2008 Pontiac G8 GT vs. 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Am I the only one who is sad that the new SHO isn't available in Emerald Green? My family got one in that color when I was 6 (a 1994 with an automatic). We ended up trading it in for an Explorer with the 5.0 V8, but I still miss that thing.

I've always loved the first 2 SHO generations. When they dropped the stick, not so much. I'm a Ford guy, but if I were buying, I get the G8 GXP in a heartbeat.

Two things the SHO has going for it: 1) Supposedly better fuel economy than expected from those output numbers. 2) Lots of available tech toys (GPS, massaging seats, radar based cruise control) all things the G8 doesn't have.

It's too bad the G8 is out the door. No more to grace our shores. Instead of engineering it to be a Chevy, CEO Fritz would rather badge engineer another GMC. And he says he's not a fan of badge engineering! If there was ever a car that needed to be badge engineered it's the G8!

I don't get why Ford brought back the Taurus name and put it on a different class of car. It getting the SHO treatment because of that historic name makes it worse IMO.

The Fusion should have gotten the Taurus name, or they should have kept it retired. Regardless, it's the one to be SHOed.

I like the looks of the new SHO and I hope it sells well. I have been impressed also with what GM did with the G8, however I would feel better buying a car from a company that isn't in bed with the government

I like what Ford has created with the SHO, but it's no contest, G8 please.

G8 is better, who would ever buy a FORD?

If Ford brought over some of their European models, we all might buy Fords. It is a shame that the G8 is dead and gone. :'(

I really like the Taurus. I think it will be a competitor to the Audi 4s. This would be a foe for the S4 I think. I'm surprised the G8 didn't get the usual 5.5 and 13.8 though... use premium!

Good for Ford, but that is a ton of money for a Ford that doesn't have 500+ hp!

I'd like to see a stock-for-stock Holden Commodore SS vs. Ford Falcon XR8 showdown here in the States!

One more thing, IL Insiders.

IL did a full test of a 2007 Holden Commodore SS here.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=120615

And a 2007 FPV Ford Falcon GT here.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=120772

I loved the 2nd gen (1992-1995) SHO. I'd take a '94 or '95, white on gray, stick. Loaded with moonroof and the JBL. That Yamaha V6 was a riot.

Given the powertrain specs (and high hopes for a new Ford with actual chassis dynamics), I'm really disappointed with the new one's performance. Like the Zephyr and 500, could I propose to Ford a last-minute name change? I suggest Taurus SLO or Taurus BLO. The BLO with the sport/performance package could be the Taurus BLOs.

" 1) Supposedly better fuel economy than expected from those output numbers."

I'll bet in a real world test it doesn't get better mileage.

Turbos are great for having lots of power when you floor it and great mileage when lightly loaded.

Trouble is this car is so heavy plus the added drag of AWD, it will always be in the boost.

It will take a real hypermiler to get good mileage out of it on a regular basis.

On the other hand, the huge V8 in the G8 can just loaf along on all that torque when you want mileage.

Why did Ford even offer the SHO with a base non-performance model?

The G8, Commodore SS, Falxon XR8 are all tested in performance trim with summer tires.

Edmunds mysteriously ended up with a base non-performance Taurus SHO.
(Motortrend and Car and Driver both tested Perforamance Package Taurus SHOs)

I had high hopes for the new SHO, but as it's no faster than my present work beater there's no way I'd consider it. I'd be forced to go with the G8 GT.

I'd get the G8. The SHO looks very boring. Ford should at least add some aggressive lip kit on the car (similar to AMG Mercedes Benz, Camry SE, etc)

You guys definitely need a SHO in the fleet as soon as it comes out

Iam no fan of the Big 3 but I have to say the G8 is the better car. The SHO makes the Acura TL look beautiful. Talk about a retarded design.

I'll take a G8 please. Bring over the Focus RS and then there will be a Ford vehicle that I'd buy...

fuhteng: "I really like the Taurus. I think it will be a competitor to the Audi 4s."

Funny, it's should be a competitor to the A6 (or maybe even A8).

subaru123: "G8 is better, who would ever buy a FORD?"

Ford vs Chevy (Pontiac) again. This is great. I feel like it's 20 years ago.

firstwagon: "I'll bet in a real world test it doesn't get better mileage."

