Test drove a G8...

[RickHigginsHtbr]

...and fell in love. Handles extremely well, got a little sway to it but nothing larger sway bars can't fix. The gauges are amazing, the controls are laid out great. The seats are comfortable yet keep you planted, plus 3-way heated seats as well. The projectors have a real nice straight cut off, but aimed slightly high. Acceleration is pretty good with the V6, stops on a dime while braking. 50 - 90 MPH on the highway took about 1/2 the time the GA takes. Overall just feels 10x nicer than the G6 that I drive occasionally.

My only 2 major complaints with the one I drove were A, it was a V6, and B, seems like the car is a little heavy for that V6. If I were to buy one it would definitely need to be a GT with the LS2. Already thinking of the ways I'd mod one, first would have to be lower it, then larger sway bars.

BTW, out of the first 888 being released, this was car #4. It was a Liquid Red on Onyx Leather.

[GtAudioFreak]

Bad ass.

[Trudgn]

Jealous! That's cool though. Which V6 is in it? I've only read up about the V8's.

[RazorDX]

Jealous! That's cool though. Which V6 is in it? I've only read up about the V8's.

The LY7 that the G6 GTP has (or had, not sure what is in them this year).

[04alyGT]

Cool! You should get your hands on a v8 version and report back, the car and driver people really liked it.
And the fact that you drove car number 4 is pretty bitchin'

[Trudgn]

The LY7 that the G6 GTP has (or had, not sure what is in them this year).
Hmmm, I'm wondering why they wouldn't have dropped the LLT in there with it being a full-sized car. Maybe they wanted to keep it exclusive to Cadillac for the 2008 year?

[car audio dave]

i am yet to find a dealer with a v6. all the ones ive seen were GT models.

and the GT doesnt have an LS2, its an L76, with is 6.0L, but has DOD and 361 hp.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

i am yet to find a dealer with a v6. all the ones ive seen were GT models.

and the GT doesnt have an LS2, its an L76, with is 6.0L, but has DOD and 361 hp.

good call, keep forgetting about that. the initial reports on the car when it was first announced kept saying it was coming with an LS2.

[Nighthawk243]

Its a common mistake due to those first reports, and also the fact that it is a 6.0L V8, which most people assume is a LS2.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

i am yet to find a dealer with a v6. all the ones ive seen were GT models.


This one dealer got 2 of the first 888, car # 4 which I drove and was on the lot for 3 days when I took it out, and car # 570-something, a black on black GT... they said that one was on the lot for all of 3 hours before it was sold.

[ssracer]

If I was in the market for a new car right now, this would be at the top of my list.

[TA^Guy]

The LY7 that the G6 GTP has (or had, not sure what is in them this year).
Curious why they didn't use the 3.6 VVT that they use in the new Malibu.

[gt00]

G8 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_G8)

[matts]

i read somewhere they were putting the LS3 in the GTP version

[TA^Guy]

Ahhh so it is the same engine as in the Malibu.
Matt I heard the same thing.

[PontiacGA]

Had the GA in for inspection on friday. They had two of the three that they are getting this year. Most dealers are only getting 1 or 2, if lucky. These were the 6.0 V8's. Beautiful car and well loaded for 32G's. Was told they are coming out with a GXP (Or similiar name next year) with the LS3 and 425ish HP.

If you want a G8, good luck. Limited production this year.

[RazorDX]

As far as I've heard the LS3 is just a speculation.

[PontiacGT201]

Damn your luck the pontiac dealership in town hasnt gotten any yet. My grandfather Might buy one.

[car audio dave]

ive read GM reports that say that itll be an LS3, but only 400 hp (give or take 5 hp), going into the GXP, with an optional 6 speed manual.

and yea, even recently ive read a magazine that called the motor an LS2. they such retards.

[Big Joe]

I'm waiting for this bad boy. :cool:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/NY%20Auto%20Show%2008/DSC03575.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/NY%20Auto%20Show%2008/DSC03560.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/NY%20Auto%20Show%2008/DSC03557.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/NY%20Auto%20Show%2008/DSC03563.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/NY%20Auto%20Show%2008/DSC03568.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/NY%20Auto%20Show%2008/DSC03576.jpg

[GregFarz78]

ugh that sports ute is hideous they make it for about 2-3 years then drop it due to poor sales numbers

[TA^Guy]

Im with you Joe, that thing is HOT. Love it.

Maybe part with my beloved S10 for one....

