I'm in the same boat with my Base.
Currently has approx 235KM on it and since I retired 4 years ago if I've put 1500K on it I'm exaggerating, it sits in the garage for weeks on end. Not a bad thing given our winters and salty roads but still not a great thing.
Gotta coupla warts like you, needs strut bushings, probably some suspension work along with brakes and tires. Lotsa tread but getting dated.
Body and Interior show well for the cars age IMHO.
Like you indicate, 3-4-5 grand would solve all these problems but this car ain't getting any younger.
Thinking of doing a two for one with my wifes 07 VW Rabbit and buying a newer VW Golf....
Have to say, although I'm still really in to my G8 I'm leaning on moving on.

 

I have 2 & they both look almost new. My base i have replaced a lot more than my GT starter, alternator, water pump, windshield motor, door actuators, power window unit, gas cap actuator and the rest of the brake pads& rotors. It drives as good as new so for me i will keep them for a while. My GT only has 64K& my base 108K. I can split driving both of them. Days yard might have the rack. For me new cars are crap i am probably in a different place with my cars. The paint looks almost new & the interior still looks almost new. Zero rust on both of them. I upgraded the stereo on both of them huge difference. If you can source the parts i would fix it & keep it for a while. That's my opinion.

 

So, do you spend a few thousand now to get the GT back to reliable condition and looking good? Or, do you want to make payments for 60-84 months?

 

I've been squirreling away for a while and the car I’ve had my eye on would be paid in Cash so it’s not really a question of finances. It’s more question of regret. Just seeing if anyone has been in a similar situation. I know i’ll regret it to some degree and I wish I had the space for both or I would just keep the G8 for my kids or something.[/QUOTE]

 

Your desire to drive what your content with will "drive" your decision.

Clear coat, curious if the clear coat is actually coming off or if it's dull, oxidized. Could be some time with a DA buffer coarse foam pad and your choice of correction compound. $100. Worst case $3500 for paint/body.

Seats you could have the front's re-upholstered, new leather, seat foam for $2000 to $3000. Add about another $1k for the rear.

If the rack is only leaking and mechanically sound, there are shops that specialize in power steering repair could have new seals and boots installed without having the chance the reman'd quality. $500. There are hydraulic service shops that repair and or fabricate hydraulic lines and fittings for power steering, brakes, etc. I ended up making my own hoses from flexible black braded line for a

Having the Caprice and Camaro helps on the alterative parts options. But yea the parts availability issue will not get any better for certain.

Average new car price is $40k. Cars that are driven, are seldom an investment. However there's some value in enjoying what you drive.

I get the feeling you're leaning toward a new car and shedding the G8, nothing wrong with that. Just hard to depart from something you've got years of enjoyment. Understandable.

 

Your desire to drive what your content with will "drive" your decision.

Clear coat, curious if the clear coat is actually coming off or if it's dull, oxidized. Could be some time with a DA buffer coarse foam pad and your choice of correction compound. $100. Worst case $3500 for paint/body.

Seats you could have the front's re-upholstered, new leather, seat foam for $2000 to $3000. Add about another $1k for the rear.

If the rack is only leaking and mechanically sound, there are shops that specialize in power steering repair could have new seals and boots installed without having the chance the reman'd quality. $500. There are hydraulic service shops that repair and or fabricate hydraulic lines and fittings for power steering, brakes, etc. I ended up making my own hoses from flexible black braded line for a

Having the Caprice and Camaro helps on the alterative parts options. But yea the parts availability issue will not get any better for certain.

Average new car price is $40k. Cars that are driven, are seldom an investment. However there's some value in enjoying what you drive.

I get the feeling you're leaning toward a new car and shedding the G8, nothing wrong with that. Just hard to depart from something you've got years of enjoyment. Understandable.

Great response just wanted to address a couple of these comments, The clear coat isn’t oxidized it has FAILED, it’s coming off in big chips and there is currently a 6 inch square of exposed paint. I called every hydraulic shop in San Diego and not a single one will bend hard lines, they only do braided. The lines I need replaced are the 2 hard lines fitted directly to the steering rack, I know because this is my second time replacing them. Unless I’m missing a keyword in my search I can’t find any shop that will make new lines to fit.
I think I’m leaning towards fixing the stuff I can fix just so in the event I do sell I won’t loose out on some resale value

 

Get what you like... I would myself like one of the new Supra's

The thing that I don't like about new cars are the screens instead of gauges... I'm not sure I could ever get to like that.

 

Well your car is 17-18 years old.

If it still brings a smile to your face when you look at and drive it then it might be time to spend a little on her.

On the other hand if your tired of looking at her hear every little rattle and feel she is just a money pit it might be time to move on.

