Finally made it to the dealer today to get my new G8 GT ordered, let the waiting continue...

My rep said she isn't actually even going to training on it until mid-march, but did at least get me copies of the info they've gotten this far. Don't think it's been posted here yet, and nothing really new, but filled in some gaps for me and is cohesive, so I thought others might enjoy as well.

www.g8board.com/08G8/images/G8_trifold_English.pdf

www.g8board.com/08G8/images/G8_DB_reversed.pdf

Don't think it's been posted here yet, and nothing really new, but filled in some gaps for me and is cohesive, so I thought others might enjoy as well.
.

I appreciate you posting these.
The detailed, head-on comparison the the BMW 550, I find fascinating...
- Ray
Reading through again...

Nice to see some good information. Now I can see what exactly is included. Some of the safety features are pretty impressive.

:us_flag:Finally made it to the dealer today to get my new G8 GT ordered, let the waiting continue...

My rep said she isn't actually even going to training on it until mid-march, but did at least get me copies of the info they've gotten this far. Don't think it's been posted here yet, and nothing really new, but filled in some gaps for me and is cohesive, so I thought others might enjoy as well.

These are both .pdf's, I renamed them to hpts to get around the file size restrictions (sorry if I'm an idiot for doing so, forum gods, but couldn't figure out another way without a link to point to...).
Outstanding job Bill. Much appreciated.:us_flag:

Bill: Very nice post! This has a ton of great info!

The thing that struck me the most is the acceleration comparison between the G8 GT vs. BMW 550i. On numbered page 25, or 27 of 32 on the whole pdf file. It says under "Competitive Comparisons"

Faster. G8 GT accelerates from 0-60 faster than the BMW 550i


If this is true, in my Feb 2008 Road & Track magizine (with the new ZR-1 on the cover), on page 96 under "Road Test Summary" it says the BMW 550i runs 0-60 in 5.0 sec / and the 1/4 mile in 13.5 @ 105.0mph

If this is the case does the G8 GT go 0-60 in 4.9 secs!!!??? Holy Snap! :hail:

I wonder where GM got their numbers from to support that "Faster Than" quote. And what the exact numbers were?

Hmmmmmmmmmm........? :driving:

Thanks! Glad I snagged this in time. No mention of late availability manual anymore. Nicole can sure kick out a great PDF. :)

They don't get their numbers from magazine articles. They get them from BMW's official documents.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2008/5/550iSedan/Features_and_Specs/550iSedanSpecifications.aspx

So, who know's if 2008 Road and Track is padding those results, or not. Odds are, its logical that their clock could be off, or they're rounding.

I hosted the files as PDF's .... they are way to large to put into the attachment system.

They don't get their numbers from magazine articles. They get them from BMW's official documents.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2008/5/550iSedan/Features_and_Specs/550iSedanSpecifications.aspx

So, who know's if 2008 Road and Track is padding those results, or not. Odds are, its logical that their clock could be off, or they're rounding.


Yeah, and I also saw on that tri-fold out pdf file. that the manuf. GM/Pontiac claimed 0-60 time is 5.3sec for the G8 GT.

I cannot wait to get this car!

I've been obsessing about this car way too much.... I had a dream about it a week ago or so.

Me too, I emailed that Hopson guy years back telling Pontiac to bring the Commodore to the US. I can't believe it's happened!

He emailed me back too....

I just hate having to wait, even 3 months is too much... :p

I love the last page... not intended for consumers... for dealership employees only... opps :)

Great info - Thanks!

I work for a Mercedes dealer and it really seems like GM does a much better job of giving their sales teams all the info necessary to properly sell the car. Mercedes doesn't do the comparisons.....I guess they think that "nothing compares" Yeah right - I'll take the G8 any day:us_flag: I like that note on the end that it's not meant to be read by consumers.....oh well!

I think I already posted this but..........


Thanks for the links.

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the info, very nice.
I am surprised by the "RACE" wording used in the brochure. For instance when Pontiac talks about the tranny, "wide gear spread allows both aggressive launch performance and low revs for cruising".
It sounds like Pontiac is expecting the car to be drove the way it was intended. I hope this is a drivers car and that it will hold up to my lead foot.

I work for a Mercedes dealer and it really seems like GM does a much better job of giving their sales teams all the info necessary to properly sell the car. Mercedes doesn't do the comparisons.

