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Pontiac G8 vs BMW 3-Series vs Lexus IS 350

102 messages,  Last post on Apr 06, 2009 at 9:22 AM

You are in the Lexus IS Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac G8, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS 350, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 8 of 11

#68 of 102 What ever happened to this discussion and predictions of the G8 by andres3

Jul 10, 2007 (2:46 pm)

being the saviour of GM?
 
I don't see any remarkable news on the G8 yet?
 
What gives?

#69 of 102 Re: What ever happened to this discussion and predictions of the G8 [andres by pat

Jul 11, 2007 (7:03 am)

Replying to: andres3 (Jul 10, 2007 2:46 pm)
Try the FV discussion. This one's a comparo between three vehicles.

#71 of 102 Re: Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans With and Without Luxury Badges [kivi] by sknabt

Nov 18, 2007 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: kivi (Jul 10, 2007 7:56 am)
In the late '90s I got do drive a buddy's 7-series Bimmer. He claimed he paid over $70,000 for it. I was salivating when I started it up. Probably the biggest automotive disappointment in my life. A horrid drive. The suspension was punishing and the steering required far too much effort at moderate speeds. The hard seats quickly wore out my back and backside. It was a stunningly gorgeous car to eye from the outside but, that aside, a waste. I also got to drive a couple years ago a 3-series. Better ride but not particularly comfortable seats. All this coming from a guy driving a Honda S2000, hardly a car devoted to creature comforts.
 
I've never owned anything but Japanese. The Pontiac G8 is the first American car I've seriously considered owning in 30 years. It's top on my list when I replace my beater in 2009.
 
Multiple reviews of the Holden/Vauxhall have compared in favorably to Mercedes and Bimmers. Not that it really matters. Because all the Mercedes/Bimmer owners I've known are status buyers. Nobody's going to suggest there's any prestige to be had owning a Pontiac.
 
Had I unlimited funds, I'd keep an open mind and give BMW another shot. They've bloated up a bit so their sense of style has deteriorated quite a bit but they're still attractive cars. There's no doubt their interior is going to be far superior in material choices than a G8. But some cost-cutting on Pontiac's part isn't creating any major gaffs from what I've seen and read.
 
But we all have budgets we must live within and to find a Bimmer which competes on paper with the G8 in size and power you have to climb up their product line to the $58,500 550i. The entry-level (or maybe not with a 1-series brewing) 3-series isn't in the picture except in price as, per BMWs habit, the price of 'status' will suck most people's wallets dry. The G8 GT will base sticker thousands less than the cheapest 3-series.
 
And the costs don't end there. The costs of ownership greatly favor the G8. Bimmers suck premium gas, are notoriously expensive to maintain once they're off warranty, and can't boast reliability to match their fat premium pricing.
 
Bimmers are for leasers. I tend to own a car for 10 years so I need something I can maintain. GM's quality is hit or miss so I'll give Consumer Reports a hard look before I take the dive.

#72 of 102 Re: Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans With and Without Luxury Badges [sknabt] by roadburner

Nov 19, 2007 (12:04 pm)

Replying to: sknabt (Nov 18, 2007 1:11 pm)
Bimmers suck premium gas
 
First off, a bit of research would show that most BMW cars average 22-27 mpg under real world driving conditions. I doubt that a midsize V8 Pontiac will do significantly better. And as for premium gas, just do the math. Let's assume that you drive 15K per year and average 25 mpg- that comes out to 600 gallons per year. If you pay 20 cents more for premium that means you'll pay the princely sum of $120 extra per year. That's 10 bucks a month, or 33 cents per day. Wow.
 
are notoriously expensive to maintain once they're off warranty, and can't boast reliability to match their fat premium pricing.
 
Really? The maintenance and repair costs for my 10 year old 3 Series have averaged less than $500 per year over the life of the car. That figure includes ALL maintenance and repair expenses as well as three sets of 16" Z-rated rubber. I've replaced one set of pads/rotors, the serpentine belts and idlers, the timing chain tensioner(DIY $55 and 10 minutes), a brake light switch and a thermostat. That's it. And did I mention that it also sees several track days per year?
 
