Author Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009  (Read 17914 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

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Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« on: July 08, 2010, 04:05:46 am »



A full-size rear-wheel drive sedan, the G8 was imported from Australia.  Problems have been few so far, but Contributing Editor Chris Chase notes that there have been a couple of Technical Service Bulletins about the suspension and driveshaft.

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Offline toolatecrew

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2010, 07:47:54 am »
I can see these having very overinflated used prices (especially the v8) becuase of the limited number of sales. I had a V8 GT model as a rental for a week and its a real shame the car did not survive. It was akin to a poor man's 540i.

Offline D70

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2010, 09:09:30 am »
I was fortunate to drive an almost new Holden Commodore from Adelaide to Perth back in 2005. In its home territory the car performed well, very similar to my Oldsmobile Intrigue with a 3.5 engine, except for rear wheel drive which I prefer.

The Olds is more refined, has dual climate control and is more economical. All Australian cars that I have rented consume more than their N. American equivalents, must be in the gearing.

Overall the should be a good reliable performer, a very sensible car for those who require 4 drs and like the simplicity of rear wheel drive, no Olds torque steer on acceleration.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/1712556070/in/set-72157602644116788/

« Last Edit: July 08, 2010, 01:38:40 pm by wing »

aknutson

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2010, 09:15:45 am »
I can see these having very overinflated used prices (especially the v8) becuase of the limited number of sales. I had a V8 GT model as a rental for a week and its a real shame the car did not survive. It was akin to a poor man's 540i.

I think one of the big car mags actually did a comparo between a G8 GT and a new BMW 550i, and asked the question 'what do you get for half the price?' It ended up saying that while the 550i is obviously a more composed car, the G8 offers similar performance for a heck of a lot less. Although I've never had a chance to drive one, from the photo's I've seen the interior looked like one of GM's cleanest and of better quality than is typically associated with their large sedans, and the engine was unquestionably strong in V8 form.

CDF

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2010, 10:54:25 am »
Great car. A shame that GM didn't see fit to some how keep this car as part of the 'New GM'.

Offline greengs

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2010, 10:57:38 am »
As I said at the time. Had the GT been offered with a manual tranny - one may have been in my garage.



Thought it was a great car.

It was in GXP trim  :P There were a few imported from USA by various Canadian dealers.

Offline ktm525

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2010, 11:28:45 am »
My brother has one of these. V8 GT. Surprisingly good handling and huge rear seat room.  Great engine and with a few mods HP can be upped considerably into the mid 4s. I think he paid $36k. Now that is value.

Offline Mozeby

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2010, 11:31:02 am »
I tried like hell to convince my wife to buy one of these, but fuel economy won out over me wanting to do burnouts, so no dice.  The resale prices that I've seen on these is insane.  I swear when I was looking late last year, the prices were almost sticker just because you couldn't buy them anymore.  I drove a V6 one back to back with a V6 Charger and the steering and suspension are in another league.

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2010, 11:34:51 am »
As usual, GM has timing problems, they produce one of  their best sedans just in time for the brand to be axed. They killed the Fiero just as they had it sorted out, Oldsmobile died around the time they had  a couple of nice sedans. If you can pick up one of these for a reasonable price, you will have a really nice sports sedan bargain.

Offline Spec5

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2010, 12:15:38 pm »
I totally wanted one of these but sadly I'm not at that stage in life. Perhaps once the kiddies get a bit bigger and I'm not having to lug strollers and playpens around.

Like all here have said - great car too bad it had to die. I mean why not rebadge it as a Buick and offer it in V8 trim only and call it a Grand National? Change the front clip and tail lights and bam! Would have been perfect. This was too nice a car to be discontinued in NA. I hear they still sell them in Saudi Arabia as the Impala SS?

Chris - "bland styling"?! You serious dude? Oh, you're talking about the Charger - thats what I thought.  ;)
My other Honda is an MP4-31!

Offline Whofan

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2010, 12:25:07 pm »
I really liked this car, but not the hood.

as for the Fiero.. sad but true.

I heard that it might be the future Impala SS, now that would be GREAT!!

I'll take a V8 /w a manual please!

Offline ktm525

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2010, 12:43:27 pm »
I totally wanted one of these but sadly I'm not at that stage in life. Perhaps once the kiddies get a bit bigger and I'm not having to lug strollers and playpens around.

Like all here have said - great car too bad it had to die. I mean why not rebadge it as a Buick and offer it in V8 trim only and call it a Grand National? Change the front clip and tail lights and bam! Would have been perfect. This was too nice a car to be discontinued in NA. I hear they still sell them in Saudi Arabia as the Impala SS?

