Pontiac G8: The World's Best Car Nobody Was Buying

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by Chaz_23

You'd have to be infantile to expect a car to explode in popularity the minute it comes out

[vcs2600]

Originally Posted by CJ Thunder

HAHA I worked as a car salesmen and GM tried to feed me that while people jumped all over over the Satrun Sky. If I want a Sky why would I want a Vue?

You people all ways tear apart comparison reviews when cars are of different categories yet you expect me to believe that someone wanting a G8 is going to walk away with a Vibe? Sure if the customer is sold but thats not a customer you want, you want someone who has a desire for a product.

It's not me. This whole "Halo Car" theory is classic Bob Lutz. Look at the comparative investment that Pontiac got between low-production halo models and regular mainstream cars. Clearly Lutz thought he could carry the brand on "excitement" and not (say) having a decent compact sedan.

Sometimes it seems like GM is stuck in an eternal cycle trying to capture the magic of cars like the original GTO.

[BBDOS CV8]

It's simple - Detroit trained buyers to salivate at incentives like Pavlov's dogs. So like someone said, everyone whinged and bitched about the price vs content until the content dropped. Same with the GTO.

And it isn't just Pontiac or the G8, given the deals on 'hot-selling' cars like Corvettes, yes even Mustangs. Now, some degree of discounting to swing a deal should be he norm. But not more than 10% before someone wven walks in. Not on an imported car where that might be the dealer or brand profit.

Unfortunately, Pontiac was just too far gone - the GFC killed it like pneumonia kills a weak old man.

[Jay20]

Originally Posted by TuffG929

Link

I've always thought that this G8 Hype was mainly caused by small bands of noisy enthusiasts rather then average consumers.

And if the G8 really is a money looser for GM then this talk of rebadging it should cease. The enthusiasts will disagree of course but to me the health of the company comes first above all else.

[stevecmh]

i still really want one

[Chaz_23]

Folks, no need to post pics of cars that you think sold explosively when they came out. You conveniently leave out the second part of my sentence.



It doesn't say anything. If I could afford one I'd get one, heck, I'd get 3. Just watch how few GMIers are going to get the LaCrosse even though every one loves it.

The general public doesn't give GM a chance, let alone Pontiac. Moreover, there was the whole anti-gus guzzling frenzy when the G8 came out and then that little financial meltdown...

Originally Posted by goatgary

Rather interesting to me to see all the rants by enthusiasts on this site about GM's decision on the G-8, given the fact that even with piles of cash on the hood very few who have gone ballistic about this have actually bought the car. Screams volumes about why GM says it can't build a viable business case. When those of you who believe it is a bargain M5 can't spring for the car, why would the general public?

[motorman]

Originally Posted by goatgary

Rather interesting to me to see all the rants by enthusiasts on this site about GM's decision on the G-8, given the fact that even with piles of cash on the hood very few who have gone ballistic about this have actually bought the car. Screams volumes about why GM says it can't build a viable business case. When those of you who believe it is a bargain M5 can't spring for the car, why would the general public?

the market for a 15 MPG with premium fuel car is pretty slim these days with the uncertainty of fuel prices. people like me who buy high performance car just for a fun car are getting few and far between because of what happened to our investments. i would love to buy a new ZR1 but with the market conditions like they are i am going to sit on what is left of my money.

[Byron]

price Is Everthing

[CJ Thunder]

Originally Posted by Jay20

I've always thought that this G8 Hype was mainly caused by small bands of noisy enthusiasts rather then average consumers.

And if the G8 really is a money looser for GM then this talk of rebadging it should cease. The enthusiasts will disagree of course but to me the health of the company comes first above all else.

Those Fox news guys seem to talk it up a bit.

Originally Posted by Buick61

You forgot the CTS, 4 door Wrangler, the solstice and sky. Wow the first one released out of my list are still the same as the first year out. Problems I see.

[scotth3886]

Originally Posted by stevecmh

i still really want one

Then by all means go for it. Try www.cars.com. There are still plenty of GTs out there.

[69project]

I bought a GXP with a M6, damn nice car. I didn't need to buy a car but GM lured me into the show room with loyalty/GM card cash. It kept me there because the car was that good. My salesman didn't try and shove a car down my throat, he let the car sell its self.

I think I have got a great car for a great deal. It's a shame it didn't catch on but some cars are like that.

All I know is I have a car that has similar performance numbers as the Camaro for about 7K less and it seats 5 comfortably. No, sedans aren't as eye catching as a Camaro or Challenger but it certainly matches their performance and at a better price.

Go figure.

Lack of sales is a result of the marketing, tanking economy, crazy fuel prices when released, and a brand that was circling the drain. None of that mattered to me because I knew it's performance potential.

[ejfx]

This reminds me of the 1957 Chevy BelAir...The car didnt sell as GM had hoped so they changed the design the next year...

The G8 didnt sell as GM hoped so they killed it...

Now the 57 Chevy is one of the most desirable cars in history

The consumer wasnt ready for the 1957 Chevy...just like consumers are not ready for the G8...the timing and death of the the G8 is unfortunate...I wonder how the G8 car will be looked upon in 50 years.

[Stevasaurus]

Originally Posted by scotth3886

Its too bad about the color as I already have a sport red GT. If it was stryker blue or pacific slate with a 6 speed manual then I would be real interested.

The Pontiac website also showed that dealership in Fresno has three GXP's. Two of them were with manual transmissions, and one of those two was Stryker Blue. Fresno is certainly a longer drive from Santa Monica than Simi Valley would be, but there IS one out there.

And congratulations on your Sport Red GT. What a beautiful car!!!

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Did GM piss Edmunds off or something?!

First the Camaro article and now this...

Oh wait, it's the media and GM. They'll do whatever they can to attack GM's success. In this case by directly attacking Camaro and indirectly attacking Caprice.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by dindak

Each model does have to pay it's own rent now and the G8 will never be profitable coming from Australia. GM needs to be profitable.

The incentives I saw on G8 were crazy, $6000 on the hood. I was kicking myself for not waiting for them because I do think it's the best car no one bought.

It's all too late now, it's time to move on.

What's the cost though? I mean already the car is federalized and meets regs... all that is needed is to throw a few cars on a boat and send them.