Pontiac G8 GT roadtest - Page 2

AirGoya · 02-22-2008, 08:29 PM

^Also about the manual tranny, I talked to a Pontiac rep at the Chicago Auto Show and he also confirmed that it will be offered by the end of the year.

stovt001 · 02-22-2008, 10:08 PM

Jak called it a mid-sizer. I'd have to disagree. The G8 is pretty massive. It cleanly fits the definition of a "large car". So convert that to midsize coupe, and you're looking at significant weight savings, especially if you ditch some of the luxury options that come standard on the G8 GT. So Zeta overall must be a pretty lightweight platform for its size and power/drive train configuration.

As far as the manual, I hadn't heard it confirmed that it really would get one, so that's very encouraging. I had only heard it might or might not. I can understand why GM would just offer an automatic at first. Really, this isn't a true performance car in the same sense that the Camaro is. It is designed to haul families, clients, etc in relative comfort. It is more of a highway cruiser than a sports car. The automatic just fits that profile better. But I'm glad they'll offer both.

I was hoping for the L76 as the base V8, but now I'm hoping we'll get a Gen V that has a similar performance/cost ratio, or better.

Cubanaso · 02-22-2008, 10:36 PM

^Well, according to the performance #'s...speed and handling, this is one heck of a sports sadan.

Quote:

Eventually. Patience my friend...It will come soon enough. But MOST people are going to buy auto with this car - so if something slipped and you could only validate ONE tranny in time for release (the other for later), which would you choose(if you were GM)?

I hope that is what happens, I've just heard a back and forth on that so I was not sure. The auto makes sense, I agree...while I don't have to like it, lol.

Jak · 02-22-2008, 11:11 PM

My bad, don't know where I got the mid-size from. Checked the size difference between the G8 an Charger: Length- 196.1 G8/ 200.1 Charger, width very close- 74.8 G8/ 74.5 Charger, weigth- 3995 G8/4031 Charger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stovt001

Jak called it a mid-sizer. I'd have to disagree. The G8 is pretty massive. It cleanly fits the definition of a "large car". So convert that to midsize coupe, and you're looking at significant weight savings, especially if you ditch some of the luxury options that come standard on the G8 GT. So Zeta overall must be a pretty lightweight platform for its size and power/drive train configuration.

As far as the manual, I hadn't heard it confirmed that it really would get one, so that's very encouraging. I had only heard it might or might not. I can understand why GM would just offer an automatic at first. Really, this isn't a true performance car in the same sense that the Camaro is. It is designed to haul families, clients, etc in relative comfort. It is more of a highway cruiser than a sports car. The automatic just fits that profile better. But I'm glad they'll offer both.

I was hoping for the L76 as the base V8, but now I'm hoping we'll get a Gen V that has a similar performance/cost ratio, or better.

stovt001 · 02-25-2008, 02:18 AM

Update: Edmunds just posted a comparison test to the Charger. The G8 just walked all over it. I'm so freaking excited. This thing is just great, and you can bet the Camaro will be every bit as good, if not better.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1.*

*DGthe3* · 02-25-2008, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stovt001

Update: Edmunds just posted a comparison test to the Charger. The G8 just walked all over it. I'm so freaking excited. This thing is just great, and you can bet the Camaro will be every bit as good, if not better.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1.*

Sounds like GM is up to its old tricks

Quote:

Quick enough that there's a chance the G8's engine is underrated at 361 hp. Until we get a G8 GT on a chassis dyno, we'll just have to credit its transmission for getting the absolute most from its companion engine.

wonder if the guys at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) who rate all of GM's engines are former (or current) employees. Either way, you cannot argue with results. Better perfromance. Less price. And to hear things like "the Charger R/T's Mercedes-made five-speed automatic feels prehistoric compared to the G8's six-speed" or "The G8 whipped around the skid pad with 0.85g of grip and then screamed through the slalom at nearly 66 mph. That's not only clearly better than the Charger, but comparable to the BMW 535i Inside Line tested back in June, which whirled to 0.89g on the skid pad and galloped through the slalom at 65 mph." just makes me feel all warm inside.

What we just read was a preview of the Camaro vs Challenger. And the results will be similar but Dodge is getting a new 5.7 hemi to even the score a bit. Braking, handling, interior, and styling will all meet with the same results.

