[gbarger]

Hey guys, I've been driving a Grand Prix GTP that I bought new on July 6th, 2000 and now I'm looking at a new SS... I just had a few questions.

I stopped and listened to the sound system today with an MP3 cd that I made. I must say that I was impressed with the sound. I've got the Bose option on my GTP, and I was still impressed with the sound, but I had a problem. When I was playing with it, some of the songs were really quiet and when I played with the volume knob it got really loud, and then back to quet again, I guess it would best be described by a random volume oscillation. I turned off the auto volume thing and it was still acting strangely. For some reason I feel like I read about this issue somewhere over the past few days...is this common, and if so, is there a fix. This particular radio also sounded like there was some strange crackling as I moved the volume around.

My 2nd question is...how closely will this compare to my stock GTP performance wise? I'm hoping it's similar as far as acceleration becaues I don't want too much of a change for the stoplight grand prixs ;-). I've got no issues with most cars in my Grand Prix. Most Mustangs, Camaros, etc... aren't a problem when they're trying to cut me off at the stop light...I just want to make sure this is something that won't change with the SS.

I'm sorry...I am just biased against the Mustangs and F-bodies, I'm a 24 year old who would never be caught dead in one because I've noticed that the type of people that tend to drive those vehicles are also extremely rude, and I don't enjoy giving them the satisfaction of cutting me off. I would take one for a test drive, but I tried today, and I look young enough that I guess they don't believe I have the ability to pay for it??? If I was interested in the car today (yellow, and I'd rather have blue) I would have complained until they let me take it out, but I wasn't going to throw too big a fit for a vehicle I knew I wouldn't buy. The sad part is, I bought my current car from said dealership in 2000, when I was 19. (they had a much better dealer there). If anyone lives in the KC area, it's Westfall O'Dell in Excelsior Springs. If you're young... avoid it because they won't give you the time of day. The sad part is, if they'd deal with me, I pay for vehicles with a check. I don't like having loans. Oh well... their loss.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying if you drive one of the above listed vehicles you are this type of person, but I am making a generalization from numerous past experiences. It's like they believe they're driving McLaren F1's, and I despise that cocky attitude. It's nice having a quick vehicle (stock), but there's no need to be rude because of it.

Sorry for the ranting...and thank you ahead of time for the info.

 

[mken]

Well, I replaced my '98 GTP with an SS/SC.

This is kinda hard to describe, but the SS doesn't feel as fast as the GTP but in fact it is a bit faster. I guess it all has to do with the difference in the powerbands. 0-60 on your stock GTP should be 6.8 sec. while the SS/SC is around 6 flat. I know that in what was really the only real race that I've participated in so far, I looked down and realized I was doing over 120 mph. Felt like I was doing 60 and it was still pulling hard. The GTP dies after 100 mph and is governed at 126 mph anyways. The ride is more harsh than the GTP, but the SS/SC handles and brakes way better! It feels alot like my '91 Formula (WS6 package) in the corners even though it's front wheel drive. The most notable difference between driving the 2 is that the SS/SC turns alot more heads. While the GTP is only available in automatic, the SS/SC is only available in a 5-speed manual and, also, the trunk opening on the SS/SC is TINY, but at least the seats fold down, unlike my GTP.

After a couple months of getting used to my SS/SC, I'd have to say that I don't regret the switch at all and am quite happy.

Sorry to hear about your problems at your dealer. I had a similar problem when I was 22. The salesman only asked what I did for a living (graphics installation), not how much I made or anything else. Then told me to come back with a co-signer and maybe he would let me take it for a test drive (used Mazda). After that, he offered my 18 year old friend, who just bought a car only a month ago and definately was not in the market for another, a test drive in the Z28 he was standing next to. I talked to the sales manager the next day who said he would make it up to me, but I just went elsewhere and bought a '91 Formula (much better choice, all worked out anyways).

The sad part is, if they'd deal with me, I pay for vehicles with a check. I don't like having loans.

So your saying that you've got $20k to $25k sitting around and would pay for it in full at signing? If you've got that kinda cash, why not go ahead and get an '05 GTO? $20k would be a hell of a down payment on one, don't think the payments after that would be all too bothersome...

