But the Grand Prix starts at $34,475, so why should GM worry about premium quality? Maybe because the Honda Accord I took possession of the same day I returned the Pontiac seemed like a $40,000 luxury car in comparison. It's as though Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, and now Nissan, are all starting to receive the benefits of their premium brand quality (Acura, Lexus, Audi and Infiniti respectively) trickling down to all models. Heck, forget about the Japanese, even Chevy's new Korean-built GMDAT (read Daewoo) Epica feels like a luxury car compared to the pricier Grand Prix. While I like what GM is doing by creating distinctiveness between brands, it would be wonderful to see the higher quality Cadillac genes mix with Saturn, Chevy, Pontiac and Buick.
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| The new Pontiac has improved over the 2003 model, but is still left on the sidelines when compared to any Japanese midsize player. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
Something else for Pontiac to consider is, fully loaded the Grand Prix GTP costs over $41,000, pricing it above premium cars such as the Acura 3.2 TL, Audi A4 1.8T quattro, BMW 325i, Chrysler 300M, Infiniti G35, Nissan Maxima SE or SL, Mercedes-Benz C240, Volkswagen Passat GLX, Volvo S60 2.4, and even its own Cadillac CTS and Saab 9-3 models, all of which are much more refined than the Pontiac, while the Jaguar X-Type 2.5, Lexus ES 300 and Lincoln LS, are anywhere from a few hundred to a couple of thousand more. The Maxima is probably closest to the Grand Prix GTP in its general mission, and is cheaper in both base trim and in top trim levels, with more features, almost equal power from a much more refined drivetrain, a way nicer interior, higher resale value, and the list goes on and on. Still, the new Pontiac has improved over the 2003 version, which is at the very least a step in the right direction.
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| Despite its awesome power and adept handling, the 2004 Grand Prix GTP doesn't make the cut. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
I think the previous paragraph goes a long way to answering the question I asked in my previously written Grand Prix preview; will the 2004 model be good enough to woo import buyers? Sorry Pontiac, but I don't think so. Sure its intimidating power and adept handling will bring some Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Nissan buyers down to their local Pontiac dealership, but the Grand Prix's lack of refinement and comparatively high price will quickly turn them away. Unfortunately the new model, even in top-line GTP trim, doesn't come close to the 2004 midsize entries of any Japanese brand, nor Chrysler.
I'd like to say more positive things, as I grew up with a belief that my Mom's '61 Strato Chief Wagon was cool, and then later learned to drive, without her consent, in her scarlet red '69 Parisienne Coupe. The brand, for good reason, holds a soft spot in my heart. But unfortunately, despite its awesome power and adept handling, the new Grand Prix doesn't.
