1998 Pontiac SLP Grand Prix GTX Ram AIr | Retro Review

Our friends at Street Legal Performance loved making Pontiacs even more EXCITING!. I'd sure love to see Pontiac come back as GM's luxury performance division...and maybe Cadillac reverting back to just luxo barges-Ben
Show 1801 | Original Airdate 08-09-1998
Want to help keep our weekly Retro Reviews alive? DONATE NOW: mptevents.regfox.com/motorweek
Follow us on social media:
Facebook ( / motorweektv )
Twitter ( / motorweek )
Instagram ( / motorweek

[@vwbora26]

This car being 24 years old I think it still looks good by todays standards

[@lawrencedorfman5543]

AGREE

[@carrsllccarrillo6507]

2nd on that!

[@chaztitan6457]

current cars are so ugly

[@carrsllccarrillo6507]

@@chaztitan6457 I think the underlining problem with today's designing departments is that they are not passionate enough to come up with meaningful styling that would tug on the heartstrings of today's buyers. But rather design a vehicle that is pratical enough to help meet the status quota. With the exception of performance vehicles ( dometically: the mustang, c8 vette, charger/ challenger) I really can't see a sedan/coupe that is comparable like the Grand Prix's styling, handling, & performance in today's market and since all the rave now is about going towards SUVs and EVs, the aesthetics has really taken a back seat which has removed any form of designing a vehicle with character.

[@HAL-dm1eh]

@@carrsllccarrillo6507 I think it's a combo of that, and they're giving people what they think people want (which is their job of course) and people are so into their smartphones and everything "digital" they're out of touch with real world style and frankly, good art in general (because car design is an art IMO). So designers aren't getting the feedback they should be getting, either.

[@jamessteven526]

I still remember the "Wider is Better" advertisements of the late 90's and early 00's. Pontiac was cool back then. Now, not so much lol. I'm old 😂😂😂😭😭

[@thetechlibrarian]

Me too and they where not any wider than a accord really

[@Saltinator]

i remember that commercial, its 70" wide.... yeah, so is my 1.6 econobox. its 70" wide too.

[@ivanillyinch8902]

If I recall it was trade marked, time being the ultimate test there are still a good number of these on the roads and running fine to this day. Compared to the problems and cost or owning the successor 3.6 ohc that replaced the gm 3000 series v6s these are gems that people are clueless to, as the main concerns for drivers now is will their iPhone connect and will the car drive for them due to a lack of oxygen to the brain 😹. RIP pontiac you were canadas car 😥

[@hakeemsd70m]

Pontiac is very cool today, at least to me! I turn my head whenever I see them on the road, whether it be Grand Prix, Grand Am, Firebird, GTO, or any other Red Arrow car. I love my 2005 Grand Prix. I wish she didn't have so many problems, but that has way more to do with the previous owner care than the car itself.

[@edwoll]

The 3800 V6 was one of the best and reliable engines that GM ever made.

[@JGTVideos]

That’s why whenever I go get another used car I want it to have a 3800 in it. They’re just great for daily driving for me.

[@fernandorocha8459]

The 3800 V6 is durable engine

[@lawrencedorfman5543]

ABSOLUTELY

[@ajpeg.1]

had and loved it, put 230k on one and got another engine to replace it after 250

[@Jewishkowboy]

I had a 2000 GP GT and that engine was great 👍

[@joshthemediocre7824]

I always like this body style Grand Prix..the widetrack really did make it look aggressive. My Senior year of HS a girl in my class got a new GTP for graduation and it was just as fast as the 93 5.0 LX. Mustang i owned at the time, we raced after school all the time back then.

[@GreatBirdOfHope]

You had a mustang in HS? Rich boy lol

[@Dutil48]

Yeah but the 1993 5.0 Mustangs had 205hp "only". I love this Pontiac tho, huge GM fan here.

[@wob6776]

@@GreatBirdOfHope I mean, let's say she got a new GTP in 02, the Mustang was 9 years old by then and probably wasn't that expensive. A lot of parents these days buy their kids luxury SUVs that wouldn't seem like it but are way more costly. Heck people thought I was rich for owning a 12 year old Trans Am in high school but I paid half of what the people around me's parents paid.

[@Lucille69caddy]

I had a ‘93 5.0 as a rental once. No WAY that car was as fast as my ‘02 GTP. It was an automatic, so maybe that had something to do with it.

