2008 G8 GT Review: Pontiac Relevant Again

[FireStorm2k]

Originally Posted by drift_king

will the firebird be re-introduced?

no plans whatsoever right now

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by jbernie

The fact that they compared a G8 against a 5 series and it didn't get slaughtered is amazing. Everywhere that the BMW is better can be answered by it darn well should be given it is double the price... and when the BMW isn't significantly better... then it has no excuses.

Pretty much my take on this great GM car.

[Ming]

The thing I like best about the G8 is that you can't get it at your Chebby dealer. It's been said before, but a Firebird that's nothing more than a Camaro with a different nose and tail would do nothing to make Pontiac as "relevant" as this car (potentially) does. It would only make hard core Firebird enthusiasts happy, and there weren't enough of them around when that car got axed years back. Most of them had moved to muscle trucks or something.

My only worry is that the price will keep it out of reach for a lot of the guys who otherwise would buy a car like this, and that it will meet the same fate as my poor Bonneville SSEi a few years from now -- an obscure, if cool, car that only GM/Pontiac fans seem to remember. But that wouldn't stop me from buying one. If only the dealers will price them reasonably...

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by bmwboy2007

This Pontiac looks interesting. I wonder if they will equip it more generously, and with a premier sound system.

I haven't heard anything about Blaupunkt, have you? The optional sound system is a 230 Watt, 11 speaker Blaupunkt sound system with subwoofer, 6 CD disk changer with MP3 capability and audio/iPod input jack.

Is there something better you have in mind?

[mgescuro]

G8's nice and all, but how does 1 car (2 if you count solstice) make Pontiac "relevant?" Especially with cars like G5, G6, Vibe, and Torrent in the lineup?

What G8 is.... is a nice start.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by Ming

....a Blaupunkt radio - does that brand even mean anything here?

Their stock/OEM stuff may not look that pretty.....but hell, given their position in the aftermarket, I'd say they have a little more cachet than those old 'Monsoon' systems Pontiac loved to stuff into Firebirds.......

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by Ming

...My only worry is that the price will keep it out of reach for a lot of the guys who otherwise would buy a car like this, and that it will meet the same fate as my poor Bonneville SSEi a few years from now -- an obscure, if cool, car that only GM/Pontiac fans seem to remember. But that wouldn't stop me from buying one. If only the dealers will price them reasonably...

I think the price is surprisingly reasonable: 50% of the cost of a 5-series with 80% of the performance. And I'm not so certain that other cars with which the G8 competes (e.g., Charger) are priced that much more economically.

[FBODYRULES]

"...something few muscle cars do: It handled. And stopped. And it did these things in a surprisingly un-Pontiac-like manner, which is to say, well."

what crap! funny how people forget that some trans-am's and camaro's were some the best handling cars on the road, even better than some more expensive euro coupes etc.

this guy doesn't sound like he even likes American cars, Ive never been in an american v8 car that didnt have personality.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by tgagneguam

I think the price is surprisingly reasonable: 50% of the cost of a 5-series with 80% of the performance. And I'm not so certain that other cars with which the G8 competes (e.g., Charger) are priced that much more economically.

In recent tests, the G8 GT is priced like a Charger R/T but is just a hair slower than the $38,000 Charger SRT-8 and about as good around curves. You can get a stripped Charger V6 for less, but otherwise I'd say the G8 is the more economical of the two.

[WWI Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by tgagneguam

Pretty much my take on this great GM car.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

Originally Posted by mgescuro

G8's nice and all, but how does 1 car (2 if you count solstice) make Pontiac "relevant?" Especially with cars like G5, G6, Vibe, and Torrent in the lineup?

What G8 is.... is a nice start.

IMHO, when you count the Solstice, you are talking about two very interesting, great looking, winning cars that are all Pontiac (not Chevy rebadges)...so the G8 is really a very strong continuation of what the Solstice started as unique Pontiac models, and by the time they get the full lineup of G8s in, and the Solstice Targa to go with the roadsters next year, you are looking at the core of a great lineup of cars that will each be at the top of their sector...performance, looks, power, great price point...then it is just a matter of getting the G6 in RWD, and keeping the vibe GXP version that the kids can tune as an alternative to a Japanese car...to me GM is really making a serious effort to reinvigorate the brand with these models...I Love it!!!!!!!!!!!

[maherj2]

I'm not one to fuss over things like the size of the cupholders, etc. My coffee's have been fitting fine. The wierd night-time 'stealth-mode' where you can only light up the speedo is funny. While the flip fob was surprising it's growing on me, why NOT have the key embedded in the fob? The car is different in subtle ways and has some different switch feels, etc - but these are not bad things.

I'm preaching to the choir here but this is a great car at a great price.

[MisterMe]

Originally Posted by FBODYRULES

...

this guy doesnt sound like he even likes american cars apart from the G8, ...

Except for the engine, the G8 is most definitely not an American car. The review made that point abundantly clear to anyone who can read. The G8 is an Australian car with an American badge. The term of art is captive import. The reviewer likes the G8. If the identical car were American made, my bet is that he would not like it.

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Hmm, this is the same review I read at the gym a few weeks ago. I just scanned to the last few paragraphs to get their overall take.

[BBDOS CV8]

Blaupunkt is Holden's house supplier - my wife's Astra has a Blaupunkt six-speaker single-dsc AM/FM system, mine's got a six-stacker, same 260 watt 10 speaker system as the GTO. If you wind up the gain on the amplifier it sounds OK, obviously not as good as premium systems.

The Caprice/Calais/Statesman have a Bose system as a premium option but they are apparently not flash. Then again, it's a car, not a home theatre.

[Kamshaaft]

Originally Posted by bmwboy2007

This Pontiac looks interesting. I wonder if they will equip it more generously, and with a premier sound system.

Blaupunkt has a relationship with Holden from many many years ago, and is the same brand used in BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Volkswagen and more. Unless you're speaking of custom installs, you could can this a premier sound system. Ask anyone who owns a G8 or can compare between these brands.

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

Blaupunkt is Holden's house supplier - my wife's Astra has a Blaupunkt six-speaker single-dsc AM/FM system, mine's got a six-stacker, same 260 watt 10 speaker system as the GTO. If you wind up the gain on the amplifier it sounds OK, obviously not as good as premium systems.

The Caprice/Calais/Statesman have a Bose system as a premium option but they are apparently not flash. Then again, it's a car, not a home theatre.

I don't know what the deal is with the BOSE system being used in the luxury models and as an option in others, because like you said it really isn't that great, and certainly not much of an upgrade at all.