Need help deciding on new car

[miller]

Alright, i have narrowed my choices to two different cars a 2006 Pontiac grand prix, and a 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo. The Monte Carlo has a 3.9 L v6 with 242 horsepower, the grand prix a 3.8 v6 with 200 horsepower, the Monte Carlo looks to have better interior the exterior is still up for debate. The Pontiac does have a slight upper hand on mileage (30 vs 28). Heres the main question, i loved my little Neon, the handling was so sharp and i would love to have another car like it, which is the best handling car, the Monte Carlo might have more power, but if the Grand Prix is better in the bends i would like to know so i can make a decision with that in mind.

EDIT: added the Malibu Maxx SS to the choices

[TheGhost]

I believe that the Grand Prix is the better handling car.  Don't think those Monte Carlos were all that much for performance.

[Brock Samson]

if you can find one try out a '99-'04 Chysler 300 M, think of it as a full size loaded with options Neon... 250 H.P.

http://www.allpar.com/reviews/300m.html

Friends don't let friends drive G.M.   

[bull]

They both look like a$$ to me. Can't you find something a little better looking?

[hemihead]

Try a Dodge Avenger . They even come in  R/T and AWD flavor .

[miller]

if you can find one try out a '99-'04 Chysler 300 M, think of it as a full size loaded with options Neon... 250 H.P.

http://www.allpar.com/reviews/300m.html

Friends don't let friends drive G.M.   

well i would love to have a 300m, my uncle had one and it was great, but i need something new, with warranty, and it has to be large enough for me to haul my stuff, get good enough gas mileage so i can afford to travel across the state (I'm moving away next fall), have some style to them, and have that fun factor to them. Oh, and it has to be domestic, we do not have a import car dealer in my town. So that leaves me with Ford Taurus... yawn, Dodge Charger and Magnum (i wanted a Magnum, so i could haul my stuff, but they cost to much), Buick and Mercury (lets not go there), Chevy Monte Carlo, Pontiac Grand Prix

I'm only looking to spend 13-14 grand for a 2 year old car and mileage in the twentys, those are the only two choices that are feasible...

[bull]

Well, the silver one looks more a$$-like than the other one so I'd go with the lesser of two evils.

[69bronzeT5]

Get a Dodge

[68 CHARGER R/T]

to me it looks like the monte carlo  is just a higher end version of the lumina .i'd take the pontiac 

[694spdRT]

From an engine standpoint the 3.8 V6 was hard to beat and is a proven design. My father-in-law traded in his 3.8 V6 Impala on a newer Impala with the 3.9 V6 and he has not been happy at all with the mileage. The 3.8 would get 30mpg highway and the new 3.9 might get 25mpg on a good day.

I would pick the Pontiac if it has to be one or the other.

BTW: You really can't find a 2 year old Magnum V6 for 14 grand anywhere? I could have bought new loaded up 2006 Magnum SXT with a 3.5 V6 last year for around 20K and the sticker was around 30K.

Just a thought if you really need room, my wife and I test drove a new Jeep Patriot and I was fairly impressed. It is FWD, had a decent ride, power for a 4 cylinder, and the price was not that bad for a new vehicle. Probably not real high on the fun factor part I suppose.

[miller]

From an engine standpoint the 3.8 V6 was hard to beat and is a proven design. My father-in-law traded in his 3.8 V6 Impala on a newer Impala with the 3.9 V6 and he has not been happy at all with the mileage. The 3.8 would get 30mpg highway and the new 3.9 might get 25mpg on a good day.

I would pick the Pontiac if it has to be one or the other.

BTW: You really can't find a 2 year old Magnum V6 for 14 grand anywhere? I could have bought new loaded up 2006 Magnum SXT with a 3.5 V6 last year for around 20K and the sticker was around 30K.

Just a thought if you really need room, my wife and I test drove a new Jeep Patriot and I was fairly impressed. It is FWD, had a decent ride, power for a 4 cylinder, and the price was not that bad for a new vehicle. Probably not real high on the fun factor part I suppose.

well I'm selling my Jeep Cherokee right now... so i was hoping to go back to a car, plus i would feel like i was backstabbing my Cherokee if i bought a girlier Jeep.

[694spdRT]

well I'm selling my Jeep Cherokee right now... so i was hoping to go back to a car, plus i would feel like i was backstabbing my Cherokee if i bought a girlier Jeep.

