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2008 Pontiac G8

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Comments

  • bvdj84bvdj84 Member Posts: 1,724
    Good Point, Life is short enjoy things while you can! So true! We all get caught up in the little things that we lose sight on just living life, and living fun!

    Heck, we only live once, if I can swing putting fuel in a big V8 engine, then do it!
    You only live once, now this is fighting my practical side...lol. But its true.

    But, you know what my issue is.... it is making choices.. like getting a car.
    I could spend forever, on deciding which car I want, acting like it is the last car I will ever drive. lol, I find myself doing this method with other things in my life. It drives me crazy sometimes. Some tell me, "Just make a choice, and get on with it!". lol I should. I think we all need to have more fun! Then that way wouldn't treat each other so mean. We are all so tense! A walking bomb! Is it really worth your health and happiness?

    Though I am not a big American car fan, I would drive a G8! I would probably get a white one! V8!
    If you want a G8, a big V8! Then get one! Its a car, now check with your practical side before you do this...lol
  • holdenguyholdenguy Member Posts: 145
    http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhOVAtA7l2Y&feature=related

    Love this advert showing a lot of the old Holden Utes from the past.
    A mate of mine has one in the same weird green color,
    he also has one of those new Bimmer 335 Coupes with the twin turbos.
    He prefer the Ute for the fun factor ;-)
  • holdenguyholdenguy Member Posts: 145
    Mate,
    JUST DO IT.
    And make sure it`s the V8, then mod the damn thing!
    I`m wacking a supercharger on my VZ LS1 Commodore.
    Should get me around 620 hp.
    That will scare the bejeezes out of any damn ricer that thinks he can take me at the traffic light drags.
  • nojetsnojets Member Posts: 31
    This isn't a political forum mate, so we should stay off politics, but for the record, what happened to the banking system here in the US was caused by Congress, not the Bush Administration. If anything, the Republicans warned that this was coming for the past few years and tried to fix it. But they met a wall of opposition from the Democrats who wanted the poor to get loans they couldn't afford.

    But we shouldn't be talking politics here!
  • creamcitiancreamcitian Member Posts: 23
    sheesh, yeah, no politics. i've been following this g8 board for years and am sick of the nonsense and off-topic bs. ciao
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Looks like the ST name will stick.

    I'm planning on a GXP G8 this coming spring or summer! Mostly for the 6MT, Brembos and the Suspension. The 6.2L is also a nice addition too.

    :)

    -mike
    Motorsports and Modifications Host
  • prigglypriggly Member Posts: 642
    Add the 2006 Impala SS to the list. It is a fabulous car! I know. I have one!
  • holdenguyholdenguy Member Posts: 145
    Been here for years as well buddy.
    I`m one of the few Aussies that bothers to post here.
    As for the political crap, couldn`t agree more, but the net result is that you will be able to get your G8`s cheaper down the track. That`s the point I was making, so all good for you.
    I currently own a VZ Commodore SS(see below link) which I love, but are thinking about trading it in on the new Sportswagon. Just have to make sure I can fit a surfski in it with the front passenger seat flipped forward. I don`t like putting things on the roof as the wind drag is enormous ie; fuel economy goes out the window.
    HSV have made a wagon with the LS3 in it, looks hot. Do you guys like the wagon?

    http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/xrt-holden-vz-ss-sedan.htm

    http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hsv-clubsport-r8-tourer/1013120/
  • holdenguyholdenguy Member Posts: 145
    Nice one mate,
    That car is basically a HSV Clubby / VXR8.
    Have you ever heard of MOTOR magazine here in Aus?
    I`ll try and post a link.
    Anyway, they ran a story in last months edition on a TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) modded Clubby with this reverse snorkle blower on it.
    The charger is a Harrop 122 LS3 kit.
    How does 630hp with 770Nm sound to you guys?
    Does 0 to 60mph in 4.2 secs.

