First G8 Review (from a REAL person, not a mag)

[SikMindz]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

spoken like a true homer, because I doubt any non-G6 owner feels the same.


I remember how the G6 was anticipated and touted by some of the GM powers that be here. Needless to say I think the car has fallen on its face and done zero. It's nothing more than a rental fleet car. It has no where near the presence the Grand Am did/still does.

Originally Posted by bigbengt67

The mistake with the G6 was making it too big yet keeping the same crappy powertrain from the GA at launch. Why the GP was given a redesign in '04 only to have a similarly sized G6 show up a year later is still a mystery to me. The Pontiac brand has had terrible management over the past decade and is still stumbling (G5 and Torrent have no reason to exist).

Anybody who would rather have a G6 over a G8 is clearly a fan of dull everyday FWD transportation and does not appreciate RWD performance. It's the same argument I have for someone who chooses a Lexus ES 350 over an IS 350.

Agreed with all.

Had the G6 came out closer to the concept:

I think it would be a diff. story.

But it basically looks like a cheap copycat of previous gen Accords.

I need to go test drive one of the V8 G8's soon since I've begun car shopping again. Are these at full roll out yet?

[Cormaster]

I'd rather have a G6 over a G8 because of Fuel economy! Yeah the driving experience is going to be a 100 times better in the G8, but you're probably going to be paying like $50+ a week to drive one!

[bigbenSC]

^ Seeing as how the powertrain in the V6 G8 is exactly the same as that in the G6 GXP I'd bet they will be with in a couple of MPG of each other. The V8 would be a different story though.

[Cormaster]

yeah I wasn't thinking about the V6 G8. I'd probably still take the G6 GXP though just because you know its still going to be quicker than the V6 G8 due to weight.

Not ripping on the G8 though, definitly the most impressive thing GM has brought out for the Pontiac division in a long long time! Its a step in the right direction thats for sure, and the division is looking MUCH MUCH better than it did just 4 or 5 years ago. Stupid vehicles like the Azteck and Montana have been dropped. On the flipside, stupid vehicles such as the G5 have been created and the worthless toyota built Vibe is still on the market and has become nothing more than an overpriced fuel sipper. What would make the division complete would be to drop the vibe, and G5, and bring a sports car out. No matter what way you look at it, the G8 isn't anymore of a sports car than the Old chevrolet Caprices!

[pauljs75]

...drop the vibe, and G5, and bring a sports car out.

What? Solstice gets no love? (I think they should have got the transmission bugs worked out of that one by now. At least it actually looks good.)

But agreed with the Vibe (nothing that distinctive from the Matrix) and very poorly rebadged Colbalt (they didn't even bother to take out the Chevy body lines in the G5 trim panels. It looks that halfassed to the point of bleh... I'd rather have it at least look right and go buy the Cobalt.)

[Cormaster]

yeah does pontiac realy need affordable eco boxes? I too agree the Vibe and G5 should be dropped

[AMRAAM4]

someone on the GTO board provided an opinion on this car after seeing it at NAISA and supposedly this interior is not "GTO-ish" (as in, you know it wasn't made by Holden because it blows away GM quality). From their opinion, the dash plastics are cheap, cheap, cheap, and the standard radio is garbage. The seats are OK.

That's very disheartening considering if anyone has ridden/driven a GTO they will be truly impressed by the interior/seats!

[SikMindz]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

someone on the GTO board provided an opinion on this car after seeing it at NAISA and supposedly this interior is not "GTO-ish" (as in, you know it wasn't made by Holden because it blows away GM quality). From their opinion, the dash plastics are cheap, cheap, cheap, and the standard radio is garbage. The seats are OK.

That's very disheartening considering if anyone has ridden/driven a GTO they will be truly impressed by the interior/seats!

Agreed. As I was test driving the fit and finish of the GTO was just awesome compared to everything else I tried (300, Magnum, Charger, GP GXP and possibly the CTS). All the Chrysler products made the GA seem lavish so you can probably tell how I felt when going from those to the GTO.

That's too bad- still going to go test drive one when I get a chance since the GA is getting the axe ASAP. Maybe I'll be cool and buy an RX7 too while I'm at it..

[notsoaveragej0e]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

someone on the GTO board provided an opinion on this car after seeing it at NAISA and supposedly this interior is not "GTO-ish" (as in, you know it wasn't made by Holden because it blows away GM quality). From their opinion, the dash plastics are cheap, cheap, cheap, and the standard radio is garbage. The seats are OK.

That's very disheartening considering if anyone has ridden/driven a GTO they will be truly impressed by the interior/seats!

