Track Tested: Pontiac G8 GT vs 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

[neshapop]

Originally Posted by Taglane

Exactly. It's like a V8 without the 8 cylinders. same, if not worse fuel economy than a V8 AND it's quieter. eh.

C&D observed fuel economy was 16 mpg with almost 20 mpg at steady 80 mph. Jeez, that makes Corvette V8 pushrods to look like a Pruis fuel sipper.

[GMusa]

The G8 is a awesome car!! How come everytime GM has something great they screw up!! GM needs to wake up and realize that EVERYONE wants a REAL Impala! Meaning RWD!! With a reworked exterior the G8 would make a killer Impala!! Fritz Henderson said hes not a fan of rebadging, but really it wouldnt be rebadging because the Pontiac G8 would no longer exsist, only the Impala version because Pontiac is dead. And if CAFE is the reason we wont be getting a G8 based Impala then thats a bunch of bull too because the SHO doesnt get much better mpg's then the G8 and thats why you have mroe fuel efficient vehicles in the line up, like the Volt, Curze, Cobalt, Aevo, 4-cyl Malibus, hybrids etc.. There is NO reason why GM shouldnt produce a G8 based Impala. Then the Malibu and Impala wont overlap at all, like they pretty much do now. Hopfully GM is just being hush hush about this had really does have plans for a G8 based Impala!!! ... i can hope right?

[kylepo]

45K as tested price....WOW

[TJ95GAGT]

Originally Posted by XCR440SP

But its a heavier car aimed at the Luxury market more than the Sport market. It also has AWD, so lets compare mileage to a G8 that I can drive in Iowa during an ice storm. Its great everyone wants to compare the SHO to the G8 on performance but there very very different cars, and no G8 fans seems to talk about features or all seasonability.


I think the G8 should be compared to Mustang, Camaro, its more of a 4 door pony car than the SHO or even the 300C. And thats great if thats what the buyer wants, but based on the fact that G8 is going away, I'm guessing that thats not what most buyers are after. I think a competent sport (notice Sport, not pony) entry by Buick would sell far better than the G8 since I feel most buyers in this category want an equal mix of Sport, Luxury and technology.

I agree. Althought members of other sites have posted that with winter tires the G8 handles itself nicely and if a SHO buyer opts for the summer only tires they too will have to pony up for winter tires.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by TJ95GAGT

I agree. Althought members of other sites have posted that with winter tires the G8 handles itself nicely and if a SHO buyer opts for the summer only tires they too will have to pony up for winter tires.

With 50/50 weight distribution, a limited slip rear diff, and all-seasons I suspect the G8 will be pretty good in the winter. At least that is my plan and what other owners have reported.

[zete]

Originally Posted by Taglane

Exactly. It's like a V8 without the 8 cylinders. same, if not worse fuel economy than a V8 AND it's quieter. eh.

And who wants quiet in a performance car. You want to hear something.

Originally Posted by XCR440SP

But its a heavier car aimed at the Luxury market more than the Sport market. It also has AWD, so lets compare mileage to a G8 that I can drive in Iowa during an ice storm. Its great everyone wants to compare the SHO to the G8 on performance but there very very different cars, and no G8 fans seems to talk about features or all seasonability.

I'd argue it should then be a Lincoln. No one equates Ford with luxury -- at least no-one I know.

It's AWD ability is great, and I had hoped that GM -- had they kept the G8 -- would have offered AWD when production moved to Oshawa. And I doubt GM would have tacked on $10k for AWD. It seems rather expensive.

As it is, the G8 GTs are very rare and I'm even considering storing it for winter. I've got the Enclave for the nasty months .

I think the G8 should be compared to Mustang, Camaro, its more of a 4 door pony car than the SHO or even the 300C. And thats great if thats what the buyer wants, but based on the fact that G8 is going away, I'm guessing that thats not what most buyers are after. I think a competent sport (notice Sport, not pony) entry by Buick would sell far better than the G8 since I feel most buyers in this category want an equal mix of Sport, Luxury and technology.

I look at the G8 as a 4-door GTO. I think that's really what it is and GM missed the mark when they didn't advertise it that way. Plus, the G8 is much much better looking in person. More than one person's commented on how much better it looks in person than in pictures. Plus, they also claim it looks smaller in real life than what they thought it'd be. Kudos to GM. But sigh, as well.

