Pontiac G8 GT - my thoughts

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GLA45
with deals to be had on pontiacs, wanting a commodore or falcon since i visited australia 5 years ago and talking about it since it was announced years ago, all of the positive reviews the G8 has received, hopes of a manual version vanishing with pontiac, and not being super thrilled with the 3 (it's not bad, just not great) i decided the G8 was worth a test drive. my biggest concern was of course the transmission (i have never owned an automatic nor have i particularly liked any autos i've ever driven) and i did not think a trip around the block typical test drive would do it justice so i asked about a 24 hour test drive. because it was a "performance car" (i don't know if i agree with that term but whatever) they wouldn't let me take it overnight but BJ on here who works at the local dealer was able to convince them to let me take it for a day. the model i had i believe had the premium and the sport packages. that was good because i would have the opportunity to drive it like i normally would since i had to work.

so after a day with the car, the good:
handling - it corners well, feels very tight, and feels like a much smaller car than it actually is
power - it's an LS3. there's plenty of power. it gets up and moves without any complaining
interior - i really liked the interior. the seats had the red inserts, the gauges had red rings in the middle, the driver information center thing in the gauges was nice, and the blaupunkt stereo was pretty nice with the LCD in it. you would think they would do more with the LCD but at least what they did with it made it look pretty
practicality - it's a big 4 door car with enough trunk space for a few dead hookers. i would imagine child seats would have no problem in the back seats nor would a 6'+ person

the not so good:
automatic transmission - even though it's a "good" auto it's still not a manual. you're disconnected from the car and what it's doing. take your foot off the gas and the car doesn't slow down like a manual. push your foot down and the car doesn't go like a manual, especially if you still have it in one of the auto modes where like any auto it first tries to go, then realizes it can't, then downshifts, then you get to go. for a normal person or if you wanted to drag the car the auto is great. for an enthusiast it kinda negates all of the car's positives. a car that comes with the power and handling that an enthusiast would appreciate should also come with a transmission for them
sound - it's quiet. there's an LS3 under the hood and it's quiet. why?

both of these negative points show the contradiction that is the G8. it's something that enthusiasts should love. it handles well, has great power, and looks pretty good with it's giant bulging fenders. however pontiac clearly had someone else in mind when they built the car since they only offered it with an auto and i think stole the exhaust from a cadillac. as good as the car is i can definitely understand why it hasn't sold well. its positive points normal people don't care a whole lot about, and its negatives turn enthusiasts off. that makes the people who it actually appeals to a pretty small demographic


so to sum it up the G8 GT is undoubtedly the best pontiac i have ever been around. i haven't really driven many because for the last 20+ years they are some of the worst cars that have been produced and i avoid driving them at all costs. i have continually checked them out though and have to say this car is in another league. however i won't be purchasing one because the car only has about 75% of what i am looking for in a car. it's definitely a good car and worth checking out if you're shopping around but it's not for me. i'm keeping an eye out for a used manual G8 GXP or a 2004-2006 CTS-V to come around for a good price.
 
Great review! I can appreciate your perspective on the car. I felt similar about the one I drove.

It just didn't feel like a performance car.
 
oh and there was a nice end spot next to an STI in the parking garage so i parked there yesterday :)


if it was a manual i probably would have gotten one last year when they were doing 0% for 60 months on the 2008s. with an auto the 0% for 72 months on the 2009s isn't enough to sway me
 

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Good review. I don't mind it being quiet. I don't need to hear the roar all the time. I could also learn to live with the auto but you're right, a manual would be preferable.
 
the thing about the quietness is that even under WOT you can barely hear the engine. if i floor it i want to hear some V8 music. i think my mom's envoy is louder
 
I drove a GXP 6speed over the weekend with a aftermarket exhaust and intake. The manual really adds more fun over the auto G8s I've driven. The exhaust and intake will liven up the exhaust.
 
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practicality - it's a big 4 door car with enough trunk space for a few dead hookers.

Define "a few" if you would. I... err, a friend needs to know.

Only G8 I would get would be the GXP manny tranny. I would be lying if I said I wasn't tempted by GM's recent "purge our current dead weight" promotions.
 
sound - it's quiet. there's an LS3 under the hood and it's quiet. why?

Agreed that a nice powerful V8 like that has to sound just right, no point in having it not sound at all when you're giving it gas.

That said, I'm thinking an aftermarket exhaust would probably do the trick; Speaking of Caddys, I remember hearing a regular 2004 CTS with a borla setup and it sounded really nice. If I where buying one,(or a g8) I'd put something similar in my car.
 
If it had come in manual, it probably would've been a serious contender for my next car, after my MSP was totaled.

Wasn't expecting you to say that the G8 is quiet, though. That takes even more fun out of it. Quiet most of the time is good -- but it's nice to hear a distinct, growling exhaust note when you DO decide to tromp on the gas.
 
They are fantastic cars. I hope GM moves it to another brand because to simply kill of this vehicle in the US market is retarded. I really hope I can convince my dad to get one next year when they're offloading their stock at dealers next year.
 
g8 gxp with aftermarket exhaust is L O U D

great v8 sound. and you get a great manual transmission. and 400+ hp.
 
my buddy has a g8 gt...their not that quiet...if you romp on it you can hear it growl. as much as some other v8s though...no. i would drop my mazda in a heart beat for a g8 gt. id even take the auto although a manual is preferred. they are awesome cars and i to hope they transfer it to a new gm model.
 

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