 

[MY GTP 8 U]

God bless you for having $20k+ sitting in a checking account at 24 years old!! I agree with mken though, youre only another ~$15k away from a 400hp GTO, and I can gaurantee you wont regret a thing about buying that car!!!

And is your GTP stock? Cause if it is I dont see how youre having no problems taking care of most Mustangs and Camaros from a stoplight if its stock.

 

[CoBIZZLE]

Keep in mind that MOST Mustangs and Camaros of these latter days are V6's

 

[87camaroPA]

Keep in mind that MOST Mustangs and Camaros of these latter days are V6's

Mine is but mine is all but dead.
But any way yeah a SS would be a difference in size and stuff like that but the SS would be a nice replacement but if you can swing it get a GTO.
BTW i am a F-body guy and i am not a dick. But i know what your saying there are thouse peopl out there who think because they drive a mustang or camaro or firebird they are the fastest thing's out there.

 

[mken]

Actually the size of the interior is quite similar, just 2 doors instead of 4 (my GTP had 4, anyways). But my SS does fit in the garage a little better

 

[87camaroPA]

Actually the size of the interior is quite similar, just 2 doors instead of 4 (my GTP had 4, anyways). But my SS does fit in the garage a little better

LOL i know the size of the GTP's my freind's mom had one lets just say we had some fun times out and about driven safely. LOL

 

[BiG_i]

You can't handle anything but a mustang 2004 and prior mustang GT off the line with your GTP...actually that would be quite close as well. I don't see how you can claim to have "no issues" with rustangs, camaros and firebirds ESPECIALLY at a stop light. Unless you were talking about say the 3.4L and 3.8L powered ones....if so then that's nothing to be proud of...

I know many "uncocky" F-body owners even though most are in their 30's....so i guess the real pricks are usually the younger guys who actually have time to drive around and "terrorize the streets".

And they do have a right to think they have a fast car, because even now 3 years down the road, LS1....heck even decently kept/mildly modded LT1 f-bodies are still some of the fastest vehicles you can find.

Try listing some cars that can dust a Camaro SS. Sure, you can come up with a few but then look at their price tag . Look at ford, they finally KINDA got their act together with the 2005 mustang GT and THREE years down the road they're finally keeping up with F-bodies. What did it take to beat an 02 ss from Ford back in *2003*? A freaking overpriced mustang COBRA with a S/C slapped on it @[email protected]

I highly recommend you listen to the other guys and get the GTO if you you're looking for performance that bests your GTP (btw i don't wanna sound like i hate the GTP because i think it's a great car). With that kinda dough it doesn't make sense to get the Cobalt SS for what i see as a slight performance increase. You obviously have no probs. with buying a pontiac anyhow so why not stay with em? Something else you might wanna consider since you have the money....is the new 5.3L DOD (LS4) engine powered vehicles from GM. They look fun as hell...and hey! If i remember right, they're dumping one in the newer Grand Prix GXP.....imagine...FWD V-8 powered performance plus luxury...i think it's listed as MSRP $29,999.

 

[gbarger]

That's interesting that your GTP stops at 126? I can go well over that... maybe it's a difference in the 2000. I got pulled over going 138 in a 70 (another story... I'll tell that after this since I mentioned it).

Yeah, I've got the money, I've got the money for a GTO as well. Luckily my parents have taught me my whole life to save all of my money, and invest it. When I was in high school I started investing a lot in the tech industry and ended up making enough money that it's paid for everything in my life for the past 6 years. I got my bachelors in CS, and I'm now in grad school working on an MBA. The tech industry has paid for my college in that sense, so I might as well help it when I graduate. The thing stopping me from buying a GTO is my parents though. They think I'm going to buy one, but they keep complaining about it. They both think I should at least wait until I've got a good job to get it. I've been giving it a lot of thought though, and honestly. I don't drive really fast any more, so I don't need a tremendous amount of power, I just didn't want to lose a lot in switching from my GTP.