    http://www.walkinshawperformance.com.au/wp/2008/aus/news/news.asp?ID=330
  • holdenguyholdenguy Member Posts: 145
    Paisan,
    A Subaru Liberty Wagon 2.0 litre turbo with the STI bits, nice.
    Funnily enough I was looking at getting the sedan version but $50k was
    a bit too much to pay, so settled on the VZ.
    That website I posted above, did you notice they are selling crate LS3`s?
    Now I`m wondering if that would slot into my VZ`s engine bay ;-)
    I have read in other forums that the LS3 is a beautiful motor and loves to rev.
    What do they put them in over there?
    Mate, if you are gonna get a Clubby, get it in black, looks evil.
    I went to the local market on the way home and one was parked behind me.
    Bloody drool factor is enormous, and amazingly, black seems to be the most popular color for the current VE Clubsport.
    Actually, if you contacted Walkinshaw Performance they could pull your car off the assembly line and add the go fast bits ie; BLOWER, then ship it across to you.
    It would then be classed as factory fitted and not affect engine warrenty.
    Walkinshaw owns HSV you see. Walkinshaw is a Pom, this is how the Poms get the VXR8 with the blower option from day one. I think this is how that rapper,50 cents, or whoever it was got his,(HSV).
  • tayl0rdtayl0rd Member Posts: 1,926
    Why hasn't this been deleted yet??? It's too big! I'm mortified that I actually have to scroll left and right! :P :P
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    A Subaru Liberty Wagon 2.0 litre turbo with the STI bits, nice.
    Funnily enough I was looking at getting the sedan version but $50k was
    a bit too much to pay, so settled on the VZ.


    Yah, it's actually a 2.5L over here. 243hp/243lbs torque, but added a few goodies (STi Pink Springs, Koni Struts, Group N front strut top mounts, SPT Exhaust, and a Cobb AP Chip/Tuner/Programmer) so I dynoed it at 212hp/243lbs torque at the wheels, with AWD that translates to roughly 280hp/320lbs torque at the flywheel.

    I'm looking at the G8 GXP as my Summer Daily Driver and keep the subie for the track and winter duties.

    -mike
    Motorsports and Modifications Host
  • holdenguyholdenguy Member Posts: 145
    Mate, it`s just the advert crap on the right gets in the way of the pic, then the writing gets buried as well.
    I would have edited my reply to Mike to make it fit better but the edit button got buried.
  • holdenguyholdenguy Member Posts: 145
    Ok, when you log straight in to the last page, the advert crap is there.
    Then you go back a page, then forward and the advert crap is not there.
    Very funny, I`ll know next time.
  • holdenguyholdenguy Member Posts: 145
    209 kw at the fly ain`t too bad mate.
    I`m working off hp divided by 1.34 .
    Is that the right calculation to use?
    Just wondering as down here they are
    184kw and 339Nm stock.

    Also, earlier question I had for you,
    What do they put the LS3 in over there?
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    ...has been removed.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Also, earlier question I had for you,
    What do they put the LS3 in over there?


    Not sure, is that the 6.2L engine? If so the CTSV gets it and the ZR1 Corvette, both those are Supercharged versions. The GXP here will get the 6.2L NA engine with about 405hp/400lbs torque.

    -mike
    Motorsports and Modifications Host
  • holdenguyholdenguy Member Posts: 145
    Mike,
    Yep, the LS3 is a 6.2.
    The Vette is supercharged? wow, how much grunt and what type of blower?
    Also, you say that the GXP does 405hp, our version in the HSV`s puts out 425hp.
    When you get it, take it to a Tuner and get a custom tune done after you put a OTRCAI on it.
    That will fix it ;-)
    Does the Vette have OTRCAI? Because if you can`t get one, I know a few places here that have them.
    Here is one, scroll down the page for the pics.

    http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=88344

    Here is actual video of the OTRCAI.

    http://video.google.com.au/videosearch?q=LS3+HSV&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#q=LS3%20HSV&hl- =en&emb=0&aq=f&start=10
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The CTS-V and the ZR1 both use Eaton SuperChargers on them. The ZR1 puts out about 600hp IIRC and the CTS 556hp.

