2008 Pontiac G8 GT: Introduction

Ugly? It's black, I mean that's a pretty common color.
 
Besides, at this point you don't have a lot of options: black, white, red, grey, orange. At some point you get a kind of purple.
 
Black seems as good a choice as any.

Black is ugly? wow.
 
anyways, SWEET.
 
but ouch, that gas milage. while expected, with 4 dollar gas, ouch.

Like it? Are you kidding? I love it, what an awesome car! I am looking forward to read about it for the next 12 months/20,000 miles.

I'm looking forward to hearing more about the interior. Anyone have a guess as to the number of posts we can expect regarding the centre window controls? I personally like them, but there seem to be lots of nay-sayers.
 
The back end of the car is sort of awkward, and overall I its a pretty subtle looking vehicle - though thats not necessarily a bad thing.
 
I'm looking forward to the drama in the blogs for this car :P

I'm looking forward to the drama in the blogs for this car :P"
 
Maybe KB will come in here and start telling us the G8 isn't a bargain. It would be 2008 Nissan 350Z part 2.

"Maybe KB will come in here and start telling us the G8 isn't a bargain"
 
What? If the G8 GT isn't a bargain then nothing is. Okay, the better bargain would be the 3.6L DI version of this car (if GM ever decided to drop one in)... or how about a TT 3.6L DI if GM decides to build one.

louis,
 
That's what me and a few others were saying on one of KB's recent blog entries, and KB decided to declare the G8 not a bargain, while the similarily priced 350Z was. Go figure. No explanation provided on his part either, just rude insults. Oh well.

I'm going to fan the flames here for a second and say that I don't believe the G8 is a bargain. In my opinion the G8 is priced PERFECTLY for what it is and what you get.

"In my opinion the G8 is priced PERFECTLY for what it is and what you get"
 
In the world that fills with overpricing cars as of today (to name a few: BMW 135i, BMW 335i, Buick LaCrosse Super, Toyota Avalon...), I would consider a "perfectly priced" car like the G8 here as a bargain.

+1 louiswei.
 
For anyone who thinks the G8 isnt a bargain, show me who else offers a 300+ V8 sedan for $30K.

Considering you can get this V-8 powered monster for the same price as a moderately optioned V-6 Camry or Accord, I would say this car is a bargain. If you're saying this car is priced perfectly, then the Accord and Camry are overpriced. Since they sell well, the market hasn't determined they are overpriced, therefore, the G8 GT is a bargain.

bargain shmargain....who cares? Its a beautiful beast!

If you consider overall performance for the dollar, its about right, maybe above average. If you consider the car as a whole, it is a bargain because of the utility it offers. I just wish pontiac didn't muck up the front end, as Holden had it right.

V8/ V6 doesn't really matter... the Infiniti G35 Sedan starts at $31,850 and puts down similar acceleration times and drives very well. people would sooner trust the Infiniti badge over the Pontiac badge... that is why it is not exactly a bargain. i still like this car, but bargain of the century, i don't think so.

I think bargain of the century award would have to go the Nissan GT-R.
 
- Still wishing I could see one in the flesh.

I'm not a fan of the rearend but i'm a function over form kind of guy so lets see how she does over a year.
  
Performance baragin? Sure. I'm not liking the initial mileage though. Hopefully the Edmunds editors will calm down and take some road trips.

Cars are like houses, unless you can build one from the ground up to call your own, it will never be perfect.
 
If I could build a car, this wouldn't be the car I'd build... I don't care for the front end, but I can imagine it would be a fun drive.

"I just wish pontiac didn't muck up the front end, as Holden had it right."
 
Amen to that! I wonder how long it will take before you can buy an aftermarket Holden-style front clip for this - and for how much.
 
Oh, and as a reply to the original post, but, it *isn't* American . . . . :P

I wish we could post photos in the blog replies - here is a link to the MUCH better looking Commodore front end:
http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent009/coomodore.JPG

Quality. Quality. Quality.
 
If GM wants this car to sell it had better be reliable. Word of mouth sells this type of vehicle.

