GA vs. G8....trade or stay?

[cardude007617]

or have your sights a little lower. we all know how crappy resale value of pontiacs are, maybe look into a loaded G6 GTP or grand prix GXP or some sort if you want to stick with pontiac. the performance probably isn't much different compared to the v6 G8, just wouldnt be fwd.

i see you're from denver, so snow tires on a RWD car would be mandatory so think about that added $$$ as well. at least fwd anything you can "get away with" some all seasons.

[i_ammetal]

I really like the g6's but i haven't researched them enough to really be interested much... they are a dime a dozen locally.

Anyone have specs on the 4 door gxp or gtp's?

[cardude007617]

they are a dime a dozen , that's a good way of putting it. but, that makes their resale cheap right now, and makes the purchase price fall to make them affordable. im not recommending the G6 i'm just saying the G6 or a Grand Prix would definetly be a cheaper option. the grand prix gxp (5.3 v8) does 0-60 in 5.7; 1/4s in 14.3 which is right up there with a v6 G8, probably faster even. plus you would get all the toys

[CraiGT]

The GP GXP is slightly faster than the GTP. And the GTP is slightly faster than the G8V6.

[i_ammetal]

Ive read the v6 g8 goes 0-60 in 7 flat... better than the GP gt, providing the GP is heavier.
And the G6 feels like a cobalt to me... too small although ive only been in a few, not drove them.

I love Grand Prix's but again an obstacle i have to deal with is the insurance, v8 is a no go even though its the best bang for the buck. I would settle for the GP but i want my next car to have some power.. not sluggish. Since Ive been looking out there Ive been opening my eyes to a few other cars too...

I like the new Malibu's and Legacy's. Damn i just don't know I'm confused right now!

No call today on the V6 G8 i was looking into... weird. Figured the salesman would be all over it.
But im going to keep my options open... going to test drive a GP and G6 Wed. to see if anything strikes a chord in me.
I want to do some more researching but last night when i was looking up specs on the G6 GXP last night and hit a website that gave my girlfriends laptop a virus! So im weary on googling right now!

[cardude007617]

mentioning the new legacy (awd ftw) (you could pick up a 05-09 Legacy GT; similiar motor/trans to the wrx in a sleeper package), are there any other imports out there you like?

[DrFabulous]

Honestly, unless you are having major engine/transmission problems, or something else that is rendering the GA junk, I'd hesitate to spend that kind of money on a "new" car. Especially considering it doesn't sound like you're getting a steal- a good deal, maybe, but not a steal.

What are you really looking for in a car? Take into account where you're going to be in 4-5 years in your life, like family and/or where you're living. Are you more interested in size, power, handling, fuel economy, utility, etc etc? Once you figure out what you're looking for exactly, then you can figure out what you can easily afford, and have a small handful of cars to check out.

I really wanted to step into a G8 earlier this year, and I could have done the payments fairly easily, but after I stepped back and thought, I realized that I didn't need the G8 at all. For instance:
I drive less than 10k miles a year- not fun paying for a car that sits in the garage
When I do drive, 90% of the time I'm alone in the car - don't need a full sized sedan
Rarely, if ever, haul anything more than a backpack or suitcase - again, don't need full size
Snows here 5 months a year - need snow tires, and RWD isn't exactly ideal
Don't have family, nor plan on one soon - yet again, don't need a full size

Basically, I realized that as much as I wanted a G8, I didn't need it at all. Maybe someday.


/post

[Panacea]

I'm with everyone else, if you can afford it, go for it. I'll tell you right now I have an $18k loan on the Malibu at 5 1/4% interest and the payments are $320 /mo.

That'll give you a rough figure for monthly payments. As for the insurance, depending on what you're paying now, you can expect a decent increase. Probably $100/6mo easily.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by DrFabulous

...I really wanted to step into a G8 earlier this year, and I could have done the payments fairly easily, but after I stepped back and thought, I realized that I didn't need the G8 at all. For instance:
I drive less than 10k miles a year- not fun paying for a car that sits in the garage
When I do drive, 90% of the time I'm alone in the car - don't need a full sized sedan
Rarely, if ever, haul anything more than a backpack or suitcase - again, don't need full size
Snows here 5 months a year - need snow tires, and RWD isn't exactly ideal
Don't have family, nor plan on one soon - yet again, don't need a full size

Basically, I realized that as much as I wanted a G8, I didn't need it at all...

You sound like me

[DrFabulous]

Originally Posted by Mike Jung

You sound like me

[Ajaxus]

Fab has SARS?

[i_ammetal]

Originally Posted by DrFabulous

Honestly, unless you are having major engine/transmission problems, or something else that is rendering the GA junk, I'd hesitate to spend that kind of money on a "new" car. Especially considering it doesn't sound like you're getting a steal- a good deal, maybe, but not a steal.