    -mike
    Motorsports and Modifications Host
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Nice HSV. I'm hoping the GXP is very similar to that one.

    -mike
    Motorsports and Modifications Host
  • hondadenhondaden Member Posts: 13
    Was at the track yesterday and 2 very seasoned drivers put a '08 Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0T w/6pd auto against a '08 G8 6.2 auto on the 1/4 drag.

    The Jetta beat the G8 by just over 1/2 of a second. It looked like the G8 had the race from thee start, but I guess that was becuase of the Jetta's turbo lag. The Jetta pushed ahead by about half-way down the track for the win.

    I later drove both cars on the auto course and I really liked the initial power of the G8, but the handling of the Jetta to me made it the better driver. The Germans really do make nice cars. I'd say a stiffer suspension in the G8 would be a must do for any road course work. Nice car though for V8 American power.
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    Hmmmmm . . .

    http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/112_0808_2008_volkswagen_gti_firs- - t_look/index.html

    “The 16-valve turbo churns out 200 hp at 5100 rpm and 207 lb-ft of torque from 1800 rpm up to 5000, with a 6500-rpm redline. All that boosted power is good for 0-to-60 sprints in 6.1 sec and a quarter mile of 14.7 sec at 94.2 mph in our test car.”

    http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0806_four_cylinder_midsize_sedan_- - comparison/altima_camry_passat_specs.html

    “15.0 sec @ 93.4 mph”

    Curb weight: 3413 lb
    200 HP \ 207 TQ - A6 trans.

    = = =

    G8 GT test ( also Motor Trend ) shows:

    http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_2008_pontiac_g8_vs_2008_dodg- - e_charger

    13.8 @ 102.8

    That is such a large difference that my ** GUESS ** is this particular VW’s turbo 4 had been ‘chipped’ – and was producing well over the stock HP \ TQ numbers . . .

    - Ray
    2022 X3 M40i
  • hondadenhondaden Member Posts: 13
    It very well could have been chipped, I can't say with 100% certainty that it wasn't. Only that the owner said the car was all stock. Could also have been track conditions as well.

    But for the road course, I'll stand behind those comments.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Definitely chipped, could still be "stock parts" but with a chip on a turbo you can get A LOT more HP/Torque.

    As for the G8, just an FYI, the 08 is a 6.0L the 6.2L doesn't come out til 09 and only in the GXP which will get a 6MT option and upgraded brakes and suspension.

    As for Auto-x having done it for 6+ years, any light car will beat a heavy RWD sedan!

    -mike
    Motorsports and Modifications Host
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    With the new incentives just announced, a dealer with a 2009 G8 GT in the color I’d buy & with the options & packages I’d want says the selling price would now be approx. $2K below invoice.
    MSRP $34.1K ( approx. )
    Sell $30.1K ( approx. )

    - Ray
    Worth a 20 minute drive to look & drive & investigate a possible ‘deal’ sometime very soon. . .
    2022 X3 M40i
  • mrpushrodmrpushrod Member Posts: 80
    Weight is no where near as important as suspension setup and weight distribution. In the old days a total weight made a big difference because the added weight per a square inch of rubber contact did not add enough traction to compensate for the additional overhead of breaking or making directional changes on a vehicle that has more weight/momentum to resist change. That said, huge improvements in tire technology have changed this phenomena. For example, a dodge viper weights 3400 lbs and handles pretty good.The first thing taught in racing school is how to keep the weight even as possible on all four wheels for optimal handling. I own a 09 G8GT and a vette. The G8 GT is a balance vehicle which handles good not great. It is an excellent compromise between handling and ride. When I get out of the g8 and get into the vette the difference between the two is huge. For me personally, I would prefer a stiffer suspension and heaver sway bars. Most average drivers would not want to make the trade off since the ride will deteriorate. GM is smart to offer the GXP which will most likely provide a better package for me. Comparing a RWD car that has 50/50 weight distribution to a FWD vehicle that has 60% of the weight on the front tires is crazy. FWD cars never feel balanced and are boring to drive. You can't change the angle of the car when negotiating corners, weight transfer during takoff kill traction, torque steer, rear tire liftoff during hard breaking are all bummers on any FWD car. The FWD design is [non-permissible content removed] backwards.
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    "I own a 09 G8GT and a vette. The G8 GT is a balance vehicle which handles good not great. It is an excellent compromise between handling and ride. When I get out of the g8 and get into the vette the difference between the two is huge"

