Looking into a 2007 GXP, Pros vs. Cons?
Looking into a 2007 GXP, Pros vs. Cons? I know its FWD, but I'm getting the ***** out of my daily driver Acura TL and getting an American car. I can find JACK I like except this car.
What are its issues? I hate the idea of the tires being different size WTF is that for?
Jim
What are its issues? I hate the idea of the tires being different size WTF is that for?
Jim
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Jim, Better FWD handling and to control the V8 torque. You'll love the GXP and you might get a better deal on a 06 if you can find one. The only change between them are different wheels and additional colors. Also, no JACK 
Tony
Tony
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Brandon, MS
Go test drive one and you will love it. I was hooked after a few minutes of driving. I think the amount of features you get for the price is awesome. One of the best car packages that GM has offered in a while. IMO
Here are 2 really good threads from several months ago. The first has several pictures and the second has some reviews of the car from several of us GXP drivers.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls4-performance/456686-pics-gxp-s.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls4-performance/487454-how-do-you-like-your-ls4-cars.html
Here are 2 really good threads from several months ago. The first has several pictures and the second has some reviews of the car from several of us GXP drivers.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls4-performance/456686-pics-gxp-s.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls4-performance/487454-how-do-you-like-your-ls4-cars.html
I don't have one of these cars. I do know a lot about the decisions made for this car though.
The front tires are different size exactly for the reason someone else said. The program team had a lateral G objective that could not be met with a compound of tire that was realistic. The rear tire/wheel can't get larger because of the underbody, trailing arm and quarter panel lip. You can run a bigger tire/wheel, but under some circumstances you will get contact. The trailing arm is specific for this vehicle for clearance and a friendly surface for the tire if contact occurs.
The front tires could get larger because a GTP specific fender was used. The wheel offset sets the tires out far enough that they won't contact the cradle. Also the staggered size, larger front than rear help control understeer.
W-cars are very good cars, there are no specific "problems" with these cars. If you want to drive over 140 you will have to look elsewhere! Also you can't run 140 sustained, the car will continue to slow itself down to avoid possible overheating.
Brian
The front tires are different size exactly for the reason someone else said. The program team had a lateral G objective that could not be met with a compound of tire that was realistic. The rear tire/wheel can't get larger because of the underbody, trailing arm and quarter panel lip. You can run a bigger tire/wheel, but under some circumstances you will get contact. The trailing arm is specific for this vehicle for clearance and a friendly surface for the tire if contact occurs.
The front tires could get larger because a GTP specific fender was used. The wheel offset sets the tires out far enough that they won't contact the cradle. Also the staggered size, larger front than rear help control understeer.
W-cars are very good cars, there are no specific "problems" with these cars. If you want to drive over 140 you will have to look elsewhere! Also you can't run 140 sustained, the car will continue to slow itself down to avoid possible overheating.
Brian
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The GXP could not fit a 235 in the back where the Impala could. If the 235 would have fit well then that may have been the route to go. Also GM wanted the GXP to be the best handling front drive available, the larger front tires helped to achieve that. That was not the objective of the Impala SS. The same vehicle chief oversees both programs.
Brian
Brian
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Verdad Gallardo How would the 235 not fit on a GXP if they used the same width rim for isntance?
To the best of my knowledge, a W body is a Corporate body which means its used through out the GM line up. Not like they would have fender wells in the rear that were more shallow than the Impala?
Its like a Camaro and Firebird, swap the body panels and various interior components and you can make one into the other.
Its just been my understanding that the GXP was the "performance" vehicle and got all the neat little tweaks like the tap shift and such. And now the difference in tire/rim sizes to differentiate its handling characteristics from its stable mates, the Impy and the Monte.
To the best of my knowledge, a W body is a Corporate body which means its used through out the GM line up. Not like they would have fender wells in the rear that were more shallow than the Impala?
Its like a Camaro and Firebird, swap the body panels and various interior components and you can make one into the other.
Its just been my understanding that the GXP was the "performance" vehicle and got all the neat little tweaks like the tap shift and such. And now the difference in tire/rim sizes to differentiate its handling characteristics from its stable mates, the Impy and the Monte.
You are correct in that the W-cars all share underbodys. The quarters and inners are different and that is what causes issues. The Impala has more room than the Grand Prix. For being common there aren't a lot of common parts. The suspension on the GXP got several specific part including a strut with a higher spring seat (compared to other Grand Prix, Impala has the higher spring seat). GXP also got larger bars and Bilstein shocks.
A 235 will fit a GXP, but the tire envelope shows in some instances you will get contact. Because of the high volume of sales on these cars the tire envelope was pretty conservative to not cause issues.
Anyway, for whats its worth that is why they have different size tires front to rear and why the Impala was able to go with a 235.
Brian
A 235 will fit a GXP, but the tire envelope shows in some instances you will get contact. Because of the high volume of sales on these cars the tire envelope was pretty conservative to not cause issues.
Anyway, for whats its worth that is why they have different size tires front to rear and why the Impala was able to go with a 235.
Brian
