Pulled up to eat lunch and spotted a blue G8 in the lot, lo and behold its a GXP. So of course I had to park next to it. Yes it was a GXP, as it was near a large GM facility.

A couple of observations:
1. Seats are IDENTICAL to the GT, with the exception of embroidery. Interior looked the same. Thought steering wheel looked more sport than Super Sport, although hard to tell.

2. Brembos front only

3. Wheels didn't look as good I'd have thought (still way better than GT 18")

4. Front Fasica I think is better than the GT. Rear neither better or worse.

Some pics to enjoy:

That sucks about the seats. So the wheels don't look that good? I was considering buying new wheels anyway because I wasn't that crazy about the stock ones.

Did you happen to get the VIN?

John you need to come over to this side of town more you'd see a ton of them I've got another one next week ;)

Did you happen to get the VIN?
No it was creepy enough taking pictures.

So the wheels don't look that good?
Don't get me wrong they are good, but I've seen quite a few aftermarket wheels looking better. Good for stock wheels, but not great.

John you need to come over to this side of town more
But Flint was so scenic...:)

I really wanna drive a GXP..to feel the difference...

No mistake, I love my GT, pleased with it so far..its fairly quick and good mpg (I averaged 27.3 mpg on the way home, 25.8 roundtrip--thanks to HPT).

But I can really see how having a MT would be quite a bit of fun in these cars. Maybe by 2011, I can let the wife inherit the GT....find a GXP..maybe one by then will come in some different colors...

I'm disappointed about the seats. Not a slam on the GT seats, it's just that I was hoping for the GXP show car seats. Dang....

I'm disappointed about the seats. Not a slam on the GT seats, it's just that I was hoping for the GXP show car seats. Dang....

typical GM...I hate that they always pull the best parts of their concept/show cars.

No it was creepy enough taking pictures.


That explains the far off pics.

typical GM...I hate that they always pull the best parts of their concept/show cars.


Ditto.

hopefully by leaving the nice things out like the seats they will keep the msrp low.

I would pay for the seats...

GM using the standard GT seat is disappointing.

I would pay for the seats...
definitely. Honestly it's a reason I stopped looking at the Audi S5. I loved the audi seats and when I saw the GXP concept seats I was sold. I should have known better.

John you need to come over to this side of town more you'd see a ton of them I've got another one next week ;)

*cough*pictures*cough*

No it was creepy enough taking pictures.
That explains the far off pics.

I hate to say this, but if I carried a good quality camera (or even a cell camera) & it's in public view, I'm taking as good of a pic as I can. The tags didn't look like typical Michigan manufacturing plates. BTW John, did you see if it was an auto or manual?

But Flint was so scenic...:)


I know Grand Blanc when I see it, I lived there while I was growing up for 18 years. :)

What dealership did you buy your G8 from, and did they give you a good deal?

Call me stupid, but I am mostly disappointed that there are only Brembo's on the front.
To me, this is cost cutting and kinda cheezy to just outfit the front.

It is like kids that can only afford 1 set of new wheels for the back of their Honda's. lol

I really am a stickler with how the inside bellies of wheels look, and the brake calipers. I was looking at a Rousch Mustang 427 about amonth ago that was listing at all but 50K. It had the cheapest, cheesiest looking brake calipers. They looked as if they were pulled right off a cheopo bottom of the line Mustang.
Look at the calipers on a S60R: http://linewavemedia.com/Photos/car10.jpg
This isn't my car, but very close to it. Very sweet.

What other differences are being cut out?

The more corners GM/Holden cuts on the GXP, the more appealing the GT looks. Seriously, if you're going to have to mod anyway (seats, brakes, suspension), you may as well get the cheaper version.

Thing is, us older family-type guys have no interest in modding cars.
I am looking for a complete package.

I liked to GXP, because out of the box, it sounded as if it was pretty close to European and has a should we say uncharacteristic Pontiac appearance. No insult intended.

I know Grand Blanc when I see it, I lived there while I was growing up for 18 years.

What dealership did you buy your G8 from, and did they give you a good deal?

Technically yes it was Grand Blanc. I got my G8 from Jim Bradley Pontiac in Ann Arbor (I live close to Metro Airport). I get GMS pricing, so not much room to wiggle there.

Thing is, us older family-type guys have no interest in modding cars.
Ha! Speak for yourself....I would say I am an older (40+) family type (4 boys) and I have plenty of interest in modding.

GXP is a good value too, no doubt about that, but the GT is no slouch either. GXP has good appeal if you don't want to mod and can afford the extra price tag.

Like I said in two years or so, I will be looking around for a GXP (or maybe (gasp!) a newer Camaro)...

