A funny thing happens when a car executive happens to be a car enthusiast as well. Bob Lutz almost single handedly spearheaded and pushed through the vast GM bureaucracy the adoption of the rear wheel drive platform used in Australia initially as the short lived GTO, but more importantly the G8 sedan. Powerful, fun to drive and inexpensive, the G8 brought big American V8 rumble back to the family sedan in a package that looks on paper more like a 5-Series competitor, than it does a Camry wanna be that its opening price point might suggest.
For 2009, the bar has been raised with the addition of the GXP model. A 415 Horsepower brute of a car aimed squarely at the BMW 5-Series, but with a base price of just over $37K is priced more like a 330i. Opt for the 6-speed manual and Pontiac actually gives you money back.
Yeah sure, you could argue that people buying BMW's aren't cross shopping the local Pontiac dealer, but honestly I am wondering if they shouldn't be giving this Pontiac at least a look before strolling to the Foreign makes.
Did I mention the 415 Horsepower engine FOR LESS THAN $38K?
Don't get me wrong, the 330i is the benchmark, but start adding options to the $40K base price and it is really easy to close in on the $50K mark. Benchmarks are expensive.
Of course the Infiniti G37 is a fair comparison as well price and size wise, but did I mention the 415 Horsepower engine that comes standard in the GXP? A number the G37 just doesn't come close to.
Perhaps I am being a little sarcastic here, but times are different than they were a year ago. People are looking to hold onto as much of their money as possible, at least what is left of it after the stock market crash. This car I think deserves at least a look, the price alone earns it that right.
Is Pontiac onto something here with their bargain basement priced super sedan? Is this the performance bargain of the decade?
Let's look at the facts, to gain access to other 400HP + cars, you would need to spend considerably more money. The 330i only has 300HP, to get 400 you need to step up to the M3 - a car whose pricing starts at $54,000. The Lexus IS-f offers 400HP, but there again a price north of $50K limits its appeal, and both the BMW and Lexus are smaller than the GXP. The BMW 550i has more power but the price is huge in relation to the GXP.
Only the Hemi powered cars from Chrysler come close, but only the Challenger offers a manual transmission option, and face it we are car guys who like to change our own gears with a traditional clutch.
So what's an enthusiast to do?
In choosing the GXP are you lowering your standards or "settling" for a lesser car, or can the argument be made that the BMW is worth the extra money.
I will grant you that in terms of interior materials and texture, the BMW is superior, but that superiority comes at a hefty premium.
And again I remind you the GXP has 415 Horsepower.
So go ahead, answer the question I initially posed - Has Pontiac made a compelling enough case to at least get you to take a look at the GXP, and would you consider the GXP over a BMW, Lexus or Infiniti?
While you contemplate your response, be sure to check out the AutoSpies.com Porsche Museum Gallery that Agent 001 posted earlier today.
Also, don't forget the ability to post your photos while on the go by sending them directly from your mobile device by sending them to mobile@AutoSpies.com