Pontiac G8 GT: Alas, Virginia

[MaxLegroom]

Today, I went out with the intent of trying something new. From having visited the Pontiac website recently, I expected there to be a black Pontiac G8 with the V6 at Suttle in Newport News. It was late afternoon, and the entire of Newport News seemed to have taken to the unadvertised special at the city's various restaurants: a bowlful of stupid and a salad for $3.99. I have few kind words for someone who cannot stay out of the way of my Prius, and those few words were exhausted long since by the time I got to Suttle. This was the frame of mind with which I approached the white G8 GT that was there, idling away, with one of the salesmen behind the wheel. The salesman, one whom I hope to give some business to, rather than merely giving him the business, was quite solicitous, allowing me time to look at the car, get acquainted with its features, for several minutes. I'd brought my iPod, and the appropriate cable, for the stereo, and had hooked it up quickly. My initial impression of the interior is that GM put the money where you are most likely to put your hands or other body parts (elbows, for example). From the pictures in the press, I expected the gauges to be larger, and the instrument panel to be closer to eye level than they were. This was actually an improvement. For someone my size, the car has good sight lines to the front. Rear seat room fairly well passed my test for sedans, meaning that I'd be comfortable, but not able to stretch out in the rear behind a driver my size. One thing I would change is the graphics for the voltmeter and oil pressure gauges. They really aren't befitting a car of this price, indeed of something built in this day and age. Other than that, I was largely pleased with the interior, especially considering the price of the car.

Once behind the wheel, with the White Stripes doing Ball and Biscuit, the first impression is made when you tap the throttle. The sound reminds me of something '60s, but not necessarily a muscle car. My uncle's '68 Catalina, perhaps? However, that impression is swept away quickly. Get into the throttle, and I can do little better than to tell you what you may have already read. It snarls, but doesn't bite. The manumatic mode on this car is fairly responsive, and does precisely what you tell it to (unlike, say, that of a Audi I recently drove). So does the steering. It has weight, and feed back, not unlike a 5 series BMW. In fact, I did drive one of those recently, had the chance to drive one from Pensacola to Mobile, so there is a reference point to start from here.

Here, however, is where my title for this thread becomes relevant. I took this car to my favorite road for test drives, the one I learned to drive on. It's twisty, with part of it going over a reservoir, with guard rails, then trees along that. There was enough when I was younger, that it seemed to test both car and driver, and test them well. They've removed every last passing zone on this road. It is double yellows the entire damned length. I was stuck for a good part behind a Toyota Sequoia, the driver of which must have thought he was really moving. Buddy, you don't even make the first cut. So I cut left onto the road that bisects the last curve, took it to its conclusion to turn around for the drive back to Newport News. By the time I caught up to the pickup trucks that had gone ahead of me, I realized that I would have to have done something really quite dangerous to find the limits of the car, and as it was a new car, indeed, one of the 888s, some last bit of sanity overcame me. I came to realize something else, as well. With such capabilities in hand, in a place where certain actions can have the consequences of four digit administrative fees, the feel of the car is what becomes more important. Here, I'll tell you what everyone else has: the G8 doesn't disappoint. The place for this car, on the other hand, is North Carolina, and the Tail of the Dragon.

[mikmak]

Bravo! What a great review. It's a shame that you run into traffic though. I get the same on my favourite stretch and it can be frustrating but allows you time to enjoy the moment. Thanks for posting.