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Sedans Pontiac G8 2008 Pontiac G8
1265 messages, Last post on Jul 21, 2009 at 10:14 AM
You are in the Pontiac G8 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: paisan (May 20, 2008 5:08 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 8:52 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 9:49 am)
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Replying to: emale (May 21, 2008 9:52 am) if you are really curious....
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Replying to: rayainsw (May 21, 2008 10:33 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 11:23 am) ( 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 11:46 am) |
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I'm sorry but I have real doubts that the demographic group of 40+ year old professionals and corporate executives who buy M45s, (the few that are sold because the M35 outsells the M45 by 6 to 1), will be shopping a Pontiac G8 GT against an Infiniti M45. The professional or executive who is buying a car for conspicuous consumption will likely want to arrive at business meetings, at the country club which requires a $10,000 annual social expenditure, or at the courthouse for a significant case he is trying in a luxury marque car. While the G8 seems to about as attractive a piece of machinery as has been offered by American automakers in many years, the Pontiac never has been nor is it being currently marketed as a luxury marque. Just as the Chrysler is not a luxury marque. The G8 and 300C fall into that peculiarly American (Canadian & Australian) automotive category known as the muscle car sport sedan. Likely the only American make of car that directly competes with the M45 is the Cadillac STS Northstar (if you can call a car being phased out competition). That orthopedic surgeon and trial lawyer just might have some fond memories of a second hand Pontiac Sunbird or Chrysler K car, that they drove while in medical or law school, which ran rough and was prone to corrosion. To be sure the G8 directly competes with the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. It offers a RWD alternative to the FWD Toyota Avalon (Aurion which it competes with in the home Australian market) and the Nissan Maxima. Given the current state of the economy I believe the impact a offering V8 will have in this market segment is still being over-estimated by GM. The G8 GT may try to steal some entry level luxury buyers of Acura TLs, Infiniti G35s, MB C-class, BMW 3s and Audi A4s, but those cars are firmly entrenched in the market. Each has just been redesigned and offers similar performance in a true luxury brand. I can conceive the G8 doing the most damage in the market place to the Cadillac CTS. The last generation CTS brought out a V spec model with 400 hp and that car made little market penetration in its segment (against the E39 BMW M5). But to say the G8 GT competes with the BMW 550 and Infinti M45 (why not throw in the Audi A6, MB E-class, Lexus GS, and for good measure the new Jaguar XF) I find to be a fantastic claim. It's just in that same way that neither the Infiniti M nor even a BMW 550i directly compete with a Maserati Quattroporte or a Bentley Continental.
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