Well im looking at buying a new car... I really like these G8's but im also leaning towards a 2003-2004 mustang cobra... Are the G8's really worth it? Do you guys like them? and is there gonna be anything different performance wise from the 08 to the 09 G8... I just need some help to make sure i makea good choice.

The two aren't really comparable.

Here are a couple of Top Gear tests - first Mustang GT500 (the Monaro time mentioned was in the wet)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0s4OAMISN4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn7Z-iLa8h0

Ahh.. get the G8... you know you want it :)

The G8 won't change appreciably between '08 and '09 - there's likely to be running changes to improve the car as the years go on (but of course the first year will always be the first year and have added appeal, especially since it was short). The only appreciable difference is the addition of the GXP model with 40 extra hp, and since we don't know how much extra you'll be asked to stump up for over the GT, no real value judgement can be made yet.
In practical terms as isszy says they're not really comparable - 4 door large sedan versus compact (mid-size these days?) 2 door coupe - this is presumably why he posted the youtube Monaro clips since it is closer to a Cobra in concept and presumably power (400hp versus 362 for the G8GT, Cobra is ?).
As far as the G8 goes I can only comment on the Commodore on which it's based but since they come down the same assembly line it's not unreasonable to talk about it. The overall quality is high but not topline Euro-Jap (maybe Caddy too) luxury car comparable - some slip ups are the flimsy glove-box design - but even my 2002 Monaro has had to have that fixed and that was the GTO platform so completley different, so it may be a lapse in Holden design expertise (I don't really travel in many other cars - the Mitsubishi 380 - Galant to you - and previous gen Camry are my only reference points and these seem more solid in this area). Some G8 reviewers complain about the lack of a windblock between interior and the boot (trunk) when the ski-hatch is open - must be less of a concern here, though losing air-con pressure and coolness from the interior would be a concern to me - maybe we don't use it so much since a very large proportion of Aussie cars have trailer hitches (mostly for towing loads, not the trailers you have which we call caravans, which we also do to some extent, but less so with the price of petrol (gas) I suspect...).
Only you can decide if it is good value for your purposes. A new G8 has 3 year warranty presumably, whereas a 4-5 year old Cobra presumably won't. And you inherit all the problems, scars and wear and tear of previous owner(s). But maybe you're paying appreciably less?
Hope that helps.

I was in the same boat as you. I really wanted a 2003 sonic blue Cobra. I actually bought the G8 the day before I was going to buy a Cobra vert w/ 5k miles. I have a family and already own 2 Mustangs, so the right choice was the G8. Remember the Cobra is still just a 1979 fox body, they're no where near as solid as the G8. It's very quite, rides great, handles well, and is pretty quick. If you're looking for a nice daily driver, the G8 is great for the money (a nice Cobra is still $22-$27k). If you're looking for raw power and the endless possibility of HP, go with the Cobra.

Well im looking at buying a new car... I really like these G8's but im also leaning towards a 2003-2004 mustang cobra... Are the G8's really worth it? Do you guys like them? and is there gonna be anything different performance wise from the 08 to the 09 G8... I just need some help to make sure i makea good choice.

Depends on what you want if for.

If you want a nice, refined/polished, well put together, need for 4 door, sedan, that is a daily driver, then the G8.

If you want an antiquated, brash, rough edged, but easily modifiable for large power gains, withb only two doors, weekend brawler, the Cobra is for you.

I don't mean those descriptors as negative to the Cobra either (before Cbora owners freak out on me). Much of them can also fit my '98 Z28 too. There were just days where I needed that brash, in your face, no excuses given or taken, performance. Those days where you just want to deck everyone. But for a DD, I'd rather have had my GTO (or in this case, a G8).

The biggest difference between the two cars is the suspension. The Stang is a primitive live axle. Handling will be a little sloppy. The G8 is a world class, BMW calibre suspension.

If it is important to you to go fast in the curves, the G8 is vastly superior. In a straight line its a coin toss.

It's like comparing a tennis racket to a pastrami sandwich. Or as my algebra teacher used to say, "you can't combine x with y". A mustang and a G8 are very different, especially when you compare a 2003 mustang with a 2008 G8. We should list their similarities: they both have 4 wheels.