[PontiacGT201]

Im with Joe on that 2, it looks sweet, cant wait to see that in the showroom.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

I think Greg's the only one who wouldn't jock that, I want it in that Green the aussie's have.

[Big Joe]

I want black... I donno if i'd have it for a "project car" but I'd rock it as a DD

[RickHigginsHtbr]

I know I would definitely lower the G8... prob do the ute as well. Who am I kidding, I can't have a car without taking it apart.

[TA^Guy]

Oh I'd mod it but not chop it up like I am doing with my truck... Well not for a few years anyhow.

Drop it about 1/3"s and some nice engine mods. I think black looks damn sexy on it, but that dark grey is awesome too. It needs a flush mount tonnue cover and slightly tinted tail lights.

[Big Joe]

It needs a flush mount tonnue cover

IIRC its going to be offered with one according to the spokesman at the show.

[bballr4567]

Had the GA in for inspection on friday. They had two of the three that they are getting this year. Most dealers are only getting 1 or 2, if lucky. These were the 6.0 V8's. Beautiful car and well loaded for 32G's. Was told they are coming out with a GXP (Or similiar name next year) with the LS3 and 425ish HP.

If you want a G8, good luck. Limited production this year.Numbers for the LS3 in the GXP is 402 and 400 due to different intake and exhaust and possibly a motor driven fan. A few changes and itll bump it up.

Invoice on a fully loaded GT is 31,775 (IIRC) so its a LOT of car for the money thats for sure.

Also the 09 model year is slated to start the 3rd week of May with a one week shut down of the plant in Australia for retooling. So if you dont want an 08 which I would advise to just wait a couple more months and get an 09 model with more of luxuries for the same price.

Check out www.g8board.com for more info on the cars. :thumbup:

[Travis]

Friends wife works at a Pontiac dealership near the base and they got the first G8 here locally 2 days ago. Sold already :) V6, leather interior, auto, orange exterior... Looked nice :D Here's a crappy cell pic:

[Nighthawk243]

ugh that sports ute is hideous they make it for about 2-3 years then drop it due to poor sales numbers

You'd be surprised how long such a thing would last.

The El Camino had a respectable model lifetime.

[TA^Guy]

What was it like 1968 to 1985?

[GregFarz78]

You'd be surprised how long such a thing would last.

The El Camino had a respectable model lifetime.

Times were different then too gas is $4/gal now I just can't see this useless "truck" as a big seller. You're not going to haul much in this thing why spend mid 30s on this when you can buy a real truck for that much? They stopped producting the el camino b/c the s-10 was outselling it. Its a niche car GM should've learned their lesson with the SSR that horribly flopped.

[gt00]

Times were different then too gas is $4/gal now I just can't see this useless "truck" as a big seller. You're not going to haul much in this thing why spend mid 30s on this when you can buy a real truck for that much?I'll buy one , the more things change the more they stay the same . I don't want to haul stuff in it anyway , it's supposed to be half truck half car . The coolness factor is what sold the original El Camino .... ;)

[Nighthawk243]

Times were different then too gas is $4/gal now I just can't see this useless "truck" as a big seller. You're not going to haul much in this thing why spend mid 30s on this when you can buy a real truck for that much? They stopped producting the el camino b/c the s-10 was outselling it. Its a niche car GM should've learned their lesson with the SSR that horribly flopped.

It'd get better gas milage than the Silverado for sure... trust me, the 5.7's in those things eat fuel like its free. :eek:

[TA^Guy]

Times were different then too gas is $4/gal now I just can't see this useless "truck" as a big seller. You're not going to haul much in this thing why spend mid 30s on this when you can buy a real truck for that much? They stopped producting the el camino b/c the s-10 was outselling it. Its a niche car GM should've learned their lesson with the SSR that horribly flopped.
They stopped selling it because they were killing off the bodystyle. lol

It's as useful as any Ford Ranger or Chevrolet Colorado. The bed is functional, it's avalible with a V6 or V8 so towing wont be a problem, or should I say better than mini or midsized trucks. Not to mention some people, like me, hate how typical trucks ride and handle might be more prone to buying a truck to handle their hauling needs yet comfy riding along like a car. I didn't want a truck when I bought mine, I needed one. Being a new homeowner and always working on stuff I was sick on coming from HomeDepot with lumbar sticking out the window of my car. So I found something with a bed that I could live with. The Xtreme handles like a pony car but has a bed for my home projects. Had the G8 ST been around when I bought my truck, it would have been a very good canidate.

