At work last night a guy commented on the icy conditions outside and mentioned he was driving a "sports car". I asked what kind and he said an SS Impala (year unknown).
I said that I had a Bonneville and maybe we could "compare" vehicles sometime. He got kind of excited and asked if it was an SSEI. I said no, it was a GXP. He openly scoffed and seemed mildly offended that I would mention a GXP in the same conversation as his SS. In his defense, he didn't know what a GXP was and assumed it was a base model Bonneville.
He told me he had about 285 horses and a weight of over 4000 lbs.
It sounded like a good match on paper.
Then he told me since my Bonneville was front wheel drive, that it wasn't a sports car. I never claimed it was because it isn't, but I then told him not only would my GXP beat his SS, I would be sitting on heated leather while I did it.

Was I right?
No contest will take place between us, so I'm curious about other'* opinions of this theoretical match.



Thanks,

Dave

I'm assuming it'* the Impala SS with the LT1 V8, since he made that comment about FWD. Those older Impalas are RWD.

It is tough to say ... it would be close. Both can do low 15'*.

If it is the recent 04-05 L67'* you have him by a lil bit. If it is an 06 SS with the 5.3L, no and if it is a 94-96 close call, you would win 0-60 tho.

I was thinking after 0-60 he would have em.

I'll try to find out the year tonight.



Dave

I'm sorry, but a 4 door sedan is not a sports car. You might call them sport sedans, but not a sports cars. Generally, a sports car has two doors and two seats (ie: Corvette, Solstice, etc.) and spirited performance. A Bonneville GXP (like I have) might be better termed as a luxury/performance sedan. I don't mean to nitpick, but some people put labels on their cars to make seem them more than they are (ricers come to mind). I guess it'* a game of bragging and "one up-man-ship". The term sports car is getting to be a cliche, since it'* so over used.

Honestly, I don't think you stand much chance against any SS Impala. The 96 or so model years had the V8 like mentioned, the 2003? or so models had hte supercharged 3800, and the latest generation have the 5.3 V8. Being a lighter car with the same amount of, or more horsepower, they're faster than the GXP. (I think the closest race would be against the oldest SS Impala.)

The '93-96 Impala SS which was based on the Caprice had a LT1 350 cid v8 rated @ 260 hp. Car and driver tested a '94 which ran the1/4 mile @ 15.0. Your(and mine)GXP
does the quatermile @ 15.4 according to Car and driver. The later Impala SS (2004-5)
with the SC3800 is smaller and lighter and will do the same 15.0 1/4 mile Sooooooo;
just tell him that you have the SCNorthstar option that was a very rare option that put out
469hp just like the new Caddy STSV, keep the hood shut and say I have to cut down on my tickets, no fooling around on the street for a while. He won't know what to say !

He took 5 days off starting the day after I started this thread. We'll have to wait to find out just what he has.

The whole thing wasn't really about my car vs his, but more about his total condescension towards the Bonneville GXP. He simply dismissed it as unworthy to be mentioned in the same sentence as his "sports car".

More when he returns...

You need to mod furiously whilst he'* gone :P