LS4 Performance - G6 GTP or Grand Prix GXP?

What's up everyone.. I recently bought a used 2006 G6 GTP Coupe as a DD about 2 months ago. I love the G6 but I really wanted a GP GXP but couldn't pass up the great deal I got on the G6. Now that I own it and realize the lack of mods available for the 3.9, I'm really considering the GP GXP. So I basically have 2 questions..

1. I know the tranny is a weak point for the GXP. I will be using this car as my primary vehicle, likely over 15,000 miles/year. Will a mid-mileage GXP suit my needs reliably in your opinions? I'm not going to drive it like I stole it, but you can never have enough WOT on-ramp time..should I just keep the G6 (which is squeaky clean) or should I be OK with a GXP and questionable tranny?
2. A local stealership here has a GXP for sale in very nice condition with 48K on the clock (clean carfax, 1 owner) for $16,500. Good deal or no..?

I only need the car to get me back and forth for the next 2 maybe 3 years.. until the new ATS-V comes out :nod: Any info is greatly appreciated!

I personally would pick the GXP just because it puts out more power with basically the same fuel economy. I paid $16k flat for mine that came certified pre-owned, 50k miles, very clean interior with a few minor chips on the exterior paint. It was completely stock also. I guess it depends on where you live for the price of the car. I had to travel 8 hours to pick mine up, because GXP's in my area were very limited, had more mileage, weren't certified pre-owned, and started at around $17k. As for the transmission, change the fluid, install a tranny cooler, get upgraded parts from TEP if you can afford, but otherwise just baby the hell out of it if you're really concerned about the transmission. My friend's got a G6 GT and it's fun to drive, but the GXP is a hell of a lot more fun, with more options :D

Well I have driven both and for me the gp is way more fun. And a bit more expensive in stock form. Depending on your climate. This relates to the different size tires front to back. And if you need or want to run summer winter tires.. and a brake job will be more money than the g6. I have had nine for over 50k and I still enjoying it everyday. It's my dd. Still a few things I'd like to do to the car mod wise. I have realized I will have to buy another car for a true toy.

just baby the hell out of it if you're really concerned about the transmission.
I don't think so, that's not how it works.

Get the gp, last year I put 36,000 miles on mine and never ran into a single issue.

You own the g6 outright? Dd it and buy the gp and turn it into a toy.

You own the g6 outright? Dd it and buy the gp and turn it into a toy.

Thanks for the replies guys. I don't own the G6 outright, but I probably have equity in it if I wanted to resell it. I paid $11k for it with 38,000mi from a dealership that knew nothing about it and wanted to get it off the lot. It now sits just over 40,000mi. Book value on it is around $15K (it's fully optioned, heated leather/sunroof/adj pedals/monsoon/etc.) so I wouldn't take less than around $13k for it in a cash sale.

A gtp would be a good car for my wife

Is the G6 a 6-speed manual?

Is the G6 a 6-speed manual?

Nope, a 4-speed auto. I live in a high traffic area so I prefer to keep my DD an auto. I'm averaging 22.5 MPGs 70% highway driving (unfortunately usually with a lot of traffic due to rush hour commutes).

keep the GTP and spend the difference on stuff for the Firehawk

keep the GTP and spend the difference on stuff for the Firehawk

I like the way you think sir. Now that I think of it the Firehawk could use a nice Double Din..

We just got a g6 base v6 for the girlfriend, and I like that car a lot. Ive never driven a gtp, but have driven the GP GXP and looked into getting one and decided against it. I could see owning a g6 gtp though. Keep what you got, thats a nice car combo you got goin on.

Hell if I had a hawk I wouldn't bother with the gp. I agree used saved money on the hawk

my ex had the are burnt orange colored g6 gtp coupe with a 6 speed manual with a catback and i have a stock 2007 grand prix gxp.
grand prix any day over that thing.
more aftermarket then the g6
much faster then even a modded g6 gtp
smoother ride
nicer

my mother owns a GPGT. bought it new back in 04. we but 160K miles on it. i ditched it a few month back bending the trailing arm and torque arm. fixed it up. still amazing. the only complaint is the tranny is shifting harrdddd out of first.

i would defiantly go GP but i need a truck in this weather.

My MCSS has over 140 on it and things are just starting to break (I find that acceptable and am replacing the broken parts with GM parts to go another 140).

Sounds like you are doubting the G6 - IMO the GP (in any trim level) would be a far better DD.

Try to get an 08 or 09(Did they make them in 09???) That way the interior won't fall apart for another year or 2 :)))

Id just keep the gtp. If its just going to be your DD why worry about mods and how fast it is? I'd be more concerned with mpg and reliability. Plus you have a much better platform to mod in your garage.

ya!! GTP,...

Id just keep the gtp. If its just going to be your DD why worry about mods and how fast it is? I'd be more concerned with mpg and reliability. Plus you have a much better platform to mod in your garage.

The GTP's are rated the same city mileage and slightly worse highway, so I wouldn't really throw fuel savings into the comparison.

GTP:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/21854.shtml

GXP:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/24052.shtml

I just assumed it got better than that since its a g6 with a v6. My 3.4 monte get 32 mpg highway. Also the Gtp probably doesn't like to burn oil like these ls4 cars.

I just assumed it got better than that since its a g6 with a v6. My 3.4 monte get 32 mpg highway. Also the Gtp probably doesn't like to burn oil like these ls4 cars.

Oil is only a problem in a hand full of cars. My car has had DoD on since the day I bought it and has no issues with burning oil while others have burned since then getgo. You can tune DoD out though which would raise city MPG and lower highway MPG though, which would also get rid of the oil burning issue. I think this boils down to is aesthetic looks, performance, and future reliability. G6's are fast V6's stock, don't get me wrong. But where I live I see a hundred a day I swear, where I've only seen a handful of GXP's. Plus, I can't live without my HUD and that V8 rumble :D

Yeah mine ate oil after a month or so after buying the car I decided to check the oil bc everyone says they burn oil, and what a surprise no oil on the dipstick. Tuned DOD out and now has synthetic. But I agree I'd rather have a gxp, but since he has a firehawk I think the Gtp will make a better DD bc it will probably have less issues. But in the end it boils down to what the OP wants to drive everyday. Personally I'd DD the firehawk lol.

I hear ya lol

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think I'm gonna try and find an 07 GTP with the 3.6L and 6speed auto. Gotta figure that car will be a little bit quicker and better on gas to boot. Can't believe some of the deals on these G6s.. they're really very nice cars for DD and drive real nice for what they are.