As for selling a redone one as a Buick, I think you're right. They could sell it as a Buick with a bit of an interior adjustment, Nav, and a reskin outside to make it look at worst like it's related to the Insignia/Regal and at best like the Lacrosse.

Done right they could sell a limited quantity as Buick GNXs. They could even easily graft on that flat Buick grill from the GNXs of old. (Where's MonaroSS when you need him? ) And I'm just going to ignore the "GNX should be a 2-door" purists. (la la la la -- I can't hear you)

Originally Posted by nsap

With 50/50 weight distribution, a limited slip rear diff, and all-seasons I suspect the G8 will be pretty good in the winter. At least that is my plan and what other owners have reported.

I've thought of that -- I still have my winters from the CTS which should fit. However, going into work the other day I had to travel over some road repair and I bottomed out going 10km/h. The little mounds of dirt from the road work were maybe 3 or 4" off the ground, tops. That means the G8 would be more a snow plow than a car. It's one reason I'm thinking of storing it. That and the rarity -- and I'd like to ensure no idiot learning to drive in the snow decides to off my car.

I do figure that since it's more or less Sigma but made of steel it should be fine in winter. I had no problems with the CTS with good winters. Worst case, I could always dump some weight in the trunk.

I'll see, but I'm leaning towards making the G8 GT a spring-summer-fall car. And if global warming kicks in, maybe a winter one, too .

[calgaryhhr]

I would actually like to see the Taurus SHO compared to a CTS. The Taurus is higher trims offers a lot of features and luxury. I think it provides a great package for luxury mixed with performance.

[Millefune]

Jesus... the Ford fanboys here sound like Importz TOONerz fanboys. They just can't accept that their "sport sedan" got r*ped. All season all schmeason, you don't buy a sportscar for all season drivability. I guess Ferraris and Lambos... and whatever supersleds AMG and BMW-M puts out are "pony cars" since they don't have all season AWD/FWD.

[supraracer]

Originally Posted by Millefune

Jesus... the Ford fanboys here sound like Importz TOONerz fanboys. They just can't accept that their "sport sedan" got r*ped. All season all schmeason, you don't buy a sportscar for all season drivability. I guess Ferraris and Lambos... and whatever supersleds AMG and BMW-M puts out are "pony cars" since they don't have all season AWD/FWD.

I just slap a set of Bizzaks on my Supra and keep it moving. I would have no problem driving a G8 in the winter.

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by andretti

I am neither a "Ford Fan" or a "GM Fan" specifically, I just judge vehicles on their own merit not based on what company made them.

That said. Why are we comparing a soon to be released (SHO) vehicle to a soon to be canceled vehicle? They will not even be competing in the market together.

That's pretty much my thoughts too.

Sure , they're both "sedans"...sure they both have a lot of HP.

But one will light up the rear tires easily....and the other will not (ever).

That alone almost ensures 2 different crowds for the 2 different cars.

[vcs2600]

Yeah, I think the actual GM competitor for the SHO is the Buick Lucerne Super.

On GMI, every sedan in every class gets compared to the G8 first and foremost. Ford Taurus, Hyundai Genesis, BMW 3-Series, etc etc etc.

[igor]

I am glad this was confirmed - the G8 should not be threatened by and SHO ..

that said .. the price difference is inflated .. the "As tested" price of the SHO includes $10k of additional equipment .... yes, Ford does not have a stripper SHO .. that does not mean the SHO is overpriced.

It does make me want a G8 even more ... if only I had the money for a new car right now ... I WOULD buy a stick G8 .... *edrool

Igor

[kylepo]

Base price for the SHO is $37,170

[XCR440SP]

Lets not forget the equipment on the SHO, I think that will give a better idea of who the target audience is.

Standard equipment
HID headlights
Intelegent access with push button start
Seats – Leather Trimmed with Miko Suede Inserts
Ambient lighting
SYNC

Included on 402A package which Ford recomends on 65% of SHO orders
Sony 12 speaker audio system
Heated/cooled front seats
second row heated seats
rear window power sunshade
rear view camera
BLIS (blind spot warning system with cross traffic alert)
Auto High beam/Rain sensing wipers
Power moonroof

Other options availble individually

Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support
20" wheels
Voice Activated Navigation system
Multi Contour Seats with active motion (think massaging seats)


Now with these options does this really sound like a competitor to the G8?

[FoMoCo man]

As much as I love Ford I would take the G8 gt over the SHO hands down