    Can you elaborate a bit?
    My current 'ride' is a 2007 Corvette Coupe...
    Thanks,
    - Ray
    Driven 2 2008 G8 GTs - and off to drive a 2009 tomorrow,
    if the planets align.....
    2022 X3 M40i
  • mrpushrodmrpushrod Member Posts: 80
    When you jerk the steering wheel back and forth on the vette going say 40MPH it is obvious that the car is two inches off the ground and there is virtually no sway in the suspension. Feels real crisp. When you do the same in the G8 there is some sway and give initially. That said, when you drive on a twisty washboard road with the vette the impact of the washboard surface is harshly transmitted into the cabin. It also bounces around a bit. They probably don't have much rubber to isolate the suspension, sway bars, etc. Furthermore, the vette takes a bit more attention to drive since wider tires follow road surfaces easier, etc.

    I tested quite a lot of the new cars prior to buying the G8. The G8 is by far the best bang for the buck. I liked the CTS too but interior space is superior in the G8.

    The g8 rides more like a 5 series BMW or Mercedes than a Maxima or Accura. Torque from the V8 is also a big plus.
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    Hm.
    I appreciate that - is your Corvette a Z06?
    If not, is it Z51?
    or 'Base' \ F55?
    Thanks,
    - Ray
    Base Coupe...
    2022 X3 M40i
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Weight is no where near as important as suspension setup and weight distribution. In the old days a total weight made a big difference because the added weight per a square inch of rubber contact did not add enough traction to compensate for the additional overhead of breaking or making directional changes on a vehicle that has more weight/momentum to resist change. That said, huge improvements in tire technology have changed this phenomena. For example, a dodge viper weights 3400 lbs and handles pretty good.The first thing taught in racing school is how to keep the weight even as possible on all four wheels for optimal handling. I own a 09 G8GT and a vette. The G8 GT is a balance vehicle which handles good not great. It is an excellent compromise between handling and ride. When I get out of the g8 and get into the vette the difference between the two is huge. For me personally, I would prefer a stiffer suspension and heaver sway bars. Most average drivers would not want to make the trade off since the ride will deteriorate. GM is smart to offer the GXP which will most likely provide a better package for me. Comparing a RWD car that has 50/50 weight distribution to a FWD vehicle that has 60% of the weight on the front tires is crazy. FWD cars never feel balanced and are boring to drive. You can't change the angle of the car when negotiating corners, weight transfer during takoff kill traction, torque steer, rear tire liftoff during hard breaking are all bummers on any FWD car. The FWD design is [non-permissible content removed] backwards.

    While you may be right about suspension setup and tire technology, given 2 cars, same power, same size tires, and one weighs in at 3300lbs and the other 4000lbs, the one that weighs in at 3300lbs is the one who is going to handle better.

    I agree with the ideas of FWD v. RWD, however you CAN tune a FWD suspension to handle and feel good. For instance, I'd put any FWD race car up against a stock G8 and the race car will feel better, handle better and turn better lap times.

    In most racing organizations for road race, they actually decide on what class you are based on HP to Weight Ratios. Not FWD v. RWD v. AWD. Show up with the Dyno Sheet and put your car on the scales...

    To that end, for a street car, the G8 is a great compromise of size, ride, and handling. I don't expect the suspension upgrades on the GXP to be anything earth shattering. Nothing you couldn't get from Konis + Bushings + Spring + Sway Upgrades on a G8 GT. The GXP really is giving you the 6.2L engine, and the 6MT as the significant items that can't be had in the aftermarket.