GM does customer service better than most other car manufacturers.

props

edit-you'd think a better comparison for the g8gt would be the g37, not the 35 sport...

I'm a rep for GM and am actually looking at the "Details book" right now... I can't believe it but I'm actually even excited about the key fob (in case you don't know it is going to be very similar to what VW uses with the key that pops out at the push of a button)!

edit: ah, I see you posted the details book. tsk tsk! haha. It's on page 11.

props

edit-you'd think a better comparison for the g8gt would be the g37, not the 35 sport...

The G37 is a coupe. All the cars in the comparison are sedans.

I'm a rep for GM and am actually looking at the "Details book" right now... I can't believe it but I'm actually even excited about the key fob (in case you don't know it is going to be very similar to what VW uses with the key that pops out at the push of a button)!

edit: ah, I see you posted the details book. tsk tsk! haha. It's on page 11.


You are a good person to ask this question then. I have never owned a GM product in my life, mainly Fords, but lately Lexus and Honda.

In the past month I have seen many ads and writeups both on TV and the various car mags on the G8. I like what I see so I stop by the local Pontiac dealer yesterday to pick up a brochure. But there are none available yet, and the salesman was clueless about the car. Why bother with the huge advertising blitz and then not even have a simple brochure or a competent sales force?


:whine:

You are a good to ask this question then. I have never owned a GM product in my life, mainly Fords, but lately Lexus and Honda.

In the past month I have seen many ads and writeups both on TV and the various car mags on the G8. I like what I see so I stop by the local Pontiac dealer yesterday to pick up a brochure. But there are none available yet, and the salesman was clueless about the car. Why bother with the huge advertising blitz and then not even have a simple brochure or a competent sales force?


:whine:

I would assume it has to do a lot with formalities and official approvals. Just like getting information on the new camaro; you are better off coming to a forum like this to get any kind of information on the car. Usually any rumor or unofficial information is up on this board first and much later you will see a piece of offical approved information provided by Pontiac on their website or in a press release.

The commercials out there right now a presenting the car in a mixed commercial with other Pontiacs to begin to get the word out. We assume that after the car is arriving to the dealerships there will be a targeted television campaign and more information/handouts will be provided to the dealers.

I agree that some kind of handout should be available at the dealer if they are putting it into Pontiac commercials and putting ads in magazines.

Those are damn good questions. Where are the sales brochures? It's January! And where are the knowledgeable salespersons?
This is Pontiac's flagship vehicle. Moreover, many of the potential customers coming into dealerships inquiring about this car are sophisticated individuals. Why are they leaving Pontiac dealerships in a disappointed mood?

Maybe I'm expecting too much?

Maybe I'm expecting too much?

I don't think you are.

I have also gone to the dealership only to be disappointed by the response. One would think that dealerships have been complaining about not having "THE" car to make Pontiac a hot item again. Here they have it, and the dealerships only care about the vehicles they are trying to push this week- not the flagship of the future that arrives in a month.

I went into the dealership not merely seeking a sales brochure about the G8 (which of course the dealership did not have). I went in there to actually BUY the car, and yet the dealer did not even know that Pontiac was accepting orders.
It was very strange that I was educating the dealer about the specs on the G8 and the various option packages available, as opposed to the other way around.
I have said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm not simply buying a TV or a dishwasher. I'm buying a new car, which is a major event in a person's life (at least for most people). The salesperson at the dealership should be different than the 16 year old kid at Best Buy (who, BY THE WAY, knows his product better than the car dealer).

But again, I'm probably asking too much.

Hmmm...I wonder how they are at the Lexus dealership across the street?

Well, Im currently at work so I can't really get into major details.

The fact is that dealerships are independent entities. While it's true they hold the particular GM franchise, GM cannot force every dealer to do exactly what GM wants them to do. Trust me, we try and help/coach/counsel/advise them into doing so but that's all we can do (although they do have to follow basic tennants).

In saying that, GM offers multiple training events (and already has) for the G8 for dealerships whether this is through the internet or through satellite broadcasts (and eventually a hands on "ride & drive"). Now whether the participants at the dealership care to learn the info or just "attend" is up to them, but all of the necessary info is out there for the dealership and they are required to attend.

Some dealerships may not care to know because it is going to be very difficult for dealers to acquire the G8 during its first year of production. Those dealerships that are receiving it (in most cases) are only going to receive 1 this year. It's a matter of the aussie plant only being able to supply x amount of vehicles. I don't know specifics off hand, but I do know they plan to ramp up production for '09 and their will be more colors/options available.

