Article Comments - 2008 Pontiac G8 GT First Look and Full Test

99 messages, Last post on Apr 26, 2009 at 2:16 PM

You are in the Pontiac G8 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Pontiac G8, Sedan

First Look: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT - There wouldn't be much to talk about if the G8 was just another V6-powered family sedan, so Pontiac did itself a favor and made sure that a V8 is on the options list. If you order the big engine, it's called the G8 GT. (more)

Full Test: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT - Bottom Line: This is the Pontiac we've all been waiting for. (more)

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#1 of 99 Article Comments - 2008 Pontiac G8 GT First Look by KarenS HOST Feb 01, 2008 (8:07 am)
Now that the Grand Prix has faded into front-wheel-drive oblivion, it's up to the 2008 Pontiac G8 to restore a little legitimacy to Pontiac's performance reputation. There's a good chance it will succeed, as the G8 is a real American muscle sedan with rear-wheel drive and the power of a V8. First Look: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT
#2 of 99 G8 GT - but... by rayainsw Feb 01, 2008 (4:53 pm)
Still no test numbers - or driving impressions. When I saw the Headline - and the picture, I was expecting that the embargo had been lifted and I was going to read a "real test" of a production, U.S. spec G8 GT. - Ray Sad...
#3 of 99 No Manual, No Deal. by smedin Feb 01, 2008 (11:24 pm)
It's that simple.
#4 of 99 Manual GT coming, so is GXP by hammen2 Feb 03, 2008 (7:13 am)
There will be manual G8 GT coming by the end of the year (2009 model year?), as it's taken awhile for supplies of the new Tremec stick to arrive, plus the time to get the engine calibration correct for the stick. A GXP version is still also on the radar for late this year or early next year. Expect it to undercut the Charger SRT8 in price (the G8 GT is price-competitive with the Charger R/T)... Replies to this message: spartanic (Feb 03, 2008 11:07 am) bankerdanny (Feb 22, 2008 1:29 pm) j orb (Mar 01, 2008 10:04 pm)
#5 of 99 Re: Manual GT coming, so is GXP [hammen2] by spartanic Feb 03, 2008 (11:07 am)
Replying to: hammen2 (Feb 03, 2008 7:13 am) Seriously, a huge 6.0 liter V8 that only makes 361 hp? 0-60 in 5.3 seconds and it'll hit the 1/4 mile at a pathetic 13.8 seconds? This car is seriously too heavy at 3,995 pounds. Why didn't Pontiac just got with a smaller engine and turbo or supercharge it. That would seriously reduce its 4k weight and it'll hit more decent numbers. The new Lancer Evo and Sti will have no problems doing circles around this new Pontiac. Replies to this message: bankerdanny (Feb 22, 2008 1:29 pm)
#6 of 99 V6 G8 slower trhan a Camry? by irnmdn Feb 03, 2008 (6:06 pm)
A 7.0-second 0-60-mph time isn't bad and a 15.2-second run at 91 mph in the quarter-mile keeps it competitive LOL
#7 of 99 g35 by dat2 Feb 04, 2008 (4:12 am)
performance no better than a g35 at nearly the same price. i think i'll take a g35!
#8 of 99 weight \ performance by rayainsw Feb 04, 2008 (6:47 am)
Well, I will not dispute that 3995 is more weight than I had hoped. But. The G35 ( I do expect that some will see as a competitor, I am sure – though I see the M45 as closer ) does weigh less than the G8 V8. It has a 300HP V6. It has posted acceleration numbers very similar to the G8 GT’s ‘official’ numbers. R&T tested the latest G35 vs the new CTS and posted 5.3 and 13.8 102.9. If you stop reading here, the G35 does seem roughly equivalent. 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. Calculating the RPM at 60, 70 and 80 in the G8 GT, from the published sixth gear ratio, the final drive ratio & the tire RPM/mile shows roughly: 60 = 1550 70 = 1800 80 = 2050 Point being, the G35’s aggressive gearing & 5-speed automatic result in good acceleration, 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 ) only one more MPG in highway driving than the G8. Size matters? One reason 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 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 the G35 Sport ( w/LSD, etc ) starts at approx. $33.5K – where the G8 GT starts at $30K even. With V8, LSD, 19” wheels, six speed automatic, etc. That’s 10% less. Over $3,000 = “Real money”, at least to me. If the quarter mile time & weight are the only criteria . . . OK. I look at 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 ( or v6 ) M45 ( & M35 ) is actually very close to the G8 in weight. Size \ weight below. MSRP of the M45 now starts at roughly $50K. And the new Caddy CTS ( with 3.6L V6 ) is almost exactly the same weight as the G8 V8. Comparing the G8 V8 to something like the turbocharged 4 cylinders ( the Evo & STI ) seems a stretch, to me. And the Evo starts at $33K. The STI at $35K. I will not list every spec here, for example, the STI length = 173.8. Again, if the quarter mile acceleration & weight are paramount – and particularly if you want or need AWD, one of these could float to the top of your list. - Ray M45: WB 114.5 Length 192.6 Trunk 14.9 Weight 4010 EPA 2008 16 \ 21 Replies to this message: graphikzking (Feb 04, 2008 12:06 pm) rayainsw (Feb 04, 2008 3:01 pm) mugwomp (Feb 22, 2008 6:29 pm) stovebolter (Feb 05, 2008 12:07 pm)
#9 of 99 Re: weight \ performance [rayainsw] by graphikzking Feb 04, 2008 (12:06 pm)
Replying to: rayainsw (Feb 04, 2008 6:47 am) Very well thought out. I LOVE the G35 and even the BMW335 but they are NOT competitors to this type of buyer. Also an Evo or STi or ECONOMY cars. They are competitors to hopped up Cobalts or even the SSR turbo model. This is a FULL size car. Think FULL Size car terms people. Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Hyundai Azera. This car is for the person that needs a big car AND wants performance out of it. I had a 350z that would only return 1-2 mpg more than the Corvette my buddy had with similar driving styles etc.. So these "pushrod" v8s arent that bad. The miata is the only car below that gives a sizeable difference in mileage and at the same time it costs almost the same and only seats 2! Also, last point.. Maxima - 3.5 liter - 255 hp - 19city / 25 highway BMW 328 - 3.0 liter - 225 hp - 18city / 28 highway Honda s2000 -2.2 liter - 237 hp - 18city/ 25 highway Mazda MX5 -2.0 liter - 166hp - 21city/ 28 highway. So really this car rated at 15 / 24 having TWICE the size engine and almost double the torque of all of them the mpg is really respectable. I would like to see them put in the multi displacement feature into it and possibly get it to like 17/26 Replies to this message: rayainsw (Feb 04, 2008 3:01 pm) mugwomp (Feb 22, 2008 6:29 pm)
#10 of 99 Re: weight \ performance [graphikzking] by rayainsw Feb 04, 2008 (3:01 pm)
Replying to: graphikzking (Feb 04, 2008 12:06 pm) "I would like to see them put in the multi displacement feature into it and possibly get it to like 17/26". It does - now called AFM. ( Before was called DoD )