To Zeta

:party0038:

To all 'Challengers'

:middlefinger:

bigralph · 02-25-2008, 12:17 PM

I wish the G8 came with some type AWD options.

mbell75 · 02-29-2008, 02:29 PM

Am I the only one NOT impressed by this? My old 99 Mustang GT only ran a few tenths behind this NINE years ago! That was with 100 less hp too...I think its ridiculous how heavy US cars are getting. 3600 lbs seemed heavy as hell just 5-6 years ago, now you have these things all running close to 4000. I think it sucks.

*DGthe3* · 02-29-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbell75

Am I the only one NOT impressed by this? My old 99 Mustang GT only ran a few tenths behind this NINE years ago! That was with 100 less hp too...I think its ridiculous how heavy US cars are getting. 3600 lbs seemed heavy as hell just 5-6 years ago, now you have these things all running close to 4000. I think it sucks.

I'm impressed that a 4100 lb sedan is a better performer than a recent sport coupe. While getting similar mileage with an additional 100 hp and 500 lbs. To me, thats pretty good.

Rock36 · 02-29-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbell75

Am I the only one NOT impressed by this? My old 99 Mustang GT only ran a few tenths behind this NINE years ago! That was with 100 less hp too...I think its ridiculous how heavy US cars are getting. 3600 lbs seemed heavy as hell just 5-6 years ago, now you have these things all running close to 4000. I think it sucks.

Hey man, not to bash on a fellow stang banger...but an old 99 Camaro Z28 ran about half a second faster than this car...NINE years ago.

Apples to oranges man.

*TAG UR IT* · 03-25-2008, 06:23 PM

Ok...I want to know just how many people have seen this G8 GT BEAUTY in person!!!

My wife, kids, and I were running our errands today and after breakfast at IHOP, began driving passed the Pontiac/GMC dealer. I had to pull in.

What did I see but a red Pontiac G8 GT w/ black leather interior. Now.............. I'm telling ya'll this is one more vehicle like the concept where pictures DON'T do it justice! I was floored by how awesome it looked. The interior leather actually felt like nice leather and the seats were increadibly comfortable. The dash had the large LCD touch screen...don't know if it had NAV or not, but it had bluetooth, onstar, homelink, heated seats, power front seats, chrome pedals, and 19 inch chrome wheels.

This G8 GT was GORGOUS! I actually began thinking that if for some CRAZY reason the new Camaro didn't work for me, this was going to be my new ride. Oh, and the room in the back seats?!?!?!?! WOW!

The dealer smiled when he told me it had 361hp...and then kinda jokingly mentioned about it having more hp than my SS. hehehehe....I found it funny. But, I asked about the G8 GXP and he looked baffled. It was okay, he was well informed about the car sitting in front of us. But, I told him to look up on the web about the G8 GXP w/ the LS3. Ohhhh yeah.

He said that they got 4 total in the first shipment and sold three right off the bat. The one we were looking at was the last and only one on the lot until they got the next delivery. I told him about all my great purchases from Ancira at $200 over cost and the last at $100 over cost. He looked at me and said, "Well...I don't think you are going to find any of these at a price like that here, but we'll let this one go at MSRP."

I'm tellin' you guys.....the G8 GT is a helluva car. Can't wait to see the G8 GXP. Oh, and the MSRP on this one w/ the $1250 option (steering wheel leather, pedals, heated seats, and a couple other things in this package) as well as the $800 sport package (19" rims, summer tires, some other stuff) were the only two options picked.

EDIT: I actually felt like I was buying a car again checking this one out, I was so excited. It kinda made me feel like that kid again buying my first Z28...hehehe...cheesy, I know. But, wow...I was excited to see that because I knew then just what we were in store for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Mr. Wyndham* · 03-25-2008, 08:27 PM

I saw and sat in one at the Auto Show, and one passed me (the other direction

) on the road. Absolutely, drop-dead gorgeous.

I'm gonna try to get a hold of one this or next week for a test drive. I want to feel this Zeta platform at work.