Agreed, I have a Hemi Grand Cherokee and the Patriot was not in the same league. It would have been fine if I was not spoiled already though.

No luck on a Magnum though? My wife refuses to drive one or I would have bought the one I mentioned.

[miller]

i will have to check them out again, but the dodge dealer is such a jerk that i hate dealing with him, i guess he just thinks im a punk kid who wont buy anything, but still thats no reason to just blow me off..

also warranty work from them was horrible on our last purchase, we bought a 2002 town and country with the 100,000 mile warranty, then we upgraded to the best plan, well at 75,000 miles all the coolant ran out of it and we had to have it towed, ended up one of the heater lines rusted out and as a result the coolant left the car. When we brought it to them they told us our warranty covered only the cooling system not the heater system... even though the same coolant runs through both things and you cant have one without the other. Ive been leery about buying another car from them since.

[JR]

I'm a classic Mopar guy, but For daily drivers that are going to get door dinged, worn, possibly totalled in traffic and abused, I have no brand preference what so ever. Drive it for a few years, trade it on to the the next one.

Those FWD 3.8 GMs are great cars, theyve been around forever, have plenty of room, ride well, get great mpg for their size, I'd have no complaints for one as a daily driver. My sister bought a new GTP Gran Prix superchared in 00. What a fun car. It will spin the tires from a 20 mph roll, absoultey fly down the highway, and get almost 30 mpg. I really wish I had bought the coupe version instead of my 03 Mustang.

I vote for the Pontiac with the 3.8 and at least the GT package. In a different color.

I hate to say it, but I don't think any new Chrysler product will be as reliable or long lasting. And that hurts to say, but I can't afford to be THAT brand loyal. My money is tight, I won't take a chance on an automobile just because of the name on it. I want quality, and as bad as it sounds, the GM is the better quality car in this case.

My 

Good luck.

[Charger-Bodie]

I like the Monte Carlo  better. 

[Charger_Fan]

From the looks department, I'd choose the Pontiac...although I bet under the skin they're basically the same car. I like the front end on the Pontiacs better.
My younger Son bought this '04 Grand Am a couple years ago & so far it's been a great car...zero problems at all, at 75,000+ miles.

[Orange_Crush]

Just get an '06 Charger or "05 300 with the 3.5 liter engine.

Good cars, great handling.

[miller]

From the looks department, I'd choose the Pontiac...although I bet under the skin they're basically the same car. I like the front end on the Pontiacs better.
My younger Son bought this '04 Grand Am a couple years ago & so far it's been a great car...zero problems at all, at 75,000+ miles.

your son has great luck then

4 of my friends have bought grand ams, and all of them have had head gasket problems

you are correct they both come from the same general motors bread and butter fullsize car platform, i know Pontiac has better handling... i just want to know how much the Monte Carlo gives up in the bends

[69charger2002]

if you're going to be doing all out banzai cornering runs, should these 2 cars even be possibilities? it sounds like you need a vette or viper lol    you can't make a hamburger with no MEAT

[JR]

I was driving that Gran Prix and a Monte Carlo with some type of sport package back to back last week.


Just in the daily drive to work, the chevy has a little smoother and more comfortable ride, while the Pontiac is definatley firmer but more responsive in the turns. Neither will excell in the turns, but the Pontiac is much better suited to them.

On a long commute, I'd prefer the ride of the Chevy over the crisper handling of the Pontiac.

But the steering is alot firmer in the Gran Prix and feels less mushy which does inspire more confidence.

I still say take the Gran Prix.

[694spdRT]

The Pontiac is only available as a 4 door right? You must not care about that point being that the Monte is a 2 door model. Are Impala's out of the question as their are deals on them at nearly every street corner?

[Brock Samson]

OK for what it's worth when i was in Hawaii we rented both a G.P and a Monte SS and I have 2 say I far preferred the burgandy Grand Prix over the electric blue 2 door Chevy.  mostly cause it seemed far more modern and the Chevy's space was not efficiently designed/packaged in comparison. The monte felt like a 20 year old car but they were both brand new.
I also thought the switch gear in both cars was kind of hard to get used to,.. i didnt care for the red lighting in the G.P.  I never got a chance to mash the go pedal in either car.. 