In it's defense, the black G8 that they were letting people sit in had a POS interior... I was pulling at the console and shifter and it was loose as hell (this was on day one, before any of the masses had sat in it). I showed it to my dad and one of his work friends and saying they were pissed off would be an understatement... Someone is getting fired!

[bigbenSC]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

someone on the GTO board provided an opinion on this car after seeing it at NAISA and supposedly this interior is not "GTO-ish" (as in, you know it wasn't made by Holden because it blows away GM quality). From their opinion, the dash plastics are cheap, cheap, cheap, and the standard radio is garbage. The seats are OK.

That's very disheartening considering if anyone has ridden/driven a GTO they will be truly impressed by the interior/seats!

I was at the show last weekend and my Dad ('05 GTO owner) sat in the G8 and said pretty much the exact same thing. I agree, I wasn't blown away by the G8 interior the same way I was when I first got in a GTO back in '03.

Pricing was that the GT would start under $30,000, that is pretty good all things considered.

[nascarnate326]

Just got back from the auto show. This car is sweet. Exactly what GM needs. I agree that the interior was kinda cheap, in the cheap version. The only major flaw I found with the GT was the cheap ass glove box. That thing will be rattleing in 25k miles if not sooner. I was impressed with the car. Not nearly as wide looking as my grand prix, but it looks wide enough. Deff a BMW fighter. My pics:








I was kinda disappointed they couldnt even get us a mpg gauge though.

[notsoaveragej0e]

Oh yeah, and this isn't going to become a rental whore- GM plans to make as few V6's as possible.

[crazypontiac03]

Looks Decent.. I won't own one for a long time..

Also do the Hood Vents Function or are they like the Sc/t Hood on the Grand Am?

[notsoaveragej0e]

IIRC They were functional- at least in terms of letting air into the engine bay. I think I was able to put my hand in there.


(preemptive "that's what she said")

[Mike3800]

It's a rental,... so what. Camry, Altima... both nice cars that you can rent.

http://www.autoboutiquerental.com/sh...hini_Gall.html

I'd rent one, and the fact that it's a whore makes it even more appealing.

[HRT427]

the car is gonna rock regardless of what you say...

knitpick the iterior or whatever else ..

the fundamentals are correct , chassis (miles ahead of the goat) , suspension , build quality , nice appearance

im really starting to like the white one , with the 6.0l , im thinking 19" rims , and give it a tune to run on pulp and 400rwhp is at hand and a 12 sec time (proven)

[Pontiac Ninja]

Originally Posted by HRT427

the car is gonna rock regardless of what you say...

knitpick the iterior or whatever else ..

the fundamentals are correct , chassis (miles ahead of the goat) , suspension , build quality , nice appearance

im really starting to like the white one , with the 6.0l , im thinking 19" rims , and give it a tune to run on pulp and 400rwhp is at hand and a 12 sec time (proven)

Never seen that pic before. I actually like the way the white looks also. Looks real clean.

[notsoaveragej0e]

Originally Posted by Mike3800

It's a rental,... so what. Camry, Altima... both nice cars that you can rent.

http://www.autoboutiquerental.com/sh...hini_Gall.html

I'd rent one, and the fact that it's a whore makes it even more appealing.

I don't know the company, but they also are renting the new CTS... does that make it a whore? Sometimes they like to put new cars like that into the rental service just to give people who might otherwise never consider that brand (and have to use it because they are traveling or whatever) a chance to drive it, and ultimately change their mind.

Originally Posted by HRT427

the car is gonna rock regardless of what you say...

knitpick the iterior or whatever else ..

the fundamentals are correct , chassis (miles ahead of the goat) , suspension , build quality , nice appearance

im really starting to like the white one , with the 6.0l , im thinking 19" rims , and give it a tune to run on pulp and 400rwhp is at hand and a 12 sec time (proven)

werd, that's a hot color- and I'm usually not a fan of white unless its on an Escalade.

[HRT427]

i cant wait to see what the ls3 brings to the table

it has been leaked destined for '09

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by HRT427

the car is gonna rock regardless of what you say...

knitpick the iterior or whatever else ..

the fundamentals are correct , chassis (miles ahead of the goat) , suspension , build quality , nice appearance

im really starting to like the white one , with the 6.0l , im thinking 19" rims , and give it a tune to run on pulp and 400rwhp is at hand and a 12 sec time (proven)

most people looking for a $30k sedan don't give a sh1t about the chassis, suspension, and horsepower. They want fuel economy, a great interior, and a soft ride.

For "us", this car is in our wheelhouse, so to say, for the overwhelming majority of the population who must buy this car, these things won't matter.

I'm not saying I am definite on this happening, but if I were a betting man I'd stick to my guns and say this car is going to be a swing and a miss after the initial dealer lot buzz fades.