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04+ GP = Not Cool?

X

xerxescct

New member
Ever since I got my 04 gtp I have been doing alot of readings on alot of different material from where the GP was first born all the way up to its death this year. What I seem to gather is that tuners seem to sway tword the 97-03 GP and that the 04+ is "Grandpa's GP". All the youtube videos show of the 97-03. Car show Pics all point to that era. And even alot of the ClubGP compilations all feature 90 percent of the GP's in that era.

Do most of you guys here consider them inferior to the pre 04's? On the road in my area I very rarely see an 04+ gtp or gxp. I see alot of base model grand prixs though. But I see a ton of pre 04 gtp's all over the place.

In my personal opinion I like the looks of the 04+ better than the pre generation. The only thing I dont like on my current GP is that the front facia is really mild and flat when I would prefer the ram air look from the pre 04's. Nothing im sure a body kit wouldnt fix.

Im just looking for opinions here. Did all the performance and tuners give up on the 04+ and only seek the pre 04's. Or are the performance 04+ just harder to find?

Thanks!
 


I don't know about everyone else, but I purchased mine way back in 99 and feel in love with it. I have had no reason to move on to a newer model.
 
Most everything that works on a 97-03 works on a 04+


But yeah, I don't really like the 04+. I think that body style ultimately killed the Grand Prix name.
 
The problem I feel with the 04+ there was no 2 door model.
The real grand prix's I feels are the 2 door models. Up until they came out with the W body there was no such thing as a 4 door GP.
I personally love the older GP's '69-70,82-87 and of course 94-96 and 89-90 TPG's.
I think they totally messed up the GP having no 2 door model. It took the sportyness out of the car only having the 4 door.

When ever I talk to some one at a car show that has a 97-03 they always say that the 89-96 GP's got them into it because of the looks but they got a 97-03 because of the performance. The 97-03 GP are nice but need a little personalization other wise they look like any other car. But on the later 92-96 GP they have a look all of there own.
The only thing wrong with the 89-96 GP's is the engine.

I like the features of the newer GP's but the looks of them need a little help like a after market hood and stuff.
Don't get me wrong I would love a 08 GXP GP but it would be a family car.
 
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I agree with the sentiment here. I dont care for the 04+ styling. I like the 97-03 and even the body style before that. In fact I kinda like the body style before the 97-03 years a bit more. It seemed a tad more aggressive to me.
 


I fail to see what's sportier about the 2-door over the 4-door. It's just an archaic mentality. Both would handle the same and the weight difference is negligible. I like having a 4-door because 2-doors use a longer door that's heavier and I get tired of closing it. Plus it's easier for people to get in the back seats.

Personally, the exterior of the 97-03s is better than the 04+. What kept me from buying a 97-03 GP was the ****ty interior, which is better in the 04+ but I'm still not wild over it.

Something else enthusiasts don't like about the 04+ GP is that the GTP has 20 more HP but so much torque management it's no faster than its predecessor.
 
there is plenty of people that tune the 04 plus. i agree it did go to more of a "family car look" but i get complimented on how good my car looks all the time! and yea alot of people dont even really know what it is but they know whats under the hood when i come by :D and thats the main thing for me.

when i was looking for another gp, i wanted a gtp. i had an 06 (that i wrecked) and i wouldent have minded going to the 97-03 gtp just because i wanted the supercharger but now that i have my 04 i absuletly LOVE it and would not trade it for anything!

to me the styling has to grow on you. either you love it or you hate it. when i got my first gp i was looking at cars and i skiped right over it but once i went back and took time to look at it i really liked it.

plenty of tunning out there tho, dont fear that.
 
sheet i love my 06, its bigger, bulkier, and in my opnion, Meaner looking as well

I put em next to my dads 00 model :

2Generations.jpg


c'mon now my 06 is ****tin' on 'em
 


I have a 98 and an 06. I like the interior layout of the 06 better, but I like the overall styling of the 98 much better. just seems to work better for me.
 
There's something else you have to consider. The 97-03's are cheap enough that (for better or worse) plenty of people can afford to buy and mod them to their heart's content. A lot of 04+'s are still either under warranty, or are still with their first owner who bought it as a family car/DD, not a race or show car. Give it a couple more years, and I'm sure the 04+ will have a larger following.
 
Warhellride said:
There's something else you have to consider. The 97-03's are cheap enough that (for better or worse) plenty of people can afford to buy and mod them to their heart's content. A lot of 04+'s are still either under warranty, or are still with their first owner who bought it as a family car/DD, not a race or show car. Give it a couple more years, and I'm sure the 04+ will have a larger following.
Click to expand...

So why was there such a large following already for the 97-03 body style back in the late 90's when everyone was buying their cars brand new from the dealer with no miles and a warranty?
 
Sabrewings said:
I fail to see what's sportier about the 2-door over the 4-door. It's just an archaic mentality. Both would handle the same and the weight difference is negligible. I like having a 4-door because 2-doors use a longer door that's heavier and I get tired of closing it. Plus it's easier for people to get in the back seats.

Personally, the exterior of the 97-03s is better than the 04+. What kept me from buying a 97-03 GP was the ****ty interior, which is better in the 04+ but I'm still not wild over it.

Something else enthusiasts don't like about the 04+ GP is that the GTP has 20 more HP but so much torque management it's no faster than its predecessor.
Click to expand...
those that think a 2 door is sportier never got walked by a wagon.

cant the tq management be over-rided?

I have an 07, i like the interior, really like the front and rear end styling then the previous years.

my buddy has a 01 GTP, he likes my 07 alot better especially in the interior aspect and the front/rear styling. the center looks pretty much the same however the rear doors have an upswing to them on the body lines.

Mine is just a base sedan, I got two kids, have owned many fast cars and 4x4's now its time to play daddy and have the luxury of 90 degree rear door opening.
 


First off, let me start by saying that I love both body styles. I think that most people who say they don't like the 04+ have a problem mainly with the styling of the front end; the 97-03 body has a much more aggressive look from the front.

I always say to my wife that if we ever won the lottery, I would keep the GP as my daily driver, but take it to Chip Foose and have him fabricate a new front clip that more closely resembles the 97-03 body.
 
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