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2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Review

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Michel Deslauriers
So long, old friend
Introduced way back in 1962, the Grand Prix enjoyed a long and prosperous career. But soon, it will retire at 46 years old and leave its place to the Australian-built Pontiac G8.

Why not keep the name Grand Prix on the new car? Well, GM's performance division is currently in the process of renaming all their models in alphanumeric fashion, just like everyone else is doing. As such, the Wave subcompact will be renamed G3 this fall.

Introduced way back in 1962, the Grand Prix enjoyed a long and prosperous career.

Should you rush to the nearest dealer to get a Grand Prix before it's too late? Well, it depends on what you're looking for in a car.

Tried and tested powertrain
The base Grand Prix gets the 3.8-litre V6 engine, which seems to have been offered in GM vehicles since the Christopher Columbus discovered America. Actually, its roots date back to the '60s, and the latest version is called the 3800 Series III.

With 200 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque, the engine is reasonably modern, thanks to continuous improvements. It's also reasonably fuel-efficient, averaging 11.0 L/100 km during its stay with us.

Mated to a smooth-shifting 4-speed automatic, the V6 provides the Grand Prix with pretty good acceleration; 0-100 km/h takes 7.9 seconds. Bottom line: a well-designed, low-tech engine can still do the job efficiently and reliably in 2008.

Unfortunately, the car's handling is not quite up to the task when the V6 is at full throttle. The Grand Prix has a lot of body roll, and trying to hustle it through corners makes the modest 16-inch tires squeal in mercy. The tradeoff, though, is a very comfortable ride.

Plasticky interior
The Grand Prix's current shape has been around since the 2004 model year, and has received little or no changes since then. Still, I personally find that it's a distinctive design, and stands out from the current crop of mid-size sedans. Ok, it's not a timeless design like the '63-'64 model, or as striking as when the 1988 model came out, but personally, I like its exterior appearance.

With 200 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque, the engine is reasonably modern.
Michel Deslauriers
Michel Deslauriers
Automotive expert
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