It’s no secret that the naturally aspirated 5.7L V8 LS1 gasoline engine, and all its corresponding offshoots, were a huge hit following the introduction of the 1997 C5 Corvette. Originally designed to work with RWD drivetrains, General Motors modified the LS1 extensively to fit the engine transversely for FWD applications in select GM vehicles. Today, one of these special vehicles – a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP – is currently listed for sale.
The highlight of this vehicle is undoubtedly the powerplant. Under the hood lies the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 LS4 gasoline engine, which is rated at 303 horsepower and 323 pound-feet of torque. Highly adapted for FWD applications, output is routed to the front wheels via the GM four-speed automatic transmission.
It should come as no surprise that this unconventional drivetrain configuration is a recipe for heaps of torque steer.
Other performance-minded features of the Grand Prix GXP include a head-up display, vented- and cross-drilled brakes with PBR calipers, Bilstein performance-tuned gas-charged struts, Magnasteer II, and StabiliTrak dynamic control system.
The GXP physically differentiated itself from the Grand Prix lineup in various ways as well. Highlights include an aggressive front fascia, cooling vents on the front fenders, a unique rear bumper, and quad exhaust tips.
One of the more notable aspects of this Pontiac is the wheel setup. In fact, the front wheels are 18 inches by 8 inches, while the rear wheels are 18 inches by 7 inches. This allows the sporty GXP to wear 255/45R18 tires up front as compared to the 225/50R18 rubber out back.
It’s worth noting that General Motors offered a few similar V8-powered, front-wheel-drive vehicles, including the Chevy Impala SS, Chevy Monte Carlo SS, and Buick LaCrosse Super.
With roughly 30,000 miles on the odometer, this 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP certainly appears to be in great condition. So, what do you think? Is this interesting vehicle worth the $19,500 asking price? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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Comments
I know someone who got the 2006 GP, but it was in the GT trim. It was a beautiful car driven daily for years until an accident finally totaled it. The owner loved it. Wouldn’t consider anything else for the longest time.
Chews up tires even when driving conservatively. Transmissions always fail around 65k. Becomes a total money pit. Better off with the GTP supercharged 3.8 V6. Very difficult to find parts for nowadays.
I purposely didn’t get that engine nor the super charger, but the base engine in my 2007. Because I knew that transmission wouldn’t handle all that power for long.
Put 263K on it before retiring it in 2022. Rust up to the door handles, and I didn’t want to get rid of it. But it was time to say goodbye.
I own a GXP with low miles and unless that GXP has under 20,000 miles it’s not even close to a good price I bought mine with 36 000 miles on it and paid $12 000 for it
Everything is priced way higher than it should be thanks to hyper inflation and a vast shortage of both used and new cars. Supply and demand is playing a big roll with current car prices
Joe Y: That is very true, but changing quite fast. The used car market is crashing now and values have been dropping like and old hookers panties. New car inventory is growing slowly, but it’s growing even though the manufacturers (Ahem, Mazda) have been doing everything they can to keep inventory low and prices high. Soon, very soon the dealers will be forced to negotiate once again and the manufacturers will be forced to apply incentives to move the metal.
I just feel sorry (NOT!!!) for all those people who thought it would be smart to purchase/lease vehicles in the past couple years with payments over $1,000. As these car values drop like flies, the amount of auto loan defaults will skyrocket. I can hear them going up-side-down as we speak.
That’s a nice looking car on the outside, but it has the drab looking interior. That’s the thing with most Pontiacs from the 1990 to the end. Back in the 60, 70 and 80’s, Pontiac has some really plush and nice interiors. Either way, this is still a very nice car. Love the color.
Back in 2007-2011, I was still with the Buick dealer. When they came out with this engine in the Lacrosse Super, I wanted one so badly but couldn’t afford it (actually, couldn’t justify the price). To this day I still think that I’d buy one if a really super clean one popped up for sale for a decent price.
That engine was too much for the platform. It and the Impala SS were widely bashed for being to the point of unsafe. Pass on it.
Wow 19,500.00, with how many miles on it. Here is the thing, Noone cares if the body is in good shape, our quest is to make sure that the engine and transmission and brakes work properly. You can make a car look extremely good like show room floor, but if that engine and transmission is trash then it’s not worth the 19,500.00. Seeing as I own a 2007 grand prix, it’s been nothing but problems. I wouldn’t sell this car for no more then 5k. You can polish a turd but can’t fix stupid.