03-25-2008, 08:27 PM	#26
Mr. Wyndham I used to be Dragoneye... Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 31,873 View My Garage	I saw and sat in one at the Auto Show, and one passed me (the other direction ) on the road. Absolutely, drop-dead gorgeous. I'm gonna try to get a hold of one this or next week for a test drive. I want to feel this Zeta platform at work. __________________ *"Keep the faith."* - Fbodfather

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02-22-2008, 08:29 PM	#15
AirGoya Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago/Carbondale Posts: 815	^Also about the manual tranny, I talked to a Pontiac rep at the Chicago Auto Show and he also confirmed that it will be offered by the end of the year.

02-22-2008, 10:08 PM	#16
stovt001 Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,810	Jak called it a mid-sizer. I'd have to disagree. The G8 is pretty massive. It cleanly fits the definition of a "large car". So convert that to midsize coupe, and you're looking at significant weight savings, especially if you ditch some of the luxury options that come standard on the G8 GT. So Zeta overall must be a pretty lightweight platform for its size and power/drive train configuration. As far as the manual, I hadn't heard it confirmed that it really would get one, so that's very encouraging. I had only heard it might or might not. I can understand why GM would just offer an automatic at first. Really, this isn't a true performance car in the same sense that the Camaro is. It is designed to haul families, clients, etc in relative comfort. It is more of a highway cruiser than a sports car. The automatic just fits that profile better. But I'm glad they'll offer both. I was hoping for the L76 as the base V8, but now I'm hoping we'll get a Gen V that has a similar performance/cost ratio, or better.

02-25-2008, 02:18 AM	#19
stovt001 Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,810	Update: Edmunds just posted a comparison test to the Charger. The G8 just walked all over it. I'm so freaking excited. This thing is just great, and you can bet the Camaro will be every bit as good, if not better. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1.*

02-25-2008, 12:17 PM	#21
bigralph Drives: 2001 v6 Camaro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northborough, MA Posts: 267	I wish the G8 came with some type AWD options.

02-29-2008, 02:29 PM	#22
mbell75 Drives: a fast one Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 1	Am I the only one NOT impressed by this? My old 99 Mustang GT only ran a few tenths behind this NINE years ago! That was with 100 less hp too...I think its ridiculous how heavy US cars are getting. 3600 lbs seemed heavy as hell just 5-6 years ago, now you have these things all running close to 4000. I think it sucks.

03-25-2008, 06:23 PM	#25
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,544 View My Garage	Ok...I want to know just how many people have seen this G8 GT BEAUTY in person!!! My wife, kids, and I were running our errands today and after breakfast at IHOP, began driving passed the Pontiac/GMC dealer. I had to pull in. What did I see but a red Pontiac G8 GT w/ black leather interior. Now.............. I'm telling ya'll this is one more vehicle like the concept where pictures DON'T do it justice! I was floored by how awesome it looked. The interior leather actually felt like nice leather and the seats were increadibly comfortable. The dash had the large LCD touch screen...don't know if it had NAV or not, but it had bluetooth, onstar, homelink, heated seats, power front seats, chrome pedals, and 19 inch chrome wheels. This G8 GT was GORGOUS! I actually began thinking that if for some CRAZY reason the new Camaro didn't work for me, this was going to be my new ride. Oh, and the room in the back seats?!?!?!?! WOW! The dealer smiled when he told me it had 361hp...and then kinda jokingly mentioned about it having more hp than my SS. hehehehe....I found it funny. But, I asked about the G8 GXP and he looked baffled. It was okay, he was well informed about the car sitting in front of us. But, I told him to look up on the web about the G8 GXP w/ the LS3. Ohhhh yeah. He said that they got 4 total in the first shipment and sold three right off the bat. The one we were looking at was the last and only one on the lot until they got the next delivery. I told him about all my great purchases from Ancira at $200 over cost and the last at $100 over cost. He looked at me and said, "Well...I don't think you are going to find any of these at a price like that here, but we'll let this one go at MSRP." I'm tellin' you guys.....the G8 GT is a helluva car. Can't wait to see the G8 GXP. Oh, and the MSRP on this one w/ the $1250 option (steering wheel leather, pedals, heated seats, and a couple other things in this package) as well as the $800 sport package (19" rims, summer tires, some other stuff) were the only two options picked. EDIT: I actually felt like I was buying a car again checking this one out, I was so excited. It kinda made me feel like that kid again buying my first Z28...hehehe...cheesy, I know. But, wow...I was excited to see that because I knew then just what we were in store for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!