2008 Pontiac G8 GT: Correction on the Windows

i've been in cars with them and like the console mounted controls a lot more than the ones on the door. since my hand is there most of the time, it's already in a convenient place where as with the door, i have to switch hands and then work on the controls. only issue is that you have to look down at the center console which can take driver's focus away.

I'm not sure which position I prefer from a ergonomics standpoint, it's just that the console mounted controls are awfully close to the cup holders, seems like an accident waiting to happen.

Disagree with console-mounted window switches. Just asked to get bumped/spilled on there. Plus, 90% of the time, most people will spend 60 seconds searching the door for the window switch. Didn't like them on my old Chevy Beretta.

I like the location of the console mounted window switches in e46 BMWs since your hand falls naturally right on the driver's window switch. I also like that there's lots of separation between the switches making it really easy to know what switch you're pressing by feel. Some cars (like my old Saab 9000) had console mounted switches that were awkwardly located and too close toegter. Hard to tell from the pics as to how well the G8's switches are located.

GM may have timed the window operation as such because people simply don't know how to operate such switches, even if you demonstrate it! My GF, for instance, will not let go of the auto switch on her Jeep, even though I have shown her at least three times. I have simply given up on that and moved on.

lovely plastics :)

The only knock I've heard against the console switches is that you can spill a drink on them. If Americans could learn to enjoy beverages in a proper setting like a cafe or restaurant like civilized people, we wouldn't have this problem and the gripe over the rear cupholders would be moot as well.

Oh and yes, those interior materials do indeed look good. Why oh why GM can you not let this car live on as a Chevy? It fixes everything! The only problems I do see in this picture are the mirror and lock switches/buttons. They look a bit too small to me.

i also like console switches.
while someone may spill something from the cupholder, the location does keep them away from rain/snow when you need to open the window in bad weather.

Console switches always conspire to befuddle me. The first time I was behind the wheel of a car so equipped (some sort of Saab), it took me about 30 seconds of puzzled searching before I said "Aha! That's a stupid place for them." I think, though, that if you own a car like this, you get used to it. Kind of like how you don't press an imaginary clutch pedal in two-pedal cars.

love the console switches.

Love console switches, especially when they're grouped together like this. They're a little harder to manipulate when they're splayed around a shifter.

I like console switches just fine as long as I don't have to reach back for them.

Spilling a beverage is a risk I'm willing to take. Incidentally, I know there's the argument that many Europeans are better drivers, in part, because they actually drive, as opposed to eating and drinking. I appreciate that. But guzzling coffee and water adds to the pleasure of a road trip for me. Of course, If I were allowed to drive 140 mph on my road trips, I'd certainly reconsider.

I soooo miss console mounted window switches. I had them on my e46 BMW and fell in love. I often walk up to my BMW, dropping the windows as I approach as this airs out the super hot cabin. A minute or two into the drive I like to power them up.

In the e90 it's ridiculous as I must use my left hand (steering hand) to raise the windows. WTF? My right hand is by the shifter and it's natural to use it for windows.

I also noticed with toll collections in europe that the window buttons on the left make no sense to me. Again, window button on the console by the shifter = perfection.

I never understood all of the comments against console mounted window switches. Car reviewers act like there is a "right" and "wrong" place for those but never explain why. I've had both and I like the console switches personally.

I think the spill argument is bunk because with door mounted switches you open it into the rain etc. The console just seems like a more natural place because I'm used to moving my hand down there for the shifter and e-brake anyway.

Also if it saves some cost by only including 1 set of switches (and being the same for right/left hand drive) thats cool too, hopefully the automaker will pass some of that on to me. And I could be totally wrong but the reliability should be better because of simplified wiring and only needing to include one set of switches.

Speaking from experience, the console switches will inevitably be spilled upon. I do prefer the console switches as well, but unless the owner forbids drinking in the car, soda will be spilled. Fortunately for me, Saturn was kind enough to repair the damage the first time, no cost. This was on my 1993 SL2, which they put the window switches in the middle like BMW.

I think they're perfect where they are, right under my right hand.

Nowadays when I drive other cars I'm constantly looking for them.

Don't big gulps have pretty secure lids these days, so the switches shouldn't be at much risk?

I haven't thought much about window switch placement, but I can see how a perfect console position just below the shifter would be a natural. My G35 has them on the door, and I have to glance at them still. The console positioning could eliminate that.

I never allowed food or drink in my car, but my wife has overrided my policy. She grew up barefoot on a jungle island paradise, and it's all I can do to keep her from picking on the loose ends of the interior - just like Edmunds editors!

Door mounted switches only! I've been buying cars for 50 years and have never had switches on the console and never will!

Speaking from experience - nothing was ever spilled on the my console buttons. EVER.

Not sure why people feel they must eat in their cars. My wife knows she can sully her car as she sees fit but my car is a no zone for food/drinks.

I love the center console mounted switches in my '09 G8 GT. Of course, I got used to them in 2 previous BMWs. I don't like the lack of auto up though. My BMW had auto up/down on all windows, which was nice. In my opinion, auto up is more useful than auto down. Also, they are not easy to actuate, nor can I do it consistently, much like my old E36 M3. My E46 worked perfectly. I was bummed when BMW changed the window controls in the E9x to be on the door.

