Pontiac G8 ride and drive

[avro206]

This sunday I went and put my 89 Formula in the annual Camaro and friends car show. I sent an invite out to G8 owners as well.

Samtoby and his black S/C G8 GT stopped by. He was kind enough to give me ride in it too! I have never been for a ride in a G8 before

I was very impressed! These cars have a beautiful ride/handling poise and balance. There is a lot of interior room, yet the car is not that big.

The S/C gave a real nice kick! It was a bit deceiving because the rest of the car is so quiet. No aftermarket exhaust, cam ect but that speedo sure takes off and you get pinned back in the seat!

As we left the parking lot--off on the other side we saw a red G8 GT. So when I got back I went and checked it out.

Had the sports package and luxury package. I have never seen one with the sports package--the summer tires are not popular here!

So with camera in tow I went I took alot of pics. On my way back to the main show lot--I saw a CFC club memeber (he did not have his Trans Ams here) walking towards me.

Then he says that's my car! SO we went and checked it out.
He has magnaflow, SLP headers, hand help programmer and CAI. I then ask if I can drive it..."Sure"! Woot!

Now getting behind the wheel I really got to expereince the G8. Total drivers car! Brakes are very good and right there--steering has nice feel and weight to it. My Cobalt has the electric steering--with little feel--it's vague and too heavy.

The modded 6.0 sounds great when you give it gas--yet subdued at cruising. The seats were very comfortable--these were the leather 2 tone ones. The whole car drives much smaller then it is--pretty agile in stock form.

I got to nail it from a stop. While my non electronic nanny 89 Formula 350 TPI takes off a bit harder this would quickly catch it!

He has had it to race city and it runs a 13.9 VS my 14.3 for the Firebird (but I have heads, cam ect) this is at 5000 DA BTW

As the revs got higher she rocked off and going into 2nd gear the tires broke loose and got a nice long squawk!

I really have to get one of these cars--they are amazing. I spit on GM for removing the G8 from North America. At the very least--redo the front and sell it as a Chevy!

I also drove an 07 Monte Carlo SS that day too. It has some power but that's it! Felt completely outclassed and ancient! I can't believe the W body out lives ZETA, in NA anyhow!

[avro206]

The red G8 GT with sport package and luxury

[avro206]

rear shot

[ZeeTwentyFour]

Even though I have yet to take a ride in one, I really question the wisdom of the GM brass for taking such a great product out of the North American market.
I have fallen in love with this car and doing everything in my power to obtain one before they're all gone.

I really hope when they told Bob Lutz to keep quiet and take back his previous statements it was so they could make a "surprise" come back down the road.

[Hitman1970]

G8s are very hard not to love once you have driven one.

My bet is that the "announcement" will occur shortly after the last new G8 rolls out of a Pontiac dealership lot as sold. This could also be a surprise announcement at the upcoming season of auto shows too.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Hitman1970

My bet is that the "announcement" will occur shortly after the last new G8 rolls out of a Pontiac dealership lot as sold. This could also be a surprise announcement at the upcoming season of auto shows too.

Agreed...Fritz isn't a fan of rebadging, right? Can't be a rebadge if you're not selling it anymore.