I had the pleasure of driving a 2005 Bonneville GXP with 30k today for the first time. I haven't been sold on the GXP because I didn't really think it would drive a whole lot different from my car. Obviously the power would be different, but overall I thought it would just feel like a faster version of my car.

First of all, let me say; the cars are two totally different animals. The GXP, in comparison to my SE, is not only faster, but also handles CONSIDERABLY better. Very minimal body roll and it is much more controlled over bumpy roads. It is literally like night and day, it'* THAT much of a difference. Much much more composed. And maybe it'* me, but ingress and egress are MUCH easier...seems like the car rides higher, or the revised seats sit higher?

The car feels more substantial and heavy, probably because the steering is MUCH more heavy than my artificially overboosted car. The engine is wonderful, with a nice throaty growl and a huge punch. However, I wasn't as impressed with the transmission. I hear alot about GMs transmission prowess (hell, BMW purchases them) and maybe it was just this particular car, but I notice it being very sloppy and you can certainly feel the shifts. It feels identical to my 4T65E...the shifts are very noticeable, and the car shudders.

This sort of angered me, because I was just driving my moms 2007 Ford Taurus, and the shifts are BUTTERY smooth, totally imperceptible. This, on a car costing half as much. Also, I was EXTREMELY unimpressed with the radio. Perhaps the speakers in my SE have been upgraded, but I don't think so. I'm no audiophile...but I am a fan of alot of bass, and the GXP'* Monsoon simply has NO bass at all. I have the mid-level stereo, not the basic one, in my SE and people ALWAYS say "What kind of system do you have?" and I say "it'* stock!" They're stunned at how the bass hits your chest. The bass BOOMS and sounds amazing in my SE, but not the GXP? What gives w/ that?

Overall...I was impressed with the difference between the GXP and lesser Bonnevilles, but I was let down by the lack of attention to detail in a car costing that much when new. Still, a VERY nice vehicle This is the car they should have built in 2000.

Thanks for the review. As for the stereo, we do have bass but it is junk bass. Ever notice how sloppy it gets? And when you turn it up, the bass cuts out. The bass does get loud though. I like my bass but I can't take this much longer...

Now go drive an SSEi and a GXP back-to-back.

Yea...I have yet to drive an SSEi..I imagine it'* faster, but I wonder if it feels as refined?

sseis use a powertrain that'* been improving for over 20 years, they are smooth as silk. And before you put a CAI on them they make this cool whistling sound (not loud, just there). Never driven a GXP but plenty of cadillacs with northstars, northstars look good on paper but don't feel as fast as SSEis.

my buddy has a gxp with 25k on it and the trans shifts perfectly, its probably just that car you drove....

as far as the stereo, more than likely it was set for the wrong tone/bass levels because his hits HARD and sounds great.....


My next car is probably gonna be one of them to be honest...

I own both transmissions, and the 4T80E is heads and tails over the 4T65E. The 4T80E shifts properly, shifts softly (almost like the car takes a breath) holds gear when you want it to, and understands what to do in traffic. Its a vastly superior machine in every possible sense, granted my GTP CompG is a totally different animal, but if it came down to choosing one over the other, I'd choose the 4T80E in a heartbeat.

BMW never used the 4T80E from GM, its strictly a Northstar drivetrain.

This is why I wanted a Bonneville GXP over the Comp G but couldnt find one at the time! :(

And after you put a CAI/FWI in it doesn't whistle anymore... It WHINES!!!

wait? Are you stating the 3800 powertrain is smoother then the Northstar powertrain?