I bet it does just fine. This isn't your normal turbo. All that low-end torque, should make it easy.

adavis2493: "I prefer the G8 still."

Only because I don't want to spend $38K. For the price, the G8 is a fantastic car. The SHO is more car. Let's see it up against a BMW 535xi.

Here are the performance numbers from Motor Trend.

G8 GT w/ summer tires vs. Taurus SHO w/ performance pack vs. G8 GXP

G8 GT:
0-60 5.3s
1/4 13.8 @ 102.8mph
skidpad .88g
braking 112ft

SHO:

0-60 5.2s
1/4 13.7 @ 103mph
skidpad .87
braking 112ft

G8 GXP:
0-60 4.5s
1/4 13 @ 109.6mph
skidpad .90
braking 117ft

Given the long list of options, the Taurus SHO should appeal to the higher end crowd.

Brn,

I think you're right about the highway mileage, but around town I would be willing to bet the G8's V8 get's better mileage than the smaller engined SHO.

The SHO's weight means you will be pressing harder on the gas to make sure the turbos are spooled up and that will take it's toll on mileage.

"You guys definitely need a SHO in the fleet as soon as it comes out

Agreed.

"Iam no fan of the Big 3 but I have to say the G8 is the better car. The SHO makes the Acura TL look beautiful. Talk about a retarded design."

No car makes the Tl look beautiful. The Taurus isnt perfect but its a cohesive upscale design, very European in many regards. The Tl is just odd. SHO looks better, goes faster and has more space.

If I didn't have to pay for either, I'd prefer the sho. Much more luxury, better mpg, and awd would be useful where I am. The g8 may be the better sport sedan, but the sho seems a great all around package.

I'll wait to judge the SHO until I see one in person, as for the G8 it does nothing for me,I would get a Charger SRT8, but I am biased for MOPAR.

"You guys definitely need a SHO in the fleet as soon as it comes out."

Yes, agreed. Loaded or not, you have to get the Performance package.

brn, I think you're right about being more comparably to the Audi 6s, but with price, I'd imagine it would be fighting with the 4s. That looks just like what Caddilac does with the CTS - priced to fight the 3 and C, but sized to fight the 5 and E.

So how about a SHO-V (or R, or whatever letter), that cranks the hp another 75 or 100, and gets some serious brakes?

Motor Trend averaged more than 19mpg in very hard driving with the SHO. The G8 isn't even averaging that much.

The SHO looked awesome in green at the autoshow.
It's more sculpted than the blocky G8.

I wonder what the SHO's 2 sets of mpg numbers are.
2.77 regular final drive SHO,
and 3.16 performance final drive SHO.

SHO weighs 4400 lbs?! No wonder!

@billt9: There won't be two sets of EPA mileage figures. The "volume" SHO is the 2.77 axle ratio, and so that's the axle ratio used for the EPA fuel economy test. It's the one that relates directly to the 17/25/20 MPG on the preliminary window sticker.

The 3.16 ratio is a low-volume option, and Ford doesn't have to recertify the Performance Pack if sales are limited to a percentage of total SHO sales (33%, I think).

Will the 3.16 performance pack get worse MPG than the "standard" SHO? (An oxymoron, if ever there was one.) Yes, it will be worse, but the law says they don't have to certify it and put it on the window sticker--they can use the 2.77-derived MPG figures.

And that is why there are two SHOs: One for window sticker and CAFE MPG (and to legitimize EcoBoost), and the other to use for advertised performance figures.

It's nothing new. All the truck makers do it with pick-up truck axle ratios all the time. One axle ratio generates window sticker MPG, the optional one is used for "Maximum Tow Capacity" in ads. They don't usually cop to it, but they're talking about two different trucks. They get away with it by saying "when properly equipped" somewhere.

It's all frustratingly misleading.

I was initially impressed by this car. Turbo V6, AWD, good looks, but $40-45k? REALLY??? I'm sorry, but I can think of at least 15 other cars I would buy before the SHO in this price range. I don't see them selling many of these at all.

I'd like to see that list! I can only think of a few equally performing large cars, and one the G8 is cheaper.

the list will be a bunch of compact imports with far less power and less features. If you shop badge over performance, style and spaciousness you will never buy a car like the SHO. Why get that when you can get a base model 535i with 7k miles on the odo for the same money?

