CD Article: 2009 Pontiac G8

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:


"The best looking Pontiac to emerge in years," the new rear-wheel drive G8 replaces the Pontiac Grand Prix, reports Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon.  Already on sale, the V6 G8 starts at $31,995, while the V8 model begins at $36,995.

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[G Scott]

The V6 G8 starts at $31,995, while the GT will have an introductory price, before options, of $36,995. However, list prices in the United States start at $27,595 for the base G8 and $29,995 for the GT. GM feels they are competitive with similar vehicles sold in Canada, but the fact that GM - and other manufacturers - continue to maintain pricing that is out of line with US prices is, in my opinion, shameful.

Hmmm, are you starting to get the message GM We are not going to tolerate getting hosed any longer, You advertise Canadian Pricing Advantage on your website, but any 6yr old can figure out the math! Sure there is a 6% tax on vehicles not built in North America, what gives ?
maybe once this car is built in Oshawa we will see parity in the pricing, that is if GM is still around and hasn't gone the way of the dinosaur

[Demosthenes X]

The V6 version gets 12.2 L/100k, which the author calls reasonable.  Yet the 14.4 L/100km the V8 gets results in this comment: "Just say goodbye to economical driving"?

Considering the performance advantage the V8 has (105 hp and 137 ft/lbs), a deficit of 2.2 L/100km is hardly earth-shattering...  imo an extra $3.28 every 100 kms is worth it for that extra grunt...

[PJungnitsch]

Very nice looking cars.

[Schmengie]

This is the best-looking Pontiac since the original GTO, but I have to wonder if Pontiac is coming to this party a bit late, especially with the V8 model. The V8 G8 ( doesn't that just roll off the tongue... ) might have been a mainstream vehicle at one time, but those days are over. GM needs more than a beautifully done niche vehicle to pull itself out of it's current doldrums.

[tpl]

The V6 version gets 12.2 L/100k, which the author calls reasonable.  Yet the 14.4 L/100km the V8 gets results in this comment: "Just say goodbye to economical driving"?

Considering the performance advantage the V8 has (105 hp and 137 ft/lbs), a deficit of 2.2 L/100km is hardly earth-shattering...  imo an extra $3.28 every 100 kms is worth it for that extra grunt...

The text is careful to point out that those figures are "rated" economy numbers.  Easy to give the V8 a different set of gearing so that the car appears to be  economical at normal highway speeds in its top gear on the dyno.    It would be useful to see the EPA numbers with their more realistic assumptions. ( I am not going to look them up myself)

When I read the article I wondered why GM would introduce a 6 litre engined car at this time and an even bigger engined one later.

[pdude]

I'm glad that the pricing issue has been mentioned again... why should we pay 20-30% more for cars? bulls**t...

The car is good looking, I saw one on a highway yesterday.

[toolatecrew]

Nice looking car. I look forward to seing them replace the Grand prix in rental car fleets. I belive bring this car to NA has been planned for several years and its unfortunate that its launch (V8) coincides with the huge increase in fuel prices. Bad timing.

[Cortina]

IMO. I find the whole design inside and out a bit Daewoo and dated to be honest. IMO It almost like a step backwards for GM Considering they have just come up with the stunning Malibu. But I don't dislike the G8. Just looks dated IMO.

[initial_D]

Coulda sell a ton of these like 8 years ago, instead of taken the claddings of the GP to fool people it is a better and mature car.

[Schmengie]

IMO. I find the whole design inside and out a bit Daewoo and dated to be honest. IMO It almost like a step backwards for GM Considering they have just come up with the stunning Malibu. But I don't dislike the G8. Just looks dated IMO.

The G8's styling is GMs best effort in decades IMO, notwithstanding my previous comments about it maybe not being quite the right car for the times. I never thought I'd ever say this about a Pontiac, but I find the interior understated, elegant and very functional looking. It looks better than the over-wrought interiors of many other premium vehicles, especially BMW, and no goofy iDrive-like multi controller.

I guess I must be missing something - I haven't seen a Daewoo yet that looks anything like the G8, inside or out. Pics please.

[Cortina]

I guess I must be missing something - I haven't seen a Daewoo yet that looks anything like the G8, inside or out. Pics please.

From the re-badge daewoo line is does.







I can't find an optra pic with silver strip. so this will have to do.

[Schmengie]

I guess I must be missing something - I haven't seen a Daewoo yet that looks anything like the G8, inside or out. Pics please.

From the re-badge daewoo line is does.







