2008 Pontiac G8: The Car for the "Transporter"

The Hire was a great set of films.

I think they'd use Audi's

Good movies: The Audi's were also nice in Transporter 2 and 2. He did some sweet driving in the Mini's in The Italian Job too.

I'm really considering buying a G8. I don't have any kids yet so I really don't need something that big, but they're going for great deals right now, it really is a fantastic car, it doesn't have the BMW badge and all the bad connotations that has in my area (Southern California, where every broke, idiot, imagination-free jerk drives a 3 series), and I could keep it when I have kids and need the room. Sounds pretty compelling to me.

All my G8 GT typically transports is:
Me.
And that's just fine....
- Ray
2009 G8 GT @ almost 7,500 miles....

stovt001 - You sound just like me (except for what part of the country we're in). And I love my G8 GT! My Dad was a motor-head and his first wife made him get rid of his Challenger because of the 2-doors. In 1970. So now I have a modern muscle-sedan and there won't be a reason to get rid of it. Gas at $5/gallon? Big deal. Buy something cheap and Korean and give the G8 GT a supercharger and modify the suspension. Kids? Stuff them in the backseat. No problem.

Yes, the G8 GT & GXP are bad ass cars.

If I were a "Transporter" my only concern with owning one of these bad boys would be finding replacement parts later down the road after getting shot at or ramming other would be pursuers.

"Need a new quarter panel? Well GM no longer makes the car...and the suppliers went out of business. I can manufacture one for ya for a rediculous amount of money or you can probably find one at a used car lot."

Hey dougtheeng, thanks for really contributing to this forum. Why even take the time to post such a pointless and lame comment?

Funny analogy.

Turns out they're probably as expensive to fix as well.

I got creamed not three days ago. Lost everything in front of the fenders. Tune: 24k and change in funny money.

My uncle's A8 suffered similar damage. Tune: 24k and change in funny money.

R.I.P. G8 @ 31,010 km. You will be missed.

P.S. If you guys are really selling your G8, we should talk numbers. North of the border, we have exactly zero GT's left.

g8gtnorth, do you see that link at the very top of the page to e-mail Scott Oldham (it's next to the top 728x90 banner ad)? Use it! May the schwartz be with you! Bear in mind the car's been beat on quite a bit, but hey, it's got a straight license plate bracket! :o)

If that doesn't work, I have three letters for you...G...X...P. :o)

Sorry to hear of your plight g8gtnorth, there must be some kicking around southern Ontario somewhere, I know there were still some in Manitoba not too long ago, best of luck in finding a replacement. Subytrojan, as of yet we have no access to any g8 gxp's, hopefully that will change cause I would love to see how it compare's to my gt.

DCuerpoJr- Replacement parts should not be a problem as all body panels except for the hood and front bumper are EXACTLY the same as on the Holden and Vauxhall. The engine is a GM NA LS series V8, and the transmission is the same 6L80 that is used on many GM cars and trucks, and they are made in the US.

g8gtnorth,

Like you, it seems that the cars I care about are the only ones that collect damage. I just discovered that some idiot backed into the driver's door of my 2002. Grrrr... Of course, the MS3 remains unscathed...:(

kingfish4,
I think it will depend on how long you want to keep the car. I think owners will be good for at least 3-5 years. The fact that GLUM and Holden/Vauxhall are going their separate ways is what would concern me. The powertrain and routine maintenance parts won't be a problem, but I suspect that trim and collision parts will become hard to come by in the very near future. I have a friend who needed a transmission mount for a 2005 GTO and he discovered that there were only four left in the entire US, and it was uncertain if any more would be coming. Now, the chances of needing a tranny mount are very slim, but when you need one you really NEED one. Again, none of this would worry me if I was only keeping the car for 3-5 years.

I think the reason the Transporter drives the BMW and later the Audi is because they have subtle good looks. The G8 is ugly but it is by no means subtle.

It would be more useful for transporting drugs and gangbangers in crummy neighbourhoods.

I don't find the G8 ugly; a two-door would make a terrific GTO.

ace47, BMW is losing its 'subtle good looks'. Have you seen the X6, 5-series GT hatchamabob car, or the 1-series? Nothing subtle or good about their designs.

The best looking BMW's hands down came from the last generation, built in the 2001 ± a few years timeframe.

m_thrizzle, I meant the 7 series and the M5. You are right about the other cars. Ugly as sin.

roadburner, I meant to say, The G8 is not ugly but it is by no means subtle.

Thanks for the clear up, Ace. The G8 is still more subtle than many performance cars on the road, but for a full size sedan yeah it is a bit out there, especially with the cheesy hood scoops.

G8gtnorth, so sorry to hear about the loss of the G8. I really hope you can find a replacement. With so few in NA, losing one is a big loss to enthusiasts. I really, really, really hope GM changes its mind about not rebadging it as an Impala.

The Transporter films switched to Audi because Audi was willing to pay to have their cars in the films, which is why Tony Stark drives an Audi R8 and his assistant an A4.

And Luc Besson and crew have been open about the fact that they based the Transporter on Clive Owen's "The Hire" character, which is why they used a BMW in the first film.

No offense to the G8, but I don't think its has the perceived polish or sophistication of the cars used in the Transporter movies. Its too American for the Transporters obvious European character.

Now if there was an American version of the Transporter this car would fit the role perfectly. Its brute, bold and cocky like the American character would be. The character and the vehicle have to possess the same type of personality and Jason's character is too Euro-posh for the G8.

epbrown, haven't seen the movie properly but Iam pretty sure it was an S5. Two doors when she steps out of it.

epbrown, haven't seen the movie properly but Iam pretty sure it was an S5. Two doors when she steps out of it.

"Hey dougtheeng, thanks for really contributing to this forum. Why even take the time to post such a pointless and lame comment?"

hansverner:

No problem, glad I could contribute and improve your day.

Its nice to see you too offense to my comment but not with the other 10+ comments in the blog talking about The Hire, Transporter, Iron Man, etc.

Because after all, its not like the blog mentioned The Hire at all, is it?