    Suspension and Brembos both are easy aftermarket bolt ons as far as I'm concerned.

    -mike
    Motorsports and Modifications Host
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    "Suspension and Brembos both are easy aftermarket bolt ons
    as far as I'm concerned."

    Easy - perhaps.
    For those more mechanically adept than I.
    Not typically 'cheap'....
    2022 X3 M40i
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    So – I drove a 2009. The current incentives bring the actual transaction price of a G8 GT ( Premium, Sport, Roof ) to approx. $2K below invoice. Just over $30K, on this ‘old invoice’ 2009.

    Executive summary:

    I do like the G8 GT – a lot.

    Background:

    I currently drive a Corvette Coupe with A6 \ 6L80 trans. – driveline is very similar to the G8 GT. I have driven 2 2008 G8 GTs. And posted my impressions here – several months ago.

    I waited for the 2009 for 3 primary reasons:
    1 = A [ model ] year of US production. In case there were any significant issues.
    2 = XM.
    3 = A color I really wanted = Silver.

    I was also hoping [ expecting? ] that GM \ Pontiac \ Holden would address the few issues I had with the drivelive.

    Impressions:

    Compared to my Corvette, the G8 GT [ even with the Sport Package & 19” wheels \ relatively low profile tires ] is a much less ‘intense’ riding car than my Corvette. Understandably so. Yet I was still pleasantly surprised that the ride \ handling compromise is so close to what I would consider ideal – for a 4DR high-performance sedan. Well controlled & well damped.

    The interior is somewhat ‘plain’, one could argue – and the missing “Atari Gauges”, with only a very small rubber shelf & not even a raised lip seems a rather odd solution to THAT issue. Oh, well.

    I find the seats comfortable & supportive, the visibility good. The ergonomics are generally OK. Nothing fancy here – but very functional.

    I will certainly miss the HUD, and particularly the ability to display the MPH, RPM and the current gear selected a whole lot closer to my line-of-sight than the DIC. Again – oh, well.

    The trans. appears better sorted \ tuned \ programmed than the 2 2008s I drove some time back. Upshifts and downshifts were quick & well-managed. Downshifts in particular were smoother than in those 2008s. I will miss the paddle shifters on my Corvette. One more time: Oh, well.

    Think, think, ponder ponder . . .

    - Ray

    F.Y.I.
    Here are my trans. comments from a test drive of a 2008 G8 GT.

    The trans. downshift behavior still concerns me a bit. I currently drive a GM V8 with the 6L80 trans. Corvette Coupe. With 2007 calibrations & hardware version. For 2008 the 6L80 version in the Corvette was substantially revised & updated ( hardware & software ) to quicken both the upshifts and downshifts – and to do a better job ( by some reports ) on the “rev match on downshift”. My 2007 does not do this at all ( or does it so poorly as not to be worthy of the name ) on 3 – 2 or 2 –1 downshifts.

    Sadly, though, both of the 2 G8 GTs I have now driven seem to do a reasonably good job when manually commanded to downshift from 6 – 5, 5 – 4, and 4 – 3 ( the relatively “easy” ones ), but - I was ** NOT ** impressed with the 3 – 2 or 2 – 1 downshifts I tried. And I tried several.

    These were not at all extreme downshifts – not 3 – 2 at 60 or 2 –1 at 35, for example. More like 3 – 2, while slowing through 30 or 25 MPH and about to accelerate – requiring a ‘blip’ to something like 2500 RPM. To me, these downshifts felt more like someone driving a manual trans, downshifting, and abruptly letting out the clutch – without a throttle blip. Seems to accomplish the actual downshift a bit more quickly than mine – and responds a bit more quickly – meaning: command to beginning of shift execution seems a bit quicker. But not nearly what I had hoped for, however, after reading the 2008 Corvette technical data & reviews.

    Somewhat disappointing. Probably not a deal-breaker, for me.