<ticket story>
December 28th 2003, I was traveling south on I-35 heading toward Independence, MO (Southeast Kansas City), and this guy in a big white Mitsubishi SUV pulled in behind me in the left lane. I sped up a little and moved into the right hand lane. He sped up and pulled in right behind me again, and he was riding my bumper. I have no idea why, I'm not sure he was intentionally being rude, but it bothered me that I moved over to let him by and he still stayed on me. So... I hit the gas, sped up and right at 138 I looked in my rearview mirror and saw a MO highway patrol officer pulling across the median. So I did the dumbest thing I have ever done. I kept going (I was driving 140 down the shoulder passing people to get away), I took the next exit (Hwy 69/33 North of Liberty) and I quickily pulled off the first side street. I waited a while and then pulled back out on the street to head back toward I-35. I looked back in my rearview mirror and I see a police officer pulling up very quickly behind me. I turned on my turn signal and pulled on the onramp to get back on the Interstate. He pulled me over on the onramp. He asked where I was coming from so I told him, "right back there, one of my friend's houses." He asked what the phone number was, so I tried to give him one of my friend's cell phone numbers. He said it wasn't a local home number and he then said, "I saw a kid that looked a lot like you flying down the Interstate, now you can tell me the truth now or I can investigate this further. If you're lying, you'll be in a lot more trouble." So, I confessed that it was me (actually a good idea). He had me come back to his car and sit in the passenger seat while he called in my drivers license number (luckily I'm completely clean) and he asked what I was doing. I explained about the SUV and what happened, he then asked why I didn't stop. I told him that I am considering a future career in law enforcement, and I thought that if I was caught going that fast I would be arrested and it would end any future possibility I had (this is the truth by the way). He actually wrote me a ticket it for it (and when you're going that fast you have to go to court, you can't just mail it in). Well, I hired a lawyer in Independence (John Burnett...I highly recommend him), I had to pay him $300 because it was such a big penalty. Well, I went to court (scared to death I would be arrested and lose my license there so I took my best friend with me in case I did). Normally in MO you get 2 days in jail for every mile over 100. The situation was explained to the judge, and I ended up having to sign something called a diversion contract. It said I had to do 30 hours of community service, and take a 1 day defensive driving class. Well I did my defensive driving class over my 2004 spring break at the Jesse James farm because it was one of my options and it's only a few miles from my home. I went to my 5 hour defensive driving class (which was horrible. It was hours of watching videos of people injured in drunk driving accidents). The sad part is, I don't drink, I never have and never intend on doing so. So I didn't really get anything out of the class. Anyhow, I think I had a $75 bill to do community service (how's that...I have to pay to work), then I had $50 for the driving class, and $15 in court costs. I never had to pay any actual ticket fee. So my total rang in at $440. Not too bad. (Another option for the community service was tutoring little kids at some school in KC. I really should have done that because the James farm was a lot of outside hot physical labor). Luckily for me though, they discovered that I actually knew how to use Excel, so unlike most of the other kids that had to do physical labor the whole time, I ended up spending my last 10 hours working on a finance spreadsheet for them, to keep track of all incoming money and outgoing expenses for the farm (They really don't make much at all. They get about $100 a day if they're lucky, and wages alone are a lot higher than that.) Amazing that my tax money is keeping such a boring business open... oh well... C'est la vie.

I have now however made a conscious decision not to speed. I really don't speed any more. I have now become that guy that drives you crazy because I'm actually doing 45 in the construction zones.



...and thanks for all the responses everyone!

 

[gbarger]

I'm sorry if I upset you, I really do apologize. I guess I wasn't clear enough on what I was wanting. I didn't mean I could out accelerate all of them, but I have no problem getting from stoplight to stoplight without them cutting me off. You'd have to have a pretty heavily modified mustang or f-body to get ahead in the city. In the 1/4 it might not be a problem, but there's no way it's happening downtown.

Car 0-60
2000 Grand Prix GTP 6.8
84 Mustang SVO 7.9
85 Mustang GT 6.4
87 Mustang GT 6.4
88 " " 6.4
90 Mustang LX 5.0 6.4
91 Mustang GT 7.3
93 Mustang GT 8.0
94 Mustang GT 6.7
95 Mustang 3.8 9.9
99 Mustang V6 8.6
99 Mustang GT 5.5
05 Mustang LX 6.9
05 Mustang GT 5.1
88 Trans Am GTA 7.4
89 Trans Am 20th Anniv 5.1
91 Firebird 6.5
93 Firebird Formula 6.1
95 Firebird Formula 6.7
00 Trans Am (WS6) 4.9


I'm not going to bother listing the Camaro's, it'd just be more F-body listing.

