yep got to sit in one today at the chicago auto show sorry no pics forgot my camera. but anywasy i was so impressed! the fit and finihs looks great the seats are amazingly comfortbale and the cabin is roomy. the backseats are also very roomy and comfortable. i loved the gauge lay out just the whole feel of the car. pictures do no do this car justice. it looks so much different in person and its just a wow check that out type of car! i could have left after jsut seeing the G8s and been happy for the day! i can not wait to take one for a drive. seeing the G8 In person is really swaying me towards the G8 over the ST. such an amazing car!

What happens when you drive a G8 ST? :eek2:
Did you get a good look over the rest of the G8?...trunk, under the hood etc? It's good to start hearing some positive responses.

Ollie, it'll all be good once we start getting our G8's! You guys have had yours for awhile now, so we have to depend on you for real world up close and personal stuff!

BBBGXP.......I understand the frustration of waiting, it's just that sometimes when you go see a new car, especially one you have been waiting for, you forget to go check all those things you wanted to and only remember them way later. Examples for shaffe would be many things discussed in here...trunk size, battery location, jump start terminals, how the fuel door locks etc.

i was a little too excited like olly said and missed the trunk stuff but the rest of the car looked great. still cant believe how much rooms in the car. i may be going back to the autoshow on saturday witha different group of friends and ill check that stuff out. the seats were so comfy! and agian pictures do no do the car justice, it looks so much more aggressive in person

Im going to the GM ride and drive for them and the new vibe Feb 26th. I'll be sure to take some pics for you all. :P

I was thrilled to get to see and feel the G8s at the Chicago Auto Show as well on Monday. I did get a chance to have them pop the trunk and check out the battery location. I am amazed at the size of the trunk, especially compared to my GTP. The hoods were not able to be opened on the floor models, but I asked them to pop the hood on the G8 GT on the turntable (which they kindly did for me). I didn't get the chance to see under the hood as much as I would have liked, but I will be able to do that once my dealer gets a G8. I agree with those above, pictures don't do it justice (especially in Panther Black or Magnetic Grey), the the red one's exterior photographed nicely. We really need to get pictures outdoors with good natural lighting to get a good view. The dark interiors don't photograph well under the lighting conditions at McCormick Place.

i agree 100%^ pictures can not do this car justice

Shaffe, have you ever sat in an '04-'06 GTO? I ask this because some people that have claim the G8's interior is not as good. I was just wondering if you could chime in on this?

The G8 is at least as good as the GTO, but the materials used are different. If you have sat in a late model BMW, you will notice that the dash is a non-reflective hard plastic. The G8 has the same type of dash. I don't like the look or feel of it as much as the GTO, but it seems to be the new thing.

The HVAC controls and other knobs are probably better than the GTO, as it was based on the base model Commodore.

The G8 is at least as good as the GTO, but the materials used are different. If you have sat in a late model BMW, you will notice that the dash is a non-reflective hard plastic. The G8 has the same type of dash. I don't like the look or feel of it as much as the GTO, but it seems to be the new thing.

The HVAC controls and other knobs are probably better than the GTO, as it was based on the base model Commodore.

Cool man. I'll obviously have to sit in one to find out for myself. Hopefully soon my dealership will have one.

i sat in a new GTO a few years ago, cant really remember it

The G8 is at least as good as the GTO, but the materials used are different. If you have sat in a late model BMW, you will notice that the dash is a non-reflective hard plastic. The G8 has the same type of dash. I don't like the look or feel of it as much as the GTO, but it seems to be the new thing.

The HVAC controls and other knobs are probably better than the GTO, as it was based on the base model Commodore.

correct, it's called a "no-gloss" interior. I've stated this in another thread and I'll say it again. . . DO NOT use armor all to clean your interiors as it will ruin it.

correct, it's called a "no-gloss" interior. I've stated this in another thread and I'll say it again. . . DO NOT use armor all to clean your interiors as it will ruin it.

What do you recomend?

What do you recomend?

Leather Cleaner?:cool:

What do you recomend?

Soap and water.

damp rag

Yes use a damp rag or some Liquid ivory or even some diluted Woolite then follow with damp rag and dry.

Todays leather is coated meaning you need to treat it like vinyl.

Be sure and post feedback on ride and drive.

Shaffe, have you ever sat in an '04-'06 GTO? I ask this because some people that have claim the G8's interior is not as good. I was just wondering if you could chime in on this?

I think the seats may be a little more hugging in my GTO... but all in all the changes in the G8 are far more appealling. Thats why im selling my Monaro and getting a G8.

