I Now Understand the Pontiac G8
 

After a friend who just bought one picked me up, and let me drive.

I won't make this long and boring.

The car is amazing for the money. An absolute blast. Impressive fit and finish. Could be a comfortable daily driver, yet shines as the beast that lurks underneath the skin.

I frickin' love it, and want one.


The end.

How does it compair to your 8 in terms of handleing..brakeing...etc.

We have to be careful what we read here. Being General Automotive forum, must take this with a heavy dose of salt.

In the more reputable forums, the day we start driving G8, I'll consider starting drinking.

I knew someone would ask that question... typical RX-8 owners. :)

Well there was a G8 at the AutoX tonight and it wasn't doing very well..So i'm just wondering if it was a bad driver or what.

Still waiting for a 6 speed. I don't care how good the car is right now, it's still an automatic.

The GXP, or whatever they're going to call it will unleash it's true potential :)

the g8 has an LS3?

Well, the 8 handles and brakes better. There's definitely more body roll with the G8, but less than I expected given its higher center of gravity versus the RX8. But I was surprised at how well the G8 handles given its weight (4,100 pounds). The excellent FE2 suspension helps greatly.

Also, most people I've talked to don't realize the G8 also has 50/50 weight distribution, which really helps, also.

The brakes are excellent. There was almost no fade, and I was blown away at the great pedal feel.

The biggest difference between the two cars is the torque. You can really feel it from a rolling start. I think its 385 pound feet, but it actually feels stronger than that. It's a totally different feeling. There's so much low down grunt.

The G8 does a 105 mph quarter mile, so I guess I shouldn't have been so surprised.

Two last things: The car isn't gaudy or bling in person. It's more subdued than the pictures suggest. Also, I really, really like the interior and gauges.

I really don't understand those who don't like this car. I am not saying they're wrong, as it's all opinion, but I'm not sure what the specific gripes are with it. It's a very buttoned down four door sedan.

As far as bang for buck, I'm not sure what four door sedan offers more.

Now think of it with 200lbs less weight, brembos and an FE3 suspension, oh and 40 more hp.

I've always loved the G8 but I have yet to give it a drive. Hearing this news makes it even better to me - If I didn't want to get back into an 8 so badly, it may be on the list for my next new car...if only it were offered with a manual.

GXP is out 2010? or is it next year?

Not taking away anything form the G8, but pretty soon the G8 will be a "me too" car.

High school kid one - "Hey I just got a new car a G8"
High school kid #2 - "Yeah me too"

That thing is a freakin TANK! Have heard pretty good things about it though, sporty yet refined, good looking car, strong grunt, great car for the money if you like a large ride. Some people could care less about zipping around corners and revving to 9K rpms, for those this car looks promising.

The new Camaro will have a manual. :)

So it's the new G35/350Z/ G37?

Production Camaro looks too frumpy. I loved the concept car, but from what I've seen of the production model, it lost a lot of its look. Maybe seeing one in person will change my mind - it worked for the refreshed 8.

Curbweight for the G8 GT is actually 3910 lbs.

Here's the data panel.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/d...608_g8_dp2.pdf

I'm not quite sure how the GXP is going to be 200 lbs lighter. Where did you see that?

Is the G8 a replacement of the ill selling GTO? I saw a few when I visited Seattle. Very err.... Pontiac with its garish hood holes and ribbed sides. Initially I thought it was just another pimped out G6 since IIRC it's not for sale in Canada. It made me crave for New York fries though.

Agreed 100 percent. My father drives one. Incredible car for the money, and nice to see that GM interiors have gotten much better over the years. It's competition (the charger) is simply blown into the weeds by this. The G8 is faster, more comfortable, better handling, and gets better gas mileage.

Handling compared to the RX-8: Definitely can feel the heft of the car as you turn the wheel, and there is definitely not as much feedback in the G8.

People hate on anything that is not an RX8 on this forum, I don't understand it. Someone could post something about a Porsche Turbo being a nice car and someone would have something smart to say about it. Anyway, I think the G8s are very nice cars.

It's a psychological defense mechanism which results from being in a constant state of denial.

They own an RX-8 and can't own up to its built in compromises.

I own an RX-8 and can.

I don't need to flame other cars to make me feel better about my own.

Apparently, some do.

I agree, guys.

I love my RX-8 for what it is, while recognizing what it isn't and will never be.

No car is perfect. Really. Some are closer to the mark than others, but it's all relative.

The RX-8 and Pontiac G8 are both really great cars AFAIC, but for widely different reasons - and that's what makes the automotive world go 'round.

i hate the fact that my car was advertised at 238hp and has 215hp/180whp.

385lbs/ft of torque would be nice. :/

No shit.

meant the camaro. Although if the G8 is 3910 then less than 100 difference.