[@modelmanjohn]

That fantastic 3800 engine.

[@applepoop10]

Unfortunately GM stupidly killed it and replaced with the 2.7L V6 and later the 3.6L pentastar V6.

[@inomad]

@@applepoop10 pentastar is Mopar

[@fry.master]

@@applepoop10 both of those are chrysler engines lol

[@BigWheel.]

@@applepoop10 GMs first mistake was using those chrysler engines, I had a Ford silverado with the hemi, absolute junk thanks honda...

[@mikeoxinya570]

Can't kill that engine

[@dodgeguyz]

Pontiac always had the best handling cars even without aftermarket builders!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Except for Olds 442...

[@shutdown8947]

I had an 89 Grand Prix it was quick and handled very well!

[@IndyF1FanMarquis]

I've had a few GP's over the years including my current '99 GTP, but I've always wanted either a Special Edition or the GTX. They are so hard to find these days, and if you do, they're usually clapped out. I'm fairly certain that factory GTX are the rarest GP's, especially stage 3 cars.

[@p.g.koolin642]

Super rare

[@IndyF1FanMarquis]

@Thor Odin son Sure they are, if you want one that's been beat to hell. But a clean car, not necessarily with low miles is gonna run at least $10k to $15k; if you can find one. I've seen clean Daytona 500 editions at around $10k.

[@qim_]

My pops has a special edition loved it since I was a kid

[@SimpleAsBDCs]

We had two GTP’s when I was growing up one was a two door cool cars…

[@markpomerhn76]

I had a Pontiac 88' Trans Am GTA and it was such a grande car. My favorite of all time.

[@chriskrueger8225]

I had an 89 with t-tops and the 5.7 350. I bought it about 9 years ago. I got rid of it 6 years ago. I am still kicking myself!

[@markpomerhn76]

@@chriskrueger8225Wow! I bought mine brand new off the lot in 89' and I test drove all the sports cars available at the time and it just drove like a gem and felt the best.

[@chriskrueger8225]

@@markpomerhn76 they are awesome cars. I will have another one day. I was born in 1972 and wanted one since 1987.

[@carrsllccarrillo6507]

Owned a flame red '89 GTA 350 with tops. Became the 3rd owner and it only had 40k on it at the time. I did what I could to take care of it from 2003 to 2010. However, it was a sad day when I had to let it go. It left my posession with 90k.

[@chillville2938]

I love my 02 Grand Prix GTP, put a lot of love, money, and mods into her

[@NFSMAN50]

I always loved the Grand Prix! This car still looks amazing today!

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for posting this GM from another GM brand. Pontiac was trying its best back then. It was during this time the Grand Prix and Bonneville seemed so close in terms of size and features.

[@charlessynowiec3876]

pontiac is better than chevy but gm couldn’t let that happen esp w the idea of the camaro coming back. if only they moved holden over to the US as Pontiac full time

[@georgeharleydavidsonrider156]

It’s hard to believe the Pontiac is gone.

[@slicaltimistic1]

You can thank the bailout from the Government by GM because going bankruptcy.

[@SnarkyRC]

Yeah same with Oldsmobile

[@Iroc3132]

If these came intercooled from the factory and had 4T80s they would have been crazy quick and reliable. If you were easy on the 4t65 and didn't slap a supercharger pulley on it right off the bat, these were really great cars.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

91 MPH in the 1/4 sez those "260 HP" aren't all in there...

[@Lucille69caddy]

@@BuzzLOLOL Oh yes they are! 1) Like Iroc3132 stated, the trans in these cars held them back big time. They are also the weak link of the powertrain. Under WOT, 2nd gear takes an eternity to shift. The car wants to go, but it’s being held back. An intercooler is also a must because on extremely hot days, there’s an immense lack of power due to KR. My well maintained 217k ‘02 GTP is stock other than a drop in K&N filter and I notice it big time. On damp, cool days (around 60 degrees) my car runs really well. MW is notorious for achieving the slowest times of all the car rags. Bone stock @ 900 miles my GTP did 15.0 @ 93 mph. Not even broken in yet. Temps were in the upper 70s at the time. With a 4T80 trans easily lop off 3-4 tenths, if not more.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@Lucille69caddy - 1980's Camaro/Firebird with less HP are quicker and faster...