In the day we call that kind of car a Sleeper, cause you wouldn’t never think of what was under the hood.
Nice car, I have seen a few others in the wild. They are rare and should be saved.
I had a 2002 Grand Am GT 2-door with the 3.4 Ram Air V-6. It was light, handled great and fun to drive.
Priced high!If it had the LS1 it could bring a good price.Never a fan of the 5.3 and the 3.6 v6 was a better choice!
Oxymoron of the day: “like new – 30,000 miles”.
great looking car, but needs the transmission “beefed up” in order to handle the HP/TQ. The little 4 speed was GM’s way of draining the parts bin warehouse. It’s a shame they didn’t come with a 6 speed.
I had a Trailblazer SS and it’s big hinderance was the 4 speed. GM covered it 1st time, then I ended up building it right to handle the HP/TQ…no issues then. Still needed the 6 speed.
My father had and enjoyed at one time one of the W-Cars with the 5.3L engine. However, my all-time favorite is that same W-Car generation with the Buick 3800 Series 2 and 4T65E. I have had several of them and kept a 2004 Impala LS. Once you get past the plastic Engine Coolant Jumper Tube and Transmission Pressure Control Solenoid (PCS) difficulties, that they ALL had, it was a great car. Good performance, responsive, comfortable, quiet and great highway fuel economy. I am not looking forward to the day when I have to replace it.
I still love this gen Grand Prix, especially the GTP and GXP, despite the weak 4 speed auto transmission.
This is definitely a car worth having. Especially with the 5.3 V8. I do wish it came with a six-speed transmission though
Most of these burned oil, excessively. Didn’t matter what weight or brand of oil either.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed mine. It was this same burgandy color.
Of course the heads up display didnt work either.
Yes, if it was rear wheel drive. I had a 99 grand prix gt. Broke the transmission twice and wasn’t even doing anything dumb at the time.
Traded it in for a much maligned manual 2004 gto. Still have it and after a hundred thousand miles, it still looks brand new and doesn’t even have a rattle. Best thing is Ive been driving it like I stole it for nearly twenty years without issue
I bought a GP GXP new in 2007. Was a fast, fun car. Always turned heads. Ruby Red, we called her Ruby.
These things ate transmissions for breakfast though, even though the 4 speed had an “HD” prefix, that torque just roasted them. I went through two replacements during my warranty. Once it ended I sold it to my cousin, who still has it and rebuilt the transmission through triple edge performance and it still going strong. 300,000 miles. Miss it.
I own a 2007 gxp 5.3 has 330000 k on it and still runs awesome ..no powe lost at all. Best car I have owned .
Chris? I wonder if you really own one? still runs awesome at 330k? a lot of questionable things running thru everyones head right now.
Think how great these era cars would have been in rwd configuration.
I read somewhere that that the transmission is the same as the 6 cylinders and can’t handle the power of the v8 .
I own a 2008 gxp super clean not a every day car it’s my toy take it out drive it and the put it away very will taken care of car
Had a white/tan cloth 2006 GP GXP for a couple of years. It was a fantastic handling and accelerating car for that era, but yes, they had their fair share of problems. I was also quite fond of the start-up exhaust burble…..nice overall package, but lacking in too many areas.
Bought the first 2006 Impala SS in the Pittsburgh area in August 2005. Put over 40,000 miles on it before selling in 2017. Never gave me one problem. Engine never burned oil. It was deceivably fast for a FWD vehicle. This GXP listed for sale is way overpriced regardless of condition This used car market is insane right now but prices are finally coming down. To give you an example 5 years ago you could have bought a 2007 Corvette for about $17K, today they are over $30K.
Like all timing chains, it various on the where abouts on the location. Per say California you know what up there. But being a 8 cylinder that has not been a issue as if prior years. So for all looking for a price quote that was quoted prior, well let’s just say it’s not happening but. At least not today.
No comprende?
Hard pass, too expensive!
Really, really, NO comprende!
I have to disagree the engine is amazing don’t work on upgrading the engine until you upgrade the transmission first though HUGE mistake I made lesson learned ever since then I got it upgraded rebuilt and it’s at 600hp love it 🥰 5 years owned still going strong so many people try racing me have very rarely been beat though.