No 6 Speed Manual for 2009 G8 GT

[djo165]

Originally Posted by mrgto

It isn't like you have to do ANYTHING SPECIAL to the damn car..oh right, that wonderful displacement on demand....give me a break...put the 6.3L in it, detune it a bit, put a 2.93 gear in the ass end and give us the GOD DAMN MANUAL TRANNY!!!

^^^ YES!!! What he said x 2!

[djo165]

Originally Posted by spidge

This is what we have to deal with in North America. Those of us who like RWD and manuals, have little choice other than to pony up the cash and go to BMW, for now...

Hey GM, look at my sig. Every one of the cars on that list had a manual transmission except for the first one in 1980. My current daily driver is a nine year old Prelude 5-speed, and before that, a used BMW M3 5-speed. Of the seven cars I've owned in the past 25 years, six have had manual transmissions. And the next one I buy within the next 18 months will be a manual, too. Guaranteed.

Now I'm back to contemplating Subarus or used Bimmers. I'd consider a used CTS with a manual, but finding one can be tough.

[djo165]

Originally Posted by TriShield

GM is bungling this car nearly as bad as they did the Monaro.

How hard is it to simply sell the exact same car with the exact same options, colors and features to us?

GM just doesn't want to pay to certify the L98/V8 manual combo is probably what it comes down to.

Exactly. Some bean counter somewhere in RenCen has figured that the additional sales won't justify the additional cost. But he's not factoring in the boost it would give Pontiac's image, or the increased loyalty they would get from it.

A few people on this thread seem to express doubt that any of us manual transmission enthusiasts would really follow through with our threats to buy or not buy based on the tranny choices. For those of you who feel this way, here's a little story.

In 1986 I worked for my local hometown Chevy dealer, and I loved the new IROC-Z Camaro's that were out at that time. And I needed a new car. Problem was, you couldn't get the TPI motor with a manual transmission in the F-body in 1986. Chevy offered a lower hp 4bbl carb V8 with the 5-speed, but it had some problems (vapor locking). So, despite my desires for that car, I ended up buying a 1986 RX-7 with a 5-speed. Then, in 1992, the last year for that 3rd gen F-body, I finally got my 5-speed, TPI Z28, and to this day, it remains one of my all time favorite cars. I wish I still had it.

So yeah, some of us do put our money where our mouths are. You listening, GM?

[redimpss5]

Very quick answer...Why the F@%k why would I buy it then? This was the only car besides the Caddy (cts-v) I thought about buying and now this...WTF? Better yet...WHY?

[FunkyPig]

Holden can only build about 30,000 G8s per year, and GM probably think that with the way it's selling they will hit that target easily without a manual version.

I hate to say it but from a business point of view they're right, but seeing as the same car is sold around the world with a manual, it's a bit unfair on US consumers.

[skylark68]

Well, I don't think it really matters to 95% of the population. I've seen three G8's on the road so far, all of them G8 GT's. The average consumer doesn't want a manual transmission. We at GMI are strange folk, as we actually like to partake in the art of driving.

[Mischief007]

Originally Posted by 88ls1blazer

Yeah, cause I'm sure you were really gonna buy one anyways. Your car listed is a grand prix GTP, so you must be a hardcore, manual only type of guy since that has a stick... Oh wait...

Yeah because stupid me thought that having a 3.8 L supercharged V6 would kill the need for a stick. Unfortunately I really miss rowing my own gears. My previous two cars were stickshifts and both were 4 bangers. I really wanted a bigger and more powerful engine. Now that I have an auto, I miss a stickshift even more. By the way, my GP is a CompG so I still get to have some fun with it .

Don't chew off your own foot, son.

[bballer113]

Originally Posted by G8Nation.com

No 6 Speed Manual for 2009 G8 GT

Following the rumor that spread like wildfire last Friday, G8Nation.com went straight to the source and asked Pontiac Communications Manager, Jim Hopson to confirm or quell the rumor.

Sorry guys....no rowing your own in the 2009 G8 GT.