[@Lucille69caddy]

@@BuzzLOLOL With the GTP governed @ 112 mph, of course the Camaro will be faster.

[@fatman1288]

i never understood why the lsj cobalt ss's were intercooled but not l67's it made no sense!

[@ianlerma8110]

I currently own a 99 Grand Prix GT. It was my first car and I absolutely love it. I’m hoping one day I can find myself a nice GTP with the GTX package

[@catjudo1]

That slalom test looked like the car was wallowing around on 12 psi per tire.

[@pdennis93]

Yeah I noticed that too. That thing body rolled like a 70s cadillac.

[@Lianpe98]

It wallowed hard but somehow looked very agile at the same time to me

[@yooooo6296]

ZZP Sway bars will fix that

[@BeeABaw]

Yeah the body roll is way exaggerated than normal.

[@fabiolas4]

I loved mine, had it for 11yrs! Best car I've ever had bar none........

[@MrLlama-rc8nj]

I work with a GM tech who has one of these and it's awesome

[@popanz25]

Love this generation of Grand Prix. Timeless design.

[@CJColvin]

We had a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT with the 3800 Series V6 and it drove great and handle great but it just didn't hold up over time as it kept breaking down.

[@CJColvin]

​@L W The Old school GTOs and the old school Grand Prix's are definitely much better looking than the modern Grand Prix's, Grand AM's, and GTOs.

[@j_ro]

@@CJColvin everything Pontiac did is old school now

[@thatoneguy985]

I've always like these cars. Now I really want one. I didn't know they had a HUD

[@shinobusensui9395]

Yea, mine stopped working after a while

[@IndyF1FanMarquis]

@@shinobusensui9395 It's a bear to repair them, but thankfully the large community around these cars have figured out how to do it practically.

[@DUNEATV]

I was a service advisor at Biddolph Pontiac GMC in Glendale Arizona during these years. Always thought these cars were cool and the engines held up quite well. We always had problems with the interior electronics and air conditioning systems.

[@ramoncarter6585]

Pontiac had it going on in the good old days these are the Pontiac automobiles loved Grand Prix, Firebird, Grand AM and Bonneville. These GPs were some good looking sporty cars just like a German import couple weeks watching some videos of old school Pontiac's. Still see one of these every once awhile my aunt used to love these she wanted one so bad doing time.

[@SportsMusicCars]

i have a 2002 grand am gt that still works... handles better than 95% of cars, too

[@devinbiz]

Was expecting a sub 7 time to 60, but still quite impressive for the 90’s

[@metop33]

It was actually faster than that. 0 to 60 for a stock GTP was 6.6 sec. So I assume this GTX was probably about 6.3-ish? Most know that motor week has never been the best for reliable 0 to 60 times or 1\4 times. If you ever watch the retro 4th GEN Trans Am or Camaro SS they record the time to be around 14 second quarter mile which is ridiculous.

[@Saltinator]

i was thinking 7.1 is pretty darn slow for having 260hp/280tq

[@HAL-dm1eh]

@@metop33 Yea Motorweek is more a car enthusiast thing and they drive it in a way more oriented toward how everyday people would. Car and Driver was a step up on 0-60 times and then there was another magazine I forgot what their name was and they'd get the best times. Then again, they were dumping clutches at 4K rpm's, etc.

[@tripledub0evoxgsr]

Mid to low 6 sec to 60 , motor trend always it’s slow mer times than it gets

[@bobdole1570]

My mom had a 97 GT and I’d go pay the $5 to get on New Smyrna beach where ya could cruise in your car, great monsoon sound system in it, those were the days haha

[@WSNO]

Dude track down another one. Life's too short to waste on cars that don't make you feel like that.

[@aomar9449]

I had a friend with a similar year GTP, I loved the styling both in and out, and the ample torque in any gear was awesome! Couldn't stand the build quality and certainly don't miss the brake pedal feel tho.

[@RetroKingOG]

Did anyone realize this thing offered heads up display. Gotta be one of first production vehicles to offer that. Pontiac I believe was the first to introduce that feature on a project car in 1992, called the banshee. Unfortunately that didn't come into production, so they trickled that feature down to other vehicles.

[@candycorn04]

15.3 @ 91? I took my stock 2000 GTP without the SLP ram air and cat back to the strip and ran 14.69 @ 94.11. Then added a cold air intake, U bend exhaust delete, and a smaller pully to run a 13.80 @ 99.55.

