I have had the car for a solid month now, as hard as it is to believe. And since I like to write, I'm gonna spout out my musings on this car.

First off....drive-by-wire on a 3800 takes alot of getting used to, even when coming from a vehicle that already has DBW (The Malibu Maxx). I have learned first-hand that engines this big and larger should NOT be driven by anyone who has had little to no driving experience (read: teenager), as torque management will constantly be called upon. Seeing an aluminum upper intake on the motor makes me smile though, as I never have to worry about THAT failing (though this motor DID come with the plastic LIM gaskets...those are getting changed out at first opportunity). Though the reviews I have read say the base 3800 is a dog of a motor, I have to say it isn't a slouch. There'* plenty of torque in the midrange and enough power to get you into trouble if you aren't careful.

The handling of the car is pretty good...though with better tires, I'm sure it could be better. For FE2 suspension, it sure is soft. Interstate driving is where this suspension shines like monkey butt.

I like the exterior treatment, though I am not fond of the driving lamps. I also think the rear tails could have been done in a darker red, but since I am not on any comittee on what things should look like, I suppose those issues are liveable. I like the 90-degree swing of the rear doors. I do NOT like the fact that the hinges do not have internal rubber bump stops at the 90-degree setting...rust has quickly set in where the worn paint areas are. I also like the fact that the rear windows go all the way down.

The interior of my car is black w/black leather seating. Florida heat turns those seats into butt blisterers. But once the heat subsides, the seats are comfortable...though the front seats are for some reason more comfortable in the Maxx. It took me a few minutes to figure out the trunk release, but now I just rely on the clicker. The base stereo sucks majorly, and there is no real way to upgrade it based on my research. But the five-button DIC is a nice touch, though I wish there were more gauge options on it...like...I dunno...OIL PRESSURE. That would have been a good one to have.

Overall, I'm glad I bought this car used. It'* alot of car for the money I paid for it, and it'* optioned very well for it being an SE model. It *should* last a long time Mods, not sure where to put this little story...it'* a toss-up between lounge and other ride in my eyes...so move it if you see fit to.

Sounds like a nice car. I test drove a GXP grand prix once and I thought it was pretty nice inside. That car had mucho wheel spin when you jumped off the line so I am sure the 3800 is much nicer on the tires. Did you post any pics here of your car because I would like to see it. Yeah DBW does take some getting used to and I have the feature in my BMW and on the F150 surprisingly.

Well good luck with the car and have fun driving it.

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=96900

I detailed the hell out of it once we got word everything got approved. But now that it'* bug season...it needs it again. But I did get those exhaust tips to shine up real purty-like.

I agree with a lot of your points and I have the fully loaded offering from the 2004 MY. However, my comparisions are based on a vehicle that is heads and tails over any Grand Prix.

The number one thing that I do NOT like about the GTP is the transmission. As city speeds, or moderate traffic, the transmission does not know what it wants to do. It goes into 4th at approx 67 kph, but when dealing with traffic, its all over the place between 2, 3 and 4. The shifts are aggressive, but its purpose built to be very quick and would have to be designed as such for those who have paid for GTP power and CompG handling.

I'm forced to use the TapShift in a lot of city driving scenarios. Whereas with the 4T80E and the uber programming in my Aurora, everything is intuitive and it seems to understand me as a driver.

I'm glad Pontiac addressed the interior on the 04+ GP, the HUD is highly advanced and the fold down seats are very nice to have, especially for those odd times when I need to transport long items.

I loved the heads up in the GXP I drove almost as nice as the BMW version imho

My son'* got an 04 GT2. Nice car with two tone interior, leather seats, and a whole lot more torque than the bonneville'*. It must be the fly by wire tuning. I think 05 and up got cast rods.

On the DBW subject, both my parent'* 06 solstice, and my 06 GTI have it, both are ok. I don't notice it much in the GTI since the transmission is so quick between shifts and the computer is blipping/closing the throttle for perfect rev matching.

On the Sol, It seems a bit laggy off the line, but while driving it'* normal. In reality it'* probably due to me being used to the crazy tip-in throttle of my L27 with intake/massaged TB in my SE, and the Ecotec being a somewhat slow revving 4 cyl with it'* power much more into the rpms.

It was quite funny when the tech guy on my car @ Autocross was digging on the back of my motor near the intake track, he looks up at me, "throttle cable is where?" I told him to not bother he wont find the silly wires

Slightly lighter car, stiffer suspension in the rear than you're used to in B'villes as well..

I wanted to ask, where does it stand with a 95-99 Bonneville equipped with the L36. i would ask you, Brad but you only have a L27 so...

But Don does have a L36...