I posted earlier that my Pontiac dealer gave me a 2004 GP GT as a loaner car while the Bonne was in for service for the week.

The car had about 2200 km on it when they gave it to me.

I noticed that it had a series III under the hood...I was not aware that this was in anything other than a SC Bonne...live and learn.

I have not found the new GP GT'* too exciting on the outside...I dont know why, but it seems that they are going backwards in styling.

The throttle is very heavy (hard on the foot for a long drive), and too quick to react which leaves you jumping too easily from a start as well as during light throttle applications in stop and go driving. This was something that I was able to work with after a while, but still found it quite annoying.

Power was more than ample for a n/a. I know this is due to the ligher weight of the GP vs. the Bonne, but i wonder if GM has put something into the electronic throttle to give it a little more snap on tip in, then back off or something. I dont know the power numbers for the series III but I would assume they are the same as the n/a Bonne. Someone will fill me in I am sure.

The interior was quite plain, but not too bad. Steering wheel is nice and well weighted, however, the car is prone to wondering on the highway. Could be the rubber, but something did not seem as planted as it could be.

Gages are fine, but the speedo is really huge

For a GT, I was suprised at the lac of standard options. There wasn't any ABS or traction control. Strange. It was below -30 for a couple days, and I was unable to find a block heater cord. Mind you, the card did start well (as it should).

High speed driving was fine (dont ask). The exhaust and engine noise is a little louder than in the Bonne, and full throttle up to the red line lets you know that things are happening. The car was able to easily maintain 150-160 km/h for extended periods (I was driving on the highway for 4 hours at night...why not let it rip for a while). This car seemed to hang in O/D with the converted locked up even at this high speed with high loads of wind and hills...nice for the long drive.

The brakes were stunning and without fade. High speed (holly sh*t...there is a cop) breaking to sane speeds was well modulated and effective. Brakes felt much stronger than the Bonne (dont know if they are the same or not).

The Driver Information Centre (DIC) was next to useless. You cant see how much oil life was left (although it appears it will tell you if you run out of time), no outside temperature or compas, but you can set the car up for delayed lighting, locks, daytime enhancement (what the hell is that?), and other features. But for information, it was next to useless. There was dual trip meters.

The seats had some of the nicest fabric that I have seen GM use in a while, although the interior was plain-jane. There was not even a map light.

The fog lights were a twist switch thing on the signal stock...easy to operate, but every time you re-started the car, you had to flick the switch again...it would not remember that you wanted them 'on'. When you did have them on, there is a very bright green light on the dash (within the speedo) that tells you they are on. This is irritating at night when you dim the other lights and this stays 'daytime' bright.

I am a tall boy...and with the seat all the way back, my head room was fine...in fact ample, but the kids in the back seat complained about the lack of knee room. It was tight for sure.

I put over 2000 km on it during the 5 days that I had it (trips from Toronto to Windsor, then London, Kingston and Bellville) so I had quite a bit of time to learn about the car...and drive the living crap out of it. The fuel tank seems small, and required frequent filling (sorry, did not get the range). It took about $40.00 with gas at about .71/L to fill when it was indicating empty. Not a good long range car from that point of view.

All in all, it is not a bad car...not a Bonne by any means, but a nice car. If you end up as one as a rental, or as a company car, you should be pleased. If you are going to purchase one, then make sure you go over the options list. With a few more goodies, this could be a nice ride for the buck.

I am pointing out the things I noticed...but dont want to be negative. I did enjoy the car, it was different, but still it could be something I could be happy with.

I can't wait to get my hands on a */C 260 HP version with some toys...now THAT would be a test drive!

Questions? Let me know, I will answer the best I can.

Great writeup!

Good summary, if something ever happens at Delta Faucets, I know that Jim Kenzie is getting on in years

Test Drive on Motoring 2004 with bonnevilledad

hmmm...nice ring to that!

It would be interesting if we have a section where other BC members do our version of write up'* on current year cars they drive! It would be nice to hear some REAL opinions!

And by the way...the resume is ready!

Definately a good writeup!

BTW...the reason it seemed cheap for a GT is because the GT is the bottom of the line version. The GT1 is like the 97-03 SE, the GT2 is like the 97-03 GT, and then the GTP'* are just obvious what they are.

Shawn

I test drove a Comp G a while back... yeah, the interior was bland... but that 260hp more than made up for it

I'll stick with my 305HP and more luxury The insides of the 04 GP'* suck IMO.

I think the dealer won't just hand out a car with tons of options, it'* probably just a rental GM held onto. Sounds like a fun ride though.

those GTP'* are very very fun.. they are tempting sometimes ..nice write up

wonder why GM decided to put the 260 HP in the GTP, and go to the Northstar in the Bonne...to further differ the models I would think?

What HP are they putting the Bonne at with the V-8? 300? Are they now putting the n/a series III in the SE and SLE?

Gee...I had better spend some time on the Pontiac web!