I want to throw this out there. Old man Bob Lutz could be feeling his age and got is words twisted up but think about this for a moment. When this info first came out the speculation on another G8 forum was that the GXP was going to be released first this year. Also that you probably won't see a production GT M6 until the second half of the model year. Not saying that Jim Hopson doesn't know what he's talking about but perhaps her was correct in saying that no you won't see a M6 at the launch of the 09' model year but available at a later date. Its also been said that the canadien option info for 09' now includes a M6 option. There still could be hope for a M6 GT.

[Buick61]

I wouldn't buy it with a manual. Wife needs to drive it. It has to be comfortable in traffic (my G6 GTP manual tortured my knee in stop and go situations). I also has to be Valet Parking friendly, and I don't trust them with a manual. I'd know, I was one.

[run&blade]

Without a stick they could have just as well just rebadged a Impala SS. Since everybody here says the people that want it are on the fringe and most people do not care.

Pontiac = Performance Lite
Pontiac is good enough if you are a mock car guy. No Thanks.

My Honda Mini Van is about as fun to drive as an automatic G8.

I drove a 300C with the autostick once, after about 2 blocks I quit using it. It was about as close to a manual transmission as Long John Silvers is to good seafood.

[mrgto]

No kidding....they had a manu-matic back in 1967....it was called the Hurst Dual Gate.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/26...f9fc10.jpg?v=0

This shifter is also called a his and hers. It's called that because the left side (hers) of the shifter is designed for normal driving. Put it in gear and go. The right side of the shifter (his) is designed for manual shifting with a ratcheting mechanism that allows you to easily bump the shift lever up a gear.
This photo has notes. Move your mouse over the photo to see them.

[Canyonaro]

My problem with everyones "only 3% of cars now sold have mt's" argument is it may not be solely on supply/demand. If I can only get an auto in a Canyon CC, or my Mali, or an Impala, etc, then whats the point? No choices!

So my point is yes, it isn't as high demand as they used to be because perhaps people are more lazy now. Not everybody in NA is always stuck in traffic or their wife is unable to drive one. But I think it has also to do more with the options. Every time you can't get a car/truck with an MT when you want them (like me) then you have to settle, and no one likes that.

[Cphelps]

I too am disappointed by this, as I was very seriously considering a G8 again after hearing there would be a manual in the GT. I would love to have a GXP with the LS3 and a Tr-6060 but I don't think I can afford the GXP model. Plus the GTs are running pretty fast so far, not to mention that coming from 205hp/230tq, I think 361hp/385tq would be plenty for me. The G8 appealed to me since it retained all the room and practicality I've grown accustomed to with the Regal, but performed well too. I am tired of the slush box and want a manual. Looks like used C5 is still my top choice, since I am not sure I want to wait for the manual.

Before I could at least justify spending more on a car with less performance (G8 vs used C5), since I was getting a newer car that was nicer inside, and it had more room. Those are still true, but I really just want a manual, which I get get in the C5 and have an all around better performing car. Might have to keep the Regal around to haul things/people, but I don't think I could really get anything by selling it anyway.

[MCGARRETT]

If I were in charge I would go the other direction and offer the 6 speed manual in all versions including the V6 G8. All the combos are already available elsewhere in the world so it's not a question of "will this engine work with this tranny". Then again if I were in charge I would have approved the G8 wagon and coupe PDQ and sent the "El G80mino" to Chevrolet.

The 3.6 in either regular or DI versions would make a really nice performance sedan with a 6 speed manual G8.

[bigtime]

R.I.P. GM, pontiac, and G8.

Seriously this shows how much GM doesn't get it. You can't compete with BMW and not have a manual. Not that pontiac could have, but it was always there goal. Not wanting to shift your own gears is like supporting Obama, it makes no sense. Seriously its what makes driving a car - DRIVING!!! If you don't get it than you deserve to drive camrys, accords, etc. (read: boring) But the rest of us thought just maybe GM could give us a proper GT sedan at a decent price with a freaking manual.

Yeah GM has turned the corner...and then kept going right around and is headed right back to where they were. Crapville.