I tend to own a car for 10 years so I need something I can maintain.
 
Me too; I took delivery of my 3 Series twelve years ago this week. It might not be true in your case, but I've found that many people who discuss BMW repair costs are usually relying on second, third, or fourth-hand information- "My cousin's dentist had a patient who knew a friend that talked to some guy at a party, and the guy told him that he overheard somebody at Walmart say that they read somewhere on the internet that it cost $1500 to change the oil in a BMW." Sure, some people DO pay ridiculous amounts to service their Bimmers, but in most cases it's due to the fact that they made a very uninformed choice when seeking quality service facility.
As for the G8, I hope it turns out to be a nice quick, and inexpensive car- if it is, I'll certainly consider one for my next commuter sled. I almost bought a GTO, but I couldn't stomach the "Mutated Cavalier on Steroids" exterior styling.

#73 of 102 Re: Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans With and Without Luxury Badges [r by circlew

Nov 19, 2007 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 19, 2007 12:04 pm)
RB, I considered the GTO but the exterior did the same to me. Now that I see them once in a blue moon on the road, I know I did not make a mistake.
 
Again, I do not see anything GM makes that says "i just got to get that".
 
Hopefully the Camaro will change that impression. The 'vette is still the only thing worthwhile in their stable of cars.
 
Regards,
OW

#74 of 102 Re: Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans With and Without Luxury Badges [r [circlew] by roadburner

Nov 19, 2007 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: circlew (Nov 19, 2007 12:16 pm)
Again, I do not see anything GM makes that says "i just got to get that".
 
I built a Q-Ship Monte Carlo back in the late '70s. Back then, GM was still king of the hill- in the US at least. I've bought a couple of domestics since- both used: a 1984 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe(work beater) and the 1999 Wrangler I still own. I was going to buy a Shelby GT instead of the Mazdaspeed but I couldn't find a dealer who hadn't slapped a $15K ADM sticker on the side window. I suspect we'll see the same situation with the new Camaro- particularly with respect to the SS/Z28 models.

#75 of 102 Re: Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans With and Without Luxury Badges [r by circlew

Nov 19, 2007 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 19, 2007 12:44 pm)
I was going to buy a Shelby GT instead of the Mazdaspeed but I couldn't find a dealer who hadn't slapped a $15K ADM sticker on the side window. I suspect we'll see the same situation with the new Camaro- particularly with respect to the SS/Z28 models.
 
It is why GM will flounder. Suck the life out of the customer! It will probably be similar to the G8. Initial sales will be high due to the low supply high demand. Then, the lack of inventory and long import times will drive customers away. Finally, lack of interest will initiate incentives to get customers back...instead of being fair up front. Sickening!
 
It will happen with the CTS and the Lambda triplets. Even the salesman are dumbfounded at the apparent lack of logical execution even when a decent product is introduced!
 
Regards,
OW

#76 of 102 Re: Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans With and Without Luxury Badges [r [circlew] by roadburner

Nov 19, 2007 (1:50 pm)

Replying to: circlew (Nov 19, 2007 1:25 pm)
Initial sales will be high due to the low supply high demand. Then, the lack of inventory and long import times will drive customers away. Finally, lack of interest will initiate incentives to get customers back
 
That's exactly what happened with the PT Cruiser and the latest version of the Thundebird. Initial demand was very high, but there was not a lot of cars to move. When supply caught up with demand so many were cranked out that they sat on lots- even with factory incentives out the wazoo. It seems that only MINI has been successful at maintaining a fine balance between supply and demand.

#77 of 102 Re: Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans With and Without Luxury Badges [sknabt] by kdshapiro

Nov 23, 2007 (8:29 am)

Replying to: sknabt (Nov 18, 2007 1:11 pm)
Probably the biggest automotive disappointment in my life. A horrid drive. The suspension was punishing and the steering required far too much effort at moderate speeds. The hard seats quickly wore out my back and backside.
 
Exactly the difference between BMW and Caddy. You get blueguydotcom into a 7 series and he would say it's too floaty. :confuse

Messages Page 8 of 11

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