Introduction

The Pontiac Grand Prix is just one of the many GM cars based on the "W body" platform. This platform has been around since the late 1980's, and this generation of the Grand Prix is based on the second generation of this platform. The Buick Regal, Oldsmobile Intrigue, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Lumina, and Chevrolet Monte Carlo are also based on this platform. The Grand Prix is currently the sportiest model of these vehicles, and is geared toward a younger audience. Tantalizing features such as a supercharged engine, head-up display, a responsive transmission, and alluring styling are just a few of this car's pleasing features. This version of the Grand Prix was available in SE, GT, and GTP sedan trims, as well as GT and GTP coupe trims. Plenty of choices, indeed. But is the car worth it? I personally own the vehicle I'm reviewing in this particular article, so I will give as much detail as I can.

Features

This edition of the Grand Prix was introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model. It was a significant improvement over the existing Grand Prix (also W-based). It included items such as power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control, a driver information center, a V6 engine, antilock brakes with traction assistance, CFC-free air conditioning, an AM/FM Cassette radio, a rear defroster, an automatic transmission with a performance shift mode, and room for five as standard fare. Optional features included a larger engine (and a variant of the larger engine with a supercharger bolted on), a head-up windshield information display, a trip computer, dual-zone automatic climate control, an electrochromic mirror, steering wheel audio controls, a twelve-disc CD changer, leather upholstery with a heated driver's seat, a power sunroof, a power driver's seat, and power mirrors.

Powertrains

The base SE sedan came with a 3.1-liter, 160 horsepower, overhead valve "3100" V6 engine. Although it wasn't very powerful, it had been around for over a decade and had proven to be a trusty performer. This engine was the only Grand Prix engine to feature coolant loss protection, where the engine would pump air in three cylinders and fire the other three to allow the vehicle to travel to a service station in the event of complete coolant loss. Also available as an optional upgrade on the SE was the normally-aspirated 3.8-liter, 195 horsepower, overhead valve "3800 Series II" V6 engine. This engine had been a GM staple since the 1960s, and is known for its dependability. The GT came standard with this 3.8-liter engine, and the GTP came standard with a supercharged variant of this engine, good for 240 horsepower. All three engines were exclusively mated to GM's excellent 4T65-E four-speed automatic transmission. The GTP received a heavy-duty edition of this transmission designed to withstand the extra power of the supercharged powerplant.

Quality (Build/Assembly)

The Grand Prix was assembled at GM's Fairfax, KS assembly plant, which wasn't known for its precision. As a result, the Grand Prix suffered from panels that were installed crooked, or plain not attached properly, both inside and out. Exterior body lines were sloppy and uneven, especially around the hood and fender areas. Interior build quality was much better, with the cabin having very few squeaks or rattles. As the miles have racked up, however, rattles and squeaks have developed everywhere due to the harsh ride. The interior seemed to be screwed together well enough, but hard, cheap, high-gloss plastics abound. The overall result is an interior that looks and feels cheap, especially when equipped with the leather upholstery group, which features hard, "vinyly" leather and rock hard vinyl door panel inserts. Only the seating surfaces of the front seats actually are leather; the back seat is finished completely in vinyl. The interior redeemed itself by providing seats comfortable enough for a living room, and the driver's heated seat and power adjustable lumbar support worked well.

Ride & Drive

Most people can take a few cut corners on the interior plastics if the rest of the driving experience is well above average. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The Grand Prix cornered very well, with little body lean, but the trade-off is a bone-jarring freeway ride that can become quite painful after a few hours behind the wheel. The GTP's engine is very quiet, so long as the upper rev range isn't explored. Even then, the engine emits an aggressive growl that most auto enthusiasts would find pleasing. Idle quality is smooth, but the engine is not particularly quiet at idle. The brakes are somewhat vague, and the ABS system is quite noisy, but the system gets the job done efficiently. The supercharged engine provides nothing short of exhilerating acceleration, with conservative estimates placing the 0-60 run at 6.6 seconds for this car. As is to be expected in a front wheel drive car with this type of power, however, torque steer abounds. It makes full-throttle acceleration something of a struggle to keep the car steady. A rear wheel drive platform would be far better suited to the likes of this engine. The Grand Prix's cabin is intruded upon by plenty of road and wind noise, although it never made conversation difficult. The MagnaSteer variable-effort steering system has a habit of varying the assist level at the most inopportune moments and detracts, rather than adds to, the overall driving experience. This is not to say that the Grand Prix isn't fun to drive, because it is, especially in GTP trim. In the author's opinion, however, it is best as an around-town car. The GTP model isn't recommended for long trips, however, the softer-sprung SE and GT models have far better ride quality, and would be well suited for trips.

Styling

Take one good look at the Grand Prix and you'll likely agree that the styling is downright head-turning. It has a profile like most other midsize sedans out there, but the selective use of fender bulges, bodyside cladding, and roofline rake has given the Grand Prix an identity all to its own. It won't be going out of style any time soon, and it'll turn heads any time of day.

Safety

The 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix features GM's Next Generation frontal airbags, which are designed to inflate with less force than the more traditional units in an effort to reduce deployment injuries. The car receives four out of five stars for both driver and front passenger in government frontal crash testing, an "Acceptable" rating for frontal offset crash testing, and four stars for the rear seat in a side-impact government crash test. In that test, however, the driver's position earned a mere two out of five stars. Side-impact airbags are not available on this model, and nothing was done structurally to correct this poor score.

Features and Accessories-Function

Most of the Grand Prix's features and options work well. The CD changer works quickly and it's nearly impossible to make it skip. The power windows and sunroof operate quickly, but are fairly noisy in their operation. It doesn't give the impression of quality. The driver's heated seat works well, providing uniform heat and two heat settings. The dual-zone automatic climate control also works quite well; it's truly a "set-it-and-forget-it" system. It can be left at one setting, and it will maintain a comfortable cabin temperature all day. The a/c system was also very effective in keeping the cabin comfortable cool on a hot summer day. The audio system sounded quite good, as well, with its graphic equalizer allowing fine-tuning of the audio to suit each driver's tastes. Practical features such as automatic off/on headlamps, adjustable front seat belt anchors, a roomy center console, lots of storage, and cavernous front legroom make the Grand Prix a comfortable and convenient car to drive, if you can stomach the harsh ride (of the GTP model). The power locks and remote keyless entry work well, and the dashboard's integrated trip computer provided quick and accurate fuel and trip information. The included oil-life monitor works well, although extending the mileage between oil changes to 6,500 seems excessive.

My Experience

Based on my own experience, I'm not sure that I could recommend a Grand Prix GTP to friends or family. I've had to replace the steering rack and pinion, have the front end of the car repainted, have a new alternator installed, repair the supercharger, replace the valve cover and oil pan gaskets, replace the water pump, the brake rotors, a transmission solenoid, and two ABS sensors. It's never left me stranded, but these problems are nickel-and-diming me to death. The car is fun to drive for the most part, save for the hard ride, but it's noisy, unreliable, and there are other cars that are a better value for the money. I would only recommend a 2000+ Pontiac Grand Prix or a pre-1997 model. There were too many design flaws from the 1997 redesign that weren't totally worked out until model year 2000.

Recommended:
No

Amount Paid (US$): 10,500
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1998
Model and Options: GTP Automatic, all options