[@austinfrazier7325]

SLP didn’t have the balls to put real mods

[@tn18977]

That's what I thought. Just the regular supercharged ones were doing 60 in under 7 seconds.

[@gavinvalentino6002]

Damn, Tom, it's so fast it knocked the *e* out of your *pull* *y.*

[@candycorn04]

@@gavinvalentino6002 😆

[@allgoodwoods219]

I use to love these Grand Prix’s!

[@l.e.miller1208]

For like 4 years Pontiac was Pontiac again, and it was awesome.

[@Jasoncruze.]

I just got my mom's gtx after she passed away. Has some rust on the running boards ,but still in very good shape

[@WBodyTech]

I need to add this one to my collection of W-Bodies

[@michaelthompson4178]

Love these cars, always wanted that slp GTX hood for my gtp. These engines would last forever, just replace the intake gaskets. Wish I lived in a warmer state, then maybe mine wouldn't have rusted out. 1 or the most reliable engines GM ever made. Owned a 97gtp 2dr, 00gt 4dr and a 07 gt supercharged. Was gonna give my 07 to my son, that car was super reliable and easy to work on. Too bad I ended up crashing the car. Had spo grilles, special edition front lip upgraded sway bars, strut tower brace, zzp intake, couple other go fast parts. That car was loaded, had a lotta options for back in the day Sunroof, heated leather, remote start, heads up display in dash nav

[@johnreich7595]

I just picked up a 98 GP GT with 85K miles. Sat in the garage since new. What a great looking, riding, handling car. I'm really impressed how well it handles from the factory.

[@brianreardon7700]

100% agree.. great looking car! Even now

[@flacjacket]

My first car was an '01 Grand Prix GT. I loved that car, but looking back now from behind the wheel of my 3DR Sierra Cosworth, 958.2 Porsche Cayenne, or MK7 Golf R I think it best not to drive one again lest I break my rose tinted glasses. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[@trsgringo]

I always liked the 97-03 Grand Prix GTPs, but I never got around to getting one. I had a '92 and '95 Bonneville, and my next Pontiac was a 2006 GTO.

[@boostedcrxvids]

that is so nice with the wide arches!!!!

[@davidhavard1908]

I had a 2001 z28 and my buddy had this and he would hang with me til about 70 80 that car was underrated

[@davidhavard1908]

He did have a after market exhaust and a upper pulley tho

[@nickn7939]

@@davidhavard1908 holy shit i didn't know they were that quick, i had a 99 z28 and always tried to find one of those to race, almost raced a 540i with a 6speed that some bolt ons, but he turned away, wondered how i would have faired.

[@beretka1389]

Im in love... Nice car from 90s

[@danjenkins8981]

Love these

[@jaydixon9452]

If this thing had the corvette engine it would have been the scat pack of the day

[@justsomeguy1230]

I miss my 97 GP GT coupe. Thing just flat out refused to die, even when it had issues.

[@slicaltimistic1]

Pontiac cars ages very well.

[@antoniojones8399]

I have a 97 gp gtp, and an 06 gto. I still enjoy driving the prix!!

[@alextsahalis6984]

7.1 seconds from 0-60? Hmmm, I was a really expecting it to be a lot quicker!

[@aomar9449]

4 long gears plus soft suspension will eat up 0-60 times, in comparison my Acura TL with 258 hp and less torque can reach 60 in just over 6 seconds.

[@RegM86]

Bear in mind these numbers are in high humidity temp’s. MT got about 6.5 sec 0-60 time in Southern California.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

@@RegM86 MT uses correction factor, i.e. the actual number is seldom obtained, just calculated using a formula to compensate for weather and altitude to optimal conditions. MW uses real world testing without fudging the numbers. It's like saying, "I only got 88% for the exam but if I slept better, didn't have a headache, and ate before the test I could've got a 97% so I'm going to be quoting that to everyone instead of 88%".

[@thsarethbreaks]

I would love to find one of these with Comp G suspension package

[@volvo1971]

Pontiac needs to come back. Only cars, not SUVs.