The Commodore does look better but the G8 had to look "Pontiac" so they trotted out the prerequisite kidney grill and hood scoops.

I am totally excitied for the G8! And how can black be an ugly color??? I'm glad you guys didn't get a red one! ;)

tlcruz,
i'm glad we didn't get a red one also. too much attention!

I think it's a bargain, too. Keep in mind this is a full size car, not a midsize like the Camry or Accord. This is intended to compete with the likes of the Avalon. Quite frankly, I declare no contest.

Totally looking forward to this. To me, it's an american car. Just like if they imported a euro-ford focus, it'd be american to me :)
 
Center-console window switches? LOVE THEM. Wish BMW didn't get rid of them.
 
The side profile looks awesome. The front is very slowly growing on me, I still think it's an odd front end. The rear is awkward...the taillights are out of proportion and just look odd in the materials/colored used.
 
But that interior is just great looking.
 
Is this a bargain? Yes and no. I think it'll be interesting to compare this 6.0 liter's gas mileage to the 3.5 liter G35. I think they match up very well on paper in price point, performance, and feature-content vs. price. It's not dead on, but it's interesting to me that the G35 is the most likely contender (in my head) to the G8.
 
And I think it's been said over and over that the G35 is the bargain buy for the entry-level luxury sports sedan crowd. So what does this meatier, bigger, more powerful but less-content-rich car rate?
 
Joe

I think the nose is just right. It's clearly Pontiac (more so than the Holden-sourced GTO), but it doesn't scream over-the-top like a late-90s Grand Prix. It's tasteful and appropriate--bold but not obnoxious.

"people would sooner trust the Infiniti badge over the Pontiac badge... "
 
Oh I don't know about that. I trust Pontiac to be not perfect but good in the long run. I trusted Nissan in the 90's but lately I've more then a few negative stories from owners.
 
I would go Pontiac even if they didn't offer the V8. With the V8, it's no contest.

I'm suprised no one has mentioned the Charger/300C. The way I see it either:
  
A - The G8 will be viewed as late to the game in this segment or
  
B - The G8 will outclass these two aging platforms.
 
From what i've read it seems that the G8 is favored but is the affordable large V8 RWD segment on its way out seemingly even before it got started again?

One more question. It seems like GM's products are always competing against each other. Why would someone purchase a V6 G8 over a V6 Malibu? I would value the RWD and handling but in the end the Malibu is more efficient, has almost as much space(argueably more in some cases with fold down rear seats) and is priced better.

lvranger, did you read/watch Inside Line's Comparison Test of the Pontiac G8 vs. the Dodge Charger R/T yet? If not, enjoy!
 
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=124883

The Pontiac front end is great, but I think it would have served GM better if they had used the Vauxhall dash. It has analog gauges on the center stack.
 
Black looks awesome. I agree it needs different tail lights though.

Has anyone seen one on the road yet? I haven’t seen one in Michigan yet, and we live in ground zero for GM products. I’ve seen them at the auto show but none on the streets yet.
 
Forget the mustang vs. challenger comparisons. I’d like to see a comparison between the G8, Edmunds long term M3, and the new challenger. I think challenger buyers will be cross shopping with the G8 more than with the Mustang.

chevy I saw them in Australia last year. Let me tell you, it looks awesome in person, especially in orange which is a popular color there.
 
Sadly, I'm yet to see one where I live. I dont think I'll see one anytime soon either considering most cars here are pretty average.

I have actually seen one where i live in maryland and it looked pretty good
it was a black Gt like this one
fortunately i was not driving and got a good look and really didnt seem to bad from the back

Saw one today at the intersection of Nash and El Segundo, it was also black like the one in the LT fleet.

Black is so drab for the already bland exterior, orange or red would have set it off perfectly.

You call that exterior bland? What do you call the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord then?

Daytona,
 
The Camry and Accord are supposed to blend in; this isn't.
 
I don't think the exterior is that exciting, but I don't think it'll age poorly either. It needs some nicer headlights, much better integrated taillights, and a revised front end. The side looks great and the rear isn't too off (IMHO of course).
 
