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Sedans Pontiac G8 2008 Pontiac G8
897 messages, Last post on Aug 27, 2008 at 4:40 PM
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Pontiac/ Cadillac dealership, which had been in business for 22 years, closed its doors just yesterday three blocks from my home. (Hint: I live in an affluent near northwest suburb of Chicago in which Hillary Clinton grew up.) No prior notice to customers, all inventory was apparently hauled away overnight except for some SRXs and six Escalades, that GM and its bank can't get rid of. I guess they couldn't sell enough G8s, CTSs, SLR-Vs (they had one forever in their showroom) and Solstices to stay in business. Haven't driven a Pontiac since my brother's last Grand Am with the terrific Quad Four (which leaked and burned oil like a sieve) back in my college days. Yesterday, however, I did drive a loaner 2008 Infiniti G35, while my G35 coupe was in for routine maintenance. I can tell you, for money similar to the G8 GT, (they are giving 18% discounts to cash customers) the new G35 is a quality product that is indeed fortified with stones. Powerful brakes. Returned 28 mpg on the freeway at an 80 mph cruise. And available with AWD for a relative pittance. All in all a classy, sporty car. BTW if BMW didn't spend the money to develop all the technologies like ABS, VDC, DTSC and Direct Injection, which it licenses to GM and other car manufacturers, or didn't bother to include them in its products then BMW cars would certainly cost less then they do. It's not that BMW cannot build cars more inexpensively. BMW realizes its loyal customers don't want an inexpensively designed and built product.
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Replying to: paisan (May 20, 2008 6:08 pm) That is why I tested the G8...value. I need to try the GT. Gas mileage is no concern because the differenc over 70K miles can't even make a small dent in the price difference of a BMW. Even the 3 series. Agree it beats all comp hands down for the money. Period. My comparo simply was from what I drive now vs. the GT. I could still see me buying this car. Regards, OW |
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Replying to: athens (May 20, 2008 9:52 pm) But. The G35 ( I do expect that others will see this model as a G8 GT competitor – though I see the M45 as closer in many respects ) does weigh less than the G8 V8. It has a 300HP V6. It has posted acceleration numbers very similar to the G8 GT’s numbers: R&T tested the latest G35 vs the new CTS and posted 5.3 and 13.8  102.9. The G8 GT tested in R&T posted 5.0 and 13.5 104.9. If you stop reading here, the G35 does seem roughly equivalent. [ Though 3 tenths and 2 MPH really are significant. ] But. The G35 has a 5 speed automatic. And a final drive ratio of 3.69:1. Top gear ( fifth ) is 0.84:1. Thus, RPM at 60 is 2550 – and at 70 to 80 ( where I spend as much of my highway cruising time as speed limits, traffic & prudence allows ) the RPM run 3000 to 3400. The RPM at 60, 70 and 80 in the G8 GT, from the R&T and C+D tests, shows roughly: 60 = 1550 70 = 1800 80 = 2050 Point being, the G35’s aggressive gearing & 5-speed automatic result in good ultimate \ absolute acceleration, and good ‘feel’ at WOT, but at the expense of rather higher RPM at cruise. [ Not that their V6 won’t turn those RPM. ] And returns ( according to the “new & improved” 2008 EPA numbers ) exactly the same MPG in highway driving as the G8 GT. Size matters? One primary reason that the G8 is heavier than the G35 is the size of the G8: Wheelbase G35 = 112.2 G8 = 114.8 ( does 2 and a half inches matter – to you? ) Overall G35 = 187.0 G8 = 196.1 ( almost a foot longer ) Trunk G35 = 13.5 cu ft G8 = 17.5 ( a really big trunk, that . . ) Width G35 = 69.8 G8 = 74.8 ( likely more interior \ shoulder room – if that matters ) As always, I am not suggesting that any of these differences mean anything to any particular, individual buyer. But the difference in size certainly has an impact on weight. And the gearing ( plus 5 speed vs 6 speed trans. gears ) has an impact on both acceleration & fuel mileage. And a few minutes on the Infiniti web site indicates to me that the G35 Sedan w/Sport ( w/LSD, etc ) starts at approx. $35K – where the G8 GT starts at $30K even. With V8, LSD, 18” wheels & tires ( 19” = only +$600), six speed automatic, etc. Comparing MSRPs, that’s about 15% less for a G8 GT. $5,000 is “Real money”, at least to me. If the quarter mile time & weight are the only criteria ( for you ) . . . that’s certainly OK. I also look at many other aspects of any car . . . And a big honkin’ V8, with great steaming piles of Torque, at any RPM, and able to cruise at ( what to me feel like ) very relaxed RPM are attractive. To me. [ G35 TQ = 268, G8 GT = 385 ] I expect that one primary reason for the weight of the G8 is that it was designed to have a V8. And the G35 was never designed with a V8 in mind. The Infiniti sports sedan that IS available with a V8, the M45 ( & M35 w/V6 ) is actually very close to the G8 in weight. Size \ weight below. MSRP of the M45 now starts at roughly $50K. And the EPA rating is 16 \ 21. And the new Caddy CTS ( currently only available with 2 different 3.6L V6s, but designed to accommodate the S/C V8 in the 2009 CTS-v ) is almost exactly the same weight as the G8 V8. To be clear here, I have respect for the G35 – have test driven a couple, and found them to be a compelling package. IF their specific attributes appeal. I find ( for example ) the effortless feel of the G8 GT’s V8 to be much more seductive & rewarding in my typical driving than the G35’s V6. “. . .for money similar to the G8 GT, (they are giving 18% discounts to cash customers) the new G35 is a quality product that is indeed fortified with stones. Powerful brakes. Returned 28 mpg on the freeway at an 80 mph cruise. And available with AWD for a relative pittance. All in all a classy, sporty car.” 18% off? Interesting. If AWD is desired ( or a requirement ) then clearly the G8 is a non-starter. Carry on. . . - Ray M45: WB 114.5 Length 192.6 Trunk 14.9 Weight 4010 EPA 2008 16 \ 21 = = = M45 test R&T June 2005: 0 – 60 5.3 Quarter 13.8 101.4 60 MPH = 2,300 RPM |
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okay guys, i made the leap this past week. turned in the leased g35 coupe and picked up a black g8 gt with premium package and 18 inch all season tires. got the car in a suburb of minneapolis. dealership had a 1k markup but they waved it. they had also put one of those stupid paint sealant packages on the car and i only gave them half of what they wanted for that. so, all in all my cap cost on the new lease was based pretty close to the msrp. not great, and i'm sure if i'd have waited a couple more months i could have gotten a better deal, but you know how it is! initial impressions after 400 miles of driving. very stable ride, nicely weighted steering, fairly quiet inside at speed, v8 has copious amounts of grunt when you put your foot in it, brakes seem appropriately strong, driver's seat is comfortable. couple gripes. the red digital displays are a bit difficult to read with sunglasses on, except for of course the oil and charge readouts which are very big and bright! gm's manual shift function doesn't work as well as infiniti's. my g35 would blip the throttle almost perfectly for downshifts...the 6L80E isn't nearly as smooth. and the headlights are nothing to brag about. they are okay, but could be brighter imo. and the car has a somewhat lumpy idle. otherwise so far i'm enjoying the ride!!
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Replying to: emale (May 21, 2008 10:49 am)
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Replying to: emale (May 21, 2008 10:52 am) if you are really curious....
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Replying to: rayainsw (May 21, 2008 11:33 am) just trying to save ahead of time for the next oil change since the 6L takes 8.8 quarts to fill with filter change! 
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Replying to: emale (May 21, 2008 12:23 pm) ( from [ very ] un-official sources ) (Hold the enter button when turning the key on) Software Version GM Part Number Battery Voltage Battery Charge (%) Remaining Fuel (gal) Instant Fuel (gal/hr) Coolant Temp Speed Tach Tire Pressure Engine Oil Life (%) Parking Lights (on/off) Switch Voltage Current Gear Active Fuel Management Throttle Position Trans Sump Temp Self Test
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Replying to: rayainsw (May 21, 2008 12:46 pm) |
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