[@gsxellence]

I miss our old 98 GP GT I want one now 🥺

[@ic1815]

Coincidence that RCR posted a Camaro SLP earlier in the week? I’d like to think not. Always wonder “why are so many of these dead now?” and then I heard 4T65E, and it makes sense. Always forget these also had that horrible transmission. And yes, the lovely drivers-only heated seat. You want a passenger heated seat? Buy a Bonneville.

[@fiiv3s]

Yea if only these had a 4T80

[@SportsMusicCars]

@@fiiv3s the added weight and cost would have slowed things down. That trans was like 2x as expensive and meant for V8s.

[@firebird5288]

I always like the design of the late 90's Grand Prixs. I've got a loaded, low milage 1998 Firebird with the Y87 performance package and 88,500 miles on the 3800 V6. Would've been cool of Pontiac offered the turbo 3800 in the Firebird.

[@brandonplaisted8194]

Had 2 of these thru the years. My main complaint is that as the front doors got more and more older the fenders starting binding more to the doors to the point where me and my Dad had to pop the fender lip out around the front of the doors just to get out. I hated how the body design caused these grand prix to get discontinued compared to mid 90's and back. how I miss the 3800 compared to the 4 banger turbos nowadays from the factory it's a shame that when Pontiac died so died the the 3800 series motor.

[@mrfld]

I loved this car. Never had one. Wanted one. Crazy my 4cyl, 187hp Mazda 6 does 0-60 in 7 seconds.

[@elroycooley398]

I had a 2003 grand am ram air gt I love that car

[@lukemeier1853]

The biggest thing that turned me off about Pontiacs at that time was the gray buttons on the dashboard that were almost puffy looking. It made the whole interior look cheap...

[@capricechild92]

Nerf buttons. Lol. Thanks Chrysler. So nickelodeon 90s.

[@BigWheel.]

I like em, they're great if you're wearing gloves in the winter.

[@lukemeier1853]

@@BigWheel. good for you, no one agreed with you that's why they're out of business. They're ugly you have no taste.

[@lukemeier1853]

@@thirdstar9255 Good description....

[@constantbuzz]

You had to of had a crappier car prior to like them. I had a GTP for 22 years and 224K miles- just glad none of them stopped working.

[@desmondmitchell5387]

That is a great looking car

[@cub1009]

I love my 2000 GTP.

[@R3AL-AIM]

My buddy had a Daytona GTP with some bolt-ons in high school and just about a year ago, sold my wives 07' GT Supercharged. I had an 05' base sold right before that. Always loved the look of these SLP cars. A silver one local to my parents and it sounds so good. Definitely a decent down pipe/exhaust.

[@shinobusensui9395]

I had a Daytona GTP. Other than the transmission, I felt like that car could go on for a long time

[@Pigeuns]

My first car was a 2003 GTP. Ran into a guy that was selling parts of a GTX and i bought the hood for $200 AND it matched my silver one. Had the GTP with the ram air GTX hood and it was so damn beautiful. And with the straight pipes, OOOOOOO BABY. I was setting off car alarms left and right 😂 Loved that damn car.

[@CPAJayhawk]

SLP did some cool stuff in the early 90s, but was hardly more than an appearance package by the end of the decade… probably why they didn’t stick around

[@jamessteven526]

Honestly, they sold very well. GM killed them because of Buick being one of the best selling brands in China, as well as the fact Pontiac was strictly a US brand and Buick is sold in several countries. Chinese car buyers see Buick as the equivalent to a Mercedes, believe it or not. Since WW2, Buick is associated with "American Luxury" in China and they LOVE their Buicks. That's why they killed Pontiac and not Buick.

[@CPAJayhawk]

@@jamessteven526 I was talking about SLP

[@CPAJayhawk]

@Thor Odin son yeah i know, I had that thing memorized.

[@chevyfan1251992]

Not true about just being appearance packages. It really varied on what the individual cars were ordered with. Some of their final cars produced in 2013 were Camaros rated at 575hp

[@xxog-_-dreamzzxx8383]

I never knew the gtx was a thing till the other day i seen two of them together both were silver two door beautiful cars

[@brettbanta2100]

Man, those were really nice cars

[@SportsMusicCars]

I've owned a '78 Firebird base and '86 T/A. Also 2 Grand Ams, have an '02 still. Always great handling cars. But sadly the under carriages rust out badly.

[@gaylonsteenburgh1323]

Beautiful Car !!! .

