2008 Pontiac G8 GT: Land of the Lost

If I wasn't planning on buying a 2010 CTS-V, I would get a fully loaded G8 GXP with a 6-speed manual. Great car, screaming buy, and sure to be collected in the future.

blueguydotcom, Have you driven a 300/Charger? I'll admit the regular Hemi cars are more cruiser that muscle car, but the SRT versions are very capable and quick. I have been to the SRT experience twice and these cars are very tight and fast and have been beat to death week after week.

IMHO the Charger easily beats the G8 in looks, sound and price (killer deals right now).

The G8 wins most other items.

Is the trunk lid dented in that picture?

"this is a lot of car for the money" - Paul
I agree.
- Ray
2009 G8 GT @ almost 11,000 [s]miles . . .

^^ Yeah, whats up with that? ^^

I came up behind one on the highway a couple weeks ago having not seen one in person before. It looks great, even better than in pictures. The rear 3/4 view is fantastic. At first I thought it was a TL, but it was so much better looking. I think it's what Acura was going for, but missed.

I wish they'd keep it around because it would be on my short list. I just don't need a new car right now. I might be looking used in a couple years though.

Just checking the one fairly small dealership around Wichita that I bought mine, they still have five 09 GTs. They're still out there if you want them. Yes, I know they don't have a manual, but it is an excellent automatic tranny. Please don't let the lack of a manual stop you. Or the mandatory hood scoops. I think it looks to plain without them.

I was in Australia from Feb to July of 03, and I was really enamored of the Holden Commodores I saw. I knew nothing about cars then, but I just liked how they looked and I liked the way they rode. I didn't know about the big V8 or the RWD (and wouldn't have cared anyway). I just knew that if they made it to the US, I promised myself I would get one if I had the money.

Six years later, the promise came true!

The trunk lid i mean.

Speaking of Holden, I was in West Virginia a few weeks back, and I saw a Holden Commodore on the road. I know for sure it was not a G8. Is it possible to get them imported to the US?

In May, my 10yr-old Prelude that I loved (and hated) finally became inconsistent enough that I had to get something new. At that point, the G8 GT's were still just over $30k - a deal to be sure, but too rich for my blood.

Reading this article is making me wish I knew then what I know now, and could have somehow held out for a few more months. I would snap one of these up in a split second at $25k.

If I had the money right now, I'd be seriously tempted to pick one up. Those deals are great.

Also, I don't think 17.6 mpg city driving is too bad at all for a fullsize V8 RWD sedan, especially with the commutes they talk about and all the burnouts and related shenanigans. I'm fairly impressed.

all I can say is GM in USA doesn't have a good marketing dept at all, and that the top mgt isn't doesn't something right. V8 RWD chevys have been selling in GM middle east (caprice and lumina) and yet many thought it's a big deal that we're getting the G8. for christ sake, all they had to do was to just bring them cars over.
And it's a shame U.S. auto workers do not know how to assemble cars as well as those who work for GM overseas.

almano8, You have to remember we have different weather conditions here is the US and a lot of people are afraid of RWD cars in the snowy regions. My Wife and I prefer them She has a BMW 330 Ci with Blizzak snow tires and passes front wheel drive cars on snow days but a lot of people don't trust rwd, marketing or not.

Stingray454, nice choice. That's one of my dream cars.

adavis2493 - there are body kits out to make your G8 look like the Holden of your choice. Even the HSV model body kit is around somewhere.

jeepsrt, actually I don't care for RWD cars that much. and i think (off topic) the new taurus can be a great car even though it's RWD/AWD (and I made up my mine already about getting a LTD FWD). what i was saying is that many people in the usa were so surprised about to seeing such "performance" by Holden and that we're finally getting one, but in fact cars like that were sold under GM for years overseas.

^... "it's NOT RWD/AWD..."

If you could get the GT with a stick, I'd be busy convincign my wife to let me buy one.

Alas, the GXP is outside of my price range for now. I'll be actively pursuing either the GXP or a GT500 in about 2 years, though.

add me to the list - I'd consider the GT if you could get it with a stick

" The G8 has a presence and it isn't a blvd cruiser poseur built on an ancient Mercedes platform.""

