Picture Gallery: 2009 Pontiac G8 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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The Pontiac G8 is GM’s second attempt at importing the Australian built Holden Monaro, the first being the Pontiac GTO, which was wasn’t allowed into Canada and only sold in the USA. It was not much of a seller despite a powerful V8 engine and bargain price — the big downfall seemed to be the interior quality.
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My tester is the V6 version with the 1SC package, which includes the comfort and sound package as well as the premium package, which adds $3,270 to the base starting price of $32,450.
These two packages add items such as: a power sunroof, leather seats, power driver’s and passenger seats, heated seats, dual-zone climate control and a Blaupunkt premium 11-speaker, 230-watt sound system.
Rear-wheel drive and lots of snow — can it be done? It was years ago, before everyone conceded to a world of front-wheel drive boredom.
2009 Pontiac G8 V6
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $37,070
For more information on Ponatic and the G8 visit GM Canada
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Typical GM switch gear is replaced with new buttons and knobs. It actually took me awhile to find everything I needed to find in the car. The radio controls are a little odd, for one, and the window and mirror controls are in the centre console rather than being on the doors, as you would typically find them.
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The power seat controls (passenger and driver) are annoyingly difficult to reach with the door closed, as getting your hand between the door panel and the seat is nearly impossible. It also seems obvious to me that some cost cutting has been performed; either that or they just forgot about a few features that would really benefit this car — especially here in Canada.
For one, there are no heated outside mirrors. I guess this isn’t a huge issue, as the mirrors are so small that they are pretty much useless anyways. Why such a small mirror on a large car? Aesthetics before function? A few “missing” features include a warning light for low windshield washer fluid (yes, I ran out unexpectedly) and a trunk lid that is not fabric-lined, leaving only sharp metal edges to be used to close the trunk.
The space inside said trunk, though, is extremely generous. Interior space is striking considering this car is rear-wheel drive and requires the drive shaft and rear differential housing in the rear. There is the dreaded “hump” in the rear seat foot space, but it certainly is smaller than those rear-wheel drive vehicles from yesteryear.
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My tester is equipped with winter tires, so I left my driveway thinking: “This will be fun, I’ll just drift out of the driveway onto the street.” Well that back fired, as I did a 180-degree spin! It was all in good fun and after another one-eighty back the other way and off I went. To my surprise, none of the roads were plowed — not even the main roads — but with traction control and Stabili-trac engaged I wasn’t too worried.
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Stabili-trac works great to keep you straight and control over- and understeer in slippery conditions, but the traction control is a little too aggressive. Stopping fully at stop signs meant I could not get going again at all; I had to switch the system off, get some wheel spin and then turn the system back on. At least this is easy, with just a touch of a button.
I got tired of getting stuck, though, so I just left the system off, which meant I was sawing at the steering wheel my entire drive, as the G8’s rear end wanted to step out on me even with the slightest of throttle inputs. So, unfortunately, as fun as it may sound, the G8 is not a great performer in the snow at all.
But in the dry, it’s great. Turn-in is sharp and quick, and for a large car, it feels nimble and responsive. The brakes are not very grabby and require a lot of force to bring the car to a stop; I’d like it if they had a little more initial bite.
The engine and exhaust snarl at the slightest bit of throttle input, and the sound encourages you to stomp on the go pedal to listen to its snarly soundtrack. I am certain the V8 has more grunt than the V6, but 256hp is sure to please most drivers and the five-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly. The manual shift mode does not work all that great, unfortunately, making it nothing but a gimmick.
Like many large vehicles with sporting intentions, the G8 shines on the highway, turning the engine over at less than 2,000rpm at 120km/h with not a whisper of wind or tire noise.
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Gas mileage was impressive for the week; I averaged 11.5L/100km, including my 1 hour, 15 min drive over 10km on Tuesday when we got five cm of snow. I had fun in the G8, and this is the car that sends 2008 out with a bang, as this is my last test vehicle of the year. Happy holidays to all!
*Rating out of 5:
| 2009 Pontiac G8 V6 | |
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 Pontiac G8 V6
MSRP as tested (excluding destination): $37,070
For more information on Ponatic and the G8 visit GM Canada
to our site.
December 18, 2008, 02:31:08 pm Your pushing it HO, but this one is somewhat on topic and less drivel.
