Pontiac G8: Autoblog First Drive

[FStephenMasek]

It seems obvious that the Genesis and G8 will be cross-shopped by a substantial number of buyers. I doubt many will cross-shop it with the smaller BMW 5 series or the BMW 7 series, as BMW buyers are really paying 40% just for the BMW label. Those who do not need the interior space will also be looking at the Infiniti G37 and G35.

[bone]

Good looking car. I wish the 6 cyl. had a 6-speed auto or manual. I also wish the fake hood scoops were a no-cost delete item.

[SAngelo]

This is an awesome car inside and out. What it needs is Direct Injection for the V6 and V8 giving the six approx 280 hp with better gas mileage and the eight 400 hp. I would also give the six the 6 speed automatic. Lets hope GM makes the manual available for the 3.6 and the 6.0. Finally, I still dont know why this car doesnt have an avaialable navigation screen when its available on a new Civic and the new Corolla. Its amazing how GM misses the boat on somethings. Details, Details !!!!

[Randiglio]

Me likey in Black!

[steve333]

If anything doesnt make it a hit its the name.
Pontiac G8.
So what?
Assinine naming system.

[JetMech]

Originally Posted by SAngelo

This is an awesome car inside and out. What it needs is Direct Injection for the V6 and V8 giving the six approx 280 hp with better gas mileage and the eight 400 hp. I would also give the six the 6 speed automatic. Lets hope GM makes the manual available for the 3.6 and the 6.0. Finally, I still dont know why this car doesnt have an avaialable navigation screen when its available on a new Civic and the new Corolla. Its amazing how GM misses the boat on somethings. Details, Details !!!!

If I ever did go to buy a G8, I'd option the heck out of it and tell the dealer to throw me $400 for a portable navi unit. In dash nav systems just look cool. That's about it. I'm not saying it's not a mistake for GM not to offer one. Just my preference.

No bluetooth on the G8 either? I haven't heard anyone say anything about that...

[rsnumber2]

I had the fine privilege of getting to drive a new G8 through the cones at a ride and drive event...Hard. All I can say is WOW! With the auto in performance mode, and traction control on (they had black tape over the switch, and I honestly forgot to turn it off until after my run) it was awesome. Compared to the Hemi charger I drove just moments before, it was the automotive equivalent of Muhammad Ali. I am not a regular competitive driver, but the car did everything I wanted it to. A six speed would have been cool, but for most families that will justify buying one, the auto will be fine. There will be a manual in the future, as well as a G...X...P. But you didn't here it from me. ^_^

[Firebird00]

I really like the car in red. This is the best car Pontiac has made since 2002. I can't find anything wrong with it personally. If I wanted/needed a 4 door car, this would be the one no doubt.

[TriShield]

Originally Posted by FStephenMasek

It seems obvious that the Genesis and G8 will be cross-shopped by a substantial number of buyers.

Their price ranges overlap and that will pit them against each other. The Genesis emphasizes luxury and features, the G8 emphasizes relatively no-frills muscle car performance.

[regfootball]

to those who whine about this car. SHUT UP.

0-60 in 7 sec is fine for the v6. if you want more power you can have 360hp for a couple thou more.

no manual? shut up autoblog. so there is a small delay boo hoo. the car will sell all they can bring regardless.

honestly people, if you are bitching about this car, then you have no life, and cannot be pleased no matter what.

[zetaman]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

It's hardly a 'lot of shortcomings'. More like some things not to personal preference. You don't like the trunk release in the glovebox, but it's there so someone who smashes the passemger window can't open the trunk if the car is deadlocked (which locks the glovebox lid). The fundamentals of the car - the way it drives, it's comfort and handling - are right. There is a sunglass holder in the stack in front of the shifter where it falls to hand easily. The window switches are not to everyone's liking but they sit under your hand with your arm on the armrest. You don't have to move your eyes to reach them instantly.

What's the old saying? You get what you pay for. I won't buy a BMW because I can't see the point of paying for 'driver aids' like iDrive and things like 'multi-mode power and gearbox' settings for things that should just be right. You are never going to get BMW sophistication for Holden/Pontiac prices - and even if they supply it, the market won't pay for it.

