400hp for $35,000: Pontiac G8 GXP and Dodge Charger SRT8 after incentives

Whoever said the muscle car era was dead and gone? Right now you can drive away with more than 400hp (298kW) under the hood for around $35,000. The poor state of the economy is taking its toll on vehicle sales (GM just posted its worst sales figures since 1967 in February) but this is also having a positive effect on the level of vehicle discounting that’s happening around the country.

Two specials this month are the 2009 model Pontiac G8 GXP and Dodge Charger SRT8. The G8 GXP is listed at $37,610 but depending on where you live the 415hp (309kW) muscle-bound sedan comes with up to $3,000 in cash-back offers or various 0% financing options. However, as KickingTires points out, you need to add to this a $1,700 gas-guzzler so at the end of the day you’re looking at around $36,310.

as Chrysler is offering a $2,000 cash-back bonus in most areas and an additional $1,000 if you finance through Chrysler Financial – the end result is a drive away price of $34,516.

Even in these dark times it’s always worth looking at the bright side. We just wonder how much longer GM and Chrysler will be able to offer such generous discounts on their vehicles. Last month saw Chrysler incentives total $5,566 for every car it sold, an unsustainable amount in anyone’s books.

Gallery: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP