First...hey GM you guys really messed up! No brochures there? Lots of people checking out, photographing the G8 and not one piece of literature! M-A-R-K-E-T-I-N-G. Surprisingly the stack of 2009 Vibe posters were not moving at all...

On to the Car.

Exterior: Looked better in person than in the pics. Red one looked good, silver one not so good (I am not a big silver fan), black was hot. The Base level wheels weren't very nice either...the up level wheels were decent, but it really needs bigger more distinctive wheels..(like the ones on the banner here!)

Interior: I was disappointed. The one we could sit in, a G8 GT, was not as nice as I expected. It looked to have lower quality materials than I was hoping for and too much damn grey PLASTIC. Definately less quality materials than what the 04-06 GTOs have. From a looks perspective, the "new" Malibu interior looked nicer--esp the dash. Definately will want the two tone, unless you're a big fan of Graphite PLASTIC. Seats weren't as nice as the GTO...in fact, I couldn't tell if they were better than my 04 GP seats.

Overall the interior *might* have been somewhere between the GP GXP and regular GP. I certainly didn't see it as much of a step up from my 04 GP...and maybe a bit of let down compared to my 04 GTO. Certainly isn't gonna compete with any BMW interior.

I wasn't pleased or impressed as I'd hoped.

I sat in Dodge Charger for comparison..Interior and seats were better than the G8. I'd also probably have to give the Charger the nod on looks (it was a Daytona one). Not good for Pontiac. Of course the g8 will likely be about 1 sec faster so that's a good thing.

I also sat in an Acura as well..its interior was *way* nicer than the G8. Not even in competition..now to be fair the Acura was listed at 36K so its a little pricier and no V8, but still.

Definately have to see how it drives, and it better drive awfully well..but my viewing definately convinced me to wait for at least till 2009 and hope for some GXP type upgrades. It certainly didn't make enough of an impression to make me want to trade in my GTP.

Side RANT: Only the Yellow Bumblebee Camaro was there...again, how about keeping the interest alive GM--give us a Camaro we can sit in. Although I will point out it wasn't only GM, I asked the Dodge folks "Where is the Challenger?" Nope it wasn't there?!

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. Too bad you didn't take pictures, that would have been nice. Disappointing to hear about your disappointment. I, too, want to support GM. I grew up in Milford, home of the GM Proving Grounds, and half of my friends had parents who worked there. I have yet to own a foreign car, but each year I get closer.

If Acura made a car that was RWD I would have one by now. If Lexus had a vehicle I could order without a sunroof, I would have one of those by now (too tall for sunroofs). If BMW made a seat that had less than 187 adjustments, I would have one of those by now (okay, that is not the real issue...the issue is price; the only car I would want at this point is the 135i, which configured the way I want it is $50K).

I guess I will wait until the first one shows up to make my final judgements.

Too bad you didn't take pictures, that would have been nice.
Yep the batteries died in the digital after 1 picture--which wasn't of the G8 yet.

I'm in no rush for a new car, but yes I want GM to succeed (I've owned nothing but GM..).

They love to tease us with "Concepts" and then start removing the good stuff for production...

I am still hoping the car drives unbelievably..which based on current reviews I think it will (my previous 04 GTO was great and the G8 is supposed to be as good or better in that dept.).

sad to hear the interior quality isnt even up to par with the gto's. sad, i thought gm and holden had something great with this car. dissapointing to hear.

chrish

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. Too bad you didn't take pictures, that would have been nice. Disappointing to hear about your disappointment. I, too, want to support GM. I grew up in Milford, home of the GM Proving Grounds, and half of my friends had parents who worked there. I have yet to own a foreign car, but each year I get closer.

If Acura made a car that was RWD I would have one by now. If Lexus had a vehicle I could order without a sunroof, I would have one of those by now (too tall for sunroofs). If BMW made a seat that had less than 187 adjustments, I would have one of those by now (okay, that is not the real issue...the issue is price; the only car I would want at this point is the 135i, which configured the way I want it is $50K).

I swear i wrote this ... you stole my thoughts!!! do you do ESP?

Ive sat in Acura's at the car shows and they have to be the best seats. Comfortable, roomy, soft leather, great support.

Lexus seats are nice.. more firm, tight side bolsters.

I personally like a car like acura but they arent worth 40k imo. Its a honda for god sakes! However, im easy to please so ill wait to test drive the G8 before i decide.



I guess I will wait until the first one shows up to make my final judgements.[/QUOTE]

I agree on the comments about the feel and quality of the dash. To me.....the plastic looks and feels cheap, especially the glove compartment. The rest I am happy with.

