Sporty family fun

STEVE ROBERTSON * photos@semissourian.com

The 2004 Pontiac Grand Am GT has muscular styling cues that announce its sports sedan heritage. Reasonably priced and mid-sized, the Grand Am has always been popular since its introduction in 1973.

Sports car performance, family sedan accommodations

If you are a like a lot of us you've always secretly wanted a Chevy Corvette, but your practical side just won't let you consider one. You know all the disadvantages -- only two seats, high insurance premiums, da da, da da, da da. But you also know all the advantages -- blinding acceleration, incredible handling, beautiful styling and that "Hey, look at me" image.

I've managed to get my name on the titles of a few two-seaters over the years, but I've never been able to keep them in the family for very long. Situations changed or something came along -- like a new family member -- that necessitated additional seats. If you also suffer from sports car disease, Pontiac has the cure. It's called the Pontiac Grand Am GT, and although I couldn't verify it, I think the interior designer was a former fighter jet pilot. Come with me on a tire-kicking trip and I'll explain:

First impression

When I walked up to my low-slung test vehicle parked in front of Cape GMC-Pontiac my pulse quickened. Was Pontiac's "We build excitement" advertising hype taking hold? No, it was just an honest reaction to the muscular styling of this good-looking mid-size sports couple. It is an exceedingly handsome car, painted in

summit white and sitting on fat chrome wheels.

Open the door and slide into the snug-fitting bucket seats. Notice the sensuous instrument panel with all those bulging gauges canted toward the driver. Grab the sporty leather-wrapped steering wheel. Everything is close at hand and right where it should be. Rest your hand on the sexy center-mounted gear selector and notice how your fingers can easily reach the sound system controls -- you can play those buttons like a musical instrument.

On a test-drive

And if you fancy yourself a musician, you'll love the music this engine makes when you open it up out on the highway. You'll also appreciate the way the Grand Am GT dances through the curves of your favorite country road. This car was built for serious performance, and it inspires confidence on the road. Just watch your speed. The lack of wind noise makes for a quiet ride, but it also masks your pace.

The Grand Am GT gets a special power plant in the form of a high-torque 3.4 litter V-6 that furnishes thrilling acceleration. It is coupled to a four-speed transmission that provides satisfying, quick, firm shifts. Pontiac provided a performance-oriented 3.29 final gear ratio that I presumed would hurt the gas mileage but provided surprising EPA figures of 20 city and 29 highway miles per gallon. To control all this power the Grand Am GT sits on a performance-tuned four-wheel independent suspension that provides a surprisingly compliant ride. Large 16-inch performance tires and attractive chrome wheels round out the GT package.

I found the snug, sporty interior to be very pleasant, and even my tall (6 foot 2 inch) co-pilot could get comfortable behind the wheel. Even the rear seating was surprisingly accommodating with its soft, well-contoured leather seats and generous leg room. I particularly liked the angle of the backrest. It had a comfortable semi-reclining pitch that lends itself to long highway cruises. The rear seat also splits and folds flat for additional cargo space. Finally, I noticed two cup holders were provided for the back seaters, a nice touch.

Luxury equipment

In keeping with it's sport-luxury image, Pontiac Grand Am GT comes lavishly equipped with an impressive Monsoon Sound System and a host of useful options I thought would drive the asking price to the stratosphere. Yet somehow, Pontiac managed to keep costs under control. The asking price is in the affordable low twenties. Included in the GT package is a stainless steel exhaust, ABS, enhanced traction control, rear deck lid spoiler, power windows and mirrors, illuminated entry lights, AM/FM radio with CD and subwoofer, battery run-down protection, power driver's seat, front leather bucket seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, dual frontal air bags, programmable door locks, remote wireless entry, cornering lamps, A/C, console with cup holders, carpeted floor mats and a theft deterrent system.

Pontiac is asking $24,130 for all this performance and luxury, but the deal gets very interesting when you throw in the various incentives. They currently include a $3000 cash-back rebate or free financing. But like everything else, incentives change, so check with your sales person for the latest deals. Say you're interested in a Corvette with four seats. They'll know what you're talking about.

Steve Robertson of Robertson's Creative Photography is a car enthusiast and former staff writer/photographer for the Southeast Missourian.