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Pontiac :: Testimony
OK. Its not a real word, but through the principle of common usage, it will become one. This is a word I use often (everyday) with those whom this word describes. So, it seems odd for me to talk about Pontiacs without using this word. Be aware, as I will be using this word on the site. In fact, be aware regardless. The Beginning of My Pontiac Love AffairMy 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 more than 205,000 miles on it and a bum transmission (thanks to Short Pump Transmission who ripped me off big time. Next time, I am learning to rebuild a tranny). The engine still ran perfectly. Without a doubt, it was the best car I ever owned. It is in the spirit of Pontiac Eptness that I put up this site dedicated to the Grand Prix and the so often ignored 3rd generation Trans Am. 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. |