[bballr4567]

Times were different then too gas is $4/gal now I just can't see this useless "truck" as a big seller. You're not going to haul much in this thing why spend mid 30s on this when you can buy a real truck for that much? They stopped producting the el camino b/c the s-10 was outselling it. Its a niche car GM should've learned their lesson with the SSR that horribly flopped.
The SSR was a HORRIBLE seller because it had a bad interior and was priced out of reach for what it was designed for. 50-55k, come on now.

People are also different these days too. More and more households are buying 2-3 cars and having a "fun" car on the weekend.

Pontiac is only expecting to import and sell about 10k of the STs. That is a very low number to sell. Compare that to the 100k number the G8 is suppose to have in '09. Hell they might sell that many on nostalgia alone. Coupled with the awesome ride and comfortable interior and selling FULLY loaded for under 30k you can expect that these will probably sell.

Know who will buy it?? The guy that has one jetski or four wheeler and needs the towing of a truck on the weekends once or twice a month but doesnt need it any other time. They will want a car all other times and this is a CAR. Read any review on a G8 or Commodore and you will read the same thing, its an amazing car for the money. Its got the same skeleton as those cars but a different skin.

My prediction is it will obviously sell. We need innovation and imagination in the car market. GM isnt afraid to lose some money on this and if they do so what, at least they are trying unlike other car makers from the US.

[iceman]

Oh I'd mod it but not chop it up like I am doing with my truck... Well not for a few years anyhow.

Drop it about 1/3"s and some nice engine mods. I think black looks damn sexy on it, but that dark grey is awesome too. It needs a flush mount tonnue cover and slightly tinted tail lights.

here's my buddy in australia's Ute w/ a tonneau, looks good

[GregFarz78]

Pontiac is only expecting to import and sell about 10k of the STs. That is a very low number to sell. Compare that to the 100k number the G8 is suppose to have in '09. Hell they might sell that many on nostalgia alone. Coupled with the awesome ride and comfortable interior and selling FULLY loaded for under 30k you can expect that these will probably sell.

I'll agree there it will sell well at first only for nostalgia alone then it will drop off. I'm in the minority opinion but I still think this ute will fail. Just b/c it looks good on paper doesn't mean its going to sell look at the GTO the best car you could get under 30k by far and it barely sold 15,000-20,000 units a year

[Matt95GT]

I was surprised to see a G8 over this past weekend on the streets in the Lehigh Valley. I guess those few are selling already.

I think Greg's the only one who wouldn't jock that, I want it in that Green the aussie's have.

Make that 2. I'm with Greg... the ute version is fugly to the max.

[bballr4567]

I'll agree there it will sell well at first only for nostalgia alone then it will drop off. I'm in the minority opinion but I still think this ute will fail. Just b/c it looks good on paper doesn't mean its going to sell look at the GTO the best car you could get under 30k by far and it barely sold 15,000-20,000 units a year

Id like to see that MRSP. I dont think the GTO was under 30k for the MSRP and Im trying to look it up but satallite internet is the fail.

The reason the GTO failed is stupid dealers putting a 4-5k markup on a car that couldnt survive at MRSP. That and the fact that GM didnt advertise the car AT ALL.

Like I said there are going to be quite a few of these coming in and I bet that all GM has to do is sell about 3k of them to break even considering all they are adding is a nose and steering wheel with the arrowhead on them.


Youtube vid on the VE SSV Ute. Cool info on it in there and some action!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df9pnA7rLIk

[matts]

i think it's fugly too. i think it'll flop like the SSR. not saying people won't like it. there's people that love the SSR, but people liking a car and people actually buying a car are 2 different things. and GM will need the latter to keep it around. whether most people want to admit it or not buying a car isn't a small purchase. not like if you dont like it you can take it back and get your money back. just because you like a car are you willing to use your purchase on something like this?


i know some people probably don't want/need the V8 (i guess who NEEDS a V8 in a car? :lol: ) but i wouldn't buy a G8 with a V6 just for the sake of having one. i'll wait for the one i want to come out or i won't buy one at all.

reminds me of the new body style mustang when it came out. all i ever saw was the V6 version just because the person wanted the look. it was about 3 months after they came out before i saw a GT version.

just my opinion

[Matt95GT]

Id like to see that MRSP. I dont think the GTO was under 30k for the MSRP and Im trying to look it up but satallite internet is the fail.


I don't know what the exact MSRP was, but I know several people got 04's for 27-28K.

[RazorDX]

I think the Ute is pretty ugly, but it's not that bad. Hell, anyone can get away with design murder compared to what Scion's concepts look like.

