NP or CP: Aussie Ed.

"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
10/03/2017 at 08:38 • Filed to: None

I stumbled upon a unicorn on CL. A manual, 2009 G8 GXP! This one is also pretty heavily optioned with a original MSRP of over 41,000.

If you’re going to take interior pictures take the time and set your steering wheel straight.

It looks clean inside and out, seems to have been well cared for, and is originality a Texas car that has been garage kept for the Minnesota winters. The red, and black interior looks a bit cheesy, but this is a Pontiac after all, what did you expect?

The cat currently has near enough to 42,000 miles. So at over 5,000 miles a year the car has seen some actual use, and not just been sitting ina garage rotting away.

That gas mileage is a tough pill to swallow.

Being a GXP thus car does have an LS3. 6.2l and 415hp in a sedan is certainly unusual.

The seller is asking 29,500 for this last hurrah from Pontiac. But is it worth that? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (17)

pip bip - choose Corrour > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/03/2017 at 08:40

imho it is well worth it.

Saab wagon is best wagon-now with less Saab > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/03/2017 at 08:47

The G8 is hitting that semi-collector status right around now; 30k for a fully-optioned, low mileage example, while not the best possible deal (considering it’s a new-car price for nearly decade-old car), is still pretty good.

NP, though not by much.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/03/2017 at 08:47

Given its looks and relative rarity, it sounds like a NP. When you realize you can get a Chevy SS with magnetic ride and a better interior for not much more, it turns to the CP side very quickly. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/713939741/overview/

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Where have all the lightweights gone?
10/03/2017 at 08:49

The only downside of the SS is that it doesn’t have a proper hand brake

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/03/2017 at 08:50

CP in Australian dollars. How much is a 2009 7 series BMW in the US? That was the vehicle Holden and HSV benchmarked it against...

Where have all the lightweights gone? > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/03/2017 at 08:58

I 100% agree with you there, but everything else is an upside.

random001 > Where have all the lightweights gone?
10/03/2017 at 08:59

DAAAAMMMMNNNNN

CobraJoe > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/03/2017 at 09:07

If you want a V8 RWD manual 4 door 400hp sedan, there are a few options out there.

Some Chevy SSs are getting down near the $30k level, and they probably won’t depreciate very fast either. The first gen CTS-V can be found for $15k, though if you really need the back seat room, it might be a little bit tight. There’s always the option of a cheap M3, but I think that’s more of a “Pay now or pay later” kind of thing.

If you give up on the manual, there are more SSs available in the near $30k price range, and the early Chrysler 300 SRT8s can be had for half that price.

So, I guess I’m saying that unless you specifically want the G8 GXP, $30k can get you a newer or cheaper comparable car.

AdverseMartyr > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/03/2017 at 09:13

I just don’t know how to answer. My mind knows that the Pontiac emblem is only an emblem and it’s actually a Holden, but I can’t get past the Pontiac emblem. I see the emblem, and I think CP. It’s just an association in my minds from the late 80s/early 90s when there was no driving excitement. I don’t think I could ever walk out the door and not feel nausea when that emblem appears. (Full Disclosure: I drove a 1990 Pontiac Lemans in the 90s, and rebadged Daewoos scarred me for life)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AdverseMartyr
10/03/2017 at 09:25

No I get it. You could know the car is cool but 90% of the population would just think it’s a shity Grand Prix.

Discerning > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/03/2017 at 10:49

Unpopular opinion time:

You can get one of these, with less miles, 2 years newer, and 2 less doors for significantly less money.

Yes, I am talking about a 2011 Camaro SS. No, it is not as practical or unique, but at what point can you justify spending so much more money for something as old as the G8?

If you have to have 4 doors, then it’s not a terrible deal. But we’re still talking about a car that is 8 years old and 30k.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Discerning
10/03/2017 at 10:53

Plus you could gat an M3 sedan, or 535i M Sport for the same money.

WiscoProud > CobraJoe
10/03/2017 at 11:44

That is basically the thought process I’ve been having. I’ve been looking at midsize sedans for fun/commuting duties, and have looked at each and every one you’ve listed. I would love to see the manual SSs come down below $30k, but I don’t think they will until they have north of 100k miles. I like the M3, but you’re right about the pay now or pay later aspect. If you’re cool with an auto, there are more options, but for a manual RWD V8 sedan, you’re pretty limited.

CobraJoe > WiscoProud
10/03/2017 at 12:01

I’m pretty sure the manual SSs will come in price sooner than later. There’s a 2014 automatic one with 60k miles listed at $29k, and the cheapest manual within 500 miles of me is a 2015 at $35k with 29k miles. Those are $50k sedans with $15-20k off just because they’re 2-3 years old. Give them another year or two, and the prices should come down some more.

The 1st gen CTS-Vs are a pretty serious performance vehicle, so don’t eliminate them just because it’s about the only option in the sub $30k arena. Granted, the interior isn’t the greatest quality, but all the mechanicals are insanely competent.

Personally, I’m considering a slightly different route. Both of my kids are old enough to climb into their own seats now, so I’m thinking a 2 door with a decent back seat is a valid option. Granted, keeping V8, rwd, and manual as requirements still eliminates many options, but a GTO or a Challenger might be a fun daily driver.

WiscoProud > CobraJoe
10/03/2017 at 12:11

I’ve definitely been looking at the first-gen CTS-V, but I would want to get one of the later ones with the upgraded rear end. The SS was a $50k MSRP, but Chevy periodically ran deals where they were only $40k. I think people are drawn to the G8 largely due to the racier styling, but I would expect the SS to hold its value pretty well too, just based on its stats.

My daughter is 3 and is eager to climb in by herself (which is impressive since I have a Land Cruiser with 33" tires and a small lift. The floor is genuinely chest height on her). I would like a 2+2 coupe, but I think a sports sedan is probably more useful at this point. Honestly, I’ve been looking at the B8 S4 and C7 S6 lately. They’re gorgeous, fast, and AWD for my Wisconsin winters.

CobraJoe > WiscoProud
10/03/2017 at 12:25

I’ll sell you my ‘05 Legacy GT if you want it... It’s close to 300hp now with a manual transmission and AWD. (Turns out, I’m not a fan of AWD and turbos). It’ll be far cheaper than that G8 too!

I’m still hoping the SS will drop in price some in the next year or so, it kind of makes sense in my head to get a more expensive car that I would be willing to keep longer, but I’m not sure it’ll work out financially yet.

If I really had the time, I’d make my own sports wagon out of a square body Panther. Add some stiffer springs, better shocks, swap in a manual, and give that 302 some actual power, and I’d be more than happy. But I’m already up to my elbows in a different, expensive project, so that’s probably not going to happen.

WiscoProud > CobraJoe
10/03/2017 at 12:41

I don’t have a good reason for it, but I really want 400+ hp. Its not a rational want, but a want nonetheless. If the SS drop to $30k, I might get one. I test drove one and it was damn near the perfect size for me. Not to mention its not nearly as heavy as the German mid-size.