LS4 Performance Grand Prix GXP | Monte Carlo SS | Impala SS | LaCrosse Super

major differences?

Old Feb 27, 2010 | 11:20 PM
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Default major differences?

I'm considering a LS4 powered car to replace my 2001 GP GT, which I will probably hand down to my daughter. I test drove a used GXP about a month ago and was quite impressed for the most part. I'm not really crazy about TapShift or the staggered wheel/tire set-up, but otherwise it was a very nice car.
I've been looking online at a few Monte SS cars and I was wondering if there were any other major/minor differences besides the items stated above and the obvious lack of rear doors (I could just feel barb getting ready to fly on that one, LOL)

Any tips or pointers on what to look for on a used model would be great info.

Thanks guys
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Old Feb 27, 2010 | 11:23 PM
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Try to get an 07, better warranty.

GXP has engineer mode, which the Imala/monte lacks.
GXP is available with a NAV unit, has the staggered wheel setup, bigger brakes, and different struts.

I'm sure I'm missing some things
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 12:03 AM
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The Monte is the lightest.
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 12:17 AM
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hud, tap shift, wheels, suspension, extra set of doors, weight, and, nicer interior.
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 12:28 AM
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Engineer Mode????
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 12:37 AM
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yea whats that?
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 12:43 AM
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Must be talking about the DIC.
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted by AlabamaGuy
The Monte is the lightest.
GXP is only 50 lbs heavier.

Maybe he means Tap, which OP said he didn't care about, the staggered wheels either. And those two are the main differences another than a more aggressive look, the bigger brakes, the Bilsteins, HUD (best thing in the world), and a bit more.

I'm biased though, the MC would be my second choice for an LS4 car, though, but only if I couldn't find a GXP.

EDIT: Another thread about the same thing https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls4-front...8-ls4-get.html

And a couple of my posts from said thread
Originally Posted by JP_GXP
According to Edmunds:
MCSS - 3549 lbs.
ISS - 3790 lbs
LCS - 3770 lbs
GXP - 3600 lbs.

So the Monte is only ~50 lbs lighter than the GXP, but the GXP still has 2 extra doors. And fold flat seats, dunno about the Super and SSes.
Originally Posted by JP_GXP
Would a 50 lb split REALLY make that big of a difference? I like the Montes, but having the extra doors and the option to carry around more people is nice, and having more space made moving a little quicker.

Best thing I can tell you is go drive each and see which best suits you.

Cockpit shots:

LCS


ISS


MCSS


GXP


And just for fun, G8.

Last edited by JP_GXP; Feb 28, 2010 at 01:11 AM.
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 09:28 AM
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Just a few personal notes on the comments above:

You can VERY cheaply add factory Nav to an Impala or MCSS.

Also, it was mentioned above that the Grand Prix has the nicer interior. I think that's subjective. Actually, I think the LaCrosse Super has the nicest interior, followed by the Impala, then the Monte, then the Grand Prix. The Pontiac (to me) is just too busy inside, and the materials (like most GM interiors up to about 2007) feel excesively cheap. My mother has a 2006 Grand Prix, and the graphics are already wearing off the buttons in the center stack. Again, it's matter of personal taste, but the Impala has a much simpler interior, and while the materials are also cheap, GM seemed to do a better job of hiding that fact, at least until you touch something!

I do think the GXP has the best looking exterior.

The GXP does have a much more informative DIC and it has TAP. But from watching this site, it seems like the GXP guys have more tranny problems, too. Of course, all LS4 cars are likely to have tranny problems, if you drive hard, but it seems like the GXPs are especially susceptible. I think someone had mentioned here that using TAP often will increase tranny temps, which in turn, reduces tranny life. If this is true, it makes sense, as it's the only material drivetrain difference between the GXP and the other LS4 cars.

You also need to ask yourself about backseat space, which was a consideration for my family. The Grand Prix's fast roofline really cuts down on rearseat headroom. If no one will ride in the back, it doesn't matter. If you will be carrying passengers, it may come into play.

All that said, if I had to buy an LS4 car again, and assuming I could get a deal similar to what I got on my 2006 Impala SS (I paid $13k last May, and the car had 30k miles), I would get a LaCrosse Super. It's rarity and relative luxury make it the more appealing car.

Sorry for the long rant, but hopefully this gives you more info to make a decision.

Last edited by LS1 Racing; Feb 28, 2010 at 04:18 PM.
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 10:43 AM
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If I had to buy an LS4 car again I'd get a GTO...wait wut?
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 12:58 PM
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LS4 Vette 454 ftw.
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 03:27 PM
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I myself like the looks and the extras the GXP came with, but its pretty much what you want and which one you like the best, how bout a G8?
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 04:30 PM
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i cant believe its only 50lbs. an extra pair of doors power window motors glass and all that other crap no way.
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 05:27 PM
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Must be little weight savings throughout the car. Dimensions on all 4, plus G8 for fun.

