I'm looking for a daily driver so I can bring a car to school. (don't want to keep the FD at the college) The car would be driven most likely on the weekdays to get to/from work and be parked on the streets at night at my college. Would also be driven anytime the FD is down which hopefully isn't going to be any time soon.

I was wondering if you guys could help me learn more about the Pontiac GrandPrix GTP's. They seem like a pretty fun car to drive being a supercharged V6 and all and even if I do decide to put money into the DD, with a grand or so, the GTP can be a pretty good sleeper as I've seen some pull on some LS1 Fbodies and stay close to some 05 GTO's.

At this time I work for a company where I teach 3-12 year olds soccer. We work through cities parks and recs so I am sent to parks all over the area and I need to carry soccer *****, cone bag, and some other things, so equipment/luggage space is going to be an issue, but just recently, I was contacted by a pretty big company (Network Appliances was just named #6 best company to work for by Fortune Magazine) and if they hire me there, I don't know if it'd really matter if I showed up in a "high class" car or what.

I do not want to bring my FD to my dorms (live on campus) and leave it over night here every day as I know as time goes on it will get it's dents/dings/vandalism.

Just wanted to see those who had/driven a 98+ GTP and their thoughts on the car. Reliability, gas mileage, storage room etc.

P.S. Other beaters I was looking at was possibly a 5th gen Prelude, Civic, Transam, and something like a Chevy Xtreme truck or blazer. Price is around 6500-8500k for financing. Out of my list, I like the exterior of the Chevy Xtremes, Transam, and Preludes (modified) the best, but I just feel like the GTP would be the most fun car to drive out of them all. 98+ transam is going to be hard to find for around 8500 and below. I will do some things to the car being springs/shocks, system, and possible engine work if I decide I want to put money into the car. Possibly making this one a show car if I really like the car. This daily driver will be used while my 7 is either not running or when I want to do engine work on it (either single turbo or ls1/ls2 swap don't know yet)

This is my baby:

 

I'd get a Miata. But I'm crazy and never really have a need for practicality - the practicality of the 8 only seems to get me volunteered for driving my roommates places.

 

If you're looking for a sports sedan with some power as well as a reliable daily driver I'd suggest a Maxima. You can get higher mileage 00-02 Maximas or lower mileage 95-99 in your pricerange. It's a better car overall, more reliable, and IMO more fun to drive.

 

Nice baby.

 

If you're considering the GP, I suggest you take a look at the '98 - '02 Oldsmobile Intrigue.

It's on the same platform as the GP (W body), and also offers the same engine (3800, though not supercharged). You can also get a 6 cyl version of the Northstar V8 in the later models. In my opinion, it's superior to the GP, as it has classier styling and a significantly stiffer / better tuned suspension.

My mom has one- it's respectably fun to drive and will run forever. Plus, if you mod it, it will be an uber-sleeper.

 

I might be mistaken, but wasn't that the car that Car and Driver used in their "24 Hours of LeMons" article recently? If so, then you're right - you REALLY can't kill that thing. They put theirs through hell and it just wouldn't die!

 

the intrigue will be cheaper also.

 

agreed, i was looking at one a few weeks ago but it got sold before i could act!
I can't think of a better way to drive to work than in a Miata

 

miata!