My point is, even at 4.9 it'd be difficult to overtake an 8s car at the stoplight grand prix, and that's my primary concern because I do a lot of driving downtown.

 

[gbarger]

and Big i...I'm certainly not going to argue with your Ford criticisms. It's certainly not my favorite company in the world...

Although I do think the 05 mustang is a beautiful looking car.

 

[87camaroPA]

Damn!!!! You are set for life if you keep on going like that. Good for youi am not that smart i should have made a few investments my self but did not. Well i dont think you be losseing much just it will be abit smaller in size but still offers a good bit of power. So why not just order one that way you can get every option you want with out haveing to search all over the place to get one.

 

[gbarger]

Interestingly enough, if I get a cobalt there's a dealer about half an hour from my house that has the EXACT one I'd want.

It'd blue with blue insert interior, and has sunroof and side airbags. It's perfect, it doesn't have XM or Onstar (which I don't want). I'd rather listen to the mp3s anway. I did just hear that the 06 is going to have a stereo input jack in the radio faceplate. I might wait and get an 06... but at these prices right now.

There's also an orange one at the same dealer, but I haven't looked at it yet so I don't know what the orange looks like. I think I might like it though.

To answer your question Big i. I'm just looking at cars now because I've got 112K miles on my car, and I decided to look at them now with the GM pricing. I probably can't get much at all for my car now. KBB says it's worth about 7K, so I figure I might get $5K out of it. Kelly tends to be a little overly ambitious with the pricing.

Does anyone else have these radio problems, or was this just unique to this one? Hopefull it is.

 

[mken]

It took me 6 weeks to sell my GTP, '98 with 105.7k miles. It was a 4 door with everything but the heated seats and the exterior was perfect (thanks to my friends girl-friend backing into it a year ago. Hit it just right so that there was no structural damage but had to replace the hood, right fender, and bumper-$2600 and the whole front end got repainted). I had it advertised on autotrader.com and put it out by a busy street. Lots of calls, but only one person ever asked to take it for a drive. They offered me $4500 ($1000 more than Bill Heard would give me for trade-in) and I reluctantly took it.

I hope you have better luck than I did.

And my radio works fine. If you hear static, then I bet there is a bad ground somewhere, either a speaker wire shorting or just a loose ground wire. Just make the dealership fix it.

 

[gbarger]

Awesome, thanks for the info....

maybe awesome isn't the right word though. The thought of getting rid of my car for $4500 is depressing. I too have all the options. I think the only extra options on the GTP at the time though were the Bose stereo and the high polish wheels.

Maybe I'll just try to drive it into the ground this year so I won't feel bad about $4500, and I'll get an '06 when it comes out. It can be a nice grad school graduation present for myself next May.

I think I'll stick around here though. I enjoy the boards here. There doesn't seem to be a great deal of animosity between members... maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm sure a lot of the people here are already GM people.

I'm glad to hear about the radio though. I would hate to get one and realize it's a common problem.

 

[mken]

If I were you, I'd still try to get $7k for it. My problem was I wanted to sell it quick so I put it out for $5k, not taking into account that no one ever pays the asking price, they feel they have to haggle. 99% of the people who called me first asked for how little I'd sell it and tried to talk me down more. I doubt few of them even knew what it blue-booked for and realized it was already a great price. Start high. I just didn't have time to hold out (3 vehicle payments, 3 insurance payments). The problem with a high mileage car is that the people that are truly interested are kids that don't have the cash. The people that have the cash are older people just looking for a daily driver and don't care what it can do in the 1/4 mile. The guy that bought mine asked what the supercharger does and then asked if he could turn it off because he didn't want it.

 

[gbarger]

thanks for the info...

I enjoy the story about the supercharger.

 

[BiG_i]

lol thanks for the response gbarger, i say take that money in ur bank accnt and mod out ur GTP, it'd be cooler. I have a friend who bought one for 7G's few years back and turned it into a vette killing machine. This thing was insanely fast, they ran 10's with the stock supercharger....sthn that still blows me away. Of course they did need to replace their flywheel after every run but...haha whatever it was completely stripped raw and ran NO2.

 

[gbarger]

It would be a lot of fun going to the races myself... there's just something to be said about racing with an automatic though... it takes away half the fun.