What are you really looking for in a car? Take into account where you're going to be in 4-5 years in your life, like family and/or where you're living. Are you more interested in size, power, handling, fuel economy, utility, etc etc? Once you figure out what you're looking for exactly, then you can figure out what you can easily afford, and have a small handful of cars to check out.

I really wanted to step into a G8 earlier this year, and I could have done the payments fairly easily, but after I stepped back and thought, I realized that I didn't need the G8 at all. For instance:
I drive less than 10k miles a year- not fun paying for a car that sits in the garage
When I do drive, 90% of the time I'm alone in the car - don't need a full sized sedan
Rarely, if ever, haul anything more than a backpack or suitcase - again, don't need full size
Snows here 5 months a year - need snow tires, and RWD isn't exactly ideal
Don't have family, nor plan on one soon - yet again, don't need a full size

Basically, I realized that as much as I wanted a G8, I didn't need it at all. Maybe someday.


/post

1. I love 4 doors, and full size cars... spacious interiors including back seats.. plus the lady does too. Oho.
1.5 Musician, and big trunk for junk is easier than cramming my gear in the back and fronseat of the GA.
2. No wife, no kids, not planning on anything like that anything soon... so full size isn't really needed.
3. I like Subi's alot, and that's all i really like as far as imports... I'm very fond of Legacys.... and would be pleased to turn one into a sleeper.
4. Last two years i averaged 33k miles, so i get around.
5. I live in Denver Co, so when it snows its JUST enough for it to freeze and create icy conditions, or it really snows and its a friggin blizzard out. I get around just fine with the GA and all seasons.

As far as want I WANT in my next car..

#1 is the fun to drive factor. Powerful but low on the insurance radar.. and im not afraid of modifying. Quick handling and sports suspension. But nothing TOO powerful, I'm adult enough to admit I'm not over my adolescent driving phase yet.

#2 is looks. Hood scoops, sporty body,exhaust/tips, wheels! Sharp and fun interiors. But something like a g6 is too bland to me.

#3 Fuel Economy, is important of course because of how much i drive.

Im open to suggestions...

[cardude007617]

Try out a Legacy GT, that was my CLOSE second choice when I was car shopping. They have a nice refined feeling interior, and handle very well stock. I think they're a sexy car too when done up nice.

heres a thread to get you going:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1857767

also keep in mind, subaru's hold their value extremely well compared to other makes; something else to keep in mind
/subie fanboi rant

[GregFarz78]

Have you been paying on the GA for 5 years and still owe on it?

[i_ammetal]

Originally Posted by cardude007617

Try out a Legacy GT, that was my CLOSE second choice when I was car shopping. They have a nice refined feeling interior, and handle very well stock. I think they're a sexy car too when done up nice.

heres a thread to get you going:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1857767

also keep in mind, subaru's hold their value extremely well compared to other makes; something else to keep in mind
/subie fanboi rant

There's some sexy looking Legacy's on that thread... Im going to Subaru tomorrow to see what the hype is with the 2.5 T


And no ive had the car since june 07, bought her used @ 32K. Only 4k to go on the loan, but I'm just bored with it i guess.

[SC/T02]

I did not read any of the following comments but I loved mine so much I bought two! I have an 08 orange GT and a 2009.5 GTX edition #007 of the 130 made in a beautiful Stryker Blue (only 2 blue GTX's made!). Love them both. The wife drives the orange one now more then her own Jag! She rocks the nearly stock 361 HP plus tune and CAI. I had 385+ all the goodies pushing 503 RWHP now and still get 24MPG Highway with cruise set.

Orange best pass 13.22
Blue best run 11.84 traction limited (best 60 foot 1.88 should be 1.4)

No brainer! power, space, style, warranty you can't pass up on this car while there are still a few out and about. Don't get me wrong, I loved my GA and put a ton of money into it. Sold most of the parts and was given $9500 on trade in for an 02 which I could not pass up. They sold it on their lot in 2 days for $13,000 but it was a quick sale for me. Plus I had over $6000 in rebates, and $1500 in GM points to put towards it which GM was matching so the second G8 I had almost $19000 off which helped offset the $39,000 price tag.

[AMRAAM4]

lulz @ "G8 GTX edition"

just a made up moniker by some aftermarket company.

[[ChaosweaveR]]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

lulz @ "G8 GTX edition"

just a made up moniker by some aftermarket company.

Word. You got fooled.

[AMRAAM4]

*prepares for elaborate reply attempting to validate GTX model as "real" *

[SC/T02]

Nothing crazy. Badged at 385 HP in place of the 355 offered in the 09.5's. Has upgraded suspension applied by GM sanctioned company X for Auto Cross. Just like the SLP GTX Grand Prix. GTX has been used for very limited runs on over 5 Pontiac's now. There is also a Hurst edition, SLP Firehawk edition and GXP edition. All of which are limited run productions. Or you can have it customized by a number of companies.