Pontiac G8 Used Prices Slide, Buick LaCrosse Strengthens

Late-model used-car prices declined for the sixth straight month in December, dropping on average $115 from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1 to $21,711. That's the lowest average price we've seen in Cars.com's national used-car inventory since February 2012.

GM models topped both our list of the biggest drops and highest increases. Last offered as a 2009 model and beloved by car enthusiasts, the Pontiac G8 saw the biggest price decrease for the month. The sport sedan shed 7% (about $1,600) of its average asking price, settling at $22,456. Perhaps the looming winter months are motivating sellers of this rear-wheel-drive car. Prices for used Chrysler 200s and Mitsubishi Endeavors also declined by 7%, but they saw smaller dollar-amount decreases.

Recall Alert: 2008-2009 Pontiac G8

General Motors is recalling 38,444 2008-2009 Pontiac G8s because of the increased risk of head injury in smaller adult females when the airbag deploys in a collision, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The G8 doesn’t have adequate protection for women who weigh about 108 pounds and are 4-foot-11 or shorter. When the front passenger seat is positioned fully forward, there could be a delay in airbag deployment, which could increase the risk of head injury in smaller adult females. The risk was identified when testing the 2012 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle, which is related to the G8.

GM dealers will reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. For more info, owners can call Pontiac at 800-620-7668 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Not So Fast: GM Not Sold on Pontiac G8 as a Chevy

Buzz around the internet the past 24 hours has made it sound like GM had decided to save its Pontiac G8 rear-wheel-drive sport sedan by remaking it as a Chevy and calling it the Caprice.

However, the company says it’s only exploring that as an option, and we’ve confirmed with GM that this is indeed just a possibility, not a definite product plan. In fact, the company had a canned answer ready to go: “As part of its reinvention, General Motors is exploring every opportunity of effectively utilizing its global portfolio of vehicles, facilities and talent. While this exploration includes the possibility of extending imports of Holden vehicles (such as the recent Pontiac G8) to North America, no decision has been made at this time.”

The thinking behind such a move is two-fold: GM would like to have a car it could sell to fleets as police squad cars, and it would also like a larger sedan in its lineup that is more modern than the still strong-selling Impala, which is itself in need of a redesign.

GM 72-Hour Sale: 0% for 72 Months

Maybe GM’s math skills got them into the trouble they’re in. Their just announced 72-hour sale starts today and runs through July 6, which is 144 hours by our count. Maybe they wanted to tie the sale name in with the sale terms, namely 0% financing for 72 months on select models for those buyers who qualify.

Included 2009 and 2010 models in the 0% for 72-months term are: Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra regular, extended and crew cab light-duty pickups; Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL SUVs; Chevrolet Impala; and the Pontiac Vibe, G3, G5, G6 and G8.

Other models have separate incentives you can find here.

Recall Alert: 2008-09 Pontiac G8

GM has issued a recall for 35,038 Pontiac G8 vehicles from the 2008-09 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall involves the brake pedal position switch, which may have been programmed incorrectly during the manufacturing process.

The brake lamps may be continually lit while driving, so other drivers won’t know when the vehicle is braking. In addition, some models may have an incorrectly programmed tire pressure monitoring system that will not illuminate the warning light when tire pressure drops below certain standards. In a worst-case scenario, the tires could fail while driving.

Dealers will reprogram the brake position sensor and tire pressure monitoring system free of charge. Owners may contact Pontiac at 800-620-7668 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

Now that GM has decided to drop the Pontiac brand, Cars.com’s Mike Hanley gives it a send-off with his review of the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP. With a 415-hp V-8 engine and enough refinement for day-to-day utility, the G8 GXP is going to make Hanley miss Pontiac. Read his full review to find out why this soon-to-be-extinct GM car is such a pleasure.

2009 Pontiac G8 Review

What the End of Pontiac Means To You

Today GM announced it would stop producing new Pontiac models by the end of 2010. This is the end of an era for the once-proud performance brand, but it also leaves a lot of questions for car shoppers and Pontiac owners.