Hope that answers some questions with the short amount of time I had. I'll do my best to answer any more I can, assuming it's not stuff that will get me into trouble. :)

I can totally understand the dealer perspective. If a particular dealer only expects to get one G8 this year, then it has little to no incentive to become familiar with the G8 specs, options, etc. This is a business reality.
But I'm looking at it from the consumer perspective. As a consumer, I walk into a Pontiac dealership expecting a knowledgeable staff, particularly when there are so few Pontiac dealerships around. And if I walk away from the Pontiac dealership disappointed, then I may turn my attention to another brand. Result = lost sale for GM.
The dealerships may be independent agencies, but GM must be able to exercise a certain level of quality control over them.

They have a dealer sales/service agreement they must abide by, and in there it states that they must be 100% sales and service trained. Are they always? nope.

It's something I fight everyday. :mad:

Well, Im currently at work so I can't really get into major details.

The fact is that dealerships are independent entities. While it's true they hold the particular GM franchise, GM cannot force every dealer to do exactly what GM wants them to do. Trust me, we try and help/coach/counsel/advise them into doing so but that's all we can do (although they do have to follow basic tennants).

In saying that, GM offers multiple training events (and already has) for the G8 for dealerships whether this is through the internet or through satellite broadcasts (and eventually a hands on "ride & drive"). Now whether the participants at the dealership care to learn the info or just "attend" is up to them, but all of the necessary info is out there for the dealership and they are required to attend.

Some dealerships may not care to know because it is going to be very difficult for dealers to acquire the G8 during its first year of production. Those dealerships that are receiving it (in most cases) are only going to receive 1 this year. It's a matter of the aussie plant only being able to supply x amount of vehicles. I don't know specifics off hand, but I do know they plan to ramp up production for '09 and they'll be more colors/options available.

Hope that answers some questions with the short amount of time I had. I'll do my best to answer any more I can, assuming it's not stuff that will get me into trouble. :)


Thanks for the info, what exactly do you do? Do you think that integrated "REAL" navigation might be an option for 2009? That and lack of XM radio would be a dealbreaker for me at this point. I just don't understand why these can't be stand alone options on a $32k+ vehicle new for 2008. :cursin:

I have heard that both will be available in '09. No promises though. . . :) (Im a service rep.)

Seriously... has anyone on this board EVER walked into a dealership and found a salesperson that knows more about the car, ANY car then you do?

Honestly, it's kind of apalling.. not only should they know the vehicle they're trying to sell, the should know about the competitors so they can show you why you should buy their car....

Seriously... has anyone on this board EVER walked into a dealership and found a salesperson that knows more about the car, ANY car then you do?

Honestly, it's kind of apalling.. not only should they know the vehicle they're trying to sell, the should know about the competitors so they can show you why you should buy their car....

I never have yet!

I have heard that both will be available in '09. No promises though. . . :) (Im a service rep.)


Okay good, that will also allow the first year bugs to be worked out. Do other GM cars come standard with XM now?

Seriously... has anyone on this board EVER walked into a dealership and found a salesperson that knows more about the car, ANY car then you do?

Never, if I went to a dealer looking for a car, I knew almost everything possible in case they tried to upsell me. At the Honda dealership where I got my S2000 it took them 25 minutes to figure out how to start the car so they could pull it out of the showroom. They are looking for microswitches under the clutch pedal to make sure it was pressed, kept making sure it was in neutral, they tried rocking it as if the starter shaft was stuck to the flywheel. I stopped them just short of putting a new battery in and pointed to the red, silver dollar sized, Start Button. I was standing next to a tech the whole time, we thought it was hysterical.

Actually, there was one place where I walked in and the Salesman knew more than I did. He demoed the car very well from bumper to bumper.

r1owner, if you are a real "car nut," then you will be very lucky to find a salesperson who knows more than you about a car you are interested in. They just don't have an incentive to know their product inside and out (let alone the products they're competing against), because most buyers don't expect them to. Most car buyers only see cars as transportation, and they don't ask many questions that can't be answered by reading out of the product brochure.

The key is finding a salesperson who is willing to get a "straight answer" for you when they don't know, and who doesn't try to BS you. They exist, but you have to dig a little. If the person is willing to spend time answering questions for you even if you won't result in a sale that day (or week, or month), then they "earn the future sale" in my opinion.