The front and rear views are good, but looking at it from the side it looks like horseshit. Maybe it just has to grow on me, but so far I don't think it'll be a big hit.

[matts]

i dont know what the EXACT MSRP was either, but i remember looking at a 06 GTO when i bought my trailblazer. had a sticker of $32,xxx and they had some pretty major discounts on it. if i remember right i could have got in it for about $26,xxx

[RickHigginsHtbr]

my dealership just called to tell me they got a orange gt in... may have to go up tonight to drive it.

[Nighthawk243]

I'll agree there it will sell well at first only for nostalgia alone then it will drop off. I'm in the minority opinion but I still think this ute will fail. Just b/c it looks good on paper doesn't mean its going to sell look at the GTO the best car you could get under 30k by far and it barely sold 15,000-20,000 units a year

The GTO failed to sell mainly because it wasn't an american car. Alot of the people who would've bought a GTO were driven away from it because it wasn't an "Authentic" GTO. When you slap the GTO badge on a car, alot of people take it very seriously, and if that car getting the badge is not what the GTO fanboys think it should be, then it will be rejected.

The 04-06 GTO would've sold like hotcakes if GM named it differently.

[Big Joe]

The GTO failed to sell mainly because it wasn't an american car. Alot of the people who would've bought a GTO were driven away from it because it wasn't an "Authentic" GTO. When you slap the GTO badge on a car, alot of people take it very seriously, and if that car getting the badge is not what the GTO fanboys think it should be, then it will be rejected.

The 04-06 GTO would've sold like hotcakes if GM named it differently.

I kinda agree with what your saying.

[matts]

The GTO failed to sell mainly because it wasn't an american car. Alot of the people who would've bought a GTO were driven away from it because it wasn't an "Authentic" GTO. When you slap the GTO badge on a car, alot of people take it very seriously, and if that car getting the badge is not what the GTO fanboys think it should be, then it will be rejected.

The 04-06 GTO would've sold like hotcakes if GM named it differently.

valid point. i was skeptical about the GTO when it came out. but i thought it performed decent enough to hold the nameplate

[bballr4567]

valid point. i was skeptical about the GTO when it came out. but i thought it performed decent enough to hold the nameplate

Stock for stock I think the new GTO outperforms the old generations pretty nicely. Its truely sad when people cant get past the name and actually drive the car. A few suspension mods and the car is a blast to drive apparently.

[Matt95GT]

The 04-06 GTO would've sold like hotcakes if GM named it differently.

I disagree... I don't think anyone that test drove the car with intentions to buy it sat down afterwards and thought, "Gee, I don't think they should have called this car a GTO, and while I like the car itself, I'm not going to buy it because it they should have called it something different."

If anything it was the other way around... less-informed and/or younger buyers getting it because of the hype surrounding the name. If the low numbers can be blamed on anything, it would be people not being able to justify the price on a non-practical pleasure car, and how some dealers try to go crazy with markup on certain more rare cars.

[matts]

Stock for stock I think the new GTO outperforms the old generations pretty nicely. Its truely sad when people cant get past the name and actually drive the car. A few suspension mods and the car is a blast to drive apparently.

i agree. after i was around a GTO i thought it was worthy of the nameplate. but when i first heard about it i had my doubts.

what would you think if chevy axed the new camaro, waited 25+ years to revive it, and when they did bring it back they brought in an australian car that not many people had heard of and slapped the camaro nameplate on it?? would you have had the same outlook of "get over it, it's just a name"? or welcomed it with open arms? :)

[Nighthawk243]

I disagree... I don't think anyone that test drove the car with intentions to buy it sat down afterwards and thought, "Gee, I don't think they should have called this car a GTO, and while I like the car itself, I'm not going to buy it because it they should have called it something different."

If anything it was the other way around... less-informed and/or younger buyers getting it because of the hype surrounding the name. If the low numbers can be blamed on anything, it would be people not being able to justify the price on a non-practical pleasure car, and how some dealers try to go crazy with markup on certain more rare cars.

Those that went and actually test drove one loved it. But GM's attempt to catch the people who loved the Yester-year GTO's kinda failed to bring them to come and take it for a test drive.

[Matt95GT]

Those that went and actually test drove one loved it. But GM's attempt to catch the people who loved the Yester-year GTO's kinda failed to bring them to come and take it for a test drive.

I agree with you there. I just don't think a different name on that 04-06 re-worked Holden would have made any difference in sales. The GTO badge wasn't the reason that particular car didn't do that well in the US.