replaced them. Paint still looks good.

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  THE AWESOME GRAND PRIX!!!!! - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By gmcanada2000 - September 27 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2002 Redfire Metallic Pontiac Grand Prix GT Sedan. What a car!! It is such a fun car to drive, it makes me feel like I have the best car on the road, which I do. Keep up the good work Pontiac.

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  Poor mans sports car - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Brent Andrus - September 23 - 11:06 pm

  This is a reliable car when it comes to the powertrain (engine, transmission, etc.). It has pretty good horsepower, a sleek look, and the inside has lots of gadgets and gizmos. But all those ancillary electrical components are very cheaply made. My car is nicknamed "Trixie" because it is just full of "tricks". For example the windsheild wipers are stop in the upright position rather than down, the radio volume dial goes up when it is supposed to go down (and vice versa), several warning lights like "check tire pressure" are always on, and two back windows just gradually fall down and have to be pushed back up. Overall, quite reliable but you have to overlook annoying defects.