The Pontiac G8 nails most of the big things. Great price, tight handling, eager engine. This weekend marked my first time behind the wheel, and I was pretty taken. This Pontiac knows how to bring the funzies. I wish it came with a radar detector.
It nails some of the smaller things, as well. Though its center stack is a jumble and there are a few misaligned panels present, I like the overall look of the cabin. And I love the turn signal stalk, which feels supple and perfectly weighted. It's the kind of stalk that feels like it belongs in a more expensive sedan, and using it was a pleasure. L.A. drivers are notorious for their unwillingness to signal when making lane changes. Maybe the cure for this irritating habit lies with the G8, and its well-made stalk.
Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor @ 13,413 miles
stovt001 says:
05:23 PM, 11/24/08
I think stalk damping, weight, and movement is a very good indicator of the "little things" details that push a car from good to great. I hate it when moving a stalk feels like breaking a chicken's leg, but a nice, smooth movement with good detentes can make the car feel so much nicer and more expensive than it is.
g8gtnorth says:
06:02 PM, 11/24/08
It's supple, but I might suggest that it's a little lightly weighted. I've noticed that a few times, when I flick it engage the triple blink, it doesn't always engage.
Course, these tend to be moments of haste, where speed is key, but it's one of my small niggles with the car.
autoboy16 says:
06:42 PM, 11/24/08
Hey, as a request to edmunds editors, can you guys report on headlight performance in some cars in the long term fleet? Shining against a wall, how bright/dim they are, special features, etc. I've only read like 4 on performance, The Fj Cruiser, The Mini Cooper, The "DIM WATT" Camry, and the Jeep Wrangler. Special request within the special request, the Jetta TDI MK4 as Im buying one soon(not diesel) but I'd be nice to know if I'm going to be able to see at night... A few more night pics also wouldn't hurt ;)!
Wow the G8 is a great car! One of the people in my neighborhood bought a white one and it is NICE! I'm not thrilled about white or silver cars, but the G8 is just beautifully styled! Gotta give it to them!
ewilfong says:
08:55 PM, 11/24/08
"Breaking a chicken's leg" Ha! That's a good way to describe the stalk on the PT Cruiser rental I drove last week. It was one more detail that made an average car seem downright crappy.
joefrompa says:
05:25 AM, 11/25/08
Same with the Ford Focus (2007) I just drove. Turn signal stalk function discouraged use. Kinda like learning what buttons NOT to press for fear of breaking them.
My Subaru legacy GT is an example of a well-done car, overall, but with some shortcomings. The turn signal stalk is almost one of those shortcomings....it's right on the edge between satisfying solidity and dangerously light. It doesn't feel hefty, or solid, but it doesn't feel like it's going to break-off either. I DO emphasize a light touch with it...which means my fingers have noticed it's not a metal pole wrapped in texturized rubber (like I like!).
Glad to hear the G8 has this more solid feel. I hate to say it, but it does seems like the american divisions of GM don't focus on this sort of thing.
I often wonder if it's because they cater to a different demographic/age group, which may tend to prefer things to "click/clack" rather than fluidly move between positions with damped precision.
For instance - I know alot of buttons in cadillac in the 90's were designed to be large (for old and/or gloved fingers) and to have a distinct and moderate-volume sound to indicate the button was depressed/activated. Instead of the late 90's Audi, which designed their buttons as smaller, damped, and barely audible when actually depressed/activated.
Joe
dougtheeng says:
05:34 AM, 11/25/08
The stalk for my MINI turn signal is stiff and requires some force to pop it into place. This one of my old gripes about the vehicle.
alexdi says:
08:14 AM, 11/25/08
Strongly disagree with this entry. When I drove the G8, I thought the three weakest points were the battery gauge, the headrests, and the turn-signal stalk. The stalk felt a lot like that on my old GMC Suburban from 1991; cheap, flimsy, and if I pushed too hard, as if it would break off. The 'blinking' sound was something that would be out of place in a Fiesta.
Otherwise, the car was great. And I'll second this: "I hate it when moving a stalk feels like breaking a chicken's leg, but a nice, smooth movement with good detentes can make the car feel so much nicer and more expensive than it is."
farvy says:
08:36 AM, 11/25/08
Can't comment on the G8, but the stalks in my past 3 Hondas felt like a million bucks. Very nice.
mostro750 says:
06:50 PM, 11/29/08
audis have epic small control feedback - nothing touches them - period