2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP

This week's report is going to be on the 2006 Grand Prix GXP. To me I think that Pontiac has come a long way with the Grand Prix. When the Grand Prix's first came out, to me, they were considered a "beater" car. I thought this because it was in the middle of the Muscle era, so they just copied the GTO's looks and put a smaller engine in it. As years progressed and the GTO was retired, it turned into a worse car, with looks that could make you choke. Then they came out with the late 90's Grand Prix, and it turned a lot of people on, including NASCAR, where many drivers used its body style. Now it is a 300 horse power car with looks to kick.

The 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, un-like many cars, does not have optional leather seats, but instead, it is either cloth or suede. To me, suede is the new leather of cars, the new generation cant get enough of it. While leather will stay firm with the sport and exotic cars, suede will dominate the luxury and economy cars and SUV's. A mix between leather, hardwood, and titanium looking plastic dash and council compliment the optional GPS Another neat feature to the Grand Prix GXP is the sleek and sporty gauges, heads-up display, and push button gear changing that this car features.

The exterior looks as good as all the other new cars that GM has seemingly been able to put out. Instead of it going strait back after the front grill, it bows up a little hinting to the powerful 303hp V8 lurking under the hood. The new rims that you can optionally put on the GXP make it look like a muscle car and an import car at the same time. Although I can understand the legacy that Pontiac is trying to instate with the rear lights, I think they should all be removed, and replaced with the new generation's import racer lights.

In a hole, I think that the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP is a great car. With sleek interior and exterior design. A powerful 303hp V8 engine, and sporty handling. At only a rough $30,000, after options, it is every college kid's dream.

2006 Cadillac STS-V

When you say that Cadillac is putting out a car with a 469 horsepower engine, you would expect it to be in a body made to compete with the Corvette down the road. But when you say that it is just another high powered luxury sedan, it blows your mind away.

The Cadillac STS-V has a new 469hp motor in its front end, which is highest of it's class. Supposedly it is able to beat a Ford Mustang, Porsche 911, and BMW M3, which means good. They might need to move it up a class because of it. The handling is supposed to be a 9.5 out of 10, which means a little sloppy sometimes. Cadillac needed to start putting more power in there vehicles to draw attention to the next generation of car buyers.

The interior of the STS-V looks A+ with an exception of the grey collor wood that every car company is trying to push these days. The GPS it has accents the dash but could use more electronic features in the rear seats, along with maybe a heads up display.

The Exterior of the STS-V looks awesome. With Cadillac's 10 spoke rims, along with a custom looking body kit makes the Cadillac look like a racer off the production line. Is has a little scoop action on the hood which accents the body kit and make the car look mean as well as luxurious. The color of the break rotors aren't that great because it shows the break dust.
The 469hp engine pulling the Corvette like Cadillac is one of a kind. The interior could use a little work, and the exterior looks excellent. With a base price of $79,000, after options, I would say if you have the money, spend it.

2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

I had trouble deciding what vehicle I wanted to review this week. I finally decided on the 2006 Chevy Corvette Z06. I decided this because it has many different qualities, from it's slick looks, to its 505 HP V8 engine.

If the average person would walk up to the normal Corvette and the Corvette Z06, they would notice no difference. But if a car enthusiast, like myself, would look at it, the first thing that they would notice is the flared out corners in the front. The reason that Chevy decided to do this is for more down force in the corners. Another thing that they would notice is spoiler like, flair, in the back. This helps with the Corvette's aerodynamics. Another thing that helps with the aerodynamics is the scoop right in front of the hood, most of it's use is to help cool down the engine. The are scoops behind the front wheel and in front of the back wheel to help cool down the wheels. One other thing that Chevy decided to do is edge out the wheels so when the car comes down in the corners it wont rub. The interior of the car is very similar to the normal version of the Corvette. The only difference is the Z06 symbol in various areas of the interiors, example, the head of the seat.

The 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 offers a 505HP V8 engine. You can just tell that Chevy was trying not only to build a newer, better engine, but to bring back that faster than fast Corvette that everybody knows. With an astounding 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds and doing the quarter mile in a mere11.5 seconds at 127 mph the only thing that the Z06 is missing is top end, which happens to be 198 mph. To me, 198 mph is still fast, but in the world of exotics, its border line. That's right, I said exotic, which is what the Z06 has turned into. Recently, "Road & Track" and "Car & Driver" did a comparison between the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, the 2006 Dodge Viper, and the 2006 Ford GT! The Z06 came out with the overall victory.

For only being $65,000, after options, it is one of the best buys that you can find on the market today. If you are looking for a new ride and you have some cash to spare, $65,000 to be exact, I would pick up the new Corvette Z06. Being fast, luxurious and affordable (for it's market) it is the best thing you can get.