[@fitfogey]

I had a 93 TT RX7 and raced a Grand Prix GTP on a long bridge many years ago. I was very impressed with that car. I got him, but it wasn’t easy. That car could really move.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

For this one, 91 MPH in the 1/4 sez those "260 HP" aren't all in there...

[@allanb3222]

@@BuzzLOLOL 🤦 again buzz

[@nickn7939]

@@BuzzLOLOL also means that once on a highway bridge as OP describes, the mazda loses its weight advantage, and the grand prix with its odd gearing, fwd, and being heavier, loses the disadvantages. 91 mph is high trap for a low 15s car, means it is sluggish off the line and doesn't really hit its stride till probably 3rd gear.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@nickn7939 - Actually, all cars rock back onto back tires with quick takeoff, increasing traction of RWD cars, but unloading the front tires of FWD cars letting them spin easily and helplessly... so FWD cars tend to be 5 tenths or so slower off the line... and then with stock street gearing, the engine can't rev up into peak HP range in 3rd gear and spin the MPH up, either...

[@jackmcbride5966]

I wish Pontiac would come back. RIP!

[@Brandon-xp1ob]

I always like these cars

[@tyhyhh]

These really needed a manual trans

[@shinobusensui9395]

It's crazy how these came with a 4 speed auto. Americans were typically already purchasing auto sports cars like crazy by then, so it was natural just to put cost into one transmission.

[@One_Shot_Garage]

The craziest part of the video? The price. Adjusted for inflation, the cost of the SLP GTX would buy a pretty darn nice car today. Even in this insane car market. Just shows how much cars have improved over the decades. I owned a 98 Regal GS and loved that car. Went on to purchase a 14 Regal GS and currently own an 18 Regal GS.

[@jeffjackson9679]

Was trying my damndest to find a newer Regal GS (with the v6 not the turbo 4), but could never find one near me. Had to settle for a Taurus SHO, which is just as fast, but terrible on gas and doesn't handle as well as the GS. Maybe in a couple years, I'll luck out and find a 2019 GS with low miles on it. Wish Buick would still make them.

[@One_Shot_Garage]

@@jeffjackson9679 I was looking for a while myself. I love my 18. The 14 GS was nice but I blew up the LTG turbo 4 in it and didn't have much faith in the car after that. The V6 in the 18-20 GS is a lot more enjoyable. It is a shame that automotive journalists were so harsh about the car. They expected it to be on par with Cadillac's V cars and that just simply wasn't going to happen.

[@jeffjackson9679]

@@One_Shot_Garage Have you had any issues with the 3.6 V6 in it? I though I heard they were troublesome. Your story of the turbo's blowing up is exactly the reason I don't plan on keeping the SHO longterm (it has two of them in it). Only a matter of time before those things go out and then you are talking thousands of dollars in repairs, esp. on my car.

[@One_Shot_Garage]

@@jeffjackson9679 so far I have had no issues. I know the previous generation 3.6 did have some timing chain issues and such but the LGX V6 used in the Camaro, Regal and a few other cars seems to be pretty solid. The turbo on the 14 GS I had wasn't really the issue. The 2.0 LTG has some sort of pre-ignition issue that leads to cracked piston ring lands. It is a well documented issue with any vehicle that used the LTG 4 cylinder. It must have have been bad enough that GM couldn't figure it out because the few vehicles that still use that engine have much less power than in previous years.

[@jeffjackson9679]

@@One_Shot_Garage Awesome. Thanks for the info. on the 3.6. That was the one thing I was worried about when going after this car.

[@dougsmith9571]

As a 2005 GTO owner, I still like the late 90s Grand Prixs. GTPs were impressive BUT at $31000 new back then 20 years ago.. , I couldn't quite afford one . Heck, years later my 05 GTO sold for $30k new and had a LS2 400 hp V8 , rear drive, and a far better interior . But, I might still get a used GP one day to tinker with if I see a good deal.

[@iluvcamaros1912]

I was just thinking how the front end kinda looked like a later GTO. Which is weird since a W-body and a Holden Monaro are very much not related at all.

[@regalherbsman5938]

Motorweek please upload a video of the 9th generation Pontiac Bonneville SSEi

[@CheesusSVT]

I always wanted one of these. 😅 I feel like some of the styling cues carry on even today. 🤔

[@doug6191]

W-I-D-E-R is better! These cars looked great.

