I can only say that you should test drive the GXP and see for yourself how you feel about them. If you like it, the opinion of others isn't as important. However, what others have said about the Northstar powertrain is basically true. When major components or maintenance is required, nearly NO ONE will work on it besides a Cadillac dealer it seems like. Back a while ago I couldn't even get any independant shops to work on my shortstar... they said to take it to a caddy dealer. However, the N* is a more refined engine than the 3800 and while they are running, they seem to be a bit more reliable. As the miles rack up though, they then start to see problems, and often times, the problems cannot be fixed for less than it'd cost to just buy a new engine! The N* is a great engine.... so long as it doesn't break down!

Drag Times.com Will The spread goes from 04 to Tod'* listed as Aug 06. I know the Club has it'* own database but I am trying to compare bone stock models. Even a Gutted airbox helps an SSEi.

I have a concern about that one.

When you see a supposed result of a 1/4 run with no split times other than the ET and MPH, it'* usually an estimate. There is no timeslip to back that 15.4 up, nor any other split times (60', 1/8, etc) to lend any credence. In other words, that time is an estimate made by the poster, probably based on literature from another source. Please also not the PERFECTLY round numbers. 15.400 at 91.000? He didn't run at a track.

The only two DOCUMENTED 1/4 runs witnessed by a member here (INTENSE) is low 15'* for two different GXP'*.

Here'* one tested by motorweek magazine at 16.0 @ 88mph:
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2351a.shtml

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...e_gxp_feature/

PRE-PRODUCTION estimate. It should also be noted that INTENSE dyno'd a GXP (Scott Cook'*) significantly lower than expected, which backs up the 1/4 times being lower than the pre-production estimates.

Your absolutely right. My perfect SSEi got hailed on and totalled. That'* what got me to this problem in the first place. Been there, done that.

Sucks don't it? Then you wake up one morning and find out they're not making your favorite car one earth anymore.

I had the option between my 02 SSEi and a 05 GXP and clearly the performance in the GXP was no match for my SSEi. That'* why I went with my SSEi. Even though she'* a pain in the tush at times (like now) I love her, and I know I made the right choice in buying her.

I don't care about raw speed, but if I can't drive it every day, then I really don't want it. I bought an 86 vette in 88 that was a mint, low mileage car and tried to drive it everyday. BIG MISTAKE. That car was a piece of *$%&. The funny thing was when I showed the car to my Dad he looked at all the electronic junk and said "you'll never get anyone to fix this stuff" and he was right. I had the Chevy dealer tell me twice "we can't fix it, take it to a specialty shop". GM?!?!?!? Unbelievable. I hope the GXP isn't the same, just a Sunday car. I'm still nervous about pulling the trigger. My SSEi was a fairly reliable daily driver, though not faultless.

I can say with confidence that the GXP is not a Sunday car. There are too many people here driving it daily.

Don't sell the Northstar short, its a very capable and sophisticated drivetrain. It can get expensive to maintain, but what do you want, its the flagship drivetrain.

You'll appreciate it for what it can do. Focus on that, not what it can't do.