Do you guys like ur g8... im gonna test drive one soon

My biggest problem with the stang is the steering wheel is do close to the dash and since there is no telescoping function, there is nothing you can do about it.......I sat in a G8 and was able to get a good driving position although the wheel was a little high.......didn't have a chance to test drive another guy was waiting and the dealer was about to close...........should go back soon

Do you guys like ur g8... im gonna test drive one soon

I love it! I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. Of course, if I found it in grey, I'd buy it in half-a-heartbeat.

For the money, it's nearly impossible to match this car's performance, comfort and quality all in one package.

Sure, there are cars that do one of those things better for the price, but I can't think of one that does them all as well in this price range.

Yea im looking foward to driving one.. i sat in one but i havent drove one or started it up... What are some really cool things about the car you guys like??? Besides what is in the mags,and on websites..

Matt- You just need to drive one. It is a very nice car for the price. I'm most impressed with the ride quality. I've owned a lot of Mustangs and they don't compare. The G8 is just a really nice, well rounded driver.



The Cobra actually has independant rear and it's not even close to a toss up in the straight line...the Cobra would kill a G8.

The biggest difference between the two cars is the suspension. The Stang is a primitive live axle. Handling will be a little sloppy. The G8 is a world class, BMW calibre suspension.

If it is important to you to go fast in the curves, the G8 is vastly superior. In a straight line its a coin toss.

Yea im looking foward to driving one.. i sat in one but i havent drove one or started it up... What are some really cool things about the car you guys like??? Besides what is in the mags,and on websites..

I like the premium seats. I'm not a leather fan, but these seats are very comfortable to me. I'm 6'2" and 300lbs so finding sportier seats that are comfortable to me is hard to do.

I love the power and handling. This car is very "point and shoot". That is, point it in a direction and you get there NOW without a lot of drama. The tranny calibration needs work, but there are flashes out there to fix that.

The traction control has saved me on a couple occasions already. I still turn it off for fun from time to time, but its there when I need it to keep me from underestimating the power this thing has.

I do believe some of the tranny hesitation/"slipping" people are experiencing with this car is due to the traction/stability control. If you try to make a low speed, sharp turn (like a U-turn) and try to punch it because you underestimated the speed of traffic, don't be surprised if it stumbles and hesitates. Whenever I make a U-turn now I turn off the stability control and modulate with the gas pedal. It eliminates that stumbling/hesitating feel and makes for some attention getting theatrics.:p

I love the huge trunk. I was surprised how much stuff this thing can swallow. I've got two huge suitcases that I'd never consider trying to carry in my Z28 or even inside my extended cab Dakota. This thing swallows them and doesn't even belch.

The DIC is a nice toy and the engineering mode is a nice bonus.

The glove box is a lot bigger than I expected. It holds all of the extra CD cases that the center console can't handle well.

It's nice having a compass and external temp gauge again. My Dakota had neither.

The handling is tight without as much of the thumping I was used to with most cars that could hang with it in the twisties. At least with the 18" all-season tires anyways. I haven't ridden in a version with the 19" summer only tires, and I don't think I would really want to.

Matt- You just need to drive one. It is a very nice car for the price. I'm most impressed with the ride quality. I've owned a lot of Mustangs and they don't compare. The G8 is just a really nice, well rounded driver.



The Cobra actually has independant rear and it's not even close to a toss up in the straight line...the Cobra would kill a G8.

He also misses the fact that the Cobra's S/C V8 is a couple hundred dollars of bolt-ons (pulleys, CAI, exhaust) done on a Saturday afternoon, from 500rwhp.

Speaking of trunk, anyone put a bike back there? I ride mountain and road bikes and we have a CX7 for bike duty, but sometimes it isn't available when I want it (it's technically the SO's). So I'd like to know in a pinch I can move one of my bikes to the bike store or to the trail with it.

Speaking of trunk, anyone put a bike back there? I ride mountain and road bikes and we have a CX7 for bike duty, but sometimes it isn't available when I want it (it's technically the SO's). So I'd like to know in a pinch I can move one of my bikes to the bike store or to the trail with it.

Don't know about fitting the bike in the trunk, but I'm willing to bet that you could easily fit it if you remove the front wheel. I'm interested in putting a bike rack on the roof. There's a factory roof rack available already, and the Aussies have attachments for bikes, snowboards & skis. Not sure when/if they will be bringing those attachments over here. More info available in this thread: http://www.g8board.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1809&highlight=bike+rack