We talked to Jim Hopson, Pontiac’s manager of communications, this morning to clarify GM’s statement. He said that Pontiac will continue to operate normally even with today’s announcement. All warranty work will be completed as usual; any new Pontiacs sold will have the same full warranty they did last week, one which has the backing of the U.S. government. The government's backing is to help ensure consumers that its safe to still purchase new GM cars while the company seeks to restructure. Only cars purchased through May get the government-backed warranty.

GM will continue to make parts for Pontiac models indefinitely and most Pontiac dealers also sell the Buick and GMC brands and will continue to operate. The automaker still produces replacement parts for the defunct Oldsmobile, which GM shuttered in 2004.

What Hopson couldn’t say was when certain models would be phased out.

The current Pontiac lineup reads as follows, including how many days of inventory was sitting on lots as of April 1.

• Pontiac G3: 617 days of inventory
• Pontiac G5: 443 days of inventory
• Pontiac G6: 83 days of inventory
• Pontiac G8: 92 days of inventory
• Pontiac Solstice: 276 days of inventory
• Pontiac Vibe: 149 days of inventory
• Pontiac Torrent: 99 days of inventory

The national average for all brands is 83 days of inventory.

We detail specific information on Pontiac models below.

Pontiac, Dodge Extend Cash-Back Offers on G8, Charger

Last month, we marveled that you could get 400 hp at a discount price, with both the Dodge Charger SRT8 and Pontiac G8 GXP getting healthy incentive deals. Now, Pontiac is extending its $3,000 cash-back offer on the G8, G8 GT and G8 GXP through April 30.

Dodge is now showing $2,500 cash back, versus March’s $3,000, on the Dodge Charger SRT8, with an employee price of $36,845. Unfortunately, Dodge’s site doesn’t list any date for the deal to end.

Earlier this week, GM announced an added Total Confidence assurance plan to any new-car purchase that will cover up to nine months of payments if you lose your job, as well as cover lost equity when you trade in your car for a new GM down the road. Pontiac sold almost 3,000 G8s last month, a record for the model released in March of 2008.

Related
GM Assurance Plan Covering Equity, 9 Months of Payments
400 hp for $35,000: Pontiac G8 GXP, Dodge Charger SRT8 Incentives

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2009|Dodge|Charger

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP Video

Why pay an extra $8,000 to move up from the base Pontiac G8 to the GXP? That’s the question Cars.com’s Joe Bruzek took on when he reviewed the 2009 G8 GXP in this video. There are key improvements, from throatier exhaust to increased horsepower, but also a few details missing. How much do these things matter when looking to upgrade from the GT to the pricier GXP? Watch the full review to find out.

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400 hp for $35,000: Pontiac G8 GXP, Dodge Charger SRT8 Incentives

If you’re a muscle-car fan or just want a large sedan with a ridiculous amount of horsepower, this may be the perfect month to buy a new car. Two of the most powerful sedans on the market — the Pontiac G8 GXP and the Dodge Charger SRT8, with 415 hp and 425 hp, respectively — have impressive discounts that make them more attractive in tough times.

Granted, the folks buying these cars probably have a solid financial footing, but everyone likes to save money. The 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP was just released, at probably the worst time in history for a car of its type, but its starting price of $37,610 gets $3,000 in cash-back offers or various 0% financing options, depending on where you live, through March 31. However, the company doesn’t include the car’s $1,700 gas-guzzler tax in its pricing. With that, you’re looking at $36,310.

The 2009 Dodge Charger SRT8 may be a few years old in development time, but it still packs a big punch for $38,970. Dodge does include the gas-guzzler tax, along with a $750 destination charge, in its Employee Pricing sale price, bringing the original MSRP of $41,120 down to $37,516 before cash-back offers. In most areas, there’s a $2,000 cash-back bonus, plus another $1,000 cash back if you finance through Chrysler Financial. Yes, that’s $34,516 for 425 hp. Chrysler’s Employee Pricing sale has been extended through March 31.

Make sure to check the manufacturers’ websites to find deals for your region, as offers do vary, sometimes by county. Also check Cars.com’s own incentives page here.