The interior looks fantastic, I can't wait to get into one.
 
There is a G8 that I've driven past, twice a day, everyday, for the past week. It's sitting outside the Pontiac dealership on my way to work :)
 
Joe

When I see the side profile I instantly think of a BMW 5 Series. The proportions, short overhangs, Hof kink, and filled wheel wells make it a very attractive car. Side profile is perfect!
 
The front view....its not bad but it still reminds me of a Grand Prix or a Nascar race neither which Im a fan of. I dont mind a hood scoop just not the double scoops.
 
The rear for some reason reminds me of a Nissan Altima. I think Pontiac could have integrated the rear lights better.
 
Interior is nice. I could get used to the Aussie buttons and I absolutely love the console mounted window switches. I dont know why MORE manufacturers dont place them here.
 
Overall, a great car that seems to be much better than the Chrysler offerings.
 
My question is if GM couldnt sell this car here what would the Pontiac engineers and designers came up with?

"Is this a bargain? Yes and no. I think it'll be interesting to compare this 6.0 liter's gas mileage to the 3.5 liter G35. "
 
I'm willing to bet the G8 will turn better fuel economy numbers than the G35. The Nissan VQ engines, while powerful for their size, are horribly inefficient when it comes to fuel consumption. I know, I used to own one ('03 G35 Coupe). Best I could get was 21 mpg average.
 
The pushrod GM V-8's are very fuel efficient for the power they put out, especially on the highway. The only thing that may hurt the G8's fuel economy is its porky weight.

"The only thing that may hurt the G8's fuel economy is its porky weight."
 
and if it sounds really good when you stand on the throttle :)

Fascinating that as gas prices skyrocket, the love for V8 RWDs' grows ever stronger.
 
Will be interesting to hear how this one works out as a daily driver .vs. Parking Lot Drift King.

SubyTrojan: Yes I read that article. Like I said the G8 seems favored. I guess I was looking for a second opinion. Plus, whats up with 60 series tires on the Charger? Do they offer a sport upgrade?
  
chevy598: Saw one driving in Vegas. Only got a side and rear view of it. Not a fan of red on this car and now that I think of it the rear end wasn't bad it was just the taillamps that I didn't like.
  
stingray454: G8 combined is 18mpg and G35 is 20mpg. I think this is how they would end up in the real world. Edmunds long term G35 lifetime average is 19.7.
  
tmanz: I wonder if that is why you can barely hear the G8s exhaust, fuel economy!

I do not see why people expect a Pontiac to look like a Holden. Personally, I am not a fan of the Commodore front end and think the G8 looks just right. The hood scoops arent even that bad.
 
Alas, I doubt the euphoria will last long here at IL. How long before we get complaints about no nav (even though most buyers wont pay for it), no Bluetooth (coming for 2009), interior materials that arent as good as the C300, poor fuel economy, center mounted switches, no manual tranny, etc.

anyone complaining about having a V8 with current fuel prices should note the G8's mileage is barely lower than the CTS or G35. In a world where the Malibu gets 17/26 I dont think 15/24 is bad when 361 horses are on tap.
 
Someone asked about the G8 competing with the Malibu earlier. The G8 is far larger than the Malibu and is RWD. Furhermore, the Malibu tops out where the G8 starts in terms of pricing. They will not compete with one another. The G8 has little competition within GM's lineup which is a good thing.

I must be in the minority in that I like the back end. The proportions of the whole car are definitely very BMW, down to the ripped-off Hof kink as hondacura mentioned. I think the headlights are downright boring, and I could do without the hood scoops.
 
Interior looks like it was borrowed from Audi, which is a good thing. No real nav/bluetooth option is not acceptable in this price class though.

"How long before we get complaints about no nav (even though most buyers wont pay for it), no Bluetooth (coming for 2009), interior materials that arent as good as the C300, poor fuel economy, center mounted switches, no manual tranny, etc."
 
You said it, not us.

I was actually curious about the lower model G8.
  
My question: "Why would someone purchase a V6 G8 over a V6 Malibu?"
  
