Review: Pontiac G8 GT vs Dodge Charger R/T

[rumble bee]

Originally Posted by logansowner

The problem, frankly is that the rest of the Charger isn't up to snuff. They could have transplanted the M3's engine into it and it would fix the rest of the car.

D***, it must be some kind of F***ed if the HEMI can't fix it( pardon my french, but had to make sure to get the mood of that statement right, ) Just look at the Ram 1500, otherwise a sorry truck but if you throw a HEMI in there, it turns it into a monster. Guess cars don't work the same way.

[63GrandSport001]

Originally Posted by rumble bee

D***, it must be some kind of F***ed if the HEMI can't fix it( pardon my french, but had to make sure to get the mood of that statement right, ) Just look at the Ram 1500, otherwise a sorry truck but if you throw a HEMI in there, it turns it into a monster. Guess cars don't work the same way.

Im sorry but you must be smoking something....

The G8 GT makes a good amount of more horsepower, is a good amount lighter, and has an extra gear how could the R/T keep up with it?

Maybe if it was a real HEMI I guess.......

[powervette]

no way I would consider one of those, I can get a splendid Hyundai Genesis for this price (see another main page thread)

[redimpss5]

Now only if I could get the manual! Still lookslike the car I need to test drive.

[chris442]

Originally Posted by rumble bee

D***, it must be some kind of F***ed if the HEMI can't fix it( pardon my french, but had to make sure to get the mood of that statement right, ) Just look at the Ram 1500, otherwise a sorry truck but if you throw a HEMI in there, it turns it into a monster. Guess cars don't work the same way.

I don't know how to break this to you, but the Mopar V8 with the dome shaped combustion chambers isn't the be all, end all of V8s. GM's Gen IV motors are, well, better.

I'm not just saying this, either. I drove a 300C for a month while my GTO was in the bodyshop thanks to an inattentive driver in a Silverado. It was a nice car, but I didn't think the engine was quite up to the level of the LS2 I was used to. The biggest problem with the car was the 5 speed, however. It downshifted very slowly, especially at highway speeds. It also makes it worse when you're used to choosing your own gears.

The car also has a very 'big' feel to it. Bigger than it actually is. I'm sure that the G8 seems better based on that alone, at least in terms of feel.

At the track, the 300 did better than I expected. Pretty good acceleration from a stop. I got 5.68 s 0-60 based on the built in timer, and my best ET was a 14.03 at 99. Makes me feel pretty good to beat the mag's time when the have 10 more hp. Not on the level of a GTO, certainly, but very good for a family cruiser.

Based on my experience in those two cars, the results don't shock me. G8 being directly descended from the Commodore I'd expect it to be better than my GTO in most ways other than hp, and I think the GTO was better than the 300C overall.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by zete

It's an awesome car. I'd buy it if it had AWD.

Here in Northern MI, RWD means driving a car half a year. That's why I got the CTS-4.

Great review, and wonderful that the G8 received such praise. I agree with the reviewer, however, that the styling is not much to get excited about. The front screams "late-90s Grand Am".

[member12]

I like the G8, but after reading this test I think the Dodge badge actually holds more water for me than the Pontiac badge. The Charger isn't a bad car at all, either.

The G8 is a great car, but I don't know about the Pontiac logo on the key chain and grille. If it were a Chevrolet, then I'd be all for it. I'd go for it even if it were a Saturn.

It's going to take a while for me to get used to Pontiacs actually being fun. I still have this image of a 92 Sunbird when I think of the nameplate. I'll eventually come around...but I still see so many Pontiac G6s out there- which shouldn't be a Pontiac even if it is a good car.

Both of these competitors look great. I like the big muscular Dodge and the more punk attitude of the G8. The interior of the G8 wins hands down. Both have great powertrains (though thirsty), and would no doubt be a blast to drive. Not sure about the hood scoops on the Pontiac, but it does keep it from looking too bland.

I guess I'll have to look around and see what the options are in the 2011 time frame. Surely by then a new Charger will be out and the G8 will be long in the tooth.
I still can't believe that Chevy doesn't want a RWD Impala.

[dindak]

I would love a G8 but still none locally and I see them going for list when they arrive.

Why didn't GM give this car some volume and make them in Oshawa!

[skylark68]

G8 GXP will rectify the manual transmission issue, and the LS2 will completely devastate the Hemi.

[Sinner]

Originally Posted by skylark68

G8 GXP will rectify the manual transmission issue, and the LS2 will completely devastate the Hemi.

LS3. The LS2 is dead and buried.

[goatgary]

Originally Posted by powervette

no way I would consider one of those, I can get a splendid Hyundai Genesis for this price (see another main page thread)

Yep! But there is really bad news....you're in a Hyundai. Does anyone know if the great list of standard equipment includes a barf bag?

[Timekeeper]

Originally Posted by GMusa

[B Hallelujah, brothers and sisters! Can we get an amen?

A-MEN!!

[rsinsel]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I need $30,000 so badly...

Does the GT's engine run on premium or regular?? I've heard that it will run on regular, but premium will just give it better performance. Is this true?

Premium if you believe the writer.

[63GrandSport001]

Originally Posted by rsinsel

Premium if you believe the writer.

On GMs power train website they have the L76 listed as premium recommended so you can indeed use lower grade fuels.

http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en...Car/08_L76.xls

[jckjds]

Originally Posted by rsinsel

Premium if you believe the writer.

GT runs on regular -- at least that's what my owners manual says. For the 3.6, mid grade is actually recommended, but it can run on regular also.