BTW home (AUS) makes the best leather treatment. The seats are coated but you still need to protect them like leather. They are a lot different from vinyl surfaces.... at least the Commy I sat in back home was like that.

http://www.oakwoodusa.net/
this stuff is the best ive ever used.

Good trick also is to use a DA buffer at low speed to work the product into the leather. It can also be used to clean leather using varying foam pads.

I think the seats may be a little more hugging in my GTO... but all in all the changes in the G8 are far more appealling. Thats why im selling my Monaro and getting a G8.

BTW home (AUS) makes the best leather treatment. The seats are coated but you still need to protect them like leather. They are a lot different from vinyl surfaces.... at least the Commy I sat in back home was like that.

http://www.oakwoodusa.net/
this stuff is the best ive ever used.

Good trick also is to use a DA buffer at low speed to work the product into the leather. It can also be used to clean leather using varying foam pads.


Thanks man. I've been reading alot how the interior of the G8 doesn't stack up too well against the GTO. Good to hear otherwise.

Yes use a damp rag or some Liquid ivory or even some diluted Woolite then follow with damp rag and dry.

Todays leather is coated meaning you need to treat it like vinyl.

Be sure and post feedback on ride and drive.

Will do, can't wait for tomorrow.

As for today... I pulled up to the office and there were two G8's being loaded off of a truck (red and black v8's) . :wiggle: Sat in both and drove the red one because.... it was a stick. :driving: It was aweeesome. I only got to drive it up to the garage, but I'll be driving it more tomorrow (although I hear there will be only auto's out there).

. . .and drove the red one because.... it was a stick.

Um.
More information here - PLEASE?????
Pretty please...???

Did I hear stick? GT?

yes. haha.

it's a gm "manufacturer" vehicle for employees and (most likely) for the dallas auto show.

yes. haha.

it's a gm "manufacturer" vehicle for employees and (most likely) for the dallas auto show.

But not a GXP?
Is it an '08 or ( an early build ) '09?
What is the VIN?

Oh, and please drive it to my house - today?
[[ j/k ]]

Enjoy - and report what you can?
Thanks,
- Ray
Fascinated...

more info needed

I asked if I could grab the VIN and post it and they went ape on me. That's a no-go fella's sorry. :( However, there is no badging on the rear to identify trim (no GT, GXP, etc) The vehicle looks the same as the pictures so this can't be a gxp. I guess they just threw a manual gearbox in it and called it a day (just a teaser is what I am told).

Going to the ride & drive tomorrow. I'll have camera in-hand and will hope to bring back new info for you all (as well as myself!). :D

well you tried wouldnt want ya to get in trouble. is the exhaust as quiet as tha magazines say

new here and just wanted to say i will wait no longer than the end of summer for the manual, otherwise it looks like i will get the automatic since it isn't that far off

well you tried wouldnt want ya to get in trouble. is the exhaust as quiet as tha magazines say

it's dead silent. haha

I guess they just threw a manual gearbox in it and called it a day (just a teaser is what I am told).

Going to the ride & drive tomorrow. I'll have camera in-hand and will hope to bring back new info for you all (as well as myself!). :D

Well - if their intent was to tease...
I will admit to their success.
- Ray
Hoping for more pics & updates from your event tomorrow...

it's dead silent. haha

its really that quite? im having a hard time comprehending it lol. cuz my mustang has a great growl to it for stock

it's dead silent. haha


Yes, I'm wondering also about the stock V8 exhaust sound. How does it sound?


The General: Were you being serious about the sound being silent? "Spock, ..... explain!?"


Thanks! : )

...drove the red one because.... it was a stick. :driving: It was aweeesome....I'll be driving it more tomorrow

LuCkY

:worthless:

It didn't sound all that quiet on the Edmund's vid. Subdued maybe, but I could definitely tell there was a V8 in there!

Mr. General: Waiting to hear about your Ride & Drive experience! And pictures!

:popcorn2:

Im resizing some pictures now. They wouldnt let me use my camera so I snuck in a few pics with the iPhone instead. You'll have to excuse the picture quality when I do get them up.

As far as the exhaust. I over exaggerated when I stated it was "dead silent." It's by no means deep or rumbling, but when you punch the gas you can hear it. Im sure 99% of the board will want to give magnaflow a ring.

