What to expect from a GXP vs an SE

[OnlyAnSE]

Hey all! I just bought an 04 bonnie gxp! Just wondering what major upgrades I'm gonna notice coming from an 01 se? Pretty excited about the purchase love our cars!

[CMNTMXR57]

Not sure if serious??

Where shall I start... It has a V8, heavier duty transmission, 18" wheels, GXP specific trim inside and out, etc, etc...

It is a completely different animal than an SE.

[OnlyAnSE]

I was kind of thinking more along the lines just of the driving feel and comparison I'm well aware of the upgrades themselves just trying to get an idea of how awesome it's gonna feel since I am picking it up in a week! I'm just getting really hyped is all

[ddalder]

I'm assuming then that you purchased at an auction or by some method where you haven't driven it. When I traded up from my 2002 SE to my 2004 GXP I found it very much different to drive. Right away I noticed that the RPM at highway speed was higher. In my opinion it feels like a much more "solid" car. I'm not sure how else to describe it. At the same time, it didn't seem as nimble in handling as the SE and felt like a much heavier car. The idle doesn't compare. That V8 is so smooth. Something that I always disliked about the V6 was how rough it seemed in comparison. Other than my SE, I have always owned cars with a V8 so to me, this really stuck out. Be prepared to stop for fuel more frequently. I figured it was going to be a little more thirsty but I was definitely surprised by how much. Perhaps I simply put my foot into it more because the power is definitely there. I've always had the sense that it was a much higher end car because the trim and finishes are far better than the SE. As for ride quality, I really don't recall other than like I stated before, it feels heavier and takes road bumps better.

Your experience may be different depending on how well the previous owner(s) have kept it up. My GXP was almost new (dealer demo) when I bought it. I spent three hours driving the SE to meet the dealer rep and three hours right back home again. This gave me an immediate sense about the differences between them.

[OnlyAnSE]

So my 10 hour drive from Denver will be very enjoyable minus stopping more frequently. Thank you both for your input extremely, look forward to having the car!

[Juggernaught]

I'm averaging 21 mpg on my '05 GXP during my 27 mile commute to work, which is about 80% interstate driving. My '11 Challenger V6 gets 22 mpg under the same conditions. What are the N/A V6 Bonneville's getting in similar driving?

[OnlyAnSE]

Doing 80 I get about 21. If I'm on backroom highways (and doing the speed limit 70mph ) it jumps to 31

[mefloump]

Out here in the flat lands of South Dakota, with no wind, at 80, I average 29-30. Throw in a headwind and it drops to 25.

[Juggernaught]

Those 3800 V6's do get good mileage. I rented a Buick LeSabre back in '08 and drove about 350 miles on the interstate. I averaged just about 30 mpg, which amazed me at the time for such a large car. I think the 3800 was an under rated engine for how it performed with power, mpg and over all reliability.