I was just wondering what the general consensus on these was among owners of the bigger cars. Personally, I like them very much. They are like smaller versions of 73-77's, and share a lot of the ride and drive chracteristics, as well as many shared styling cues. Option-wise, they are similar as well. The good ones have bucket seats, nice consoles and floor shifters, Rally gauges, lots of power toys, and also could come with T-tops or power sunroofs. As far as the drivetrain, the 301 that was so awful in the 77's and in Trans Ams does pretty well in the smaller GP's. They even came with four barrel carbs, and have a decent potential for a little tuning to turn that 301 into a decent mill for the size of the car. Even the V6 motors that came standard had a nice powerband, and in my experience they are one of the most durable motors ever made by any manufacturer. It's not only that they are durable, but they seem almost oblivious to age. I've seen them pushing 200,000 miles and still looking, sounding, and idling like brand new, with nary a leak or a stutter. If that wasn't enough, I've seen every Pontiac motor up to a 455 under the hood of one of these "baby GP's" - and these big mills must have really sent these cars running. The styling is pure Pontiac - anybody who knows the slightest bit about cars can spot one as a Pontiac from a mile away, and probably even call the model too. I think that these are very attractive cars. Of course the 78-79 differed from the 80-87's, and while I used to like the harder to find 78-79's better, I now prefer the 80-87's. And although they were offered as a 2+2 model, the somewhat collectible and somewhat rare factory special, I don't like them and think that the bubble "aero" rear window totally ruins the classic Grand Prix lines of the car.
While I would not pick a 78-87 if I could only have one Grand Prix, fortunately nobody has made me choose. And there is no doubt that I could take a given 1985 over a given 1975 - it just depends on what each car has. In reference to the 2+2 above, here is a link to a car that many of you have probably seen. I have seen it on Ebay at least twice, and I think more. It is a good example of somebody creating a car that the factory could have, and should have made. Sort of what I am doing with my 77. I don't know the story behind this car, or how it runs - but just going by looks it is very sharp. Add A/C and T-tops to this one, and you have a car that would drool over and really, really want.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...550086907&rd=1