GXP
Exterior
Length: 198.3 in. Width: 71.6 in.
Height: 55.9 in. Wheel Base: 110.5 in.
Curb Weight: 3600 lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 38.8 in. Front Hip Room: 54.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 58 in. Rear Head Room: 36.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 54.8 in. Rear Hip Room: 54.3 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.2 in. Rear Leg Room: 36.2 in.
Luggage Capacity: 16 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 57 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5
MCSS
Exterior
Length: 196.7 in. Width: 72.9 in.
Height: 55.8 in. Wheel Base: 110.5 in.
Curb Weight: 3549 lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 38.1 in. Front Hip Room: 55.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 58.3 in. Rear Head Room: 36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 57 in. Rear Hip Room: 55.5 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.4 in. Rear Leg Room: 35.8 in.
Luggage Capacity: 15.8 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 5
ISS
Exterior
Length: 200.4 in. Width: 72.9 in.
Height: 58.7 in. Wheel Base: 110.5 in.
Curb Weight: 3711 lbs. Gross Weight: 4719 lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 39.4 in. Front Hip Room: 56.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 58.7 in. Rear Head Room: 37.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 58.6 in. Rear Hip Room: 57.2 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.3 in. Rear Leg Room: 37.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 18.6 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 5
LCS
Exterior
Length: 198.1 in. Width: 73 in.
Height: 57.4 in. Wheel Base: 110.5 in.
Curb Weight: 3770 lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 39.4 in. Front Hip Room: 55.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 57.2 in. Rear Head Room: 37.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 57 in. Rear Hip Room: 54.6 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.3 in. Rear Leg Room: 37.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 14.3 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 14 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5
G8 GT
Exterior
Length: 196.1 in. Width: 74.8 in.
Height: 57.7 in. Wheel Base: 114.8 in.
Curb Weight: 3995 lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 38.7 in. Front Hip Room: 56.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 59.1 in. Rear Head Room: 38 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 59.1 in. Rear Hip Room: 58 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.2 in. Rear Leg Room: 39.4 in.
Luggage Capacity: 17.5 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 18 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5
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Old Feb 28, 2010 | 11:56 PM
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you have an unhealthy obsession with the g8, i still think that that thing is heavier then that. how is it that much lighter then the impss.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 12:34 AM
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Originally Posted by TheMonteMan
you have an unhealthy obsession with the g8, i still think that that thing is heavier then that.
My brothers G8GT weighed 4100lbs with him in it.

My ISS was 3880 with me in it. It's odd that the GXP is that much lighter than the ISS.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 12:55 AM
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Originally Posted by LS1 Racing
Just a few personal notes on the comments above:

You can VERY cheaply add factory Nav to an Impala or MCSS.

Also, it was mentioned above that the Grand Prix has the nicer interior. I think that's subjective. Actually, I think the LaCrosse Super has the nicest interior, followed by the Impala, then the Monte, then the Grand Prix. The Pontiac (to me) is just too busy inside, and the materials (like most GM interiors up to about 2007) feel excesively cheap. My mother has a 2006 Grand Prix, and the graphics are already wearing off the buttons in the center stack. Again, it's matter of personal taste, but the Impala has a much simpler interior, and while the materials are also cheap, GM seemed to do a better job of hiding that fact, at least until you touch something!

I do think the GXP has the best looking exterior.

The GXP does have a much more informative DIC and it has TAP. But from watching this site, it seems like the GXP guys have more tranny problems, too. Of course, all LS4 cars are likely to have tranny problems, if you drive hard, but it seems like the GXPs are especially susceptible. I think someone had mentioned here that using TAP often will increase tranny temps, which in turn, reduces tranny life. If this is true, it makes sense, as it's the only material drivetrain difference between the GXP and the other LS4 cars.

You also need to ask yourself about backseat space, which was a consideration for my family. The Grand Prix's fast roofline really cuts down on rearseat headroom. If no one will ride in the back, it doesn't matter. If you will be carrying passengers, it may come into play.

All that said, if I had to buy an LS4 car again, and assuming I could get a deal similar to what I got on my 2006 Impala SS (I paid $13k last May, and the car had 30k miles), I would get a LaCrosse Super. It's rarity and relative luxury make it the more appealing car.

Sorry for the long rant, but hopefully this gives you more info to make a decision.


are the tranny lives reduced because of the staggard wheels also?
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 01:24 AM
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G8's are nice and I love my step-dad's

And the GXP is smaller than the ISS and closer the the size of the MCSS.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 12:33 PM
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ill give you that it is closer to the size but im still going to be a non believer when it comes to the weight, and the g8s are nice. except for that extra set of doors.
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Old Mar 1, 2010 | 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by bowtieboy_572
are the tranny lives reduced because of the staggard wheels also?
yes because the gxp has wider front tires then the others, which SHOULD give you better grip off the line, causing more stress on the trans

Last edited by StealthV8; Mar 1, 2010 at 01:15 PM.
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