I can't find an optra pic with silver strip. so this will have to do.

  That little Daewoo has absolutely NO resemblance to the G8 other than the split grill, and then only slightly. The G8 is sleek and sexy, that thing is short, fat and dumpy-looking. Methinks you need a new pair of glasses, my friend. 

[tortoise]

Sounds like a great effort from GM.  The overall design has a great simplicity to it, without being overly boring.  The only thing I don't like is the "air scoops" on the hood, especially considering they aren't necessary.  It clutters up the front, especially in red.

Also, did they steal the steering wheel from the Civic and then add their badge?  Odd.

[Cortina]

That little Daewoo has absolutely NO resemblance to the G8 other than the split grill, and then only slightly. The G8 is sleek and sexy, that thing is short, fat and dumpy-looking. Methinks you need a new pair of glasses, my friend. 

Perhaps. But I just can't help thinking that. Ever time I see G8 pics. I have yet to see one in first person. So maybe that we alter my thinking.

[Seafoam]

In person the G8 looks like a larger BMW product especially from the front side view .

[Schmengie]

In person the G8 looks like a larger BMW product especially from the front side view .

  I saw my first G8 yesterday and I was impressed. Very handsome and lithe-looking, and it doesn't look nearly as big as it actually is, even more so from a distance.  Up close, it looks to be about the same size as a 5-Series BMW. About the only elements of the car I don't like are the retro hood-scoops that look out of place on an otherwise understated design and the generic tail lights. Otherwise as far as design goes, the G8 gets both thumbs up from me. 

If GM could only make a smaller car that looks as good as the G8, they'd have a real winner on their hands. If they can do a 5-Series BMW, why not a 3-Series? That would get my attention REAL quick, even quicker if the price was less than 20 grand.

[Rampage]

The V6 G8 starts at $31,995, while the GT will have an introductory price, before options, of $36,995. However, list prices in the United States start at $27,595 for the base G8 and $29,995 for the GT. GM feels they are competitive with similar vehicles sold in Canada, but the fact that GM - and other manufacturers - continue to maintain pricing that is out of line with US prices is, in my opinion, shameful.

Hmmm, are you starting to get the message GM We are not going to tolerate getting hosed any longer, You advertise Canadian Pricing Advantage on your website, but any 6yr old can figure out the math! Sure there is a 6% tax on vehicles not built in North America, what gives ?
maybe once this car is built in Oshawa we will see parity in the pricing, that is if GM is still around and hasn't gone the way of the dinosaur

$7,000 more for the GT version in Canada.  We Canadians appear to be easy pickings for GM and others.

Thanks Grant for speaking up on this issue.

[Schmengie]

The V6 G8 starts at $31,995, while the GT will have an introductory price, before options, of $36,995. However, list prices in the United States start at $27,595 for the base G8 and $29,995 for the GT. GM feels they are competitive with similar vehicles sold in Canada, but the fact that GM - and other manufacturers - continue to maintain pricing that is out of line with US prices is, in my opinion, shameful.

Hmmm, are you starting to get the message GM We are not going to tolerate getting hosed any longer, You advertise Canadian Pricing Advantage on your website, but any 6yr old can figure out the math! Sure there is a 6% tax on vehicles not built in North America, what gives ?
maybe once this car is built in Oshawa we will see parity in the pricing, that is if GM is still around and hasn't gone the way of the dinosaur

$7,000 more for the GT version in Canada.  We Canadians appear to be easy pickings for GM and others.

Thanks Grant for speaking up on this issue.

As long as we keep putting up the money we don't have anything to complain about. Action, ie, not buying, speaks much louder than words. GM and the rest will keep doing this crap only as long as they can get away with it.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I saw my first G8 yesterday and I was impressed. Very handsome and lithe-looking, and it doesn't look nearly as big as it actually is, even more so from a distance.  Up close, it looks to be about the same size as a 5-Series BMW. About the only elements of the car I don't like are the retro hood-scoops that look out of place on an otherwise understated design and the generic tail lights. Otherwise as far as design goes, the G8 gets both thumbs up from me. 

If GM could only make a smaller car that looks as good as the G8, they'd have a real winner on their hands. If they can do a 5-Series BMW, why not a 3-Series? That would get my attention REAL quick, even quicker if the price was less than 20 grand.

  Looks to be a more reasonable size than the Charger, which I liked but really thought too big.

The G8 really does look good in person, and very pre-Bangle BMW, 'cept for the nostrils.