Are you ever right? Charger is not on a MB platform. The RWD platform uses MB rear suspension and steering components. You will find no commonality in the dimensions of the LX cars and the old E class. In fact, the LX cars weigh about 200-300lbs more than the old E class V6.

Affordable RWD cars that arent compactrs are on the way out in general. Ford has all but abandoned RWD and the Japanese have never really offered afforable RWD Sedan. The 300/Charger will live on with little direct competition.

There is the possibility of the next Impala to be on Zeta II in 2013, but that's all speculation.

Reason is this, The G8 weighs 4,000 pounds, a 2010 Buick Lacrosse, that uses Epsilon II, also weighs 4,000 pounds, and the Impala would probably be on a larger version of Epsilon II to be more differentiated from the Malibu, making it weigh up to 200 pounds more! Add that to the fact Zeta II will be uses more Direct-Injection V6's and Turbo 4's, and will be lighter by up to 200 pounds than the current G8.

With all that put together, that would mean a Zeta II RWD Impala would be up to 400 pounds lighter than a Epsilon II FWD Impala! Already RWD over FWD only makes about a 1 MPG difference in large cars anyway. Music to your ears right? Plus they could build it alongside the Camaro in Oshawa.

RWD could be saved, Lutz would love that, but I'm sure Fritz"I'm not a fan of rebadging even though the SRX and Terrain are rebadges of the Equinox" Henderson would object because he is a giant douche.

All I know is, a Zeta II Impala would be loved across the USA, generate sales of 200k-300k from civilians and police stations.

But a Epsilon II Impala would be just like the current Impala, selling 200k-300k a year, with about half going to Avis/Hertz.

1487 - The Genesis sedan and coupe are both RWD (as we well know) and new, but aren't all that much, the Mustang isn't going anywhere, the Camaro is new, the Germans are all RWD with AWD options, Lexus (I think, because I don't pay much attention) and Infiniti are just like the Germans.

I suppose it falls to what you think affordable is.

1487, It's built off an ancient E chassis. Regardless, I compliment the G8 and you still get your tighty-whiteys all bunched up. No winning with some people...

It is a shame this car is going away, although I am looking forward to seeing what the new Charger/300 will look like, from what I have heard they are supposed to be very nice.

1487, blueguydotcom is right. The 300/Charger IS built off the 95-02 E-Class platform. Chrysler didn't use everything, but many of the bones are Mercedes'.

I bought my G8 GT in February, to use as a company car, and already have over 15K. I look forward to going to work each day!

With that being said, I have had front engine RWD vehicles, front engine FWD vehicles, mid engine RWD vehicles, and rear engine, RWD vehicles, and as far as driving dynamics, you simply cannot beat the classic front engine, RWD layout. With FWD, you cannot find one that does not suffer from dreaded understeer, with mid and rear engine vehicles, you quickly learn of dreaded trailing throttle oversteer, when you let off the gas at high RPM approaching a turn.

For those who say they would buy one because a manual is not available, I say BS. Over half the cars that I have owned were manual transmissions, because, before electronics, they did offer a distinct performance advantage, but now, in most cases, an automatic outperforms a manual. Which goes to prove that a computer is smarter and quicker than you are. Plus, when stuck in a traffic jam, the clutch routine gets old in a hurry.

And for those where the GT loses out to the GXP because of the horsepower difference, GM Performance Parts offer 5 different fuel injected 6.2L LS engines with (2)400, 480 HP naturally aspirated and 556 and 638 HP supercharged versions, so bolting one in would make the ultimate stealth G8. And the best part is that they all come with a 2 year 50K warranty, which I am thinking of buying when my G8 gets much over 300K miles.

I agree when driven aggressively enough to notice understeer/ oversteer rwd is better... at least on dry pavement.

However most people don't drive that way. The average driver is better off with front wheel drive. Understeer is safer then oversteer and fwd has a huge advantage in the snow (if that matters where you live).

I would prefer a G8 or Charger over a Impala or Taurus but I can understand why most people wouldn't.