Its going to be slower, less efficient and priced higher but seats the same(and they don't fold down).

"Alas, I doubt the euphoria will last long here at IL. How long before we get complaints about no nav (even though most buyers wont pay for it), no Bluetooth (coming for 2009), interior materials that arent as good as the C300, poor fuel economy, center mounted switches, no manual tranny, etc."
 
Think positive! I'm sure you've done it once or twice.

dougtheeng: BAG!

bag? i don't know if thats positive or negative, lol.

Not being negative- just realistic. You dont get a car that lacks certain features and then complain about it lacking those features. If presence of nav and bluetooth are a requirement for IL ownership (even though they are not for 90% of vehicle buyers) then the G8 should have been left at the Pontiac dealership. As for interior materials- the C class should have better materials since it approached $50k (not counting C63) with all the options.

"My question: "Why would someone purchase a V6 G8 over a V6 Malibu?"
   
Its going to be slower, less efficient and priced higher but seats the same(and they don't fold down)."
 
My guess would be appearance. I think the Malibu looks good but the G8 is a different, more aggressive, look.
And RWD vs FWD, some people, myself included like RWD better. The G8 might handle better (does it have the same suspension in the V8 and V6?)
 
It surprised me when I checked availability around here that all the dealers have are V6 G8's
 
" How long before we get complaints about..."
 
If that is all they complain about then it is probably a pretty good car. They have to write about something so even if it is a little thing the purpose (I think) of this area is to just toss out their quick impressions of recent experiences in the cars.
On the other hand things like the ongoing steering problems with the Aura are a bit more unnerving. So if we don't end up reading about the G8 being back in the shop again I'd say it is a good sign.

BAG means Bust a Gut. LOL just doesn't do it for me, especially when thinking of 1487 being positive.
  
"Not being negative- just realistic. You dont get a car that lacks certain features and then complain about it lacking those features. If presence of nav and bluetooth are a requirement for IL ownership then the G8 should have been left at the Pontiac dealership."
  
You are being negative. In fact you are being preemptively negative. Let IL have two seconds with the car before you start criticizing. Nav and bluetooth are not requirements but if other vehicles in the same class offer them then it will be mentioned. For example, how many times have you condemned the Camry or Accord for not offering a feature that the Aura or Malibu have?

"Nav and bluetooth are not requirements but if other vehicles in the same class offer them then it will be mentioned. For example, how many times have you condemned the Camry or Accord for not offering a feature that the Aura or Malibu have?"
 
The general public does not place a priority on nav and bluetooth as OEM so I see no reason for IL to place such emphasis on those features. When you are driving FREE cars its easy to want all the bells and whistles but those who pay for their cars often forego the higher trims and many of the goodies we read about in road tests where the manufacturer provides the vehicle. I see no reason to complain about lack of navigation (in a non luxury car) when we know that 90% of buyers don't buy navigation.
 
I have never condemned the camry or Accord for not having any feature. I have said that I dont see why the features they lack are not mentioned while there is always mention of features not found on Aura and Malibu. When you charge more for a car I expect more features, not less.

The problem is that IL has not said these things about the G8. So you're jumping the gun a little bit there. Wait untill they complain and then you can jump on your soap box. We all know you will so why should we have to see it twice?

ivranger can predict the future? You have no idea what I'm going to write next. I'm on a soap box but if I agreed with you then I would be just another intelligent participant on these blogs I suppose.
 
Let's see if you are right about IL's general feeling towards the G8. If they stay positive I will be as well.

"Alas, I doubt the euphoria will last long here at IL. How long before we get complaints about no nav (even though most buyers wont pay for it), no Bluetooth (coming for 2009), interior materials that arent as good as the C300, poor fuel economy, center mounted switches, no manual tranny, etc."
  
"You dont get a car that lacks certain features and then complain about it lacking those features. If presence of nav and bluetooth are a requirement for IL ownership then the G8 should have been left at the Pontiac dealership"
  
I'm predicting the future? You're complaining about them complaining before they've even complained! (Whew!)

Q.E.D., lvranger.

^^^Huh?