At $31K, This Is a Shining Sale of a Pontiac G8 GXP
The Pontiac G8 GXP didn’t get the 15 minutes of fame it deserved. In fact, it barely got a chance to bow and make an introduction before the spotlight was switched off and the curtains dropped. But for those paying attention, its time on stage was a marvelous moment of four-door V-8 glory.
Those who still remember and appreciate the G8 GXP take notice when one of the 1829 units produced comes up for sale, and for good reason. Fast, engaging sport sedans had long been the purview of German manufacturers, but beginning under Bob Lutz’s tenure in the early 2000s, General Motors decided to try its hand in the segment. Cadillac’s CTS and CTS-V emerged, and then Lutz announced that Pontiac, too, would be getting in on the game. GM’s Australian subsidiary Holden would reskin its ground-pounding Commodore and export it to the U.S. as the Pontiac G8 starting in 2008. With 415 horses from its 6.2-liter LS3 V-8, an available six-speed manual, and excellent handling, the G8 GXP was the ultimate iteration, and it debuted to strong accolades.
“The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP is just the sort of four-door Corvette Americans have long prayed for, with sharp steering, fabulous response from the four-piston Brembo brakes, exceptionally balanced and neutral handling, and a simple and classy look to the interior layout and trim—all for a price that undercuts that of a comparable BMW by $20,000,” glowed our own Aaron Robinson, writing for Car and Driver in November 2008.
Robinson went on to add that he wasn’t sure that this car, or even GM itself, would be around much longer, and as such, fans of capable sedans shouldn’t dawdle on their way to the Pontiac dealership. It was announced a scant five months later that Pontiac would soon shutter.
Given their limited sales, G8s of any kind are a rare sight, but the GXP’s ultra-short run means they come up with even less regularity. As a result, those of us who have soft spots for the General’s fast, understated sedans perked up when this example, a 67k-mile manual-transmission car owned from new by Richard Griot of Griot’s Garage, got listed on Bring a Trailer. Selling for $31,237 including fees, it shows as a clean, well-maintained example.
The car presents nicely inside and out, with gleaming black paintwork over a black and red interior that appears to be in excellent condition for its age (hardly a surprise, given its original owner’s business). A stack of receipts from late 2023 documents new fluids, plugs, tires, brakes, alternator, battery, valve cover and oil pan gaskets, and more. To seal the deal, its Corsa mufflers made for a properly aggressive tone in the driving video.
At 67k miles, this isn’t an example you keep cooped up; and with all that recent work, it’s ready to be driven and thoroughly enjoyed.
This car can trace its existence to Lutz himself, and not just for the GM boss’ decision to bring the model up from Down Under. Included in the photographs is a copy of an email correspondence between Griot and Lutz regarding initiating the order of the car.
At $31k, this G8 GXP landed a little north of its #3 (Good) condition value, right about where we’d expect for a very nice example with this mileage. The six-speed manual carries a 15% premium. Good luck finding one—only 846 were made (regular G8s and V-8-equipped G8 GTs only came with a six-speed automatic). Also, these cars never got truly cheap—we do rate #4 (Fair) condition cars at $17,200, but we’ve observed that a lot of these G8s, especially the GXPs, have been very well-maintained, and therefore regularly transact around where we saw this one sell.
Generally, these cars went to enthusiasts who picked them up for at least one of two reasons: First, they really understood what a performance gem they were, and kept them in fighting shape. Second, they saw the writing on the wall for Pontiac and wanted to get the last great V-8 car from the brand, and preserved them as a matter of pride. As a result, it’s often mileage more than condition that appears to be the primary factor in the sale price of G8 GXPs.
Ultimately, Griot’s GXP ticks a lot of boxes. It’s a poignant last hurrah for a storied American brand known for performance. It’s a perfect blend of condition and mileage—something you could drive proudly and frequently. And boy, will it put a smile on your face when you do. Well sold, and well bought.
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These, and the Chevrolet SS that eventually followed, were indeed great GM performance cars. I think the G8 looked a bit better overall, but I would not turn either down!
I always liked these but they came too late to save Pontiac and probably wouldn’t have even if. The proposed G8 ST (sports truck ) would have been interesting as well. Perhaps some people stayed away from them because the writing was on the wall and they were concerned about future maintenance, parts availability etc with the dealerships closing their doors. But the Chevy SS didn’t sell well either by comparison so I suspect that to be a small part of the equation at most. As disappointed as those loyal Pontiac fans are, those die hard Holden enthusiasts in Australia and New Zealand must be a bit put out as well now to put it mildly. At least, if and when these and the SS become more collectable, there should be a network for those owners to find some same/matching Commodore parts there.
