When it comes to LS-powered four-door GM cars produced over the past dozen years or so, there are actually several options available. In chronological order, there is the 1st-generation Cadillac CTS-V. Fitted with either an LS6 (2004-05) or an LS2 (2006-07) and a six-speed manual trans, these early Vs are a great way to go if you love to shift for yourself.

The next option is the Pontiac G8 GT that was produced for only two years in 2008-09. Based on the Australian-built Holden Commodore and equipped with an LS2 derivative known as the L76 and a six-speed automatic, a rare GXP version was produced in 2009, had an LS3, and either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Next up is the 2nd-gen CTS-V made from 2009-15. These were equipped with a supercharged LSA engine and were equipped with either a six-speed automatic or manual.

In 2014, Chevrolet introduced the SS sedan with a six-speed automatic and made a six-speed manual available for 2015. Still in production now, the SS will likely only be produced through 2017 and is also based on the current Holden Commodore.

While the G8 GXP, 2nd-gen CTS-V, and SS are really cool cars, they are still on the pricier side of the ledger with about 30 grand being the starting point. For a true performance bargain, the 1st-gen Vs and the regular G8 GT are the best game in town. And they offer either a manual or an automatic, although you have to pick one or the other as the early Vs were only equipped with a manual and the G8 GTs were all automatics.

Which, if you prefer an automatic, brings us the car we are showing here. Mike’s 2009 G8 is mild bolt-on car and has Kooks long-tube headers; a Solo, Mach Shorty cat-back exhaust system; a Vararam cold-air intake; and a Pat G tune. The result is an impressive 370 horsepower at the rear wheels and 380 lb-ft. of torque at the wheels. With a baseline rating of 361 flywheel horsepower, 370 at the rear wheels is at least 400 at the flywheel, which is nothing to sneeze at indeed.

Clearly The Smoking Tire’s Matt Farah was pretty jazzed to be piloting this car as he exclaimed, “The speedometer climbs rapidly…. Holy #@^&, I am going over 100 mph.” And we love the sound it makes on the camera drive-bys. Matt also said, it’s “a lot of car for 16 grand.” We certainly agree with that.

Finally, Matt said at the end of the video, “Check out G8s, if you want a big fast, rear-wheel-drive sedan, because they are still good.” As evident by the red one pictured below that we scored for the same $16,000 mentioned in the video, you could definitely say we have already done so.

We are so impressed by the G8 GT that we bought this 2008 example a few weeks ago. With only 73,000 miles, it runs and drives like a brand-new car.