2009 G8 GT Price Goes Up

[PontiacBixler]

Originally Posted by vanshmack

Just like the Solstice was $19,995...Yeah...

That's what really pisses me off. GM likes to tout how they are keeping the cost under a certain level and bark at the other dogs in the kennel that they have overpriced vehicles for their class and that GM is keeping theirs under a "mystical" ceiling. Then what happens? The charade is pulled down and GM raises the price the second year their "break out affordable" car is on the market.

It's all a bunch of crap.

[FierySolstice]

Originally Posted by logansowner

Well if they blame this on the shrinking dollar, I wonder how they will explain it if they put the price up in Canada, which is already much higher than the US price. As of now we are told to expect $36,995 for the GT..probably go up to $40,000 now. Way too much for a Pontiac. They will sell at the start, but then die off. Shame, it's a nice car, but GM isn't in a position to be over pricing anything, nothing GM makes is good enough to cost more than the competition. Not to mention Canadians are getting annoyed because the other companies changed prices to be closer...and GM still has one of the highest price gaps.

Big mistake boys, they will languish on lots here.

That, on the other hand, is NAFTA at work. The cost to export into Canada is crazy high. I do it for a living for a clothing retailer, I know!

[usa1]

This is a 4.6% increase. It's bigger than I expected. Still a good deal for a great car, but I'm glad I got my no option 2008 GT, at the $29,995 price!

Considering this car sells for a LOT more in Australia and almost 2X in England, with or without currency fluctuations, I have the wonder how GM makes money importing this to the US. Either that, or the Australians are taking it in the shorts for cars. I'm betting the latter. It continues to amaze me how uncompetitive foreign car markets are. In Japan, Europe, Australia, etc. they pay a lot more money for equivalent cars.

Mark

[roorback]

Very disappointing indeed. I seriously considered one of these but wanted to wait til 09 for the addl color choices. I'd prefer the same price over the xm option.

[nikivee]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

You have to post in the "Suggest a News Article" No one can start a topic in any news forum. That is pointed out in the sticky at the top of most forums.

Thanks for the info.

[roteague]

I'm not surprised, I've never seen the Australian dollar so strong against the US dollar - and this is something I follow daily (I visit Australia frequently).

[nota]

The USD has virtually halved in value against the AUD within seven years

AUD in 2001 = US 48 cents
AUD in 2008 = US 94 cents

[usa1]

Originally Posted by roorback

Very disappointing indeed. I seriously considered one of these but wanted to wait til 09 for the addl color choices. I'd prefer the same price over the xm option.

Get a 2008. Or, is $1,365 really going to kill it all for you?

Mark

[roteague]

Originally Posted by nota

The USD has virtually halved in value against the AUD within seven years

AUD in 2001 = US 48 cents
AUD in 2008 = US 94 cents

I remember ....

[BBDOS CV8]

You have to remember: quoted Australian RRP for cars must include 10% GST which is a federal tax. Whereas the stated US MSRP doesn't include whatever state tax you pay. So the comparisons are distorted. And the G8 GT is trimmed between the SS and SS-V. Sort of like the GTO missed out on some standard Monaro bits like dualzone, auto-dim mirror, 18" wheels/ sports tyres etc. But it was a lot lower initial price.

Plus the G8 only comes in two flavours and limited colours and trims; so there's a big economy of scale, whereas the Commodore comes in 8 trim levels, shortly 3 body styles, a plethora of extra colours and options and another two drivetrain options, all made in lower numbers per individual model than the G8 and G8 GT. So there's reasons why the G8 costs less. Plus no doubt GM who supplies the G8 V8s and some other bits cuts themselves a deal on the motors.

The Vauxhall VXR8 is not equivalent the G8, but actually the HSV Clubsport R8which has the LS2/LS3, super-duper 4-piston brakes (more stopping power than an M5) tricko suspension, stock leather interior, plus extra stuff inside. Plus being non-EU in origin it cops a import tariff into Britain. Even the GXP will only be halfway to the Clubsport as it will miss a lot of content.

No point trying to make sense of international pricing variations - same as a Big Mac might be $Au3.50 in Oz, $US3.50 in US, €3.50 in France, £3.50 in England, regardless of the exchange rate.

[roorback]

Originally Posted by usa1

Get a 2008. Or, is $1,365 really going to kill it all for you?

Mark

I'm not made of money so yes it makes a difference. Esp since it's basically the same car.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by roorback

I'm not made of money so yes it makes a difference. Esp since it's basically the same car.

You have heard of inflation right?

[big swede]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

You have heard of inflation right?

You've gotta admit that is a pretty big price increase for the second year of a car that isn't setting the world on fire. Not blaming GM at all, our dollar has fallen unbelievably fast.

[MisterMe]

Originally Posted by big swede

You've gotta admit that is a pretty big price increase for the second year of a car that isn't setting the world on fire. Not blaming GM at all, our dollar has fallen unbelievably fast.

One reason for the price increase is the need to increase the content of the car.

[LeSabre]

Originally Posted by vam29

The dollar is still approximately 20% higher against the yen than it was in 1995. So where's the beef?

At Wendy's!!