Chris - "bland styling"?! You serious dude? Oh, you're talking about the Charger - thats what I thought.  ;)

Trunk is huge and the rear seats seem to have double the room than my V70, perfect for kiddies.. The G8 hustles itself around in the winter surprisingly well  (on proper rubber of course.)


Offline Weels

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2010, 12:51:13 pm »
I totally wanted one of these but sadly I'm not at that stage in life. Perhaps once the kiddies get a bit bigger and I'm not having to lug strollers and playpens around.

Like all here have said - great car too bad it had to die. I mean why not rebadge it as a Buick and offer it in V8 trim only and call it a Grand National? Change the front clip and tail lights and bam! Would have been perfect. This was too nice a car to be discontinued in NA. I hear they still sell them in Saudi Arabia as the Impala SS?

Chris - "bland styling"?! You serious dude? Oh, you're talking about the Charger - thats what I thought.  ;)

Trunk is huge and the rear seats seem to have double the room than my V70, perfect for kiddies.. The G8 hustles itself around in the winter surprisingly well  (on proper rubber of course.)



I recall James' day by day test last winter (i think) and reading that it was a handful in the snow, even with winters and traction control



Offline Weels

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2010, 12:55:47 pm »
I can see these having very overinflated used prices (especially the v8) becuase of the limited number of sales. I had a V8 GT model as a rental for a week and its a real shame the car did not survive. It was akin to a poor man's 540i.

Yep - there's an ad on Autotrader for an '09 V8 GT.  Asking price $35K.
Even the V6's I saw averaged around $30

Offline wing

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2010, 01:40:44 pm »
Yeah it was a handful but fun!  It was sideways everywhere in the snow.

Offline Weels

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #15 on: July 08, 2010, 04:12:05 pm »
Yeah it was a handful but fun!  It was sideways everywhere in the snow.

Powerslide !!!  Mr. Clarkson would approve.

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #16 on: July 08, 2010, 04:54:25 pm »
I don't understand the current idea that RWD cars become inoperable as soon as snow hits the ground. Yes, it takes a learning curve to tackle the oversteer-induced handling of a RWD car, but with today's sticky winter tires and electronic traction aids, it really isn't that bad. Of course if you have a V8 sedan and want to powerslide, that's an entirely different story...

Offline Bubba

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #17 on: July 08, 2010, 05:01:15 pm »
I had a look at a G8 with a V6 - auto while in Fargo this past weekend.  $24,990 with under 6k miles on it.
http://www.corwinchryslerdodge.net/used/Pontiac/2009-Pontiac-G8-b0f411a27f00000101c1c9dc27fa264a.htm

The dealer also has this GTO in stock.  Another low mileage car - 9,056 miles.
http://www.corwinchryslerdodge.net/used/Pontiac/2006-Pontiac-GTO-4b8bb7190a0a00640135dd72c4992bdb.htm
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Offline wing

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #18 on: July 08, 2010, 06:48:48 pm »
aknutson, it's not that they are inoperable, but most RWD cars these days are stiffer.  The stiff springs mean there is no give and these results in interesting winter handling.  In the winter you want your suspension to be soft and sloppy which allows it to transfer the weight and get grip when accelerating turning etc.  The stiffer springs mean weight transfer effect is reduced resulting in less rear traction.

John

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Pontiac G8, 2008-2009
« Reply #19 on: July 09, 2010, 06:02:42 pm »
I tried like hell to convince my wife to buy one of these, but fuel economy won out over me wanting to do burnouts, so no dice.  The resale prices that I've seen on these is insane.  I swear when I was looking late last year, the prices were almost sticker just because you couldn't buy them anymore.  I drove a V6 one back to back with a V6 Charger and the steering and suspension are in another league.

Who Wears the Pants in This Family?

Mike was going to be married to Karen, so his father sat him down for a little fireside chat. He says, "Mike, let me tell you something. On my wedding night in our honeymoon suite, I took off my pants and handed them to your mother and said, "Here Try these on."

She did and said, "These are too big. I can't wear them." I replied, "Exactly. I wear the pants in this family and I always will. Ever since that night we have never had any problems."

"Hmmm," says Mike. He thinks that might be a good thing to try. On his honeymoon, Mike takes off his pants and says to Karen, "Here Try these on."

She does and says, "These are too large. They don't fit me." Mike says, "Exactly. I wear the pants in this family and I always will. I don't want you to ever forget that."

Then Karen takes off her pants and hands them to Mike and says, "Here You try on mine." He does and says, "I can't get into your pants." Karen says, "Exactly. And if you don't change your smart-ass attitude, you never will."

And that is how someone didn't get the car he wanted.......the end.