Look at the 2004 GTO - not a seller over $30k, whines about cost, expense etc even though it was only comparably priced to things like GP or G6 GXPs. As soon as the price went south of $30K it sold. The car didn't change, just the perception. GM customers like Pavlov's dogs with the bell, have been conditioned to salivate at the word 'rebate'. It's going to be hard to break them from that. While that attitude exists the manufacturer has to double guess that the customer will demand a rebate which means he has to cheap out, not risk his margin by building the vehicle to sell near MSRP. Holden's done it - they no longer offer thousands to people to buy cars, but option packs at retail. They simply stopped selling taxi packs - no more creaky high-mileage Commodore taxis to bring the brand image down. With VE they halved fleet discounts and concentrated on selling more to private buyers. It will take a while but it will raise perceptions of the brand as resales don't take a hit from all the low-mileage fleet vehicles flooding the secondhand market periodically.

With a BMW you pay a lot more for more in terms of tech and name but - in some cases - inferior fittings, ergonomics etc. Check a base 3-seies. To get a reasonable interior costs a lot more than the starting price.

Then they still saddle you with $1000 runflat tyres which basically ruin lowspeed and low-amplitude bump compliance and even steering and handling to a degree; even though the car is engineered for and can accept a spare wheel under the floor of the trunk. That's what I call a flaw.

Then when you take it in for a service, they not only bend you over but make you pay for the KY jelly. Whereas I'd be amazed if a G8 GT costs more than two bills for a routine service with all synthetic premium lubes.

mate, well said as usual

[zetaman]

... and despite owning a VZ, I didn't realise the glove box is secure when the car is deadlocked - good to know.

[CmicasatheGreat]

Two things kinda grab me by the ballz about this car is that this car has a

more powerful V8 than the STS... and it actually has one while the CTS doesn't. This is a clear case that Cadillac needs to get OHV engines under their hoods ASAP... as this G8 Gt with 361HP is clearly competitive, performance wise, with the BMW 550i.. in actuality more so, as most tests for the 550i have given it 0-60 in 5.6 and a 1/4 of 13.7. The G8 GT is doing it in 5.3sec and a 1/4 in 13.8.

[1487]

everyone hear complaining about how this car is full of flaws should read the automobile comparo. They said the car stacks up VERY well against the 550i and I think that says enough right there. This car is everything its been hyped up to be and thats all you can ask. You get 550 performance for $30k. what more do you want?

[Lichtronamo]

Originally Posted by regfootball

0-60 in 7 sec is fine for the v6. if you want more power you can have 360hp for a couple thou more.

Some may not want the mileage penalty of the V8, the higher cost, or the higher insurance premium likely attached. V6 sedans are the heart of the market and if the standard G8 "sport sedan" clocks in around 7 seconds it will be decidedly slower than a lot of its primary competition according to C&D:

Honda Accord (coupe) = 5.6
Toyota Camry = 5.8
Nissan Altima 3.5SE = 5.9
Avalon Touring = 6.0
Maxima SE = 6.1
Taurus = 6.8
300 = 7.3

The times for the Avalon, Maxima and 300 were from a comparison test where the three finished in that order 1st to 3rd. I think the conclusions re: the 300 are instructive relative to the standard G8. The editors found out that the 300 was a big, fat car that needed its Hemi to properly motivate the car. RWD or not, there are probably better options on the market than the V6 powered G8.

Note that C&D tested a 3.6L CTS w/ 6 speed auto do 0-60 in seven seconds. C/D listed the curb weight of the CTS at 3915 whereas Edmunds lists a gross weight of 3816. Edmunds lists the gross weight of the standard G8 at 3885. Given the 5-speed auto, something a bit slower than 7.0 may be anticipated.

Just for reference, C&D also tested a BMW 535xi (all wheel drive) 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.

Originally Posted by regfootball

no manual? shut up autoblog. so there is a small delay boo hoo.

the growing consensus seems to be that a manual will be a GXP offering only.

Originally Posted by regfootball

honestly people, if you are bitching about this car, then you have no life, and cannot be pleased no matter what.

No, they just have different priorities for buying a car which involves a lot of compromises or we'd all be driving Corvette ZR-1s and Ferrari F430s. In that regard, the criticisms offered re: the G8 are no less valid than the comments favoring the V8/rear-drive power train (and handling according to Automobile and Jalopnik). A lot of these criticisms are pretty basic stuff that GM could have addressed from the start, but didn't. I'm sure those that don't want to compromise on what the G8 offers will be pleased elsewhere which is really the point if GM wanted to sell all they can bring regardless. If you like it - terrific, its good that GM made a car for you, go buy it and be happy.