[@charliehoss1614]

Had a 98 gtp for 12 years 2010-2022 and for the most part minor issues.. the interior was falling apart lol 20+ GM plastic stuff but it still ran fine

[@ObsoleteGamercom]

Should have been RWD and should have come with a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission

[@WSNO]

The car you're looking for is a decade or two older and called something else. That said, the intrepid automotive enthusiast with a vision could certainly make the needed conversions.......

[@budphillips9301]

@@WSNO lol actually the car he's thinking of is a decade newer and it's still a Pontiac. 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

[@tn18977]

This car wouldn't be largely forgotten nowadays if it had a manual transmission.

[@WSNO]

Neat car. Always say its funny SLP is so fast because the SLP (EP) tape speed is the slowest. But dang, this is a sweet ride. Still would take the Firebird package for my '88 Trans AM restoration, though.

[@micheldubois255]

I STIL HAVE A OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE 1998 WHIT THE 38OO SERIES 11 ENGINE ITS STILL RUNNING GREAT AFTER 24 YEARS AND OVER 200.000 KILOMETERS.🤘💪🌞🌈

[@dickwoods536]

I like the DOHC 3.5 Shortstar personally. I really liked the styling of the Intrigues

[@micheldubois255]

. yes a good motor whit four valves double cam motor if I'm not mistaken but i don't Know if theyre as tough the 3800 motor? yes the intrigue is a good looking car even today, they had the same Heavy duty suspension has the pontiac grand- prix gtp they have the same chassie they had also the same heavy duty magnetic steering than the gtp,hunder the hood holding reinforcements bars like the gtp too it was a well equipped car Even the standard version had 4 Wheels disck brake abs, traction control, electric locks windows trunk gas look, tilting steering,it was a 29.000$ car even in 1998 i have the orinal selling paper of my car and the maintenance book.🤘💪🌞🌈

[@dickwoods536]

@@micheldubois255 It was a damn good car, but also prone to rust, especially from northeastern roads. It had the 3.5 and it's really durable with decent power. Unique engine at the time

[@dickwoods536]

That's what happened to mine, northeastern roads : ( It had around 120k+ miles when me and my mum picked it up a yearrrs ago

[@dickwoods536]

Was already pretty dam rusty though before hand

[@wesleywalls7582]

HUD in 1998…impressive.

[@jeremybelcher1727]

The Grand Prix Turbo in 1989 had it installed as well. Very crazy for that time period.

[@StormAutoAdventures]

I know track conditions, temperature, headwind, available traction, power braking rpm - if any, plus more, all affect the 0-60 & 1/4 mile times. This GXP was feeling the negative aspect of the things above because a stock 1997-2003 Grand Prix GTP runs the 1/4 mile in around 15.0 @ 92 and change mph in good conditions. The stock GTP does 0-60 in about 6.6 seconds as well. I have seen and also heard of bone stock GP GTX's running the 1/4 mile in 14.70-14.90's @ 93-94+ mph, which makes sense given it's 20 extra HP, along with the GTX's stickier & wider tires.

[@djkramit]

I want one. 😍

[@andersonfirmino8925]

Esse carro é esportivo que pena que não tem no Brasil só vê nos EUA carros americano retro são muito bonito eu imagino esse carro é muito caro preço do dólar americano sensacional amigo gostei 👍👍👍

[@Anderson-ky6ps]

Pontencia desse Pontiac GTX é sensacional arranque V8

[@matthewlibanio8227]

Always was a handsome cat. Very good looking.

[@dronepilot260rc]

I had the Regal GS but basically the same car

[@316Autos]

Even brand new, the a/c compressor was already leaking, and the power windows were broken. Cool looking car, but neutered by FWD and the slushbox.

[@zionz1164]

Remember a random guy tried to race my mom when she owned this car lol

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

I think it should make at least 270 horses in stock blown form! It's a sleeper V6 equivalent to an LS engine! I'd see someone twincharge any GM car with this venerable 3.8 liter bullet, consider how durable it is!

[@WSNO]

Always said there should be more supercharging of GM 3800 V6's

[@cali2468]

Stop trolling. 🙄

[@kennethrosario6706]

Beauty

[@tripledub0evoxgsr]

Interesting the Gtp with 245hp 0 to 60 is 6.6 but with 265 the car is slower at 7.1

[@constantbuzz]

I noticed this to. I think it may have have something to do with the fuel delivery system that was improved in 99'. The 03 GTP with 260 HP was not any faster than the 02 GTP with 20 less horses.