My dad sold cars from '72 until the late '70s. He was (and still is) a huge car nut. He attended every bit of training that he could get, he read plenty of mags, and he studied up on the competition. He tried to be an expert, and even then many of his co-workers asked him why he bothered. He found that it wasn't necessary for most customers, but it meant that he usually got the sale when he met a fellow "car nut" buyer.

Boards like this just make us think that car nuts are everywhere. There aren't. That's alright, who wants to be just another lemming!

this car looks so sick...im really excited to hopefully get it, especially as my 1st car =]

Most people don't expect them to, no. But the ones that know their stuff generally sell more cars.

But all that aside, these sales brochures have a good deal of info that most of you didn't know. :) Even better ;)

Good points about us being car nuts....

I guess most people just don't get into cars like I think they should! LOL!

Seriously... has anyone on this board EVER walked into a dealership and found a salesperson that knows more about the car, ANY car then you do?

Not in my dealership dealings. But, I fit into that "enthusiast" category. So, anytime I hear rumor or speculation, I'm on it. Then, I have to wait for what seems like forever to see if the rumors were true.

Good points about us being car nuts....

I guess most people just don't get into cars like I think they should! LOL!

That's why these places exist :) Thankfully I found this place, because I was getting tired of all this stuff about Nissan, Honda, and BMW (as if they all belong in the same sentence).

In most places, mentioning pontiac has these guys --> :The_Villagers: after me, and then I gotta go hide. :wall:

That's why these places exist :) Thankfully I found this place, because I was getting tired of all this stuff about Nissan, Honda, and BMW (as if they all belong in the same sentence).

In most places, mentioning pontiac has these guys --> :The_Villagers: after me, and then I gotta go hide. :wall:

Definately great having enthusiast forums. That way, other car fans get the lynch mob. :The_Villagers:

Not in my dealership dealings. But, I fit into that "enthusiast" category. So, anytime I hear rumor or speculation, I'm on it. Then, I have to wait for what seems like forever to see if the rumors were true.


Sorta like the ST in your Sig. :stickpoke: :D

You know, I think GM should get "The Stig" to market the G8 hehehehe.

Sorta like the ST in your Sig. :stickpoke: :D

At least there was an official announcement that we're getting the ST. It at least gives me 12 months (more waiting :cursin:) to get that down payment ready...again.

At least there was an official announcement that we're getting the ST. It at least gives me 12 months (more waiting :cursin:) to get that down payment ready...again.

Seriously though, I haven't seen an official announcement. Just speculation and "an insider told me" rumors. I don't think I'll believe anything till I see Bob Lutz on stage stating that it will be imported.

Seriously... has anyone on this board EVER walked into a dealership and found a salesperson that knows more about the car, ANY car then you do?

Honestly, it's kind of apalling.. not only should they know the vehicle they're trying to sell, the should know about the competitors so they can show you why you should buy their car....

1. Lexus
2. Audi
3. Acura

Especially Lexus and I knew the cars top to bottom before I arrived at the dealership.

I will have to give it to my Honda delears, they've always known more about those ricers than me... LOL...

I'm a rep for GM and am actually looking at the "Details book" right now... I can't believe it but I'm actually even excited about the key fob (in case you don't know it is going to be very similar to what VW uses with the key that pops out at the push of a button)!

edit: ah, I see you posted the details book. tsk tsk! haha. It's on page 11.


In my opinion, this sort of information should be readily available to the public. This should be on the Pontiac website. I'm fairly confident that those yahoo's at the dealers won't know a 1/4 of the stuff in these pdf's. When you go into a Canadian Pontaic dealer now, nobody even knows what a G8 is, let alone its advantages over the competition.

Seriously though, I haven't seen an official announcement. Just speculation and "an insider told me" rumors. I don't think I'll believe anything till I see Bob Lutz on stage stating that it will be imported.

I'll see if I can find the article where I thought we got the green light for the Ute.

Here is the Autoblog article that is a strong indicator: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/30/no-el-camino-for-you-pontiac-pickup-will-be-named-g8-st/

Sure, it doesn't say that GM officially annouced it, but it hints that it is 99.99% a done deal.

I just love the rant about it being ST instead of an official name. I really don't care what they name it; I won't be getting it.