[miller]

if you're going to be doing all out banzai cornering runs, should these 2 cars even be possibilities? it sounds like you need a vette or viper lol    you can't make a hamburger with no MEAT

i know they arnt the best "performance oriented" choices... but its all about compromise...

believe me i would love to have a viper as an everyday driver... we do own a vette though

its not new (same year as me, 1989) but it still puts smiles on your face for the little time we can drive it (it has 24,000 on it)

[ramit]

I say go for the Grand Prix.  Here is a pic of the 2008 Grand Prix GXP I bought a few weeks ago.  The V8 gives it some awesome power but the torque stear is ridiculous.

[miller]

i just found a new addition to the line up


2006 Chevy Malibu Maxx SS, has nice power (240 horse), firmer suspension, manual shift mode ( i realize it doesn't do anything, but it still would be fun), stationwage cargo space, and its still front wheel drive so it will be good in the snow belt.

so out of those three...

[Silver R/T]

neither one of those hold resale value. Id buy an import that gets decent mileage and you can sell later on. cars like GP or Monte wont handle as nice as lightweight Neon.

[dkn1997]

I'm a classic Mopar guy, but For daily drivers that are going to get door dinged, worn, possibly totalled in traffic and abused, I have no brand preference what so ever. Drive it for a few years, trade it on to the the next one.

Those FWD 3.8 GMs are great cars, theyve been around forever, have plenty of room, ride well, get great mpg for their size, I'd have no complaints for one as a daily driver. My sister bought a new GTP Gran Prix superchared in 00. What a fun car. It will spin the tires from a 20 mph roll, absoultey fly down the highway, and get almost 30 mpg. I really wish I had bought the coupe version instead of my 03 Mustang.

I vote for the Pontiac with the 3.8 and at least the GT package. In a different color.

I hate to say it, but I don't think any new Chrysler product will be as reliable or long lasting. And that hurts to say, but I can't afford to be THAT brand loyal. My money is tight, I won't take a chance on an automobile just because of the name on it. I want quality, and as bad as it sounds, the GM is the better quality car in this case.

My 

Good luck.

I still have the 99 gtp that i bought new.  has 90K on it and it's such a great car.  not heavy, but feels very solid going down the road.  handles very well.  faster than a 4 door should be.  you could smoke most hondas, ect with your 4 doors and babyseats in the back!

[694spdRT]

I forgot to mention that we bought a wrecked 1999 Bonneville with a standard 3.8 V6 back when it was almost new for our business. It had 10,000 miles on it when we fixed it up and drove it to 250,000 miles without ever touching the engine or tranny. The only thing that did bother was a leak on the intake manifold at around 200K and that was a simple fix. We gave it to one of our employees and he drove it daily for two more years until it got beat up in a hail storm. He then gave it to his teenage grandson and it is still going today. It is a pretty durable drivetrain IMO.

[41husk]

My son bought a two year old Chrysler Pacifica touring, leather interior nice ride, looks a little much like a mini van to me, but paid under 20k I believe 18,500, I bet you could get one wo leather and all the bells and whistles in your price range.

[Todd Wilson]

i just found a new addition to the line up


2006 Chevy Malibu Maxx SS, has nice power (240 horse), firmer suspension, manual shift mode ( i realize it doesn't do anything, but it still would be fun), stationwage cargo space, and its still front wheel drive so it will be good in the snow belt.

so out of those three...

If you are looking at those why dont you look at the new Dodge Caliber. It seats 4 and has cargo room. You can pick them up new for 15g's or less depending on model and have the lifetime power train warranty.


Todd

[Lord Warlock]

I've owned a 2001 grand prix for about 6 years now and its been a relatively good car since we got it, only a few minor issues over the years.  Ours has the 3.8 litre v6 with the supercharger on it (gtp) and it has good road feel but isn't a sports car by any means, but still handles well around turns and even has good straight line performance.  18-24 city/highway isn't that great for a v6, but didn't suck either.  Much better than the 6-14 of the 440.

[andy74]

fyi, i have been selling used 2008 avenger sxts for the 13000 to 13900 range,with chrysler certified 8/80 warranty,6 cylinder or 4 cylinders with no more than 24k,they are a great deal!

[Muscles]

If it were me I would go with the Pontiac.  It can handle pretty much all that you need and they are usually reasonably priced.