[@Realistick]

Awesome to see these new and not in a Walmart parking lot with bubbly tints and 3 different colored body panels. Crazy that a new rav4 hybrid is quicker than this.

[@cigarsgunsandgasoline8032]

A Toyota Sienna pretty much matches the 0-60 & 1/4 times!

[@WSNO]

The difference is the pod cars like the one you speak of are soulless and isolating so you get all that speed only to lose track of how fast your going on the highway in a vehicle with a high center of gravity proving to everyone else on the road how awful a driver you are. Meanwhile the Grand Prix lets you feel more in tune with the road, is lower to the ground, and you FEEL what speed you have. The numbers mean nothing, and it doesn't matter what colorless pods you can beat in a race. (Apparently in 2022 you pay to win that by getting one of those flammable blobs in Plaid trim from the rich sociopath's car company he took over), this is why you seek out others who like the cars you do on the road and play with them, not the losers in the overpriced touch screen mobiles.

[@Realistick]

@@thirdstar9255 being slower than one😂😂

[@cigarsgunsandgasoline8032]

@@thirdstar9255 yeah... a PRIUS!!!

[@alexander1485]

This must be rare as platinum these days

[@kupidzheart]

and i still want one, had an 04 (newer style) loved that thing

[@AWDfreak]

Nice FWD Nissan S15 bro! Just kidding, some of these performance Pontiac vehicles can somewhat be considered sleepers because I routinely saw elderly people driving Pontiacs very slowly when I was younger.

[@KootBear]

cool car, never seen it in Sweden though

[@OhioStateBuckeyefanstuckinMI]

GM having a heads up display 24 years ago is crazy to me

[@jamesengland7461]

Try 35 years with the Corvette

[@djp1234]

GM had the ugliest interiors in the 90's. Those buttons look like they were designed by Fisher Price.

[@RegM86]

That was the scheme of Pontiac. Grey button and nobs galore.

[@justsomeguy1230]

Simple knobs and dials were better

[@djp1234]

@@justsomeguy1230 they're better when they're ergonomic, like in the new Wrangler. GM knobs and dials from the 90's were terrible.

[@Turshin]

It was terrible

[@JNAMOTORSPORTS]

Everything was terrible in the 90s not just GM

[@06goatm6]

That body roll, dive, and squat are atrocious. It's amazing to see how far we've come in 20 years suspension technology, I'd love to see a modern equivalent of this doing the same test.

[@ImTheJoker4u]

Atrocious for what? Every vehicle now rides like a dump truck for a "sporty feel". At least you can hit a pothole in that without tasting your kidneys. Automotive journalists have ruined cars by making every one of them ready to run a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, when 99.99999% of cars are never going to see enthusiastic driving.

[@iluvcamaros1912]

@@ImTheJoker4u I read a review once that referenced the "not undesirable GM float" and I was like THANK YOU. Not everyone wants a BMW daily driver.

[@sonicaids]

the look so much like the GTO

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

You mean the monaro based GTO?

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool😀

[@andersonfirmino8925]

Sensacional 👏👏👏

[@minivanin]

That soft AF suspension is laughable. Still cool cars

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Car magazines screwed up luxury cars by claiming they should all handle like Corvettes and ride like dump trucks... and downgrading them in tests if they didn't...

[@BigWheel.]

@@BuzzLOLOL but this was far from a luxury car, that was the bonnevilles forté.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@BigWheel. - Grand Prix is far from a Yugo... or Pontiac 1000... and Bonneville was always Pontiac's performance model... named after Bonneville Salt flats...

[@556m4]

My friend had a regular GTP and we ran 6.6 0-60 and 15 flat in the quarter mile. How does this SLP hyped up version get slower ? Seems weird.

[@jshch1415]

Temperature for a non-intercooled car, plus traction and driver all play a part.

[@MegaEdge777]

not broken in?

[@budphillips9301]

They had a shitty driver, unprepared track, not broken in all the way, probably a brutally hot day, they might be 5,000 above sea level, could be getting tons of KR with 87 gas, etc, etc.

[@vwbora26]

Amazing that the father of Shia Lebeouf was working for Motor Week