The G8 was a full-size sedan built in Australia and sold by Pontiac in the U.S. It was a rebadge of the Holden Commodore, with Holden being a General Motors subsidiary located “down under.” Shortly after the G8’s debut in the U.S., the Great Recession hit, and GM decided to pull the plug on the Pontiac Division (and Holden was not far behind). The seller has the fancy GXP model that has only 2,700 miles, as it was no doubt purchased as a future collectible. Located in New Port Richey, Florida, this orphan is available here on eBay, where the starting bid is $40,000. There are no takers so far, there is a reserve, and the Buy It Now is $60,000 (should a flood of bidders soon appear).
Replacing both the Bonneville and Grand Prix, the 2009 G8 was old school in that it had a powerful V8 engine and rear-wheel drive. It did not become an overnight success, and when GM decided to mothball Pontiac, they had sold only 13,000, and 11,000 were sitting in inventory waiting for buyers. So, there would be no 2010 G8, and final sales would be 30,700 units with 5,000 leftovers. Where did they go?
The G8 platform continued on briefly in the U.S. as the basis for the Chevrolet Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle). So, chances are you saw one of them from time to time pulling over speeders (there’s one for sale not far from me). The seller’s swanky GXP version should have a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 that was rated at 415 hp (zounds!). Most came with a 6-speed automatic transmission, though a manual was available. These cars (and presumably the Chevy PPV) could do the quarter mile in 13 seconds.
Pontiac’s G8 GXP had an upgraded suspension package and better disc brakes. Only 1,829 of them came to the U.S., making the seller’s car a rare find. Much of the seller’s description of this low-mileage vehicle is “marketing-speak,” such as it’s an “authentic choice …for a classic car.” Its low miles are because it has only been taken out to various car shows. The tires are original, and the battery is the only newer part (but the seller kept the old one). If you have 60-large to spare, this interesting car can move to your climate-controlled garage.
Chevrolet also made in 2015-2017 believe it was just called the SS that was rated at 425 HP with a 6 speed or automatic thinking it was a full size Impala. They are sharp looking cars that take well to performance parts.
SS was 14-17. Same 415hp LS3 as the GXP. It was a “VF” platform and GXP was a “VE”. Same wheelbase. I own a 34k mile 2011 caprice PPV 9C1. I did a full Holden badge conversion, G8 leather seats, console and shifter. 11-13 9C3 “detective” version already has the G8 style console and shifter as well as carpet and no spot light. No 9C3 after 13. The 11-13 PPV is a “WM”. 14-17 is a “WM”. They have a longer wheelbase than VE/ VF. All were built in Australia by Holden as well as the 04-06 GTO (Monaro) Nothing in common with a ln Impala. It’s fwd all the Holdens G8/ SS/ PPV are rwd. US was set to get to G8 ST (Sport Truck) (Holden Maloo) Ute in 2010 but GM was forced to axe Pontiac. Should have been Buick but they made money in China. Coincidentally there was a Buick Park Avenue also based in the Holden sold in China. Also a Daewoo Veritas in South Korea Saudi Arabia also got various models. I believe there was a Vauxhall in England.
Chevrolet SS was made by Holden in Australia not Chevrolet . Next gen to this built in 2013. Used as basis for their Nascar.
Buick was kept because of China.
This and the SS are really cool. I’d love to have a 6spd of either, but won’t spend that much.
Steve R
Chevrolet SS was made by Holden in Australia not Chevrolet . Next gen to this built in 2013. Used as basis for their Nascar.
The Caprice PPV was based on the long wheelbase Holden Statesman not the Commodore.
The Statesman was like an Aussie Buick and very popular with hire car & taxi companies.
$60k??, don’t think so. Nice car but I just don’t see someone dropping that much for one of these. On a side note, I would rather have a Pontiac then a Buick.
Hilarious price!
Did Obama hurt your feelings?
Obama didn’t have anything to do with that decision!!!!!!!!!The chinese did prefer Buicks over the Pontiacs though
He sure hurt the USA. The results of his 8 years is still hurting us.
You must be kidding Archie! That’s hilarious.
Archie, I would hate to get your views on the current incumbent of the White House.
Obama was the biggest scumbag to ever run this country, down the pooper that is. I wish you woketards would all disappear.
If you want to blame somebody blame the bean counters who run everything now. Although, if nobody was buying Pontiacs did it make sense to keep it alive If only a handful of enthusiasts would buy any?
Are there any Pontiac dealers left to service their own?
These GXP’s are actually quite desirable and have been now for a while. Performance is very good and easy to enhance it further. $60K is a lot, but I don’t think it is way out of line.
The Chevy SS are now going up in value too for good ones.
cool ride but they are going for the jugular with those numbers. does have low miles. not seeing these bring that kind of money yet
There are less ons to be learned. And then there are more ons.
Literally Laughed Out Loud!
The genius of this comment is that it applies both ways.
It doesn’t have the sporty look to match the performance.
Saturn outsold Pontiac, Buick, Saab and Hummer. But GM kept only Buick for the China market. Now that China makes a full range of affordable vehicles, Buick sales are in the dumpster here and China.
Being driven that little I guess it’s good that the Gas Tank is almost empty
After the horrible looking 04 to 06 GTO, Pontiac got it right with the G8. Then in 2008, stupid GM killed Pontiac. Buick today is total joke, as all of GM is. I grew up in the mid 1950s. In 1961, Dad bought his first of many Pontiacs. These G8s with low miles sell in the 40s. Someone was smart to put this away. Great performers without stupid stop start, etc. And if you choosr, it can beca daily driver. Try that with a RAIV GTO with 4.33 gears.
Problem with these cars is the lack of support from GM for parts etc. Some of the parts are absolutely not to be found even in Aussie land.
Yep, that seems to be a common theme whenever one of these comes up for sale. 17 years ago doesn’t seem like long to us OGs, but for an orphan car from overseas, that’s an eternity!
Chevy hated Pontiac since the 60’s(at least), it was a GM in-house decision. They were forced to cut product lines for the government bailout, but Chevy saw the opportunity to eliminate their biggest GM competitor and jumped on it.
I love these GXP G8’s
I love the Chevy SS
I HATE that these are so overpriced
And as much as I hate to say it –
Better options for the stupid money out there for these with miles as a comparison.
Last Gen CTS-V any day over these with miles – any day .
But owning a final GXP G8 low miles worth the investment – yes . 100% nice to see this