I really didn't receive a whole lot of new info about it. I inquired 5 different times about the manual and/or the GXP. They stated the GXP will be out end of '09 and were mum on the manual coming out in may. I did however have one person give me a wink when I directly mentioned a manual coming out in may. So I guess they're not allowed to say anything about it right now, most likely to make sure consumers don't hold off for the manual and just purchase the auto now. (Im waiting... patiently)

Now let me get to resizing these pictures and I'll have 'em up soon.

Im resizing some pictures now. They wouldnt let me use my camera so I snuck in a few pics with the iPhone instead. You'll have to excuse the picture quality when I do get them up.

As far as the exhaust. I over exaggerated when I stated it was "dead silent." It's by no means deep or rumbling, but when you punch the gas you can hear it. Im sure 99% of the board will want to give magnaflow a ring.

I really didn't receive a whole lot of new info about it. I inquired 5 different times about the manual and/or the GXP. They stated the GXP will be out end of '09 and were mum on the manual coming out in may. I did however have one person give me a wink when I directly mentioned a manual coming out in may. So I guess they're not allowed to say anything about it right now, most likely to make sure consumers don't hold off for the manual and just purchase the auto now. (Im waiting... patiently)

Now let me get to resizing these pictures and I'll have 'em up soon.


I meant to ask this before you went. . .
( Oh, well. )

But:
Did you happen to notice the size & placement of the DIC display
of -

“The current gear is shown in the Driver
Information Center while the transmission
is in the Sport shift mode.” – from the Getting To Know Your G8.

And – what else is also displayed as the same time?
Thanks!
- Ray
Wondering if this will be easy to read at a quick glance . . .

Yeah, when you push the shifter over to Sport Shift mode the gear shows up in-between the gauges and its animated (it turns with an "S" in the middle). Sport Shift mode is fun because if you just leave it over there it still shifts for you, but in a sportier way. You could also tap it up or down if you wish, but this takes it out of auto-sport shift mode.

If you use the steering wheel controls you can change the display in that center DIC to give you whatever info you want. Tire pressure, digital mph, Oil Life, etc.

With that said I'm not to fond of the oil pressure and battery life indicator above the a/c vents. I think that area could be better utilized for something else...

Have you all already heard about the red insert option on the G8's? It's a FREE FROM THE FACTORY OPTION (dont let the dealers charge you for it) that puts red in the gauges (in the circular areas) and also in the inserts of the seats. Red only...

Well, the first part of the day consisted of classroom learning events. Beforehand I went into the room and snapped a few of these pictures before I was told to leave. haha.

http://www.club3g.com/forum/imagehosting/16447c577d898214.jpg

http://www.club3g.com/forum/imagehosting/16447c577d91f0a3.jpg

http://www.club3g.com/forum/imagehosting/16447c577d98b32e.jpg

The second half of the day was split into two parts. The first being a street drive around the event area... about a 5 mile radius, to experience normal driving. The second half was on a closed track where we could take the cars to the limit.

Big mistake, they gave me a key!
http://www.club3g.com/forum/imagehosting/16447c5795f5952e.jpg

Here are the babies lined up for the street drive...
http://www.club3g.com/forum/imagehosting/16447c578a4bbec7.jpg

This is during the test drive. I'm sure you all know the official name of this color, but it looked DAMN good.
http://www.club3g.com/forum/imagehosting/16447c57a4b77c71.jpg

(sorry I didnt take any pictures while I was driving here. I was too busy burning rubber :P)

And your impressions - from when you were driving

???

(( Where is that emoticon for 'all ears' ?? ))

And your impressions - from when you were driving

???

(( Where is that emoticon for 'all ears' ?? ))Yes, do tell you impressions.....

thanks for posting all of this (btw, I at least knew that red inserts came with red gauge faces, it is the matching red/blk gear shifter that costs extra.....)

Well, I was on the fence as far as purchasing one in the first place (not knowing if I wanted to spend the money, get into a new car, etc), but yesterday solidified my stance that I do want to purchase. The only thing I'm really not fond of is the interior. the door panel's seem to be a bit plain jane, and I'm not fond of the oil/battery monitors above the a/c vents. To stay with aesthetics I was a little shocked at first at the length of the vehicle. The vehicle is beautiful until you get past the rear wheel. While the enormous trunk is great, I think it should be cut in half because the ass is just so long. I got used to it as the day rolled on and overall (on the outside) it really is a beautiful vehicle with a great stance.

As far as how it drives; it sticks to the road like glue. I loved the suspension on it and the LACK of torque steer. The vehicle compensated nicely around sharp turns (while accelerating) and it is just overall a pure joy to drive.