Just like I don't care that the G8 GT doesn't have an official stupid name. I don't really care what my car is called.

Sales folks generally don't know the details about the cars they sell. When I purchased my 2005 Grand Prix GXP. I told the sales person I couldn't find the spare tire. He said he would be happy to show me. I already knew it didn't have a spare tire. After he opened the trunk, removed the mat and the panel he just stood there for a moment and said someone removed the spare. I lol and told him it didn't come with a spare tire. As for the G8 I think I will wait to see if they come out with a GXP. May have to wait a year or two.

Now that is funny:)

I just love the rant about it being ST instead of an official name. I really don't care what they name it; I won't be getting it.

Just like I don't care that the G8 GT doesn't have an official stupid name. I don't really care what my car is called.

I agree. I'm just happy that those who want one will have an opportunity to buy one.

Sales folks generally don't know the details about the cars they sell. When I purchased my 2005 Grand Prix GXP. I told the sales person I couldn't find the spare tire. He said he would be happy to show me. I already knew it didn't have a spare tire. After he opened the trunk, removed the mat and the panel he just stood there for a moment and said someone removed the spare. I lol and told him it didn't come with a spare tire. As for the G8 I think I will wait to see if they come out with a GXP. May have to wait a year or two.

From what I've heard, the Aussie Commodores have gone to temporary spares (in the tire industry, we call them "donuts"). Looks like I'm gonna have to get a regular sized spare if my car doesn't come with one.

Can't believe that they say that the BMW doesn't have an oil life monitoring system. My 98 M3 does. I thought all BMW's had it nowadays.

As far as I'm aware, Bimmers do. Hell, new ones tell you the oil level. No more dipstick for the oil changing dipstick to read. I'd hate to see that guy trying to read the instructions for the dash readout.

Can't believe that they say that the BMW doesn't have an oil life monitoring system. My 98 M3 does. I thought all BMW's had it nowadays.
All or nearly all BMW's have had one for 25 years. Not sure what Pontiac was talking about on that one.

Maybe I'm expecting too much?

I am new to the boards but I went to the local dealership today asking for any information and all the whole place could tell me was to check out Pontiacs website. They told me they are expecting to get 6-8 of them in though and would call me when they get any.

Thanks for this info to read. Off to go and read it now.

Can't believe that they say that the BMW doesn't have an oil life monitoring system. My 98 M3 does. I thought all BMW's had it nowadays.

As did my 1983 633CSi. It wasn't working by the time I got it, but it did have one :)

I am new to the boards but I went to the local dealership today asking for any information and all the whole place could tell me was to check out Pontiacs website. They told me they are expecting to get 6-8 of them in though and would call me when they get any.

Thanks for this info to read. Off to go and read it now. This must be a very large dealer to be getting that many units all at once! I was under the impression that a mid sized dealer would be getting about 2 cars while large dealers were alotted about 4-5 cars. 6-8 seems like a stretch.

Seriously... has anyone on this board EVER walked into a dealership and found a salesperson that knows more about the car, ANY car then you do?

Honestly, it's kind of apalling.. not only should they know the vehicle they're trying to sell, the should know about the competitors so they can show you why you should buy their car....

Yeah, one would think that, but to echo other members, that's never the case. A couple months ago I went to look at a six-speed Acura TL, and the salesgirl couldn't even start it. She started it in gear, released the clutch and it lurched forward and nearly hit me as I was looking under the hood at the moment.

You know, I think GM should get "The Stig" to market the G8 hehehehe.

I think that would be awesome! Problem is, 95% of the American populus wouldn't get it.

I love the last page... not intended for consumers... for dealership employees only... opps :)

Great info - Thanks!

Awesome info!

I am glad to see the G8 will have telescopic steering as a standard feature. All vehicles should have that.

This must be a very large dealer to be getting that many units all at once! I was under the impression that a mid sized dealer would be getting about 2 cars while large dealers were alotted about 4-5 cars. 6-8 seems like a stretch.

It is a nice size lot, but is under construction right now as well so it is hard to tell the full size. I think he might have exaggerated when he said 5-6 but I can hope he didn't. I'll just have to wait and see.

An article in an AU newspaper states the first boat load is 1,500 units. The 1,500 number is a quote attributed to Jim Hobson at Pontiac. That would allow for increased initial allocations. 1,500 seems to be a lot of G8s on one ship.