JoeyD
03-21-2008, 08:45 PM
My wife has worked at the local Pontiac dealer for over 20 years. Bought an '04 GTO and then my current '06 Spice Red GTO from there. Today, she calls me on my cell and tells me 2 new G8s just arrived. Fortunately, I'm able to leave the office and drive down. Literally, I hadn't pulled into the dealership parking lot but 10 seconds and here comes the first G8, a black GT V8 A6 being driven to the front display area.
Let me say this - it looks sooooooo much better in person than the vast majority of the pictures I've seen. The new car prep guy wasn't even outta the car and I'm in the driver's seat, checking it all out.
Initial opinion and observations after a 10 min. quickie inspection -
1) Typical Holden build quality (better than any other current Pontiac).
2)Tight fitting panels, close tolerences.
3) Excellent seats; supportive and should be most comfortable over the long-haul.
4) The 19" Wheel option is a must have. They look great.
5) Interior layout and design is GTO-like......well thought out, quality materials.
6) Lose the red dash LEDs. Not a big fan.
7) Lots of room, both front and rear leg, head and shoulder.
8) Trunk is deep front to back, but not top to bottom.
9) Cost cutting material used in the automatic shifter handle has a "low budget" feel.
10) The front nose view is sooooo schweet. The back end is much more pleasing to my eye in person...much better than pictures I've seen in mags/online. Flared fenders really give it an aggressive-looking posture.
As I'm walking around the car, here comes the 2nd one - a White G8 GT. Talk about WOW FACTOR!!!! Put some dark tint on the greenhouse and Wah La!!!!! This one also has the 19" optional wheels and again, they look super on the White as well as the Black.
Both cars are one of the first 888. I'm actually surprised that they got any as they are not the highest-volume dealer.
Of course, as soon as my wife comes out of her office at the end of the day, I walk over to the General Sales Manager, point to the white G8 (the black one is supposed to be delivered tonight at around 7) and he goes inside, gets a dealer tag and the key. I promise on a stack of bibles to only take it for a short ride and not to do anything stupid. The car has 8 miles on it.
Jeanne and I get in, adjust seats, mirrors, etc. Start it up - can't tell it's running. Pull out into rush hour traffic very carefully, make a right at the corner and head down a 4-lane roadway right at rush hour. Good smooth road. End up pulling back into the parking lot with 11 miles on the OD. While not my typical "test drive", it was long enough to come away with the following observations and impressions:
a) Sure is a hell of a lot quieter than the GTO :gr_devil: Actually, that was my wife's 1st observation....lol
b) Powertrain is very smooth. Tranny shifts are like butter under normal throttle.
c) No hint of Engine Management System kicking in.......had it up to 65 for a long enough period for it to have activated.
d) Steering is crisp, responsive and quick. Should be fun in the twisties.
e) Even with 19" tires, suspension/ride quality is well-balanced between sport and touring. Tire/road noise is more intrusive than it needs to be. Perhaps different shoes will reduce that.
f) wind noise levels are very well contained.
g) Flooring it from about 5 mph, seemed to take a bit to get into the torque/power band. Once it does, pulls strongly. Tough comparing to a stock GTO 6 litre since my car hasn't been stock for over 33k miles :biggrin2:
h) Controls seem to be intuitive, well placed.
i) Didn't notice any blind spots.
j) Now if only Pontiac would promote this beauty and get enough out to the dealers for public consumption quickly, the G8 is a top 4-door sedan, especially for the price and what you get for your greenbacks. A definite winner!!!!! Let's hope the UAW doesn't squash this baby the way it did the GTO. :damnyou:
Here's a few quick pics. Sorry for the garbage cell phone quality. Will go back tomorrow morning with my high-res digital cam for some "real photos"
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=535&stc=1&d=1206147847
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=536&stc=1&d=1206147866
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=537&stc=1&d=1206150227
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=538&stc=1&d=1206150227
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=539&stc=1&d=1206150227
Let me say this - it looks sooooooo much better in person than the vast majority of the pictures I've seen. The new car prep guy wasn't even outta the car and I'm in the driver's seat, checking it all out.
Initial opinion and observations after a 10 min. quickie inspection -
1) Typical Holden build quality (better than any other current Pontiac).
2)Tight fitting panels, close tolerences.
3) Excellent seats; supportive and should be most comfortable over the long-haul.
4) The 19" Wheel option is a must have. They look great.
5) Interior layout and design is GTO-like......well thought out, quality materials.
6) Lose the red dash LEDs. Not a big fan.
7) Lots of room, both front and rear leg, head and shoulder.
8) Trunk is deep front to back, but not top to bottom.
9) Cost cutting material used in the automatic shifter handle has a "low budget" feel.
10) The front nose view is sooooo schweet. The back end is much more pleasing to my eye in person...much better than pictures I've seen in mags/online. Flared fenders really give it an aggressive-looking posture.
As I'm walking around the car, here comes the 2nd one - a White G8 GT. Talk about WOW FACTOR!!!! Put some dark tint on the greenhouse and Wah La!!!!! This one also has the 19" optional wheels and again, they look super on the White as well as the Black.
Both cars are one of the first 888. I'm actually surprised that they got any as they are not the highest-volume dealer.
Of course, as soon as my wife comes out of her office at the end of the day, I walk over to the General Sales Manager, point to the white G8 (the black one is supposed to be delivered tonight at around 7) and he goes inside, gets a dealer tag and the key. I promise on a stack of bibles to only take it for a short ride and not to do anything stupid. The car has 8 miles on it.
Jeanne and I get in, adjust seats, mirrors, etc. Start it up - can't tell it's running. Pull out into rush hour traffic very carefully, make a right at the corner and head down a 4-lane roadway right at rush hour. Good smooth road. End up pulling back into the parking lot with 11 miles on the OD. While not my typical "test drive", it was long enough to come away with the following observations and impressions:
a) Sure is a hell of a lot quieter than the GTO :gr_devil: Actually, that was my wife's 1st observation....lol
b) Powertrain is very smooth. Tranny shifts are like butter under normal throttle.
c) No hint of Engine Management System kicking in.......had it up to 65 for a long enough period for it to have activated.
d) Steering is crisp, responsive and quick. Should be fun in the twisties.
e) Even with 19" tires, suspension/ride quality is well-balanced between sport and touring. Tire/road noise is more intrusive than it needs to be. Perhaps different shoes will reduce that.
f) wind noise levels are very well contained.
g) Flooring it from about 5 mph, seemed to take a bit to get into the torque/power band. Once it does, pulls strongly. Tough comparing to a stock GTO 6 litre since my car hasn't been stock for over 33k miles :biggrin2:
h) Controls seem to be intuitive, well placed.
i) Didn't notice any blind spots.
j) Now if only Pontiac would promote this beauty and get enough out to the dealers for public consumption quickly, the G8 is a top 4-door sedan, especially for the price and what you get for your greenbacks. A definite winner!!!!! Let's hope the UAW doesn't squash this baby the way it did the GTO. :damnyou:
Here's a few quick pics. Sorry for the garbage cell phone quality. Will go back tomorrow morning with my high-res digital cam for some "real photos"
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=535&stc=1&d=1206147847
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=536&stc=1&d=1206147866
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=537&stc=1&d=1206150227
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=538&stc=1&d=1206150227
http://www.g8board.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=539&stc=1&d=1206150227