welcome! do a TON of research before you buy a new car, im skeptical about buying new since everything is plastic and loaded with electrical, I prefer older cars because the new ones are made so that you have to take it to a dealer to get simple things fixed, where as old is alot easier to do your own work on.

As a GXP owner I can say after the first year of ownership I don't regret my purchase. These cars have their share of small problems, as most GM vehicles of the early 2000'* do, but most are minor. Burned out radio lights, broken window regulators, and blown heated seat elements are common (as they are with the SSEi or any other 2000+ Bonneville).

Many individuals have a less than favorable opinion of the Northstar, and while reports of blown head gaskets were valid in the engine'* earlier years a redesign in 2004 seems to have corrected the problem. I personally don't find the performance disappointing, these cars will absolutely fly on the highway and will hang with a lot of cars that weigh less. If you have the need to mod though, get a 3800. The transmission is bulletproof and shifts as smooth as silk.

The exteriors of these cars are stunning and have aged much better than the SSEi'* (IMO). It'* an eye catcher and I find myself so many times turning around to give the car a second glance as I leave it. The interior is quite busy, with lots of curves and materials competing for your attention. Pontiac did dress the GXP up a little and seemed to lessen the feel of cheapness.

I can't speak for longevity, as I only have 85,000 on mine, but honestly once the car gets up in the 130k range I'll probably look to replace it as I don't want to deal with overhauling a N*. As much as I would recommend this car to anyone that wants luxury, looks, and performance, the thought of driving one far into the 200k range would give me pause.

This is 100% correct.

I recently had someone argue with me about how their Toyota Highlander is the most reliable thing on the road.

I went through the common problems with him:

Common water pump failure requiring engine removal to replace, for $1300
Common u-shaft failure requiring entire assembly replacement, for $1500
Common sunroof motorized mechanism failure, for $700
Common ABS sensor failure, for $300

And that'* all with under 100k miles.

*ever* car has its problems.

My GXP was one of the more unlucky ones. I had bought a warranty for it when I got it at 45,800 miles, and went through $7,400 worth of warranty covered repairs serviced by a dealer before I sold it with ~87k miles. That car was a royal pain in my *** no matter how you look at it. With all wheel hubs replaced, and all suspension parts checked at 3 different shops with road force balanced tires, I still had some vibration issues on the highway.

My problems included:
Fog light harness defective (common problem with GXPs)
Gauge cluster failure (the motor on the temp gauge failed)
Front engine mount failure
All wheel hubs failed and were replaced, the front two were replaced twice
Trunk water leak
Blower motor failure
Water crossover gasket and some other gasket failure
Power steering pump failure
Power steering gear failure
Power steering rack failure (common with all bonnevilles)
Power steering line leaks
Oil cooler line leaks
Coil pack assembly failure (only 2 weeks after I bought it)
Rotors were all severely warped when I bought it (pathetic at 45,800 miles)
Gas cap leak (easy fix, but just another item that needed replacing)

I drove the car like it was meant to be driven; a throaty, high revving V8. I maintained it and took good care of it. I blame all of its problems on the previous owner, but I can sure as hell say I got my money'* worth out of that warranty.

Would I buy one again? Yes, but only with a warranty, and only when I'm in more of a financial position to keep it running.

Just like any other car, it'll **** you off every now and then and few days later you totally love the car
last week i wanted to sell mine so bad i got sick of it, this week i never wanna let go of it.

One thing i can tell you, I've driven way too many cars, many of them were very new and stylish.
But not one car got as many compliments and head turns as much as the GXP. With how rare the GXP is, people will always ask you what kinda car is this? & never think its less than a 2009

All the best one your decision.


How can you say no to this?

I would pass on ANY Northstar equipped car...unless you have a GREAT warranty!

Funny you say that because ive been on this forum for close to 3 years soon and never seen one GXP with Northstar issue.

Same here. .
It'* total bullshit. ...... Just saying because I've heard so much crap about our engine and have in 6 years yet to hear of ONE failure of a 2004+ LD8 Northstar head/engine here.. By the time Pontiac received the engine, the bugs were engineered out. Why do people keep rehashing problems of past versions?

That'* one reason I would own another Bonneville GXP at some point in the future. That drivetrain was excellent. It was the other issues that pissed me off, and I needed a more affordable car on insurance and gas. I do miss it though.

Funny to me so many laud the 3.8 and forget some engineering issues that make some versions ticking time bombs.

Can I get an amen? So well said Venom.