bchaffin72

For me , my only preference of Grand Prix over Grand Am is styling. I just generally prefer the Grand Prix for looks. But I also understand the frustration of a difficult car, whatever it is. I had a 1980 Mazda 626 that was a total POS. I bought it used, cheap and 100% as-is, so i can't complain that it needed some work. But that work never seemed to pay off. The car was hot and a ton of fun to drive, ran real fast, when it ran at all. But it refused to be fixed. No matter what I did, constant problems. I gave it to my brother in law when he had no car. He even tore it down and rebuilt it and very quickly started having trouble all over again. He gave it back to me when I needed it, and it still wouldn't stay fixed. I finally drove it to my grandparents and parked it back in the woods. Someone apparently came out one night and made off with it. All I will say is this, if they ever got that stupid thing to run right, they earned it!

I certainly can't say anything bad about a Honda Accord. I briefly had a 1978 Accord with the 4 cylinder CVCC engine and 4 speed manual. It was one tough little car.

There were quite a few car fanatics and hot rodders in my family, but my grandfather was the main influence on me. He would do stuff like buy a 1/2 ton Chevy pick up and stuff a 455 Olds motor and tranny in the body. The '66 3/4 ton Dodge Camper Special was another fun one. That one got its 318 replaced with a 440 out of a '73 Chrysler Imperial. So, when I was building a '67 two door Plymouth Fury II ride, out came its 318 and in went a 383. Ah, the good old days............... And my aunt's husband stuck a 390 cubic inch Ford police engine into a '78 LTD body, originally equipped with a 351 Windsor.

I got mine mostly because it was the best deal on the lot when our 02 Grand Caravan Sport started puking up its transaxle, suffering a host of smaller failures, and is literally rusting away underneath. However, I am pleased it was a Pontiac that was available as a replacement. I've had it bad for Pontiacs ever since I used to watch the Smokey and the Bandit movies and(dare I say it), Knight Rider as a kid. And the old,old chromed up Bonneville my grandfather's brother had left quite an impression on me as a child too.And, once or twice, I drove one friends '63 Star Chief and another friend occasionally loaned me his 1980 Trans Am.

I had the distinction, in my late teens and early twenties, of being the go to guy when my friends had serious car issues. My grandfather owned his own shop for many years and taught me all about cars. Since I've owned newer vehicles than he ever did, my knowledge has now surpassed that of his time, but that was where initial my love of cars, auto mechanics, and driving started. You certainly wouldn't have found any of my "emergency procedures" in any manual, but they always got a car down the road in times of need.

I do love Trans Ams, and I think they will always do well among enthusiasts. I, by far, prefer the Grand Prix over the Grand Am, if I had only those two to chose from for a Pontiac car. And the Montana(and maybe some of the well preserved predecessor Trans Sports) may keep some relevance for us one vehicle Pontiac lovers who need a minivan type vehicle. And there are some other great Pontiacs, but they have also built some that will now just fall completely by the wayside as fairly unremarkable, despite the name.

It's like everything else that "goes away". As long as people still love Pontiacs, look for them, drive them, and restore them, the Pontiac name is still alive and kicking. We just won't get any new ones and will have to be content with those still in circulation. And I don't really see a shortage of Pontiacs out there yet..... In fact, the Montana itself lasted three years longer in Canada than the US, as it was GMs most popular minivan choice here, over the Chevrolet variants.

I always enjoyed opportunities to teach auto mechanics. Years ago, I knew two sisters who wanted to learn, so I used to take old junk parts we had around, explain them, have them tear them apart and put them back together. Taught them most of what I knew. One day, my 65 Impala wagon needed a carb rebuild. They wanted to do it, so I showed them to the tools, gave them the kit, and let them have at it. They got it right the first time, but(if I must say so myself) they DID have a good teacher, after all.

I suppose one thing I could wish these had had were manual transmission options. I do love a good stick-shift.

As far as I know, GM retained the rights to the Pontiac name, even though I heard a buyout was offered by someone who could have spun it independent. So, and maybe it's just the wishful thinking of a Pontiac lover, but if the time ever becomes right again(and there's decent management involved) Pontiac may not be lost forever. And if it truly is, all the more important to enjoy the ones we have left.

I love driving anywhere, in anything, but I do love the Pontiac over the old Caravan. My wife often accuses me of "inventing" reasons to go out. Then again, she's not a driver, so doesn't see that what is an unnecessary trip in her eyes, is necessary for me. I am sure I share this trait with most driving enthusiasts, but sometimes a certain boredom or restlessness set in and the only balm for it is a drive, however small.

Well, we're not overly far apart then. I have never been to Sarnia, but do get to London fairly often, via the 401, and ocasionally(only if I can't help it. ) Toronto.

Near Stratford, in southern Ontario.

Although I had a few small, hot cars, like my Audi, which were a blast, I always enjoyed the fun of big cars over winding mountain roads and passes in good weather. Mostly I-90 through North Idaho and the small highways and back roads around my grandparents' place. Three cars stood out there: my friends '80 Trans Am, my '65 Impala wagon, and an 80 something Buick Park Avenue. Although it had started life as a diesel V8, sometime before my grandparents bought it, it had been converted to gasoline. The former owners engine of choice: a small block Pontiac 400. The new Montana won't see it, as we don't have that kind of terrain close in Southern Ontario. Which is a shame for me(as I miss that kind of driving), but good for my wife. I doubt she would ride with me if I drove the way I used to when it was just me and my buddies in the car!

Yeah, it's in very good shape. Some wear and light stains on the front seats but otherwise, excellent. Maybe it will get some nice seat covers. While the Caravan was a decent vehicle, and served us well, the Montana makes it seem like a tinker toy, by comparison.

All stock, and it will mostly have to stay that way, but I will have to add a few personalizing touches, here and there. The performance is not bad and the handling excellent. Might get me in trouble if I don't watch the lead in my toes.

Hi all, I always loved Pontiacs, and while I have driven a few over the years(including a 1980 Trans Am my friend loaned me once in a while), I never actually owned one until now. Our '02 Grand Caravan crapped out last week, and I was very impressed with a 2005 Montana SV6 Extended, So we bought it, and just took possession yesterday. Loving it!