When I returned from my Napa Valley adventure
in our 2008 Pontiac G8 GT, I'd logged over 1,000 miles. It's only 400 miles from LA to Napa, so chalk the extra 200 up to the fact that I have no sense of scale when I read a map. If a road looks cool and I'm driving a car that's fit for it, I'll go there even it takes me way off course.
The G8 is certainly fit. I really like the crisp turn-in and the way it feels balanced even through tight turns -- I mean, this is a two-ton car. I like the way the back end will come around if you dip into the power when the stability control is off. I like the weighting of the steering on-center, off-center and at any speed.
Even the brake pedal feel is pretty good, though under moderate inputs on twisty descents, I noticed some light shuddering that suggests the brakes aren't new anymore. The only other thing I'll complain about is that while shifts are quicker and more positive in the transmission's sport and manual modes, there's still some delay. It's not an issue on the highway, but on back roads, you notice it. Wish we had a manual gearbox option as on the Holden and Vauxhall/Opel versions, or the GXP (edit after the fact).
But the only thing that really bothered me during Friday's drive was the traffic on Highway 29 near Calistoga. I just wanted some alone time with the G8, OK? So I drove through San Francisco so I could get some more time on lovely Skyline Blvd. That landed me on Highway 85 just in time for evening gridlock. I didn't get back to LA until 11 p.m.
Fortunately, the driving position in the G8 is excellent and helped ward off fatigue. The cowl is low, the funky steering wheel is actually comfortable to hold, and though the back cushion could stand some more firm support, the driver seat is pretty good, too. The only addition I'd like in here is a nav system, which would have remedied my cartographical challenges.
Best tank on trip was 20.9 mpg; worst was 17.6 mpg. And the quart of oil I added in St. Helena was exactly what the car needed -- oil level is now exactly where it should be.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 14,706 miles
joefrompa says:
11:13 AM, 12/ 8/08
Nice entry. Good to know it's properly oiled :)
I really hope Pontiac continues this car, adds the Vette's LS6 in the base model, and a 6-speed transmission.
Or would that ruin the reason for the GXP... :)
Joe
7driver says:
11:24 AM, 12/ 8/08
From Skyline Blvd, have you ever taken Hwy 9 to Santa Cruz? If not, you ought to give it a try next time and cut across to 101 or I-5 through Salinas.
festiboi1 says:
11:39 AM, 12/ 8/08
Personally, as an Aussie, we'd love to have you in the land of Commodores and Falcons. I have never understood why the choices of family cars in America seem so dull.
waevox says:
11:50 AM, 12/ 8/08
If you are ever back in that neck of the woods, there is a little road behind Lake Sonoma called 'Skaggs Springs Rd'
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Skaggs+Springs+Rd&daddr=38.652405,-123.398609&hl=en&geocode=FTy1TgId1har-A%3B&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=13&sll=38.645299,-123.371658&sspn=0.064086,0.153809&ie=UTF8&ll=38.677537,-123.03297&spn=0.032029,0.076904&t=h&z=14
It's almost too many turns. Cheers
dougtheeng says:
12:10 PM, 12/ 8/08
"It's almost too many turns."
Never ever say that. NEVER!
stingray454 says:
12:34 PM, 12/ 8/08
Joe - the LS6 is no longer in production. Introduced in 2001 for the Z06, it was last found in a Corvette in 2004, but continued on in the CTS-V for one more year through 2005, until it was replaced with the LS2.
And yeah, the GXP pretty much offers everything an LS6 powered 6 speed G8 would, with an extra 5 hp.
eriches says:
12:41 PM, 12/ 8/08
7: I have taken Hwy 9 to Santa Cruz once before (it was great). I was about to do it again with the G8, but daylight was just about gone and I realized it wasn't a smart idea. Next time...
waevox: Noticed Skaggs Springs in the Thomas guide and wondered about it. Sounds like I'll be doing that one next time as well!
joefrompa says:
12:45 PM, 12/ 8/08
Sorry, I meant LS3 :)
I realized it when I read the GXP article.
Joe
louiswei says:
12:46 PM, 12/ 8/08
Well if that's the case I'd suggest Erin to start looking for an apartment in the Down Under...
rayainsw says:
12:48 PM, 12/ 8/08
"The only addition I'd like in here is a nav system, which would have remedied my cartographical challenges."
Or purchase the OnStar "Turn-By-Turn".
eriches says:
01:11 PM, 12/ 8/08
We probably have Turn By Turn, but I didn't want a third party intruding on my time with the G8.
bimmerjay says:
01:11 PM, 12/ 8/08
"Personally, as an Aussie, we'd love to have you in the land of Commodores and Falcons. I have never understood why the choices of family cars in America seem so dull."
They are dull. Most Americans unfortunately want insipidly boring, isolated cars.
txg60 says:
01:44 PM, 12/ 8/08
Here I have been living in Pacifica and never realized Skyline continued down that far...my usual loop is to jet down 1 to HalfMoon Bay and then cut back to 280...beautiful road...If you can hit it with no Traffic, I recommend 152 as a nice alternative to get from 101 to the 5. Next time you come up to SF Erin, take Skyline near Daly City and cut down on Sharps Beak Road...nice twisties with some deep plunging curves..servers as a decent substitute for Glendora Mountain Road :(
sabastian says:
03:12 PM, 12/ 8/08
A used car lot near my house (that carries mostly 2005 and newer cars) has one of these for sale. It's a 2008 with 10k miles for $19,500. Deal of the century? I think so.
stovt001 says:
03:37 PM, 12/ 8/08
I hear my company is considering opening a location in Australia. If it happens, I'd be tempted to apply for a position out there.
cx7lover says:
04:16 PM, 12/ 8/08
For me, the shuddering through the peddle means the ABS/DSC is on. As with most powerful RWD cars it's probably not fully defeated.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
05:56 PM, 12/ 8/08
You wanna live in Australia to drive a G8? Don't pick Sydney unless you've boatloads of moolah. Sydney, while pleasant and San-Francisco like (I lived there 5 years), is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, and has some pretty horrendous traffic jams.
rayainsw says:
05:16 AM, 12/10/08
OnStar Turn-by-Turn:
“We probably have Turn By Turn, but I didn't want a third party intruding on my time with the G8.”
I have used this feature in my 2009 G8 GT.
Having some experience with a Garmin portable & an in-dash system, I was quite impressed with how well this works – and I found it very ‘unintrusive’ as well.
YMMV.
- Ray