Like I said in two years or so, I will be looking around for a GXP (or maybe (gasp!) a newer Camaro)...
Going in a different direction, what do you think about the new Camaro? I am slowly losing interest in it. I am thinking it is going to be another Mustang. The first couple will be neat, but then it will just fade away after a year or two.
I still feel the Challenger is the best retro design on the lot right now.

GM using the standard GT seat is disappointing.

When my Dad was at Corvettes of Carlisle, the corvette engineer said the ZR1 is using the same seats as all the other Vettes cause to change it would of required millions of dollars of tests to appease the gov't of it's crashworthiness.

Maybe that came into play here? Not sure how different the seat has to be to require more testing.

The more corners GM/Holden cuts on the GXP, the more appealing the GT looks. Seriously, if you're going to have to mod anyway (seats, brakes, suspension), you may as well get the cheaper version.

I feel the same way about the seat change.

Since I'll be modding the car I may do a little shopping downunder and try and purchase the HSV or SSV seats or just buy some nice Recaros for it.

So instead of buying a new GXP I'll wait and get a unmolested used one.

John you need to come over to this side of town more you'd see a ton of them I've got another one next week ;)


Does the GXP exhaust sound the same as a GT ??? If not. What's different???

Going in a different direction, what do you think about the new Camaro? I am slowly losing interest in it. I am thinking it is going to be another Mustang. The first couple will be neat, but then it will just fade away after a year or two.
I still feel the Challenger is the best retro design on the lot right now.

I've seen a few Camaros that look good, & some that look average & boring. The blue & yellow replica GS Racer was the best IMO. But, you know that with any hot new car, some people will find ways to ugly them up. The Challenger is no exception. Plus, Ford is planning to pull the rug out from under GM & Chrysler. 2010 Mustang (http://jalopnik.com/tag/2010-ford-mustang-gt/) From the few teaser photos, to the materials' appearance (can't compare until both are on the dealer lots) to the HP fight, this could be the last gasp of pure fun.

At least I won't be looking at a new Genesis. Here's a crashed one where the airbags didn't deploy. http://jalopnik.com/5085368/first-hyundai-genesis-coupe-crash-caught-in-korea

The seats ARE different.

They are slightly better bolstered and in the shoulder area they have more support. Just a quick glance and they appear to be the same. But rest assured they are a different.

Just wait til' feel the steering wheel compared to the sport package wheel.....:wink2:

I really have a strong feeling that the seats will be different or that they were different on the car you saw but you just didn't look close enough. JMHO.

The new Mustang looks atrocious, if it is anything like I have been seeing.
It is retro meets futuristic= NO WAY.

For me, you are one or the other. The challenger has a nice retro look to it. The new Stang looks kinda goofy, imo.

I really have a strong feeling that the seats will be different or that they were different on the car you saw but you just didn't look close enough. JMHO.

To be honest, the concept seats LOOKED so badass, it totally made the interior of the car. Even if the GXP seats are slightly more supportive, they've lost the cool-factor. GM makes some amazing concept cars - those cars get rave reviews and sparks public interest - then GM makes the production vehicle bland. It's a reason i'm even considering other non US manufacturers. The concepts have "Pontiac Excitement" - but that's where it ends in the looks dept.

To be honest, the concept seats LOOKED so badass, it totally made the interior of the car. Even if the GXP seats are slightly more supportive, they've lost the cool-factor. GM makes some amazing concept cars - those cars get rave reviews and sparks public interest - then GM makes the production vehicle bland. It's a reason i'm even considering other non US manufacturers. The concepts have "Pontiac Excitement" - but that's where it ends in the looks dept.

Design studio and R&D employees don't make the most manufacturable or affordable vehicles. This is true in most industries. At some point a company has to build and sell the concept on a large scale.

Having different seats than the concept GXP vs the production GXP is completely stupid!!!

Those seats come standard fare in all the higher end Holden/ HSV models built on the same production line as the Commadore vehicles.

There's nothing special GM had to do other than embroider the GXP logo and give it the nod. No wonder GM is headed in the toilet with their decisions.

Having different seats than the concept GXP vs the production GXP is completely stupid!!!

Those seats come standard fare in all the higher end Holden/ HSV models built on the same production line as the Commadore vehicles.

There's nothing special GM had to do other than embroider the GXP logo and give it the nod. No wonder GM is headed in the toilet with their decisions.
In the defense of GM, all US automakers are headed into the toilet because of poor decision making. :(

LS2GTO, I am curious to your thoughts of coming out of a SRT8 and going into a GXP.
How is the SRT8 engine? I still like the SRT8 300C a lot! But the 300C is becoming a bit dated compared to the newer offerings.

There's nothing special GM had to do other than embroider the GXP logo and give it the nod. No wonder GM is headed in the toilet with their decisions.

