There's an interesting debate going on about the G8 here if anyone is interested. May be some members here taking either side of the debate but it's still G8 talk. Hopefully DY won't mind the link.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55428

Interesting. I do agree that NAV should be an option since it's an option on all of its competitors. I don't want it, wont' pay for it, and won't ever use it, but I can see some people walking out of the dealer's doors because "what?? No nav system?? How will I ever find my way around!?"

XM is really only important to people who already own GM cars and are used to it, I think most other people use Sirius given the recent numbers.

I really want one of these now, but I'll wait until they come out with a pretty deep, dark blue color and pick one up used with low miles in a few years.

Interesting bunch of whining by proclaimed non-purchasers. I only just popped in to set some of their misconceptions straight. http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1192795&postcount=184

One guy says lack of nav and bt will make him buy a CTS instead (which will easily be over $45k, thiunk what teh extra $10k could buy)

Another will buy a G35 instead, similar pricing - but smaller car and V6 only

The way I look at it today, companies have to offer extra tidbits like nav and bluetooth to compenstae for coming to market at $35k with 2.0L inline 4's (Audi A4) Or much smaller cars (MKZ) with less than stellar performance.

It's always interesting to read comments by non-fans. Some of them wouldn't buy it even if it did offer Nav and BlueTooth. Besides would we really want them in a Pontiac anyway? I know some people like options but to me it seems many just want to complain, then I challenge them to contact Pontiac over it and they don't. Typical internet chest-thumpers and self-inflated know-it-alls.

The only problem i can see is that most owners will find out that the Australian version has nav and bluetooth as options.

I don't know why Pontiac decided to not include them.

I'm starting to wonder that as well and have 2 guesses.

1. Not enough people option these if available so Pontiac figures why bother if it will be a very low percentage of sales.

2. Replacement part/warantee cost/not in stock of replacing these parts by shipping them from Australia. Several GTO owners have had the frustration of having to need warantee work and needing the parts ordered from Oz. This one is a wild guess though.

A third could be GM is pushing turn by turn Onstar and doesn't want a Nav unit cutting into that piece of pie so to speak. Who knows, only the beancounters at Pontiac I suspect.

Bluetooth might be part of the "personal audio link" available as an accessory for 2009 model year.

Some of those guys need some cheese with all that whine.

I would prefer it came with Bluetooth, Navigation and other goodies, but it is not a dealbreaker for me by any means. A 350+hp V8 and six-speed manual will make up the difference rather quickly :)

^^^Agreed. I would rather spend that extra 1500-2000 on the motor. and Since it comes with an available 6/6.5" screen it wouldnt be a problem to add navi separately.

I don't think that most people who will be buying this are going to be aware of the options available in Australia. The majority will probably be buying the V6 and couldn't point out Australia on a map. They may be comparing options with the Charger or Asian imports though. I think Orbit is right about GM not wanting to deal with the logistics of so many option parts coming from Aus especially with shipping costs. Something else to consider is possibly GMNA would like to offer XM but maybe Blaupunkt doesn't have it ready yet. Same thing with nav. It would require a software/disc rewrite. The bluetooth... well Onstar makes GM a lot of money so I can see why they would delete that.

If someone really wants those Commodore options like bluetooth, I'm sure our friends in Australia can hook them up.

I do believe that they should of been made optional and hopefuly GM will do so after they hear how many people would paid for it. Money is money and it's already designed for it.