@arumage- that price range or cheaper! And I mean 4 door 5 passeneger vehicles, not just "large" performance sedans.

the fact that this car doesnt reflect your tastes doesnt mean its a bad car. I can think of 15 vehicles I'd rather own for less money than the cost of the RX350- doesn't mean the RX is substandard. If you dont like large cars and big hp you likely wont like the SHO. I'm sure a Prius owner would pass out at the mere thought of a 365hp sedan.

The G8 is going the way of the Dodo bird so I don't see the point of the comparison. It makes more sense to compare the Taurus with cars that will be available at that price range. While I like the new engine, the car is far to big and heavy to garner my interest. As someeone who bought an Infiniti G 35 last year, I think the G is a much better value than the Taurus. Now a SVT Fusion with this powertrain and a stick would be interesting.

I still can't believe they aren't gonna re-brand the G8 as a Chevy. of ALL the times when it would actually make sense, GM isn't gonna do it.

Guess that super sweet Impala is just selling too well to put the G8 in its place....

Couldn't they give the G8 a different name, keep the Malibu and Impala (I can't figure out why they have both of those when the Malibu is far and away the better car, and I suspect has more space than the "full-size" Impala). Pull some old name out of the Chevy yearbook, and sell all three of them. I don't care. Its just too good of a car to just toss out.

But what do you expect with GM these days?

bankerdanny, you're certainly correct about the weight. However, the SHO motor doesn't have to spin up much. All that torque is available at 1500rpm. I guess we'll see...

fuhteng, I generally agree. The SHO "should" be cross shopped with the A6, but it won't be. People will cross shop it with the A4 based on price.

“The 3.16 ratio is a low-volume option, and Ford doesn't have to recertify the Performance Pack if sales are limited to a percentage of total SHO sales (33%, I think).” - actualsize

Reference?

I raised this same issue when I was looking at the Caddy STS – where the ‘base’ V8 1SE was equipped with a 2.73:1 final drive, but the 1SF had a 3.23:1 and the 1SG [ ‘fully equipped’ – with a gaggle of luxury equipment ] had a 3.42:1 final drive ratio.

The 1SG would [ assuming same rolling radius tires ] be turning over 25% higher RPM at highway cruising speeds.

And under virtually every other circumstance.

The window sticker for ALL V8 STS models showed EPA HWY: 26.
My guess is that 1SG models would more accurately \ fairly be rated at 22 or 23.

I actually scoured all the relevant EPA procedures & regulations I could find that seemed to apply – but I could not find the ‘legal’ loophole Caddy used to rate all STS V8s the same, regardless of final drive ratio.

Not surprising that magazines typically tested 1SG \ 3.42:1 final drive versions.

- Ray
Confused by The Bureaucracy

This isn't even close - the G8 wins in every category for me.

The Taurus isn't as ugly as a TL - Acura is still king of the ugly sedan hill - but it IS pretty damned ugly. Saw one at the autoshow and thought it looked even fatter than its bloated mass and dimesions suggest.

Jaeger

"the list will be a bunch of compact imports with far less power and less features."

1487, your domestic bias clearly shows as you rarely (if ever) criticize domestic cars regardless of brand. The CTS would fall in that group as well as its smaller, has less power and less features at that price point. However, the CTS is clearly the better executed package.

Things you choose to forget:

- Some consumers don't need or want the extra size regardless of feature content or price.

- Size has nothing to do with substance.

- Bigger isn't always better.

"People will cross shop it with the A4 based on price."

BRN, I find it hard to believe a person looking for a small package like the A4 would look at an SHO. There are no similarities as the packages are totally different. Similar price doesn't always mean similar product.

"Guess that super sweet Impala is just selling too well to put the G8 in its place...."

The G8 is probably barely profitable for GM at current volumes. While the Impala is dated it probably is more profitable, plus they have a plant to keep open in canada.