Agreed that the GXP should have had better/different seats (that was one of the reason I really liked the GXP).

BUT, the reality is cost. GXP is a low volume model. Crash testing has to be done for US regulations, the parts have to be sourced etc.

GM is in trouble partly because of offering too much. The Camaro/Firebird disappeared because partially its price tag was too high from too much "stuff"/gadgets/options.

The Japanese brands made inroads with quality by offering low option content vehicles, therefore vastly simplifying the production process and keeping costs down.

I feel the same way about the seat change.

Since I'll be modding the car I may do a little shopping downunder and try and purchase the HSV or SSV seats or just buy some nice Recaros for it.



I'm seriously considering this too.

Hi johnh I am also buying a GXP I have a GSU authorization number could you help me obtain a GSM number ? Also could you E-mail or post the the the prices when they come out . Thanks Jerry

Agreed that the GXP should have had better/different seats (that was one of the reason I really liked the GXP).

BUT, the reality is cost. GXP is a low volume model. Crash testing has to be done for US regulations, the parts have to be sourced etc.

Don't know where you source your information on crash testing seats but I can't imagine GM/Holden giving the axe to those seats on some US safety issue. I wouldn't know which would be worst as to why the seats didn't make production.

Some GM money pinching bean counter looking at the profit margin and saying we saved an estimated $40 to $80 a car if we axe the seats OR some minor stupid US reg. saying the concept seats failed because the rear seat-back is 1" taller than required to meet the standard thus limiting rear visibility or something idiotic like that.

Besides us there's few Joe Public who even know about this car because of it's low production.

C'mon the concept seats are probably rated the same or higher than the standard seats. Because of this seat trickery, it has change my buying decision. People have been swapping / upgrading their factory seats with aftermarket ones for years here in the states. I think most of us who have waited for the GXP has been somewhat let down. I still like the car but it's not as appealing to me without the seats. GM could have least offered the concept seats as a optional seat upgrade. :judge:

Maybe they could put the Corvette seats in the GXP. That would be fine with me.

LS2GTO, I am curious to your thoughts of coming out of a SRT8 and going into a GXP.
How is the SRT8 engine? I still like the SRT8 300C a lot! But the 300C is becoming a bit dated compared to the newer offerings.

I don't want to go off topic to this thread so I'll PM you.

I'm thinking about a G8 GXP and have been periodically checking Ponitac's on line inventory.

Today I noticed that the option to select GXP from the pull down menu has been removed. What do you guys think this means?:confused:

I've seen a few Camaros that look good, & some that look average & boring. The blue & yellow replica GS Racer was the best IMO. But, you know that with any hot new car, some people will find ways to ugly them up. The Challenger is no exception. Plus, Ford is planning to pull the rug out from under GM & Chrysler. 2010 Mustang (http://jalopnik.com/tag/2010-ford-mustang-gt/) From the few teaser photos, to the materials' appearance (can't compare until both are on the dealer lots) to the HP fight, this could be the last gasp of pure fun.

At least I won't be looking at a new Genesis. Here's a crashed one where the airbags didn't deploy. http://jalopnik.com/5085368/first-hyundai-genesis-coupe-crash-caught-in-korea

I don't know if Ford will pull out the rug with the 2010 Mustang. It would have to have the new 5.0L 4v DOHC motor. That would be the killer but from what I have heard its not coming out until 2011 MY so I really think Ford is wasting all this hype on just a refresh, I hope I'm wrong.

Are we really sure the GXP seats are not the same as on the concept? the OP may have missed it as they are only slightly different unless you look at the shoulder area.

Also, this could be a mule, and sometimes they come in not complete, so the seats could be different on this car (given it was in MI) than for production.

Don't jump ship so quickly....

Are we really sure the GXP seats are not the same as on the concept? the OP may have missed it as they are only slightly different unless you look at the shoulder area.

Also, this could be a mule, and sometimes they come in not complete, so the seats could be different on this car (given it was in MI) than for production.

Don't jump ship so quickly....

nrmustang has driven a review model, he posted previous to you and clued us into the fact that the seats are indeed different. Looks like most haven't caught that yet.

I don't know if Ford will pull out the rug with the 2010 Mustang. It would have to have the new 5.0L 4v DOHC motor. That would be the killer but from what I have heard its not coming out until 2011 MY so I really think Ford is wasting all this hype on just a refresh, I hope I'm wrong.

Well, it's a thorough refresh. If it were just a new front & rear clip, I might agree. But, Ford wants to catch people sitting on the fence. Plus, there are some loyal Mustang buyers that just want the newest design. For the enthusiasts, they know to wait until 2011 for the real beasts.