The good news is unless you live right next to the ocean your car should be relatively rust free.

 

New cars are shinny but they are ****.

 

That's unfortunate there's not a local shop by that will bend and fit aluminum fittings. I would try a local LKQ salvage yard, bring your line wrenches in the event someone hasn't already hacked up the lines.

Does this hose do you any good? 2009 Pontiac G8 GT Power Steering Hose Line Tube OEM

Where are the lines leaking at the rack connection, at the press fittings between rubber/aluminum or somewhere on the hose going back to the PS pump?

 

Hey thanks for looking but no the lines I need are hard lines. They’re part number 92198202 and 92198203. I didn’t see the leak myself my mechanic had it up on the rack.

 

Hi! Well tbh I cant talk you out of selling - I sold my 09 PSM GT with 60k miles in November. She was in pretty good shape, but the signs were there that she was going to need a lot of work soon enough. And I kept reading from GTO owners that parts were getting harder and harder to find, and starting to feel that way about the G8. I'm happy I sold it to a family that had classic GM cars and owned a body shop, so I know she'll be well cared for. Weirdly I've been missing my 07 G6 GTP more - I think thats because the G6 was my daily driver moreso than the G8. I'm resigned the G8 will be my fav car of all time - but it was time. Good luck!

 

I am in a similar situation as you, '09 GT with 120k, bone stock other than PPV struts. Excellent paint (I had front bumper replaced and rear repainted). Interior "OK" but leather shrinking. It remains highly reliable, tight and fast. In my case I no longer need it for a daily driver (my wife's car handles that duty) but think G8s have hallmarks for future collectibles. "End of an era" kind of car, with Pontiac and Australian manufacturing now long gone. And I always loved the styling, balance and proportions. So for now I plan on keeping it for the long haul, likely into classic (25 yr) status. It gets many positive comments from afficionados.

 

Invest in a good leather cleaner and conditioner.

 

Hey Gang,

So i’m at a crossroads here, thinking of selling my 08 GT w/ 127k mi out here in San Diego. She’s been the best car i’ve ever owned, but she’s starting to show her age. Clear coat is failing on the hood and rear spoiler, the seats are starting to split at the seams and the rack and pinion is leaking. I can’t find a replacement for the rack lines and even sourcing a whole new steering rack is difficult and expensive. Everything else on this car is mechanically rock solid. Don’t get me wrong all of these issues are repairable at a cost but the costs are rising and I think a day may come when I’m not able to source any needed parts for this car.

I’m thinking of betraying my roots and swapping over to something more exotic (for embarrassment reasons and the risk of being laughed off this thread I won’t mention make/model).

What should I do? Sink the money in and keep trucking along hoping for the best with part failure and availability? Or get out and into something newer?

This rack is $262... Getting any used vehicle will have it's own additional costs so unless buying new or a car with an existing warranty, repair costs will likely come up sooner than later.

Amazon G8 Steering Rack

Maybe get a closer look at the rack and see if it is actually the lines leaking or maybe just the fittings/seals.

I would imagine any repair bill on a Panamera would cover your maintenance on the G8 for several years

 

Any similar car will be $50,000 or higher. I spend $2,000 -$3,000 year in upkeep because I love this car (2009 gt with 215,000 miles). I,ve noticed more aftermarket parts out there, and ppv caprice parts are interchangeable. So, there’s hope ⚙🖖🏻

 

My 2009 g8 base no luck for me

 

Hi Tim. Sorry to hear your G8 has aged so badly. I’ve been lucky to have a winter car and my G8 is still low mileage. The tough decision is how much money is too much. If you fixed up yours it will me a good chunk of money, but you will still be driving a G8 GT. To buy another good one will be more money initially but you know what the costs are. You could buy a lower cost 4 or 6 cylinder car but you will never be happy driving it. Regardless of the money you save. The Panamera option is nice but it will be way more expensive. Insurance and maintenance will be a much higher. Again your age will affect the way you go. Might look at wrapping the car and fixing the mechanical issues.

 

KInda interested in a car I found on Autotrader, they had a trade in valuation you could do online.
Sight unseen they offered $5785 for my G8 Base with 230KM on the clock, I figured they'ed come in at half that.

 

In my extremely humble opinion, sell the G8 and don't look back. New parts availability won’t get any better and nothing like searching for an obsolete part while the car is on a lift, jack stands, etc. However, consider both known and unforeseen costs associated with the Porsche Panamera. Best of fortune reaching a feasible, practical, and appropriate decision.

