Again, welcome to my Pontiac Grand Prix page. I have a special place in my heart for
the Grand Prix, probably steming from the countless adventures and great times I had
alone and with friends in my 1995 Grand Prix SE. In fact, we had such a good time that
soon after I aquired the GP, a friend, who had had a tragic loss of his car, decided he would
have one as well. Fate tested his willingness to wait for the perfect car and he was rewarded
with the most heavily optioned 1994 GTP I have ever seen.
We both had great times with our Grand Prixs. While I was forced to sell mine when I moved
to Japan, he still has his. (The one pictured to your right.)
This page is dedicated to the 1994-96 Grand Prix. I hope to provide valuable information to Grand Prix
owners and over all have a good time with it. Please feel free to e-mail me
with any stories, good ideas, or any information you think should be on the site. I'd be happy to read stories about
any Pontiac, but especially Grand Prixs! (If you send me a story, please let me know if it is OK to put it on the page and if
you want your name up with it.)
Testify!
Pontiac embody eptness in general, but GPs won't let you forget it. Here are
some testimonials to that spirit of excelent motoring.
The Beginning of My Pontiac Love Affair
My Pontiac love affair started during my college years when the transmission on my
1990 Nissan Stanza (Nissan Bluebird in Japan) gave out. I needed a car and I had one
day to find one. Way out of the city, I was looking at a used car dealership trying
to find a car for a small bit of cash. We were looking at a 1989 Nissan Stanza, but
it had some issues and high milage. Across from the Stanza stood a Grand Am
(4 cylinder). The dealer mentioned that actually all of the cars an the lot were in my
price range (under $5000... as far under as possible). The Grand Am had been in a wreck
and had some mending to the engine cage. (passenger side) I nodded in appreciation
of the vehicle. My friend had been telling me of the eptness of Pontiacs, so I was
deep in thought... Could this bright blue Grand Am be mine??? Then, from the corner
of my eye, I saw something different and wonderful: A dark blue green 1995 Pontiac
Grand Prix SE. My mind told me the only real thing I knew about the GP at that time:
V6. In disbelief, I asked the dealer, "Is that one in my price range?" "Yes.",
he answered. In fact, it was $200 cheaper than the Grand Am. Why, I wondered. High
millage was the answer. I cautiously asked if I could see the inside. Of course, I could.
The grey interior was opened up before me. The seat swallowed me and took my heart.
Red dials. Steering wheel stereo controls. Leather steering wheel and shifter. Pontiac
Arrowhead in front of me. Love, lust, and disbelief all at once. At length, we got to a
test drive. First impression: it did not move like a car as big as it was. It's handling
caressed me and the engine, though sluggish from sitting so long, whispered sweet notes
in my ear. I must admit that at first I thought is was a shade slower than my Stanza.
This was not the case, as I found out later. But, the ride and the sound had already
ensnared me.
Later, I had to talk my father into helping me with the money. (Originally, he only
wanted to spend $2000. The GP was $4300.) Bless his soul, he agreed. I went to pick up
my '95 GP. Waiting through the paper work was hellish. I wanted to suprise my friends!
It had its faults: the arm rest / storage facility was broken off. (It was there,
but the hinge didn't work. Sad to say, this is common of GPs.) There were several fuse
and access covers missing, but you couldn't see that with the doors closed. It also had
155,700 miles on the odometer. I don't consider this a fault, because it ran beautifully.
And further, it was mine!
In the time I owned it, I learned a lot about it and it's engine. It received a full
tune-up from my friend and I. (I don't think I ever would have gotten the O2 sensor out
without him!) There were several minor upgrades made: K and N air filter, platinum spark
plugs, and painted Pontiac symbols on it's wheels. It should have gotten a better muffler,
but we never got to that (budget). If I had it now, I would really like to upgrade the cam
shaft. (ironic, given the name of the site) I sold it with about 205,000 miles on it
and a bum transmission. (Thanks to Short Pump Transmission who ripped me off big time.
The dealer I sold it to later informed me that there were actually pieces missing from the transmission,
which is why is wouldn't hook-up right in 1st gear. No really, thanks. Next
time, I am learning to rebuild a tranny.) The engine still ran perfectly. Even with the transmission
slipping, it was still completely drivable.
Without a doubt, it was the best car I ever owned.
Why Pontiac?
By Pontification
Seventy-seven years. The United States has seen four major wars,
the Great Depression, twelve Presidents, innumerable technological
innovations, and the remarkable evolution of the automobile.
Seventy-seven years ago, the name Pontiac was bestowed upon a
line of cars under the Oakland marque. The Oakland name is largely
forgotten today, but its offshoot has proven quite successful. In 1926,
Pontiac debuted as one of the lowest priced cars made, yet those
first "Ponchos" introduced over 150 engineering features, a number of
which were soon adopted throughout the industry. They were sporty even
then, with six-cylinder engines that outperformed the competition's
four. Standing out became a Pontiac tradition.
The mantra for the Pontiac division for the past two decades has
been "driving excitement", and indeed, even people who don't care
for Pontiac don't call them boring. People who buy them tend to be
drivers looking for something to spice up their commute, something
more than a Point A to Point B conveyance. In terms of styling, there
have been some cars which appeal to just about anyone- the GTO of the
60s and pretty much any Trans Am- and some that appeal to only a few-
the Aztec is the most recent example. But on both sides of that
spectrum, the point remains clear: these are not yawn-inducing vehicles,
such as the utilitarian Camry or Accord.
This reputation has worked well for Pontiac over the decades, as it
has been third (behind only Chevy and Ford) in sales in the past, and
its Grand Prix and Grand Am models continue to sell in the hundreds of
thousands per annum. It has a devoted following and several magazines
whose subject matter is entirely of Pontiac. Personally, I've owned a
94 Grand Prix GTP for over two years now, and I love it. I've talked
to complete strangers about it merely because they own the same type
of car, and want to know what my experience has been. I dare say that
doesn't happen if you drive a Corolla. That's okay though, because
some people operate cars and some people are drivers. Pontiac owners
are almost by default the latter.
This page is a draft version. Expect updates to follow.