    Note: The trans. ** DOES ** perform ( in several respects important to me ) much better then the 6L50 in a 2008 Caddy CTS I rented & drove a couple of hundred miles last month . . .
    2022 X3 M40i
  • mrpushrodmrpushrod Member Posts: 80
    Excellent post "paisan". No matter what, I would still always prefer RWD. I love the feeling of power sliding a RWD car. Also there is the challenge of shifting as much weight as possible to the rear wheels during takeoff. Although, with the G8 Auto this is not an issue (accept in the rain), it barely lays rubber during acceleration. No FWD vehicle can provide me with such enjoyment. Then there is the torque steer issue. Every time read an article about a FWD sport sedan, the first thing stated "torque steer is virtually eliminated". That's when I know the author owns a FWD.

    As far as after market parts, etc, those days are done. I have gone as far to weld on custom stabilizer bars, etc on some of my past dinosaurs. I purchased the G8 for a daily driver vehicle for my wife and a family car for both of us. As such it blew away the competition. Maxima, Avalon, Taurus, Accura products, Chrysler products, etc. The interior is spacious, plus it feels very confident in both in the twisties and at high speeds on the highway.

    The only other comment about the weight/suspension issue that was not mentioned was size of vehicle. I bet there are tracks where you can get a midget FWD car to beat a Viper. Just make the turns tight enough to make the Viper feel huge. Yet on a huge oval track a super small lightweight vehicle would not be ideal.

    Larger size/longer wheel base aids in tracking. For example, I own a F150 and it is a no brainier to drive on the highway. It is like having laser steering. The G8 tracks awesome on the highway especially at speeds above 80MPH
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    Great to hear about the testdrives & incentives on the G8s. Combining with GM card can make it an even lower price. Maybe GM card roundups will happen in a month?

    I see so many comments about the auto trans which make me think some of you peeps are REALLY going to rave when you drive the G8 with V8 & stickshift...
    There's probably no way i'd trade vehicles now since I have an 'optimal' pair of used vehicles, but if I were to trade 2 used for 1 new, it's fun to at least consider:

    G8 GXP...
    09 camaro SS (the v6 starts under $23k!)
    09 base vette 6-spd, (recent-year/used more likely)
    08 or 09 saab 9-3 6-spd wagon (a pal just bought 08 new under $24k with all options!)
    vw tdi 6-spd wagon. (similar price to the saab)

    I would probably like that wonderful G8-El-Camino monstrosity that Holden was going send to USA before GM ran out of money for any additional outrigger-canoes to transport the cars from Australia.
  • mchspd1mchspd1 Member Posts: 11
    What a car!? This just came up on my rader after doing some car shopping. I have read about it and today I went and checked it out. How GM has improved. I went out and did some shopping for a new 09 Maxima SV and after not getting the deal I wanted did more searching. I looked at the 09 Acura TL, 08 Infiniti M35 great cars but have to pony up a bunch of cash. The M35 was the most fun with a great exhaust note and RWD, but it came down for bang for my buck. I think I am now in love with the Pontiac G8.

    With the MSRP and great incentives, I think it would a great buy compared to the others out there.

    Today I sat behind the wheel and just soaked it all in. What a nice vehicle. With a small family, I cant justify spending money on a BMW but with the Vette engine and 4 doors, I think the G8 could work. The seats were great, great plastics and dash, yet a bit more style is needed. GM has a winner with this but they need to give us a bit more style.

    First of all, the center caps on the 19 rims look like a matchbox toy's plastic center. Give us more Rim options. The gauges could use some silver rims around them and some two tone color. Homelink and those cool GXP gauges. And a 8 way power seat.

    I read about the updates to the 2009.5 with Bluetooth, rear cupholders are coming which make better sense.

    Any of you that have driven a GXP prototype think it could pass as a family hauler or would it be too much vehicle?