 

....and they did come in at half that....$3400....ish ....apparently, according to this salesman, the online trade in valuation is extremely generous with its valuations.
My guess is to get you thru the door so they can gut punch you with they're value.
Conversely $1800....ish for my wife's body acned 07 VW Rabbit hatchback with the 2.5L motor and 203,000KM on the clock.
In the end completely passed on my G and was having an orgasm over the Rabbit. Go Figure.
Thinking @PONY MAN 's sell and don't look back is the way to go but gotta wait until the weather gets better up here in April or May.
Otherwise drive her till she drops.
May have to drop a few grand into her every year but that's true with most cars.

 

Not for my 2009 g8 base model with the v6?

 

My opinion would be to repair what needs to be done, IMO 127k is nothing, my GT has over 281k now. I would think the hard lines could be replicated by any competent restoration shop, or in braided stainless. You can try Days Parts Yard as well. If you really want to sell it , sell it to a forum member or someone that appreciates what the car is, I would definitely not 'trade it in' though.

 

I have 2008 g8. I put a lot of money into almost everything under hood is new just had engine rebuild they put a 450 in it cost 7400.00 I love my car not getting rid of it

 

Regarding the solid lines, can you maybe see if the Chevy SS had the same part? I was able to find some parts in common. Also could this maybe a part from a salvage yard? Just curious

As for me, my GXP just hit 90k so its a relaitive spring chicken compared to what I am seeing here. The mileage is in large part because I work from home and also due to my living in texas for the last 15 years (not a lot of snow and ice) meant I could ride my motorcycle or walk to the store. I have had to put in some money this year but its been fairing straightforward stuff I could do myself such as replacement spoiler (dont use automated car washes!), replace a rear window unit and a radiator.

I am curious about what maintenance I should be looking at now that its reached 90k. Any suggestions on things to look for (shocks maybe)?

 

I am curious about what maintenance I should be looking at now that its reached 90k. Any suggestions on things to look for (shocks maybe)?

Yes, shocks. The alternator will also need replacement somewhere soon because of the worn-out brushes. And look for cracks on the driver seat's side bolsters, their outer surface is not leather but synthetic and starts cracking from repeated flexing. Oh, and the headliner falling off.

 

If you replace the alternator, please use an AC Delco. TheG8 does not like other brands.

 

The original alternator is actually not AC Delco but something Japanese. Mitsubishi? Mitsumi? Something like that, I forgot the exact brand. I've got a remanufactured alternator from O'Reilly, it seems to be doing fine, just make sure to get the right power rating.

And BTW if you haven't replaced the tire pressure sensors yet, they will be running out of battery soon too. Summit Racing has the preprogrammed OEM units for cheap, like $35 per wheel. (Many tire shops would like to sell you the universal sensors that they program to match the data protocol for your car for like $150 per wheel, Summit's already are car-specific). If you don't like the sensor binding procedure by bleeding air, I've found the TPMS tool on e-Bay for like $4 including shipping (battery not included).

 

UPDATE: I have decided to keep her in the family! Got it back from the painters last week and they did a great job! Looks like a new car, Im really impressed. (Pics soon) Next is the Rack and Pinion swap. I found a used one finally and got it shipped out to try to have my mechanic swap the lines but theyre saying its too big of a Job just to swap lines and it would make more sense to just replace the whole rack with the new "used" one. Im at another cross roads because they want nearly 1K for the job. Have any of you done a steering rack swap? Is it something I can do myself in the driveway. I have all the tools and the time.

What do you guys think?

Hey Gang,

So i’m at a crossroads here, thinking of selling my 08 GT w/ 127k mi out here in San Diego. She’s been the best car i’ve ever owned, but she’s starting to show her age. Clear coat is failing on the hood and rear spoiler, the seats are starting to split at the seams and the rack and pinion is leaking. I can’t find a replacement for the rack lines and even sourcing a whole new steering rack is difficult and expensive. Everything else on this car is mechanically rock solid. Don’t get me wrong all of these issues are repairable at a cost but the costs are rising and I think a day may come when I’m not able to source any needed parts for this car.

I’m thinking of betraying my roots and swapping over to something more exotic (for embarrassment reasons and the risk of being laughed off this thread I won’t mention make/model).

What should I do? Sink the money in and keep trucking along hoping for the best with part failure and availability? Or get out and into something newer?

 

Hey, at this point, what's another $1,000. You had it painted and it looks like new.

It's not my money but, it isn't that much.

Then, everything would be fixed.

 

Heres a quick before and After Update with Pics

 

Heres a quick before and After Update with Pics
View attachment 196038 View attachment 196039

Looks great! Now just make sure you keep up on washing (hand, not a carwash) and waxing, ceramic coating, or go with PPF. With the car being black and in a Southern climate double diligence is required.