Topic: Another good G8 Review

[rrocket]

Because it's so bad you can't help mention it.  It's an eyesore...it just jumps out at you it's so bad.

I disagree.  I think it's like the orange backlighting on the gauges on my wife's Tacoma.  Would I rather have red, blue, or green?  Yes.  Do I like orange?  Not at all.  Is it something to get fixated on?  Certainly not.  You could find one detail you hate on ANY car.  If that one detail is the aesthetic design of the fuel gauge, you're doing well.

I think it's worse.  Sure I've never liked orange backlighting myself, but I've never thought it looked "cheap" or "80's old."  That gauge is an eyesore in an otherwise pleasing interior.

[Mitlov]

Anyway, yet another positive review of the G8 rolled in.  It dominated a Charger RT in a Car & Driver shootout.  The Charger had more comfortable front seats, and C&D thought it looked and sounded better.  The G8 was faster, better handling, far better at braking, and more communicative.  C&D, who are nothing if not BMW fanboys, wrote:

But the G8's [handling] limits are higher [than the Charger's], the steering is more tactile--as well as nicely weighted--and the certainty that goes with high-speed driving on mountain roads is sensational.  BMW might do it better, but not by much.  And not for this kind of money.

From C&D, praise doesn't get much higher than that.

On another note, I can't wait to start seeing police G8s around here.  Chargers have become popular with the Oregon State Patrol; I'm sure the G8 will be the next potential replacement for the long-in-the-tooth Crown Vic.

[rrocket]

No doubt, it's a very good car.  Wonder if it will be a "value" here like it is in the States, or if we'll get the typical Canadian hosing...?

[Mitlov]

Update: GM is listening to the nit-pickers, and the G8 will drop the digitial oil pressure and battery displays after the first year of production.  Possible replacements are (a) analog gauges, (b) a storage cubby, or (c) a navigation system.  I suspect they'll go with (b) and (c) combined (optional nav; storage cubby if you don't get it).

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/useless-pontiac-g8-auxiliary-gauges-going-away-for-2009/

So rrocket, when can we expect a G8 GXP in your driveway?

[Baron von Raschke]

No doubt, it's a very good car.  Wonder if it will be a "value" here like it is in the States, or if we'll get the typical Canadian hosing...?

You now have the ability to configure the G8 online at gm.ca and the base G8 GT is about $7000 more in canada than in the U.S.  Let the hosing begin.

[vdk]

No doubt, it's a very good car.  Wonder if it will be a "value" here like it is in the States, or if we'll get the typical Canadian hosing...?

You now have the ability to configure the G8 online at gm.ca and the base G8 GT is about $7000 more in canada than in the U.S.  Let the hosing begin.

  F***K

[LBJGH]

Another reason to avoid GM products... like we need another reason!

No doubt, it's a very good car.  Wonder if it will be a "value" here like it is in the States, or if we'll get the typical Canadian hosing...?

You now have the ability to configure the G8 online at gm.ca and the base G8 GT is about $7000 more in canada than in the U.S.  Let the hosing begin.

[rrocket]

So rrocket, when can we expect a G8 GXP in your driveway?

Glad they listened...how refreshing!  In my driveway?  Likely never.  Once bitten my friend.....

[evil_twin]

Just priced one out on gm.ca.

That's a lot of car when you choose the G8 GT with Sport Package, but $41k MSRP is a lot of dough as well. 

How's the fuel mileage on one of these with that 6.0L V8?  Not that I'm a big worrier about fuel economy with my relatively small annual kms, but this car could be losing it's lustre before it's even released.

At the US price (and maybe with a manual ) it'd be a helluva package.

[Mitlov]

I really want to go European with my next car, but GM always pulls these Wal-Mart deals which temp me so. Also, the G8 is a good car in it's own right so one really shouldn't feel ashamed driving it.

Here's a way to have your cake and eat it too: get a Pontiac G8, and then get a couple of Vauxhall VXR8 badges and a no-hoodscoop hood off eBay.

[evil_twin]

Vmango's prayers are answered!!!!

http://blog.cardomain.com/blog/2008/06/bob-lutz-on-ent.html#more

"Bob made the point that manual transmissions harm the all-important average fleet MPG, because, in contrast to the past, they're now less fuel efficient than automatics: there's computers now that determine optimal gas-saving shift points more precisely than even the most discerning human. Bob was somewhat enigmatic about the availability of the stick in specific models. He emphasized that the Camaro "will have a manual transmission." I fell for it, but Rob felt it was a bit of a political answer: whether Bob means it'll have one for its initial run, or during a subsequent model-year, was unclear. The G8 GT will have an optional Tremec six-speed for 2009."

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Should be at some dealers now.

Who's going to be first test pilot?

[ilovecables]

Was driving down Highway 7 yesterday and noticed a few in some GM lots....me thinks I'm going to have some fun tomorrow if the wife will turn me loose for a few hours...........

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Was driving down Highway 7 yesterday and noticed a few in some GM lots....me thinks I'm going to have some fun tomorrow if the wife will turn me loose for a few hours...........

Do post back with impressions!

Where's Snowman when you need him?

[Snowman]

Was driving down Highway 7 yesterday and noticed a few in some GM lots....me thinks I'm going to have some fun tomorrow if the wife will turn me loose for a few hours...........

Do post back with impressions!

Where's Snowman when you need him?

\

Too busy drooling over the Challenger in the visitor’s parking lot.

[Greg B.]

I can't help but think that regardless of the merits of the vehicle, it is the wrong car at the wrong time for GM. Too big, too thirsty, too expensive. Plus as others have stated the Pontiac brand is seriously damaged in the minds of many and it will take a lot to repair that. I expect these will stack up on the lots. Good deals might be had in a few months.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

it is the wrong car at the wrong time for GM.

I think it's the right car at the wrong time. Still great to have, but expect less sales than predicted before. Now they need a more economical performance-minded G5 and G6 to compliment the 8.

[ilovecables]

IMHO, there no such thing as a wrong time to bring a great product to market.  If somebody wants a 4 door rear driver that ain't an import, what choice have we had 'till now other than a Mopar?

[DriverJeff]

IMHO, there no such thing as a wrong time to bring a great product to market. 

...except the point is, even those of us who might've previously chosen one as an interesting alternative to the imports, with fuel cost going up-up-up, a lot of people will think twice about it now, no matter how great a machine it is.  I know I will.

[ilovecables]

Somehow I doubt that GM, or any manufacturer that has made an 8 cylinder vehicle, has targeted the product to a buyer concerned about gas mileage or price.
Maybe it's just me who thinks that......