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

[notsoaveragej0e]

And also, I got this today:

By Arthur St. Antoine
March 2008

To those of you who've eagerly awaited the launch of Pontiac's super-hot, Australia-sourced 2008 G8 sport sedan, we're pleased to announce the following: We have liftoff. The test numbers are in.

We were as eager as you to get behind the wheel of this bold new four-door Grand Prix replacement – bred and built by GM's Holden division in Australia. And that's largely because, first and foremost, the G8 is rear-drive, which immediately gains it admission into a lofty arena occupied by the likes of BMW and Infiniti. The G8 is a genuine, kick-the-tail-out sport sedan, not a front-drive compromise. Let us all pause now and give GM a huge round of applause.

The good stuff isn't limited to the layout. When the G8 goes on sale in a few weeks (target is early March), Pontiac will offer two versions. The base car is powered by a DOHC, 3.6-liter V-6 with variable valve timing that kicks out 256 horses at 6300 rpm and 248 pound-feet of torque at 2100. The engine mates to a five-speed automatic transmission. Eighteen-inch, silver-painted alloy wheels are standard, as are projector-beam headlights, a tilt-telescoping wheel, polished stainless-steel exhaust tips, remote start, and a seven-speaker Blaupunkt audio system with CD player and iPod jack.

Seen here is the up-level G8 GT, which ripples with a 6.0-liter OHV V-8 that booms out 361 horses at 5300 rpm and 385 pound-feet at 4400. The engine features computer-managed cylinder deactivation for enhanced economy. The big mill's output flows through a standard six-speed automatic with Sport mode. No manual is available yet, but when we pressed Pontiac execs, they hinted one may be coming later this year – perhaps in concert with a higher-tuned engine.

Added GT goodies include quad stainless-steel exhaust tips, a limited-slip diff, dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped wheel, a more potent audio system, and machine-faced 18-inch wheels wearing summer performance tires. Leather seats and a power sunroof are available in both G8 models. The GT also offers an optional Sport package (seen on our test car), which adds 19-inch alloys, sport metallic pedals, and a meatier steering wheel. Pricing is aggressive. The base G8 starts at $27,595, while the mighty GT lists at just $29,995-making it, Pontiac points out, the most powerful automobile available in the U.S. for under 30 grand.

[HRT427]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

no...I honestly think you're full of sh1t and stretching to make some arbitrary point. There's only so many ways to lay out an interior, attach interior parts, mold interior parts. You can put the GTO interior next to the interior of a Cavalier and say it's a "basic upgrade"

sorry , not the same .... read about how the monaro and GTO came about ..

what i am saying is correct

http://www.hsv.com.au/excelerate/10thanni/vt_coupe.htm

[bigbenSC]

I'll give my thoughts:
1: The GTO interior was great in 2003 but is now dated (I know, I'm driving an '05 at the moment). Recent GM products (think CTS, VUE, Lambda Crossovers, and Malibu) all have much nicer interiors with more features than the GTO ever dreamed of.

2: The G8 is not going to challenge people looking for an Acura TL, Infiniti G series, or any of the other luxury nameplates in the $30,00-$40,000 range. It will be a niche vehicle at most, but that is what the Pontiac division should be. Leave the everyday stuff and luxury vehicles to Chevy, Saturn and Cadillac. Pontiac will offer great performance at an affordable price.

3: The G8 is a much nicer vehicle (inside and out) than the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, most likely it's biggest rivals. The Chrysler twins have crap interiors and sell well...

4: The vehicle is $1500 overpriced...

[Mike3800]

Originally Posted by notsoaveragej0e

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.

...I wasn't being sarcastic... I like the car! The fact that i can rent one (it's a "whore"...) makes it more appealing! Someone called it a "rental whore" I was just pointing out that there are quite a few rental cars that are nice...

[Cormaster]

I've sat in a GTO and the interior is really nice, but at the same time I didn't like it because it wasn't very, well "pontiac". What I've seen of the G8's interior is awesome IMO, but this is coming from a guy who had to rent an Impala for a few days while his cavie was getting warrenty work, and was also very impressed with the Impala interior, in which many people would rip a new one because its not quite up to "honda" standards. But I drive a cavalier. It doesn't get any more crappy or basic than a cavalier's interior. I will say at least the cavalier's interior seems to hold together very well, but as for as styling tis as basic as it gets. Plain boring vents, no accents, Cloth seats with manual controls, and a very ugly whiteish - green back lighting color (really miss the cool red glow of the grand am's interior)so naturally when I see a G8 interior I'm very impressed.

But it really doesn't matter much as I probably will never own a G8. Don't really feel like spending $50/week to fuel one!

[SSRacer]

G8 GT > Charger R/T

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1.*

[bigbenSC]

Highlights from the article:

In fact, the G8 GT isn't just quicker than the Charger R/T, but nearly as quick as the much more expensive 425-hp Charger SRT8. That beast's 6.1-liter Hemi sped it to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and ripped up the quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds at 105 mph.

Forget for a moment that in every performance category the G8 GT walks all over the Charger R/T. Go ahead and overlook the G8's more aggressive decoration and attractively sinister countenance. Just concentrate your mind on this: The Pontiac is cheaper. Its $29,995 base price is $1,460 under the cost of a Charger R/T, and the as-tested price of this red G8 GT is a thick $3,810 less than the as-tested price of this Charger R/T.

The G8 GT's $32,745 price is a flat raging bargain. And we Americans love bargains — even when the car is built in Australia.

My final opinion is reserved until I drive one, but things are looking good.

[notsoaveragej0e]

Originally Posted by Mike3800

...I wasn't being sarcastic... I like the car! The fact that i can rent one (it's a "whore"...) makes it more appealing! Someone called it a "rental whore" I was just pointing out that there are quite a few rental cars that are nice...

Yeah I was agreeing with you- after I read it immediately after I posted it, it sounded like I was being condescending but I was too lazy to change it. Oops.

[DrFabulous]

I just checked with my local dealer and they said mid-march for delivery.... you bet your ass I'm skipping work to test drive one of these.

[XMBlackGT1]

Originally Posted by notsoaveragej0e

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

I do know that the company that I work for is replacing its entire line of Grand Prix's with G8's when they come out and plan on running the G8 as the replacement for the Grand Prix. I'm pretty sure the rest of the company will be doing that in other states too, so, as I see it, its going to be another GM with low residual values because of the rental car companies. Time will tell.

[anselv]

looks like a great car . to bad it would not be available in canada.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by anselv

looks like a great car . to bad it would not be available in canada.

Huh

http://gm.ca/gm/english/vehicles/pontiac/

[anselv]

I saw this car posted on the inadmissable list by transport canada , hopefully it changes :

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/impor...S___SATURN.htm

[SSRacer]

You canadians have some funny rules about imported cars...

[crazypontiac03]

I don't get why some of these Vehicle's can't be Sold in Canada?
How do they Pick and Choose?
I don't think there is much of any Differance between those sold here and sold in Canada. So why are some Not allowed?

[Pinnacle]

Originally Posted by SSRacer

You canadians have some funny rules about imported cars...

Outright stupid! Id be driving a GTO for sure!

[bigbenSC]

Originally Posted by crazypontiac03

I don't get why some of these Vehicle's can't be Sold in Canada?
How do they Pick and Choose?
I don't think there is much of any Differance between those sold here and sold in Canada. So why are some Not allowed?

Canada has many different regulations than the US. Their safety, lighting, and emissions standards all differ slightly from the US models. If you notice, most of the vehicles not allowed in are fairly low volume cars that would not sell in numbers large enough to warrant redesigns to comply with Canada's standards.

[Pinnacle]

Originally Posted by bigbengt67

Canada has many different regulations than the US. Their safety, lighting, and emissions standards all differ slightly from the US models. If you notice, most of the vehicles not allowed in are fairly low volume cars that would not sell in numbers large enough to warrant redesigns to comply with Canada's standards.

Blah blah blah, screw Canadian standards and bring me a GTO!!

[SSRacer]

My favorite part:

The following vehicles, if equipped with power or manual seat back recliners for both driver and front seat passenger positions, are ADMISSIBLE for importation. If they are not so equipped then the seats must be replaced with a reclining seat at both front seat positions.

Lazy canadians, you just don't want cars you can't take a nap in

[bigbenSC]

^ Probably for rear impact crash standards. If you are hit hard enough from behind seats are designed to break and let you move backward to absorb the impact. Non-reclining seats are probably too rigid to break at the mandated impact speed.