But I've heard other people who have sat in it say the interior looks good, and still I said I won't judge until I see it. That still remains true.

At least it doesnt look like the Challengers Parts Bin interior.

Wow John, tell us how you really feel. :) That stinks that you didn't like the interior that well.

That was a very complete and thought out review, but I wish it was a little more favorable. Fit & finish you didn't really like the car overall, but hopefully the driving excitement will make up for it?

We should have told the NAIAS to have an Oogilie Orange G8 GT there, I'm wondering if the review would have been better. :) :popcorn2:

Oh well, take er easy! :wiggle:

Oogilie Orange G8 GT there, I'm wondering if the review would have been better

I had no real complaints about the outside, black one was pretty wicked looking...although I think a Brazen Orange (the GTO Orange) would look very nice.

The Black one, you couldn't sit in, had the two tone, which looked a bit better.
I wish it was a little more favorable. Fit & finish you didn't really like the car overall, but hopefully the driving excitement will make up for it?

I will say final judgement will have to be a test drive. But judge for yourself, go check out the Chevrolet site and look at the Malibu interior shot (I'd post it but its Flash). You'd think the Pontiac would get the uplevel treatment and the chevy get the basics...looks the opposite to me (both from in person and in pics).

Your take on the interior, along with all the washed out photos I've seen, makes me think nobody at GM knows that "onyx" means "jet black" or "carbon black" as in coal colored not pencil lead graphite gray. When did black stop being black?

The flashes from cameras make the interior look lighter (as in grey) than it actually is.

Flash photography and sunlight washes out the GTO's interior too.

I've sat in the new G8 and took the time to really examine it. I can tell you the interior really isn't any different than the GTO (a car that is a bit overrated in this respect). The G8 is made out of the same stuff, it has the same type of leather and it's screwed together the same. There's no real difference between the two other than the impression the styling leaves on the new car.

Keep in mind the Holden Commodore/G8 is not a luxury car, it's a mainstream family car that offers an SS version for muscle car nuts and it has a muscle car interior in character with the rest of the car. It's no different than our Dodge Charger. GM is stupid for trying to compare this car to a German luxury car because it simply doesn't nor was it meant to compete with those or other luxury cars.

If you're all about interiors only you can get an Acura TL or CTS instead.

Remember these are opinions. I happen to dislike the Charger Daytona, with its out-of-date matte black detailing, but that's my opinion.

As an enthusiast I welcome the G8 as another affordable RWD choice in the marketplace.

Remember these are opinions. I happen to dislike the Charger Daytona, with its out-of-date matte black detailing, but that's my opinion.

As an enthusiast I welcome the G8 as another affordable RWD choice in the marketplace.


i kinda am partial to the matte black detailing. this is way out in left field, but has anyone ever seen the newer episodes of rob and big on mtv? i love his matte/flat black finished tahoe... just looks mean.

chrish

You're making my point. Appearance is personal. There is no one great (or bad) look. We all have our favorites (and least favorites).


When it comes to the G8 (or any other car), make up your own mind on a subjective thing like the way it looks. Ignore other people's opinions.

Ignore other people's opinions.


but... but... ;)

lol jk, i totally agree with basing own opinions. brings out individuality. however, it is nice to hear some feedback on these items especially when very few of us have had the chance to experience the car in person. ill hold my breath until i see it in person, and keep my fingers crossed.

chrish

Exactly. I always ignore other opinions. I'm actually fine with the G6 interior as it is. A ton of people complain about it. It isn't like...primo special, or even special.. But its enough for me.

Others would step in and step out.

The G8 is made out of the same stuff, it has the same type of leather and it's screwed together the same. There's no real difference between the two other than the impression the styling leaves on the new car.

No--the G8 seats are different than the GTOs.
The GTO seats had better side bolsters and better headrest feel than the G8. I thought the G8 seats were closer to my GP seats than a GTO. Again they were decent, but not a "surprise and delight" feature.

The interior looks OK (as in typical GM), however, that as I pointed out was disappointing. I wanted better than OK...like I said the Chevy Malibu had a better interior--that just shouldn't be so-when a FWD 6 cyl chevy gets a better interior than a V8 RWD Pontiac! Again, not a "surprise and delight" feature.

BTW: I don't think the GTO interior was killer..it was just better. The Acura had a "nice" interior...maybe even nicer than the CTS..
I will reiterate that it really needs to be driven to make a full judgement and a mintue behind the wheel isn't exactly a perfect evaluation....I mean really half if/not three fourths is a drive...feeling the handling, and the 6.0L (hopefully) shoving you back into the seat.