HondaAcura:

I'm not biased, I just state inconvenient truths. The CTS is pricey and its a shame that Cadillac is trying to rip people off like BMW and MB have been doing for years. That said, its still cheaper than a comparable 535i or E350. Compared to the SHO the CTS is hardly a bargain but its a better looking and lighter car. If you value handling over all else the CTS is clearly a better car. If you are not trying to live out autocrossing fantasies and actually drive like an adult the extra capabilties of the CTS probably aren't that relevant. Most CTS models I see have the base suspension and 17" wheels. How many CTS owners are really out there attacking apexes and heel and toe-ing? Not many.

If you dont like the size of the SHO why the hell would you be looking at it? I would assume anyone even considering this car would be interested in space and comfort. NO one who thinks a 335i is "spacious" would be considering anything as large as the Taurus SHO. Where do you get off assuming everyone needs a small sports sedans designed to carve up canyon roads? This car is designed to appeal to folks who like the G8 or 300 or Genesis. It is NOT catering to IS and 3 series owners and that is fine. I dont get why people are obsessed with having a small car. This car gets 17/25 so its not like you are saving a huge amount of gas buy getting a compact like the 335i. I realize many of you dont carry backseat passengers or use your trunks, but many people do and they may want some space.

honda:

one other thing: You suggest there should be no correlaton between price and size because size doesn't matter with regards to desirability. If that be the case why does the 5 cost more than the 3 or why does the 7 cost more than the 5? German cars largely offer the same technolgy across the board and yet you see a $3k-$5k jump in price when you go up a size class with comparable equipment. The 535i is about $5k more than the 335i even though they have similar equipment and the same engine. According to your logic the 5 and 3 should be about the same price. In fact, the 1 and 3 should be the same price.

"1487, your domestic bias clearly shows as you rarely (if ever) criticize domestic cars regardless of brand. "

I dont criticize GOOD domestic cars. Perhaps you can remind me of my fervent defenses of the Sebring, any of chryslers FWD crossovers, Avenger, Crown Vic, Town Car, G5, Lucerne, etc. Ford is just getting its product together but I am impressed with what they are doing. I don't really comment on Chrysler vehicles too much- most are acceptable and nothing more. I'm not sure what harsh criticisms you want from me regarding a 365hp AWD Taurus that runs 0-60 in 5.2 secs while getting 25mpg on the highway and offering S class like luxury content. When the worst insult you can formulate is "its too big and spacious" the car must be pretty good.

From a 65 yr old lifelong, Woodward Avenue youth, there from the beginning, Pontiac fan, It's PONCHO not PANCHO.

And yes, of course I have a G8 GT. Although it’s sourced from Australia its closer to a true Pontiac than anything we had since the 60s. I'm so happy with the car that I'm looking for a pacific slate 6 speed manual GXP. Just what a 65 yr old needs.

"German cars largely offer the same technolgy across the board and yet you see a $3k-$5k jump in price when you go up a size class with comparable equipment."

That's pretty much wrong. The 5-Series has considerably more content (standard and optional features) than the 3-Series despite having some basic trim level and option grouping similarities, as most manufacturers do. Much of the content is not expressly listed on a spec sheet - more expensive seats with more adjustments, a lot more aluminum and other lightweight componentry (a base 535i weighs only about 60-70 lbs more than a base 335i), more noise dampening, higher-grade interior materials, and so on.

Also, pricing will reflect a competitive price point based on the market, not just the sum of all the content in the car.

hondaacura4, I think you give buyers too much credit. Audi advertises the A4 as being the largest in it's class. They're pushing size. If a buyer looking at the A4 is shown a SHO, their eyes might get wide.

04gtpws6 more power to you Grandpa! Happy Father's Day!

Thanks. I'm just a geezer but not yet a wheezer.

I haven't posted on here for a long long time and didn't realise that my old screen name is still in use. That was a few cars ago.

I'm the sport red G8 GT out at California Dragway on Street Legal days with my group of G8 GT friends, all about half my age. This is the same track that Edmunds uses in their videos, but they run it backwards in many of them (CTS-v vs M5).

Drag racing, which I've now done for 50 years, is quite a kick in the G8. My friends and I are all within a 2/1000 or 3/1000ths of a second of each other. These cars get faster as you get miles on them. Even in the crap air we have at this track, these cars stock all run 13.50s at 104 to 105. Corrected to sea level air that would be 13.20 at 108. Not bad for $30k.

@04gtpws6,

Thank you for making that correction. It's been bugging me too.

