The 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix is a poor choice of daily driver. It’s a gas guzzler, it’s kind of hard to maneuver in the city, and there are more comfortable full-size cars out there. But a 303 horsepower V8 for under six grand is hard to resist.
Is the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The GXP is easily an eight out of ten, but the V6 models are outclassed by competing full-size sedans.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – It meets, but does not exceed, the comfort expectations of a full-size sedan.
- Reliability 8/10 – The Grand Prix is built to last with very few complaints and recalls on file with the NHTSA.
- Safety 7/10 – Safety tech may be outdated by now, but the Grand Prix is built like a tank.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – The GXP model does about 18/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which isn’t great, but you shouldn’t be buying a twenty year old full-size V8 in the first place if you’re worried about gas prices.
- Value 8/10 – If you’re buying the GXP, the Grand Prix is one of the more affordable and reliable muscle cars on the road today. Otherwise it’s not quite as practical as a mid-size sedan, not quite as sporty as the leading compacts, and not quite as comfortable as competing full-sizes or SUVs.
What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
Consumer Reports found the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix to be an underwhelming experience overall. They found the car to be big on the outside but cramped on the inside with coupe-like styling compromising the visibility and access advantages of a sedan.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2005 Grand Prix a very strong 93% recommendation. Drivers offer strong praise for the car’s fun-driving V6 and incredible longevity, with reports of more than 260,000 miles on the odometer. Outdated entertainment tech is one of the biggest complaints on file.
Edmunds were impressed by both the V6 and V8 engine options, the elegant interface design, the big trunk, and the fold-flat seating. They also report that the back seat is a bit tight, the engine is a bit noisy, and the build quality feels a bit cheap.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix Have?
Electrical issues have been the 2005 Grand Prix’s main problem, comprising nearly a third of the car’s 147 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints. Many of these complaints have to do with a 2014 recall for ignition switches turning off at random.
The 2005 Grand Prix has 40 powertrain complaints on file, mostly having to do with loss of engine power, and mostly occurring before the car has hit 150,000 miles. There are also reports of erratic shifting. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough data available as yet to determine a common cause.
Engine complaints are remarkably few, but there is at least one report of an engine fire owing to a valve cover gasket leak.
The 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix has just two recalls on file with the NHTSA and fewer than 150 complaints, which is a remarkably strong record for a nearly twenty year old car.
How Long Will the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix Last?
Grand Prix drivers report a typical lifespan in the 250,000 mile range. Less if the previous owner was skipping oil changes, more if they took excellent care of it, but a quarter million miles is what you should expect when buying a used model in good condition.
RepairPal estimate a typical annual maintenance cost of $462, with the most expensive fix being a new brake master cylinder starting at around $370.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2005 Grand Prix is out of date, but decent for 2005. CD players come standard and some models have steering wheel mounted audio controls.
Safety features are, likewise, adequate but outdated. Anti-lock brakes are only available in the higher trim levels, unfortunately.
Is the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix a Good Value?
The 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix is priced fairly. A Base model typically lists at around $4,087, and a high-end GXP lists for about $5,577. Combined with a relatively low cost of ownership these are decent prices if you can find them in good condition with under 160,000 miles on the odometer.
At the entry-level and the mid-range, it’s a fair price. The best deal is the GXP, which is effectively a V8 muscle car at a family sedan price, potentially doing the quarter mile in around 15 seconds.
What are the Different Models of the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The 2005 Grand Prix is offered in four trim levels, from the self-explanatory Base to the high-end GTP and the muscular V8-powered GXP.
With the entry-level Base you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- Fog lights
- Remote keyless entry
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player
The mid-range GT adds:
- Traction control
- Anti-lock brakes
- Leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- 6-way power adjust driver seat
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
With the high-end GTP you’re adding:
- Driver lumbar support
- Premium lighting package with more interior lighting throughout
- Supercharged 3.8L V6 engine
Finally, the sporty GXP offers:
- 5.3L V8 engine
- 18″ polished aluminum wheels
What Engines Come In the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- The starter engine found in the Base and GT models is a 3.8L V6 delivering 200 horsepower and 230 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive and averages 20/30 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- In the GTP model you’ll find a supercharged version of the 3.8L V6, delivering 260 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive, averages 19/28 miles to the gallon, and hits zero to sixty in 7.4 seconds.
- The GXP comes packed with a muscular 5.3L V8 delivering 303 horsepower and 323 lb.-ft. of torque at 18/27 miles ot the gallon. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive, and does zero to sixty in six seconds flat.
What Colors Does the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The 2005 Grand Prix is fairly comfortable. You’ve got 54 inches of rear hip room and plenty of head space and elbow room. The suspension rides smooth and has held up well over the years, and the seats are nice and firm.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix Have?
The 2005 Grand Prix’s trunk offers 16 cubic feet of storage space, which is a bit small for a full-size sedan. But, that can be expanded to an incredible 57 cubic feet with all the seats down, and you can even fold the front passenger seat flat for use as a table.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2005 was the second model year in the Pontiac Grand Prix’s 8th Generation, which ran from 2004 to 2008, when the nameplate was retired.
2002: Other than a special edition NASCAR inspired 40th Anniversary trim, there were no big changes for 2002.
2003: The Grand Prix was made a sedan-exclusive with Pontiac dropping the coupe.
2004: A brand new 8th Gen Grand Prix debuted with a Series III 3.8L V6 and a GM W chassis.
2005: The GXP model was debuted in 2005.
2006: A special edition added chrome exhaust tips and unique wheels for 2006.
2007: Heated leather seats were new for 2007, and the GXP got a new V8 engine.
How Does the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix Compare to the Competition?
The Grand Prix is sort of a hybrid comfort-sedan and muscle car. It’s kind of a narrow niche with only a few major competitors, like the Lincoln Town Car and the Buick LeSabre.
At the higher trim levels, the LeSabre is the most affordable of the three, typically listing at just under five grand, compared to the $5,577 GXP Grand Prix and the $7,032 Signature L Town Car. But, it’s also the weakest, tapping out at just 205 horsepower with no V8 engine options.
In terms of sheer power, the the Grand Prix is the winner by a landslide. The Town Car is probably the more comfortable, spacious vehicle of the three, but it only goes up to 239 horsepower. The Grand Prix shoots right past that at 303 horsepower.
If you’re looking for a luxurious cruiser with lots of muscle under the hood at a fair price, the Grand Prix is hard to beat. It’s not the most practical daily driver, and it’s not as sporty as devoted muscle cars, but it’s a pretty solid compromise between power and comfort.