I personally like the look of the Chevy Malibu interior, but not the feel, its all plastic feeling. Thats disappointing about the G8, after looking at the GTO interioir, I figured the G8 would be just as nice.

I was hoping that those familiar with the GTO ( I was impressed with interior materials, fit, finish and seat comfort \ apparent support on the 2 or 3 GTOs I sat in ) would see the production G8’s interior as ( at least ) comparable.

Perhaps it is not.
( I have not see a production example, let alone sat in one. )

Perhaps the effort to keep the base MSRP below $30K for the GT \ V8 resulted in cost cutting in this area?

This sort of thing ( it seems to me ) could make or break the G8.

Clearly, some primarily want the RWD, V8 power, and expected handling balance.

To many, though, I expect that these aspects of interior ‘quality’ will also be of some significant interest.

These aspects tend to be difficult to evaluate based on photographs.
I will scrutinize one as soon as they start appearing hereabouts . . .

Thanks for posting your impressions.
- Ray
Warming up my ‘scrutinizer’ . . .

by all accounts the seats are very comfortable even the rear with the cloth being of good quality.

It's good to hear honest negative feedback on the glorified car. That said, I grew up with '90s Ford interiors, so it's not too hard to impress me when it comes to car interiors.

Guys i've seen the VE interior and im happy with the fit and finish.

I've sat in BMW's and found them underated for the price that people pay for them here in OZ.

I have a friend that has an 2001 S4. The interior of that never gave me the feeling like it was anything special (it went pretty good though). If the G8 is the same neighborhood as the GTO, it should be fine. I'm not to worried.

I can tell you that having a black G8 speeding up behind you makes the car really look good on the outside.... I was getting on 696 from Mound (wonder where I was coming from--a place where I saw a white G8 in a parking lot--it looked good too)..this clearly PONTIAC was coming up fast behind me, at first I though G6, no too fast, GTO....no..holy crap its a G8 on the public road...I can say that while I am not keen on the interior..the car looked great on the road, especially in black...it looked mean and all business without being in your face.

Too bad it was crowded and wet..I'd have liked to have a run against it (I was in the GTP)..

So far I still think GTO seats are the best (even better than most caddy seats).

I can tell you that having a black G8 speeding up behind you makes the car really look good on the outside.... I was getting on 696 from Mound (wonder where I was coming from--a place where I saw a white G8 in a parking lot--it looked good too)..this clearly PONTIAC was coming up fast behind me, at first I though G6, no too fast, GTO....no..holy crap its a G8 on the public road...I can say that while I am not keen on the interior..the car looked great on the road, especially in black...it looked mean and all business without being in your face.

Too bad it was crowded and wet..I'd have liked to have a run against it (I was in the GTP)..

So far I still think GTO seats are the best (even better than most caddy seats).


Awesome! This is one of the main reasons I totally miss living in Metro Detroit. Living near 12 & Woodward was nice fun & 696 is like one long drag strip when there is no traffic! :gr_jest:

Nice post John, thanks for the info. My G8 GT is going to be black, so I'm glad it made a good driving impression on you.

Next time let the G8 hear your Supercharger whine!

:driving:

Interesting opinion regarding the interior. I totally agree with the glove compartment being made of cheap plastic but I found that driving it(though in the guise of SSV), with the instruments on, it felt far more modern and of imminently better quality than the VZ SS (04-06) which is the same generation as the Monaro/GTO. I definitely agree on the seats though. The VZ SS had great seats, well shaped and supportive. VESSV seats are flat and too broad (<---both versions were leather).
VZs beautiful leather:
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157/mikmakoz/vzssint.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157/mikmakoz/wedding/DSC_00260025.jpg

Almost forgot to add that the VE Steering wheel felt perfect for my oversized mitts. What where your impressions?

Steering wheel felt good....just I would have liked more support in the seats (they as mentioned were too flat), and some nicer materials. We will see how it looks when driving for sure, plus GM has a tendency of adding things to later Model Years....the 05-06 Grand Prix got some nicer treatments than the 04s....

Steering wheel felt good....just I would have liked more support in the seats (they as mentioned were too flat), and some nicer materials. We will see how it looks when driving for sure, plus GM has a tendency of adding things to later Model Years....the 05-06 Grand Prix got some nicer treatments than the 04s....

and the same thing happened with the 04 vs 05-06 GTO (not seats but other upgrades)

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i276/photosbyaeron/My%20VE%20SSV/DSC_75200.jpg

^^^^^^^

That's what it should look like!!