I got home from school today and was reading a Car & Driver article when my mom got home and was like, "lets go to Davis Pontiac, I want to see what they have for new cars there." I was like....you gonna buy me a GTO or something? My mom was like, whats a GTO. I was pretty ashamed at that point that she didn't know what a GTO was, but anyways. I didn't have any idea why we were going there, because we don't need any more cars. So on the way there she is explaining to me how the car is starting to get into the higher mileage (it rolled over 98,000 today) and she still owes $11,000 on it, and if she can sell it for $11,000 and buy a new car with the same or smaller payment as she has now, then she may as well get a new car. Made sense to me.

So anyways we get there, and start talking to the salesperson we always talk to (that is the dealer we buy all our new cars from). My mom told him what was going on, so he started showing her Pontiacs in the $30-35,000 range. Well, guess what cars those are. The Bonneville SLE (ewww...yuck, no supercharger), the Grand Prix GTP Comp G (yup, I was liking that), and the GTO (at this point, I was like HELL YEAH!). My mom decided she doesn't really want a Bonneville because she doesn't want an SLE because it wouldn't have enough power for her, and she doesn't want a GXP because we don't really want the northstar, we prefer pushrod engines a little better. (which BTW the dealer verified that it is a 4.6L Northstar producing 275hp and 300lb.ft. for those of you that weren't sure what the powertrain in that was supposed to be)

So then we start looking at the GTP Comp G, and my mom thought it was pretty nice, but she said there was just something about the car she didn't like. She wasn't sure what, she just wasn't too fond of it.

So then we start looking at the GTO...now I'm interested. The problem my mom was having with that is it is RWD and it is a 2 door. The RWD is somewhat of a problem because of the snow (and she would be driving the car year round), but you just have to be a little more careful is all. She likes the 4 door because she basically works out of her car and it is more convienient for her to have a 4 door. She was liking the 350hp, the interior (which might I add looks awesome), and the color combinations available (she would be ordering the car, so she can get any combination she wants). Unfortunately my mom has never learned how to drive a manual, and doesn't have any desire to learn, so it would be an automatic. Still sweet as hell, but a 6 speed would be more enjoyable (although probably not near as practical for an everyday driver especially with the ~800-1000 miles a week my mom drives). Anyways, she hasn't ordered anything yet, or even decided if she is definately going to be even getting a new car, but she is considering it. As much as I love the SSEi, I think it would be BAD as hell to have a GTO...especially if it were my moms. I can see my dad driving around in one (only his would be a 6 speed), but I can't exactly picture my mom driving one everyday.

Shawn

that'* be freakin awesome to own a GTO. have her take it for a test drive and see if she REALLY likes it.

SSEi vs GTO
Tough choice.... touch choice.....

But either way you win.... so it isn't all that bad

MOM, KEEP THE SSEi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then again, how much you want for it?

heres what you need to do:
1. Buy the GTO with a manual
2. Steal the GTO and make her drive your car

My parents went back to Davis Pontiac tonight. I guess they are debating between a GXP & GTO, but they are leaning towards the GXP mainly because my mom doesn't want a 2 door. They would have to order both of them, so I am waiting to see which one they order, if they order one today. Either car would be really sweet, the GTO would be sweeter, but the GXP would still be a VERY sweet ride. Whichever they decide to get, pictures will be posted and you guys will be infomed... The more I look at the GXP the more appealing it is.

Shawn

Bonneville GXP.... Extreme Luxuary with Extreme Attitude.
2004 GTO.... Muscle Car is back for the 21st Century.

I seriously envy you dbtk2.....
Like I said before... either way you win.

Nothing wrong with the Northstar

Well, my parents have decided on a Grand Prix. The GTO & GXP both have to be ordered, which means a 6 week wait, plus they cut out 3 of the available colors for the GXP. So, they decided on a 2004 Grand Prix GTP Comp G, Black with dark grey leather interior, and the chrome package, so it will have the chrome exhaust tips. It won't have to be ordered, because according to the dealer, there are a number of them within ~100 miles that they could get. Not to mention with the improvements made for the '04 modely year, it is a much nicer car now. The nice thing is it will be ~$150 a month cheaper than the SSEi currently is, so it will cost us less money to get a brand new Comp G then it would to keep driving hte SSEi. It will be Grand Prix number 5 for us...can't wait to bring them all to a club event!

Shawn

Ah well...the CompG is quite nice...will you be able to get used to the paddle shift?

And will you be sticking around this neck of the woods?