Good to see people running them as they deserve too. The meat of my time was in the snow, and though I was planning on dragging it this summer, I'm going to have to wait on that.

Good luck with the hunt btw, if the prices don't stop dropping we may be competing for the same beast. God PBM is a good colour for these cars.

PSM not PBM.... need edit button!

Pacific slate is a wonderful color for this car. At the link are some pics by someone who has some talent behind the camera. A little further down the page are some night shots that are even better.

http://www.g8board.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17913

And yea, why have a Pontiac if you're not going to race it ---- so race it we do. If that was good enough for Pontiac 45-50 years ago its good enough now.

Bimmer:

Comparably equipped a 7 costs more than a 5 series and a 5 costs more than a 3 and a 3 costs more than a 1 series. You are really reaching by talking about seats and interior materials. There is not a great difference in materials between a 3 and 5 series. I will concede the 1 series interior is full of hard plastics. The 3 and 5 have almost the exact same amount of optional equipment and yet a loaded 525 is thousands more than a loaded 335i. Its the same with the C class and E class over at MB. I've never read anything suggesting the 335 is less refined or less quiet than the 5 series. The only difference is size and weight. I have no idea how you as a customer can discern which model has the most expensive seats.

I saw a Pacific Slate G8 GT the other day. I'm wishing I had given it more consideration as it's growing on me. I have a Magnetic Gray and also considered Sport Red, but my wife said it was an old man's color. I'm only 36 so that killed that idea hehe.

1487, if you can't see the difference between the 3-Series and 5-Series besides size and weight, then I don't know what else to say. Also, 60 pounds is barely any difference. Hmm, I wonder how they do that since the 5-Series is at least a foot longer than a 3-Series...

"The 3 and 5 have almost the exact same amount of optional equipment and yet a loaded 525 is thousands more than a loaded 335i."

Features not available on the 3-Series that are on the 5-Series (off the top of my head): Power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power door closers, Active Roll Stabilization, Heads-up Display, Lane Departure Warning System, Active Night Vision, Active Cruise with Stop and Go (3 does not offer S&G), CD changer, 16-way Comfort Seats, active seat ventilation, rear heated seats, Nappa leather trim, power head restraints, Comfort Access on the rear doors, and I'm sure there's more - plus the 5's expanded palette of interior and exterior colors (that costs money, you know). A lot of that stuff I mentioned is very expensive.

Again off the top of my head, features standard on the 5-Series that are upgrades on the 3: 17" wheels, BMW Assist, Bluetooth, iDrive (w/out nav), 8-way power seats, active security alarm, 4-way power lumbar, reverse tilt-down mirrors, metallic paint, more powerful base sound system, and the USB + iPod interfaces are for now gratis on the 5.

I have owned both the 5 and the 3, and have tracked both cars. In fact, my trip to the BMW Performance Driving School in October had me assigned to a 550i and a 335i that I switched between throughout the day. I've visited the plants where they're both built, met development engineers and product planners for both and even had lunch with one of the 3-Series designers. Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with the products you could say - I'm not just a regular customer.

And I'll say it again, despite the equipment differences, the price gap is more due to the markets both cars compete in than anything else. Overseas there is closer overlap than in the U.S.

The SHO is just too expensive even with the gizmos...enough said.

Well, I'd get a G8 GT if it weren't for my past experiences with GM. I bought an Olds right before they retired that brand and the resale value fell out from under me. I sure didn't appreciate GM doing that. They want owner loyalty and yet they retire brands because they can't market them or they aren't competitive/reliable enough. I really think a genuine marketing campaign for this car would have resulted in more sales, even with higher gas prices. I see plenty of gas guzzlers around socal and this car is as good as the next. I've not seen a single real commercial for this car on tv. They typically show it along with a list of others during some rebate program, but the online stuff is all I've ever seen. The spy hunter ad was awesome.

So, what do you do when you want a car this nice at a good price, but the brand is going away and it's an import? Do I really believe GM is going to make sure I have replacement parts in a couple years? I'm sure someone will tell me how the engine and tranny are domestic, but the body is foreign and I've already had the front and rear end of my Mazda6 replaced due to accidents (tire to the front and rear-ended by a gramps). How easy would it be to get the parts if this happened with the G8?