I do hate the window lock/unlock switch though. It should be just one button. Hit it once, it unlocks. Hit it again, it locks. It's tiny and I have to look closely to see which side is lock/unlock. Fortunately the doors autounlock when I put it in park, but sometimes I just stop to let somebody out and then I run into this ergo issue.

I agree. I dont see why they cant be on the console. I like things a little different. And to tell the truth I think the console buttons in my E30 318 were more ergonomic than being on the door. Why is the door the "ergonomic" spot for window switches? You have two arms, one on each side.

"This is different than most cars, which allow you to just push the button once quickly, and it fooled me into thinking the G8 did not have auto down windows at all."

I might be in the minority here, but that's how most cars I've driven are like; hold the down button for a second or two and then it goes down the rest of the way on its on.

own*

I like the center console window controls the best. If the cupholders are mounted on the left then you'll be less likely to spill drinks? Those door lock switches definitely need to be bigger or just one button. One button would be easier in this case. Switch it with the rear window lockout switch (seems like the easiest and most cost effective way to fix a minor ergonomic snafu)? I'm probably also the only human being on earth that manages to prefer the MB style "turn signal number 2" cruise control stalk...but ya like what ya like, right?

by on the left for the cupholders I meant near the doors...

"Oh and yes, those interior materials do indeed look good. Why oh why GM can you not let this car live on as a Chevy? It fixes everything! The only problems I do see in this picture are the mirror and lock switches/buttons. They look a bit too small to me."

Because Chevy is known for shitty interiors. GM doesn't want to spoil that image by including the G8 in the lineup.

@ace47

What was the last Chevy you sat in, a Cavalier? I bet it doesn't really matter anyway, since you probably hate anything that isn't imported.

I strongly prefer center-mounted window switches:

1. Passenger has access to them, which is a HUGE deal for my family.
2. Close to my gear shift hand. I especially like SAABs where everything is under your gear shift hand, including the ignition.
3. Less stuff on the door, so easier to have a proper pull handle.
4. Cheaper -- one less thing to pay for new, one less thing to fail.
5. Just plain cooler :)

"What was the last Chevy you sat in, a Cavalier?"

I believe was a Z06 last year. Funny thing is, the interior was not all that different from a Cavalier.

"I bet it doesn't really matter anyway, since you probably hate anything that isn't imported."

Yup, you sure have great reading skills. My comment that made you venge your fury was definately intended to insult the G8.

"Yup, you sure have great reading skills. My comment that made you venge your fury was definately intended to insult the G8."

It's still built by a manufacturer owned by an American company, isn't it. And I will admit the Corvette's interior stinks. Try a Malibu, a Traverse, or an HHR and see what a difference three years can make. Not to mention the interiors on the upcoming Volt, Cruze, Equinox, and Spark.

"I believe was a Z06 last year. Funny thing is, the interior was not all that different from a Cavalier."

Cavalier has been out of production since mid 2004. Corvette's interior shares no parts with that car. None. Go sit in an Enclave/Acadia, CTS, DTS, SRX, Malibu, Vue, Lucerne, etc. and check out the interior quality and shut up.

1) I really like the fact that you have to press a little longer than usual to engage AUTO DOWN. Wh? Because when I want to crack the window, as I did many times this past hot weekend, I can do it easily without triggering an unwanted AUTO DOWN. This set-up is very preferable, to me.

2) I hate console-mounted switches like these. Why? Had them on my 1983 T-Bird Turbo Coupe.

Scene: The window is down and I'm parking. My buddy Mike is riding shotgun.

Action: I lean my head out the window to locate the white line. At the same time, Mike tries to save time by rolling up my window for me, which he can do because of the console-mounted switches.

The glass strikes my head, and I yelp. Mike instantly releases the switch. I instincively flinch away from the glass and hit my head on the upper doorframe, yelp again, then flinch back to the stationary, yet protruding glass for yet another yelp and another flinch into the roof. The process went through 5 or 6 cycles before my involuntary flinches lost steam and it stopped.

Biggest headache of my life. Meanwhile, Mike barely got his apology out because he was laughing so hard. I despise this switch location to this very day.

"Cavalier has been out of production since mid 2004. Corvette's interior shares no parts with that car. None. Go sit in an Enclave/Acadia, CTS, DTS, SRX, Malibu, Vue, Lucerne, etc. and check out the interior."

Please take your own advise. The conversations going right over your head. I meant quality wise, genius. Both cars featured garbage interiors. At least GT5000 got the point.

And I did sit in a CTS and Malibu. Wasn't impressed, especially when I know quite well it will be falling apart within a few miles. I know you wouldn't be able to understand quality since you are were guy saying that a Vettes interior is not all that different from the R8s or GT-Rs.

ace47 tell us all how you KNOW the interior will be falling apart in a few miles. It is blanket statements like this that just proves you are ignorant.

Edmunds interior in the G8 GT seems to have not "fallen apart" in their test. As far as plastic interiors are concern, Almost ALL cars today have plastic interiors. Honda's have mouse fur interiors that look like something only a pimp would be proud to own.

My guess is that your car has "Fine Crointhian Plastic."