December 18, 2008, 04:15:30 pm Is it me (or maybe the red paint) but in some angles this car looks like an Audi RS4.
December 18, 2008, 07:24:16 pm I thought it was BMW like especially from the rear. Nice looker but lose the scoops on the hood unless they are functional.They just look tacked on like
pontiacs of the past.
December 18, 2008, 08:16:07 pm All that money for a car that doesn't come with a warning light for Low windshield washer fluid !!!! What a joke. Only GM would do that.
December 18, 2008, 08:34:06 pm
Ha ha, what are you smoking?
December 18, 2008, 08:34:47 pm hey PLEASE... it is A LOT of car for the money.. so what if it doesn't have a windshield washer warning light? Seriously .. are we judging a car based on one damn warning light? Or a stupid trunk liner? You can get that off ebay for $100.
You can get a GLI for 37k or this. The GM is better in so many ways.
December 18, 2008, 08:38:29 pm ^^^^Yep....V8 FTW!!!
December 18, 2008, 08:38:47 pm
He has a very valid point JB, I'm cross shopping a load of cars in the same price segment, and looking at leasing too. I was told by the dodge dealer to forget about leasing, their rates were 8%-10%+. Whereas Honda/Subaru et al and even BMW can still do very low rates.
When it comes to leasing, it's all about the monthlies.
December 18, 2008, 10:07:19 pm Yup, just warning -- based on previous posts.
I will comment HO in public that he has toned down after the warning. Thanks for that.
December 18, 2008, 10:45:21 pm Thanks for the snow and power updates.
Perhaps Morty would have a suggestion as to how they could better shoe the G8 for the winter than what's on your tester.
December 19, 2008, 12:18:06 am 2000RPM at 120.. that's tall..
December 19, 2008, 07:12:24 am
Ha ha, what are you smoking?
Maybe it's the red paint, but is it me or don't these cars look similar?
Audi RS4
G8
pontiacs of the past.
December 19, 2008, 09:06:35 am
Audi RS4
G8
Good shots! I've always seen the RS4 in the G8...the fender vent makes that part look more like an M3 to me.
Geez...GM can't buy a break eh? JB gets a chance to test it out and it snows so all of us whine about GM having a car with RWD dynamics.
What kind of paint would be peeling off of the steering wheel?
December 19, 2008, 09:36:35 am Geez BOB is worried about the "Monthlies".................those pills inna cabinet aren't VIT_A MINS man/boy/girl....................
December 19, 2008, 10:21:56 am the silver paint in the middle.
December 19, 2008, 10:40:38 am
It's just you.
December 19, 2008, 11:01:25 am Love the hood scoops, stance of the car, roominess, power, and handling. Shame about the winter driving.
December 19, 2008, 11:09:48 am
It's just you.
Alright then, time for me to pass the crack pipe.
December 19, 2008, 01:47:06 pm There's nothing wrong with GM wanting to be like one of the best sport sedans in the world.
December 19, 2008, 01:54:24 pm OK Give them $400 BILLION.............................
December 19, 2008, 02:35:00 pm I think it would be worthwhile to elaborate on the fact that traction control on this car is useless in the type of weather where it should actually be mandatory... To me that sounds like a deal breaker.
December 20, 2008, 05:37:07 pm
I think it looks like a GM I wouldn't mind owning. I'd certainly be looking at it when the time comes to replace my car. If it survives that long, hopefully they'll have fixed the problems with it by then. Not holding my breath...
December 20, 2008, 06:52:47 pm
It's just you.
Alright then, time for me to pass the crack pipe.
I'm with you that it doesn't look like a "GM vehicle" from the rear or side view.
December 20, 2008, 07:08:37 pm
From the side and rear, I see more than a bit of the BMW 5-Series. RS4? Not at all.
January 08, 2009, 12:32:36 pm
I wonder if any Chrysler (300, Magnum, etc.), BMW or Mercedes owners with traction control out there can comment on this? Rear drive + Canadian winters (except Southern Ontario) = ouch! for the most part but I've been toying with taking the rear drive plunge myself, mainly for the novelty value and the weight distrubution benefits.
Does the t/c inhibit the ability to takeoff on greasy surfaces simply because there's no traction for the t/c to ...you know...control?
Besides all that, I find the G8 a very attractive and unique car. The fact that it goes like schnell at the price they're asking for it + the refinement all make it very interesting.
/Eric