What are your thoughts and opinions on the upcoming Pontiac G8?
Pontiac G8
- Thread starter Islandvic
- Start date
- Status
G8 is rear wheel drive; based on a Australia design(Holden?)
GM screwed up the GTO(at least execution wise).
I'm on my forth Grand Prix, this is the last year for them so I figured I'd better get one while I could.
I'll miss them. GM has been shooting itself in the foot with some of it's new vehicles latey.
Cheapening them up as much as possible, boring styling, and nothing particularly great in the drive train.
The 3.8 V-6 (about bullet proof) is gone too(08 is the last year for it-Buick and Grand Prix are the last to use it).
BIG Mistake.
The G-8 may do well, but I need the front drive so I'll look elsewhere when it's time for a new car. Styling may sell-time will tell.
Pontiac is rumored to be the next 'brand' to get the axe so who knows.
RANT OVER!
GM screwed up the GTO(at least execution wise).
I'm on my forth Grand Prix, this is the last year for them so I figured I'd better get one while I could.
I'll miss them. GM has been shooting itself in the foot with some of it's new vehicles latey.
Cheapening them up as much as possible, boring styling, and nothing particularly great in the drive train.
The 3.8 V-6 (about bullet proof) is gone too(08 is the last year for it-Buick and Grand Prix are the last to use it).
BIG Mistake.
The G-8 may do well, but I need the front drive so I'll look elsewhere when it's time for a new car. Styling may sell-time will tell.
Pontiac is rumored to be the next 'brand' to get the axe so who knows.
RANT OVER!
I think Buick will get the axe before Pontiac.
The more Australian re-badged goodness, the better.
Does G8 stand for Group of 8 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States)?
dwendt, does the Grand Prix give a feeling of higher quality and less cheapening than the GTO? I'm sure that you've sat and driven both and would be able to tell us. I'm surprised that you're against the V-8 RWD performance model, but I suppose that there's something to be said for an old engine that continues a track record of reliability, efficiency and economy.
I haven't driven a GTO, not interested.
By cheapening, I'm referring to the lose of several cubby holes(?) in the dash and console. The lose of the cargo nets(used to be standard) in the trunk. The trunk mat used to be included, now it's optional. The smaller glove compartment. Some lights are gone. Options that were popular with car nut types are no longer available.
The last year or two Pontiac is using the corporate cruise control stalk(multi function) instead of the separate cruise only stalk.
The 98 in particular and the 01 I had previously were, IMHO, were more driver friendly.
I'm sure other GM divisions and models have similar changes that aren't exactly customer helpful/friendly.
Engine and body quality seems about the same.
By cheapening, I'm referring to the lose of several cubby holes(?) in the dash and console. The lose of the cargo nets(used to be standard) in the trunk. The trunk mat used to be included, now it's optional. The smaller glove compartment. Some lights are gone. Options that were popular with car nut types are no longer available.
The last year or two Pontiac is using the corporate cruise control stalk(multi function) instead of the separate cruise only stalk.
The 98 in particular and the 01 I had previously were, IMHO, were more driver friendly.
I'm sure other GM divisions and models have similar changes that aren't exactly customer helpful/friendly.
Engine and body quality seems about the same.
GM has to screw up the design of their vehicles. It's imperative, all the employees have signed a contract stating that every vehicle must be "bollocks'ed up" in some way. If they didn't, could you imagine GM giving the customer what they want?? Even on hallucinogenic drugs, I don't think I can imagine that
But they do in Australia!!
If you want boring front drive ---- buy a ford, chevy, toyota, honda, subaru. They have lots of cubby hole and netty things.
Are you complaining about the GTO or the Grand Prix? The new G8 will beat the Grand Prix like a full house beats two of a kind in every metric you would wish to compare them.
If you were talking about the GTO you really seem uninformed. It has at least six (6) cubby holes in the dash and console.
It doesn't have enough of a trunk to justify a net, the gas tank having been relocated to the trunk to comply with federal safety standards.
It has a giant glovebox; bigger than on my wife's Jaguar (which itself is huge).
I can't think of any lights that could possibly be missing, except courtesy lamps under the mirrors that illuminate the ground surface under the door when a door is unlocked. The courtesy lamps also do not gently ramp up and down, but then the GTO was not an expensive luxury car.
I honestly can't think of any "car nut types" options it's missing. It's got RWD and lots of HP, you can't say that about most of the limp wristed FWD pansy mobiles now stinking up the nations highways.
The crusise control stalk operates only the turn signals and cruise control; it's not the multi function stalk used in other domestic GM offerings.
The quality of the coachworks and materials is vastly better than GM's domestic offerings - they're not even comparable. Build quality is world class.
I've been lucky enough to buy and own some extremely fine and expensive automobiles. The Australian Holden's easily hold their own with much more expensive automobiles and are an absolute steal at the prices we get them for here in the States.
My complaint was about the Grand Prix, and the continuing 'cheapening' of that model; though I'm sure GM is doing similar to other models.
"The new G8 will beat the Grand Prix like a full house beats two of a kind in every metric you would wish to compare them."
How will it do in snow and ice drivability??
I don't need a V-8 or rear wheel drive for my purposes.
Where I rich, I'd have a hot car for the week ends, but I'm
nothing if not practical, so the Grand Prix is a good fit for the use I need it for.
Maybe a Honda Accord will be next.
"The new G8 will beat the Grand Prix like a full house beats two of a kind in every metric you would wish to compare them."
How will it do in snow and ice drivability??
I don't need a V-8 or rear wheel drive for my purposes.
Where I rich, I'd have a hot car for the week ends, but I'm
nothing if not practical, so the Grand Prix is a good fit for the use I need it for.
Maybe a Honda Accord will be next.
honda accord? how about the new chevy malibu?
that's what i'm particularly excited to see. looks stunning from the promo pictures so far. i can't wait for this to hit showrooms. looks amazing. a new generation for GM interior build quality... if the real thing looks as good as the pictures.
that's what i'm particularly excited to see. looks stunning from the promo pictures so far. i can't wait for this to hit showrooms. looks amazing. a new generation for GM interior build quality... if the real thing looks as good as the pictures.
Agreed. If you miss the 3.8ls, pick up one of the new 3.6l Malibus or Saturn Auras. The Aura is pretty big when you get up next to it and that engine is supposed to be great. I grew up with 3 3.8ls in the family and while they were decently-dependable, they sounded like someone poured a bag of marbles into the combustion chambers.
GM is trying to make a real competitor to the BMW 5 series with the G8. Let's hope this one really does it!
JHZR2
Staff member
I dunno... we were test driving a variety of subaru wagons, from base auto to high-strung MT turbo... all were well put together, and could handle anything thrown at them. Certainly not a boring rental-type car.
JMH
- Status