I will be buying an orange manual GT when they come out (crosses fingers) in May.

oh, and I am really impressed with the stock rims. (ha! )

I'm really keeping my fingers crossed too for a manual GT this year. (Can't afford the GXP most likely-and don't want to wait either) When you say you're impressed with the stock rims, do you mean the 19's or also the 18's? Thanks for your mini-review and pics.

both the 18 and 19's are sharp looking and look to be well manufactured. I'll be happy sticking with them for at least a year or so.

I really didn't receive a whole lot of new info about it. I inquired 5 different times about the manual and/or the GXP. They stated the GXP will be out end of '09 and were mum on the manual coming out in may. I did however have one person give me a wink when I directly mentioned a manual coming out in may. So I guess they're not allowed to say anything about it right now, most likely to make sure consumers don't hold off for the manual and just purchase the auto now. (Im waiting... patiently)

Booo. :nonono:

Thanks General!!

I agree, the door panels have a lot of black on them, I was thinking to have a shop change them to two tone as I am getting the blk/red interior, maybe adding red stitching (maybe too subtle), or a small red piece to match the seats (but not the red fuzz that was on the 50cent Sema car).

Booo. :nonono:

I agree. Yet, you have to understand that it's strictly for marketing reasons. Once people tire of hearing about the G8 they'll be able to begin advertising the G8 GXP, which will draw in more consumers again. . . sucks, but that's the way it is.

I have been looking for this one picture I took, but damn if I can't find it...

It shows 6 different accessories that are going to be available at launch. I don't remember them all, but the ones I do are:

- vehicle striping (these are about 4 inch thick stripes that wrap the front and rear fenders. hard to explain, but it looks good)

- high spoiler
http://www.holden.co.nz/images/commodore/ss/banner-accessory.jpg

- trunk mat and organizer

- upgraded interior floor mats with the red pontiac symbol (think audi)

How about the back up sensors, it has them correct? or is that a dealer option also.

Thanks General for the info.

- vehicle striping (these are about 4 inch thick stripes that wrap the front and rear fenders. hard to explain, but it looks good)


Got Pics?

no back up sensors (for '08). . . I think a camera could be added easily.

You'll have to excuse my horrible photoshop skills. But this is a basic idea...
http://www.club3g.com/forum/imagehosting/16447c5e6be53816.jpg

it looked really good on the picture. Don't let my bad ps job throw you off.

I'm sure it looks good in person, but stripes tend to attract cops:driving:I'll be passing

Yeah, bummer about the late 09 availability on the GXP. :(

I'm sure it looks good in person, but stripes tend to attract cops:driving:I'll be passing
Yeah, I'm not down with the WRX/EVO crowd. I want a high spoiler, but that's about as far as I go.

I have been looking for this one picture I took, but damn if I can't find it...

It shows 6 different accessories that are going to be available at launch. I don't remember them all, but the ones I do are:

- vehicle striping (these are about 4 inch thick stripes that wrap the front and rear fenders. hard to explain, but it looks good)

- high spoiler

- trunk mat and organizer

- upgraded interior floor mats with the red pontiac symbol (think audi)

Please say these will be options, correct?

I am hoping that those of us who are non-bling oriented can forgo the frilly stuff (no offense to frilly-happy people :)).

Some will wait. I had no interest in the Charger because of the "You can haff any tranzmission you vant as long as it is an automatik" attitude. If the GT trim offers a man tran that is good news and will be another trump over Chrysler. Forgive me for still being skeptical.

I realize it's standard business practice but I'm not sure I understand the logic of waiting until the end of 09 for the GXP when oil prices are rising rapidly and we appear to be experiencing a slowing economy with talk of decreased consumer spending. Hope that decision is right.

They stated the GXP will be out end of '09 and were mum on the manual coming out in may. I did however have one person give me a wink when I directly mentioned a manual coming out in may. So I guess they're not allowed to say anything about it right now, most likely to make sure consumers don't hold off for the manual and just purchase the auto now.

Talk about slowing economy. What was it I read, GM has a FOUR MONTH supply of pickups in inventory! You'd think they want to push out as much of anything as they could!:slap:

Please say these will be options, correct?

I am hoping that those of us who are non-bling oriented can forgo the frilly stuff (no offense to frilly-happy people :)).

yeah, they're accessories. So you can buy them individually on the side (the car's aren't going to be built with them).

We have 5 available one is the first 888. If anyone is interested let me know!!!

We have 5 available one is the first 888. If anyone is interested let me know!!!

Any idea when you'll be getting them in?

The 1st one within 2 weeks. The others 4-6 weeks