I flew back from Japan on Saturday, and our long-term 2008 Pontiac G8 GT was waiting for me in the garage. I've driven this car a lot, so I know it pretty well and I like the way I feel when I drive it: Relaxed.*
Aside from the Australian idiosyncrasies to some its controls, this is a very straightforward car to drive. The driving position is good, with a relatively low cowl and a conventional, sedan-style, low-but-too-low driver seat. Said seat is comfortable and the steering wheel fits well in my hands at 9-and-3. The all-black decor and the materials used in the cabin are pretty unassuming, but the quality is solid. You're aren't going to find luxury trimmings here, but the G8 never feels like it's trying too hard.
Same goes for the way it actually drives. Sure, I wish the transmission was quicker in un-Sport mode (and I wish our front brake rotors were newer), but this car accelerates, steers and corners with an ease and predictability that's missing in far too many cars in this price range.
It's not just that the G8 is rear-drive and equipped with a V8, though I certainly don't mind those attributes. It's that it really feels like the drivetrain and chassis were tuned with a driver's eye toward how the total package would feel -- rather than a product planner's eye toward checking off specific boxes. This is exactly the approach New GM should take with all its future product.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 33,721 miles
*The above photo was taken before the license bracket repair, but I decided to use it anyway.
rayainsw says:
04:12 AM, 10/27/09
Please [ I'm beggin' here - again ]
when you do finally have the brakes addressed
raise your transmission concerns to the Dealer?
- Ray
'09 G8 GT - Trans. fixed & no issues, now.....
htr_hardtech says:
04:51 AM, 10/27/09
I second that one.
I have an 09 GT, but having more dealer issues than real car issues. Please take it in though, I also think there are a few updates instore for your car by now.
mdpensfan says:
05:46 AM, 10/27/09
There is a ECM/TCM update to smooth out the transmission if you haven't had that done yet, but you really need to get a tune on the GT. I have a hand held tuner that adjusts the shift points and it's made a world of difference. It's like being in Sport Mode all of the time.
zoomzoomn says:
05:58 AM, 10/27/09
And in spite of all it's goodness it is gone! Way to go GM. But, hey! At least you can look forward to all of those cool Buicks coming down the pike. Whatever. Of course, you can get a G8 dirt cheap now what with the current incentives and discounts. What's left out there on dealer lots, anyway. I really wish that I could afford to buy this car right now!!!
fuhteng says:
07:15 AM, 10/27/09
For crap's sake IL! You guys can't get how many cylinders the LFA has right, and you continue to whine about easily fixed problems that readers keep telling you how to fix. Is the site run by 13 year olds?
altimadude00 says:
07:48 AM, 10/27/09
They probably don't want to spend the money for those repairs because they are getting rid of the car soon.
htr_hardtech says:
08:41 AM, 10/27/09
altimadude00
What money, its warranty...
chuckg says:
09:00 AM, 10/27/09
I like this car. If there was no Challenger (which I purchased) this is the car I would have now. And of course GM has to kill it. Memo to GM....get some car guys to run that joint.