Ha, well, since it was owned by Mr. Griot himself, I guess the ultra shiny paint finish makes sense!
And now, Holden, where one of the last great Pontiacs came from, is also dead.
Great car but too late. Even if Pontiac had lived Holden died. The truth was Lutz arrived 10 years too late.
The Ute was only expected to sell 10k units.
The sedans sold well if you count the V6 cars. Most sold right up to the end well unless it was an odd color. I had one odd GT that was orange offered for $24k new. Wife could not get past the color.
Pontiac just was never understood by GM after Delorean and Knudsen left. They were the engineers cars and were served with a group of renegade engineers that broke rules to give us cars we wanted.
While these were cool cars they really were Holdens as the last real Pontiacs died in the early 80’s. The rest were just corporate engine and platform cars adapted with Pontiac styling.
Delorean guys started in the early 60’s and created some very special cars and engines breaking GM rules. The last was their hiding and building of the Fiero. Many retired after that and the products showed that.
Unfortunately, this car arrived in the midst of a financial crisis, when banks and the economy were in turmoil, and it pushed GM and Chrysler into bankruptcy, and any car had a tough time selling.
This was a wonderful car that was not given the time to shine. It’s too bad that GM didn’t give us the Holden based cars earlier. We had many great years from that brand.
Neighbor purchase a RED 2009 G8 GT new. Told him I would buy it as soon as he was ready. It became “ours” as of 4/2015. My wife wanted a conservative four door automatic to replace our Suburban since the kids were now grown. Needless to say I “snuck” the G8 GT in on her.
Over time I added a few modifications including a FAST LSXR 102 Intake Manifold, Front Stiffing Bar, Vara Ram Air System, and replaced the “Atari” gauges with in-dash (cowling from Holden) gauges for oil, temp, and vacuum. After I installed the Kooks (easiest I have ever done) Stainless Steel headers/exhaust system (6/2020) the wife wanted her “own car” so the G8 GT became mine. “I love when a plan comes together” even if it takes awhile.
I have put about 100,000 miles on the car over the last nine years that have been nothing but fun, smiles, and waves from a few surprised street races in my rear view mirror. My neighbor wishes he never sold me such an exciting car to drive. I give him a little REV every time I pass his house.
Great story, thanks for sharing. My dad has an 08 G8GT with 7,300 miles on it still. I’m not sure if I will end up with it or what. Even if I do, it will be an initially difficult choice to go ahead and drive it, or keep it garaged. Do you have your G8GT build on YouTube or somewhere? Thanks again.
Picked up a 2009 GT off lease for Christmas 2011. Hot Red with black and red leather. This is the leather produced by plastic bovines and sold as pleather. Women look great in it, seats just become ultra slippery.
Maintenance part upgrades include Brembo calipers/rotors from CTC-V (second gen) and 19″wheels. Koni dampers, Eibach springs, BMR anti-sway bars and various braces. Vari-Ram, Solo exhaust and Range DOD eliminator & Diablo Sport tuner. Only real issues, required a headliner and the transmission tries to shift up to 6th ASAP, even in Sport.
Best all round car I’ve ever owned and at 75 probably ever will.
Six disc CD player!, remember those?
Since we’re talking about the Indians last hurrah, the Fieros something of a replacement, Solstice and its twins Saturn ( now defunct ) Sky, Opel ( now part of Stellantis ) GT seem worthy of mention. While somewhat flawed, Pontiac received more orders than they could initially fill. As a future collectable a GXP with the dealer upgraded to 290 h.p. turbo seems like something that could appreciate in value. I can’t imagine all that many went out the doors.
& ps Gary B- If you didn’t know ,the last generation Camaro was based on the Holden designed Zeta platform like the Commodore and G8.
too bad i first popped for a new 05 GTO when it got upgraded to an LS2 (actually got tired of waiting for my first choice, the “new” Challenger to finally be released). Would have waited for the G8….but I needed a “fun”
daily driver at the time. When the Challenger did show up, I test drove it hard thru a serpentine course and it didn’t come close to the excellent handling of the GOAT on that Holden platform. That G8GT seems to be the perfect combination style, comfort, handling and grunt power…..a missed opportunity on my part!