Is this what the g8 will have? I swore my next car would have navigation, but I love the g8 too much to pass it up.

While looking around on crutchfield I found some units that might fit nicely in the g8, and double as a dvd player...

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2007/113/h113DNX7100-f_mtp.jpg
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?o=v&g=168550&i=113DNX7100&tp=75

or

which gives us nav, bluetooth and ipod. And the ability to wire it up to our steering wheel controls with an added kit.
http://lp.crutchfield.com/crutchfield?set=item[products/2007/130/p130AViCD3X-f_mt.jpeg],location[southwest]&call=url[file:xm_offer.chain]
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?o=v&g=168550&i=130AVICD3X&tp=75

The problem is that the Climate controls are integregated in the screen of the upgraded radio, so changing out the factory head unit will be next to impossible. But since this car will be very popular, hopefully someone will make some kind of aftermarket interface.

Does anyone know yet with the difference is between the '08 and '09 that is preventing the '08 from getting bluetooth and XM? Is it the head unit itself? Software update?

Mike

drob8,

From what I can see, its because these initial G8's are essentially Australian cars that had the steering wheel switched to the left side. All of the electronic goodies that we come to expect from performance sedans are missing due to the Aussie electronics not being compatible with US/Canadian rules and nav systems.

IMO, it was a stupid move on GM's part. This car has the potential to take over the sports sedan market and they are gimping it from the get-go with poor interior features. The aftermarket Pioneer units that have nav, bluetooth and XM features will not fit in the G8's center console.

Allegedly, they will be fixing this huge oversight in the next model year. There will be no NAV because GM in its wisdom decided to place the screen too low on the center stack. We also are stuck with a useless, early 1990's look screen at the top of the stack with oil pressure and a volt meter. This is one reason I've not owned an American car since I was given a Chevy Chevette when I turned 16; poor interior design choices.

I have a top of the line Garmin GPS with Bluetooth capability which can be placed on the dash or windshield. That may be an issue with midgets, but it's out of my line of sight in my '05 GTO. The XM Satellite can be solved using the MP3/iPod plug, which, while not as nice as an in-dash unit, simply isn't enough to spoil the car for me. I buy cars to drive, not to play around in as a rolling Best Buy display counter. And I seldom change channels on XM Satellite. There is room to mount the head below the A/C controls. It's about the car, not about the toys, to us gearheads.

Sonoma - Yeah...I'm just trying to figure out what GM changed in the '09MY that is going to enable Bluetooth and XM integration. My hope was that we could somehow retrofit the '08MY and get that integration. Considering that there's a phone button on the steering wheel, it's very frustrating to know that it won't work.

BlueGoat - I agree with you. I NEED a car SOON, and regardless of the lack of gadgets, the '08 G8 GT will be mine...hopefully as soon as the end of the month. I'm in it for the car, not the Bluetooth.

I've never really been interested in nav, so I've never looked. It's encouraging to know I can still get some level of Bluetooth if I grab a Nav system. I spend over 2 hours a day in the car, so Bluetooth is a requirement. I already have a headset...something more integrated is just a luxury.

Thanks all.

Mike

Blue, you make a good point. It's true that aftermarket retrofits will solve most of if not all of the issues.

To gearheads, the interior issues don't really matter. To the beancounters/stockholders of GM, the mass market appeal of all of those goodies sell cars. Its an example of a bad way of thinking by GM and one reason why they are getting their asses handed to them by the imports.

They could have rolled out the G8 for the first time as an 09 model and had all this crap in there rather than have a Gran Prix still have more electronic options.

<Shrug> I can see why gearheads are drooling. The lines are beautiful and this car will MOVE. If they are truly going to take marketshare away from Lexus, Infinity, BMW etc-they need the interior/goodies to go with the exterior bling.
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Drob, what's changed is that GM is doing the North American in-dash retrofits to the head units. The key for you will be if they change the size or position (either in dash or behind the dash) placement. If they don't, just get the 09 stuff when parts are available later this year.

I have a top of the line Garmin GPS with Bluetooth capability which can be placed on the dash or windshield. That may be an issue with midgets, but it's out of my line of sight in my '05 GTO. The XM Satellite can be solved using the MP3/iPod plug, which, while not as nice as an in-dash unit, simply isn't enough to spoil the car for me. I buy cars to drive, not to play around in as a rolling Best Buy display counter. And I seldom change channels on XM Satellite. There is room to mount the head below the A/C controls. It's about the car, not about the toys, to us gearheads.

+1, My first GTO ride was late '66 in a 65 rag top, I think, 3x2s, 389, 4 or 3 sp?, next ride '66 396 SS Malbu, next ride MY '67 GTO...all we wanted was the ride...radio, ya it had one etc...that stuff can be taken care of...

It is the engine (drivetrain), ride and looks...the reason we have become so stereo, nav, blue tooth (BT) driven is that this era of the car's engine, ride and looks has been so lacking...does anyone shop a Vette and say, uh where is the BT?...it is about the car, per bluegoat...
Enjoy as it can end as quick as it starts..

+1, My first GTO ride was late '66 in a 65 rag top, I think, 3x2s, 389, 4 or 3 sp?, next ride '66 396 SS Malbu, next ride MY '67 GTO...all we wanted was the ride...radio, ya it had one etc...that stuff can be taken care of...

It is the engine (drivetrain), ride and looks...the reason we have become so stereo, nav, blue tooth (BT) driven is that this era of the car's engine, ride and looks has been so lacking...does anyone shop a Vette and say, uh where is the BT?...it is about the car, per bluegoat...
Enjoy as it can end as quick as it starts..

So its true! Those of us that buy the "car" really don't care about the "electronics", but buy the "car" for the more important reason, its a mode of transportation, FIRST AND FOREMOST!:boink:

I'll follow up with a touch of personal philosophy. Driving is the most dangerous thing most of us do, day in and day out. A performance vehicle is pure safety potential. Better brakes (you guys catch the stopping distance of the G8GT compared to a Porsche Carrera S?), passing power on single lane roads or busy interstates, avoidance capability (slalom), roll over resistance (skidpad), and suspension compliance (lack of body roll, etc.) U.S. manfacturers have long advertised that smmmoooooth ride and lots of junk stuck in the dash. But make me too comfortable and I fall asleep while driving, make me pay more attention to in-dash toys than the road and I crash, take away the thrill of a slick-handling suspension and I get bored and run into to stuff. The G8 is a driver's car, not a passenger car. I couldn't care less what my passengers think as long as I can get safely to our destination.

This G8 GT will be a replacement for the wife's GTP -- her car and the vacation roller. She doesn't know anything about cars....tells me that's my job to pick them out. There are a couple of colors she won't live with (white), but the car choice is all mine. Little does she know ... :oldfogey:

In addition, having bluetooth "can" make your drive safer.

I think we're all on the same page, just saying it differently. I don't mind if I have to spend extra to put in gps, dvd etc. I like gizmos and gadgets. However, I'd rather have a v8 and 13 sec 1/4 mile over these comforts.

I would just like these "comforts" as an option. And if it's not, how can I do it myself? The pain with portable gps is mounting/storing and charging. You can't simply leave these mounted to your windshield, b/c unfortunately we live in a greedy world. The cords and appearance also, just don't look as nice. That's why I'd like an in-dash unit that doubles as a dvd player. Gotta keep up with the jones' ;)

If you've never had a gps, you don't know what your missing. On a recent trip to Florida, my parents garmin was a life saver.