I tried to purchase a G8 GT here in Canada and was told there aren't any left in the country for sale. Supply of the 6 cylinder model is very low as well. The salesman I spoke to tells me he's been inundated with people looking for a GT. Guess they sold very well up here.

blueguydotcom, Yep, you made The List.

firstwagon, The American driving public has been dumbed-down to an unbelievable degree. On more than one board I've heard some poor fools state that they can't buy a RWD car because they have to be able to drive in the rain.
Unbelievable.

Preach on kingfish4!

"For those who say they would buy one because a manual is not available, I say BS. Over half the cars that I have owned were manual transmissions, because, before electronics, they did offer a distinct performance advantage, but now, in most cases, an automatic outperforms a manual. Which goes to prove that a computer is smarter and quicker than you are. Plus, when stuck in a traffic jam, the clutch routine gets old in a hurry."

However, if it had a stick option on your G8, would you have gotten that or the automatic?

So which LS are you getting? The 556 or 638 hp? (:

I am another buyer who would leap at a manual transmission G8 GT. It's not about which transmission is ultimately quickest, it's about which one is more fun and offers more control. And I just cannot convince myself to go for a GXP because (1) the shorter final drive means higher RPMS when cruising, which I just hate (to me the ideal is the super tall 6th gear cruising in manual corvettes), (2) serious fuel economy issues (same as the much more powerful CTS-v) and (3) the fully optioned price is not nearly as low as the GT. #1 is the real killer.

Having driven the G8 GT, it's plenty quick, but the automatic takes the fun out of it for me. For perspective, I initially bought a steptronic BMW 540 because I thought it would be entertaining enough, but eventually had to buy a 6 speed version before I really liked the car.

I fail to see how RWD is any disadvantage on the snow with a good stability control program. My BMWs are approaching 10 years old, and the dynamic stability control programs make them easy to handle in snow on all season and even summer tires. My FWD volvo actually does worse. Surely the current systems, including the one on the G8, are even better.

I am another buyer who would leap at a manual transmission G8 GT. It's not about which transmission is ultimately quickest, it's about which one is more fun and offers more control. And I just cannot convince myself to go for a GXP because (1) the shorter final drive means higher RPMS when cruising, which I just hate (to me the ideal is the super tall 6th gear cruising in manual corvettes), (2) serious fuel economy issues (same as the much more powerful CTS-v) and (3) the fully optioned price is not nearly as low as the GT. #1 is the real killer.

Having driven the G8 GT, it's plenty quick, but the automatic takes the fun out of it for me. For perspective, I initially bought a steptronic BMW 540 because I thought it would be entertaining enough, but eventually had to buy a 6 speed version before I really liked the car.

I fail to see how RWD is any disadvantage on the snow with a good stability control program. My BMWs are approaching 10 years old, and the dynamic stability control programs make them easy to handle in snow on all season and even summer tires. My FWD volvo actually does worse. Surely the current systems, including the one on the G8, are even better.

fuhteng, I would have still gotten the automatic.

I just returned from the mountains, and found a road with no traffic, so I put the G8 in manual mode, and although slow to upshift, it downsfits just fine.

Going through the twisties, the ample torque of the V8 does not require on to constantly shift to achieve the desired acceleration coming out of turns. Using only second and third, and running between 3500 and 5000 rpm, there was no desire nor need for additional control over engine power. AFM cuts off when in the manual mode, and I was able to keep both hands on the steering wheel and concentrate on acceleration coming out of the turns.

After returning to level ground, and filling up with gas, driving at the speed limit, I achieved 28 mpg.

Now if the G8 did not have such a wide torque band, I could understand the need for a manual, as I had an X1/9 that required constant shifting to make that same strech of road entertaining. Over half the cars I have ever owned have had manual transmissions, and they are desirable and/or necessary for certain vehicles, the G8 GT however, is not one of them. I could, however, see the need in the standard G8 with the V6 though.

Send them to Canada...

GM Canada has sold out all the G8 GT for months now. Rumour was that GM Canada get rid all of the G8 that had on hand in one shot to Avis. Right now there are some used one surfaced on the market that's selling for more than when they are brand new.

Theortically with the rebate that GM Canada is running ($7500 Cdn) a G8 GT can be had for aroudn $32K Cdn. All the used ones on the market are in the $37-39K range.