Would you recommend the GXP?
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franchize48
- LE Member
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2014 10:36 am
- Year and Trim: 2005 Bonneville GXP
Would you recommend the GXP?
I am thinking about pulling the trigger on one but reading about the N* makes me anxious and idk if it is the right decision so would you GXP owners out there suggest I get one and are confident in saying that or should I look elsewhere? Thanks for the help!
- ChibiBlackSheep
- SLE Member

- Posts: 60
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- Year and Trim: 2000 Monte Carlo SS
- Location: North Wales, PA
Re: Would you recommend the GXP?
As long as it's later than 2002, all of the issues with the Northstar should be addressed and shouldn't be an issue.

CSC Powered 2000 Monte Carlo SS - Project Car
2013 Camaro 1LS - Daily Driver
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- CMNTMXR57
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 5841
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- Location: CHICAGO
Re: Would you recommend the GXP?
GXP's didn't come out until 2004.
Yes, I would recommend a N* powered Bonneville. I keep looking myself.
Yes, I would recommend a N* powered Bonneville. I keep looking myself.

Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*
Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ
Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2011 Camaro SS
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD: Victory Red - 8.1L Big Block and Allison
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... RIP
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - RIP
- 1tinindian
- Posts like an LG3

- Posts: 363
- Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 2:26 pm
- Year and Trim: 2004 SLE Premier Edition
2005 GXP - Location: Rockford, Iowa
Re: Would you recommend the GXP?
I look at it like this, there are a lot more Cadillac's out there with the same powertrain and they continue to serve their owners quite well.
My parents are my example, and they have had 4 Caddys, 3 with the N* and not a single problem other than a dead battery in their 2007 DTS.
It DOES pay to shop around for a good GXP though.
Pontiacs are generally regarded as "performance cars" by the general public, and with that, the GXP will be driven harder/ beat on, a lot more than your equivalent Cadillac, creating problems down the road.
My hunt lead me to a day long drive to look at a 2005 GXP, but after looking at it, and driving it, I knew that car wasn't for me, due to the issues it had and how long the dealer had been sitting on it (over 1 year).
I later found a very similar GXP, but with a lot less miles and a complete maintenance history, and this car turned out being everything I was looking for in a GXP.
But, this can be said about ANY car out there, it's a buyer beware kind of world, so just make the best purchace you can.
Any car is only as good as the care it has been give up to the point of you buying it.
Good Luck! I love my GXP!!
Leon
My parents are my example, and they have had 4 Caddys, 3 with the N* and not a single problem other than a dead battery in their 2007 DTS.
It DOES pay to shop around for a good GXP though.
Pontiacs are generally regarded as "performance cars" by the general public, and with that, the GXP will be driven harder/ beat on, a lot more than your equivalent Cadillac, creating problems down the road.
My hunt lead me to a day long drive to look at a 2005 GXP, but after looking at it, and driving it, I knew that car wasn't for me, due to the issues it had and how long the dealer had been sitting on it (over 1 year).
I later found a very similar GXP, but with a lot less miles and a complete maintenance history, and this car turned out being everything I was looking for in a GXP.
But, this can be said about ANY car out there, it's a buyer beware kind of world, so just make the best purchace you can.
Any car is only as good as the care it has been give up to the point of you buying it.
Good Luck! I love my GXP!!
Leon
- bobgto65
- Posts like an L36

- Posts: 866
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- Year and Trim: 2002 SSEi
2004 Bonneville GXP - Location: Maryland
Re: Would you recommend the GXP?
I will say just try to find a lower mileage one because you are less likely to have problems. I put 7000 miles on mine in the last 10 months and it has been trouble free. But I also bought a 5 year 60K extended warranty for a little over 2 grand from a reputable company because if something does happen to the engine, it will likely cost more than that to fix it.
The biggest issues with the engine in my opinion are coolant and oil leaks, and the inability to improve performance with mods. The dexcool has to be changed every 5 years or it becomes acidic and eats through the gaskets. The tranny will hold up much better because it is the strongest tranny built by GM for FWD cars. The gas mileage is also not as good as my SSEi, due to the steeper rear axle ratio and the tranny is less efficient, but it will run on regular. Any other problems are the same as the other '00-05 Bonnevilles. The engine does not make a lot or torque at lower RPM so it's not going to blow you away from a dead start.
The biggest issues with the engine in my opinion are coolant and oil leaks, and the inability to improve performance with mods. The dexcool has to be changed every 5 years or it becomes acidic and eats through the gaskets. The tranny will hold up much better because it is the strongest tranny built by GM for FWD cars. The gas mileage is also not as good as my SSEi, due to the steeper rear axle ratio and the tranny is less efficient, but it will run on regular. Any other problems are the same as the other '00-05 Bonnevilles. The engine does not make a lot or torque at lower RPM so it's not going to blow you away from a dead start.
bobgto65

2004 Bonneville GXP 62,000 miles purchased 04/13
2009 G8 GXP PBM, M6 9580 miles, no mods, sold 08/15
2009 G8 GT SBM 36,000 miles, modded 430 whp
2002 Bonneville SSEi 203,200 miles (sold 3/2014)

2004 Bonneville GXP 62,000 miles purchased 04/13
2009 G8 GXP PBM, M6 9580 miles, no mods, sold 08/15
2009 G8 GT SBM 36,000 miles, modded 430 whp
2002 Bonneville SSEi 203,200 miles (sold 3/2014)
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sextrosgxp
- SSE Member

- Posts: 123
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2012 4:35 pm
- Year and Trim: 2005 GXP
- Location: Belleair, FL
Re: Would you recommend the GXP?
I would buy one. I love mine, but agree look for low miles. I would also take the VIN to a Buick/former Pontiac dealer to see if there is a maintainence report on the car. If not, have your mechanic check it out and get it up on a lift.
Look for leaks, check the exhaust there was a service report on that and may require a replacement at GM cost. Also see if the ac compressor was done. They tend to go out around 80k miles. Cost is about 1000 bucks all in.
Other than that great car that if taken care of should last you well over 100k miles.
Look for leaks, check the exhaust there was a service report on that and may require a replacement at GM cost. Also see if the ac compressor was done. They tend to go out around 80k miles. Cost is about 1000 bucks all in.
Other than that great car that if taken care of should last you well over 100k miles.
2005 GXP in Black
K&N Filter, tinted windows, tinted headlights, RVinyl fog light covers, Autosport cross-drilled and slotted rotors, EBC Red Stuff pads.
2012 Ford F150 FX2 Super Crew (Daily Driver) 5.0 V8.
K&N Filter, tinted windows, tinted headlights, RVinyl fog light covers, Autosport cross-drilled and slotted rotors, EBC Red Stuff pads.
2012 Ford F150 FX2 Super Crew (Daily Driver) 5.0 V8.
- Bvill_GXP
- GXP Member

- Posts: 247
- Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2009 6:17 pm
- Year and Trim: 2005 GXP
- Location: Greenville, SC
Re: Would you recommend the GXP?
I loved my GXP.. Best car i have owned!!! Even though mine ended up with electrical issues i would recommend it!!!
2005 Bonneville GXP Fully Loaded