    This vehicle is so close to stealing the show from the others in its category, even a few higher ups. Why not drive a great priced four door sports cars? This family man wants it!
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    mach speed 1, dude, I use an 05 GTO as a family-hauler and am considering (fantasizing) about a G8GXP for that . I think there will be great GM-card round-up offers just before GM becomes nationalized and/[or acquired by Citroen, maybe later this year or next year! :|

    My GTO would be better for family-haulin it had 4 doors and a good snow-wheel/tire solution. 100% of adults who sit in the back of the GTO comment about how they are surprised how comfortable it is.

    GXP has bigger brakes than G8-GT? I am wondering about possible snowtire solution for both G8 GT as well as G8 GXP, will browse around tirerack to fantasize about wheels/tires for my imaginary G8 GT, probably they don't have the GXP info on there yet.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The GXP gets 4-piston Brembos. They are larger and probably lighter than stock.

    -mike
  • mrpushrodmrpushrod Member Posts: 80
    From my experience, the g8 auto is best left in sport mode when racing around. I have driven several (foreign and American) vehicles with the manual shift feature and they never seem to produce crisp accurate down or up shifts (my daily driver is a vette w/6 speed manual). Timing is critical during when horsing around. I wouldn't want to see a Maxima blow by me while I wait for a manual gear change. I don't see why they can't seem to get the Auto to shift instantaneously. Automatics if implemented correctly can provide benefits over a standard. For example, power to the rear wheels is lost when you shift a standard.

    In regular mode, the G8 auto seems to change gears with economy in mind. Sport mode seems to keep the engine in the power band. The transmission works decently in sport mode.

    I do know that todays autos are totally controlled via firmware (embedded software). I have a 05 F150 that had weird shift points and manual control was impossible at best. I made a complaint to ford and they updated the software. The transmission now shifts totally differently and manual control is much more precise. I am hoping GM will issue a firmware upgrade for the G8.

    One other oddity I see with the G8 is that the engine does not provide much breaking power when down shifting. Maybe the cylinders are deactivated (valves open) when down shifting. I think it is a joke when auto writers complain about the fact that pushing the shift lever forward instead of backwards produces up shifts. This is more intuitive to me since it is the same way I shifted bikes/floor autos all my live.
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    This ** MAY ** help:

    Here is the text of a bulletin [ TSB ] including the VIN breakpoint.

    #08-07-30-036: Automatic Transmission Delayed Downshift,Lack of Acceleration, Flat Spot (Reprogram TCM)- (Aug 13,2008)
    Subject: Automatic transmission delayed downshift,lack of acceleration,flat spot(reprogram TCM)
    Models: 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 GT with automatic transmission(RPO MYC) built prior to VIN breakpoint 9L210304
    2022 X3 M40i
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    First – a sincere “Thank You” to those who have posted useful information here over the past several months, as I considered a G8 GT purchase. I appreciate you taking the time to post and specifically for answering several of my questions.

    Executive summary:

    This is as close to a ( reasonably priced ) 4-door Corvette as I see available today. With just over 2 years and just over 32,000 miles in a current generation Corvette, this is exactly what I was looking for. Having driven her just over 100 miles, I am quite please & satisfied!

    A few details & impressions.

    Car: Silver 2009 G8 GT with red & black seats, Premium, Sport & Sunroof.
    Interesting ( to me ) that the VIN happens to end in: 888

    With quite a lot of ‘seat time’ in a car with a very similar drivetrain ( 6L80 trans. and LS2 V8 ) I was looking for improvements in the trans. behavior & hoping that GM \ Pontiac \ Holden had addressed several concerns I ( and others with the 6-speed automatic trans. in their Corvettes ) had regarding shift speed and some other specific behaviors.

    This trans works very well, for me. The delay between shift request & beginning of shift execution is improved compared to my ‘Vette. The actual shift events, up & down, are quicker than in my Corvette and a couple of 2008 G8 GTs I test drove, & they are very smooth – and the ‘rev match on downshift’ feature ( at least in mine ) actually works quite well, indeed! Good job, GM. [ Though listed in the Corvette brochure, no pre-2008 Corvette with 6L80 automatic actually does this at all . . . ]

    The drivetrain make this rather large & fairly heavy sedan feel quick & smooth – and the acceleration feels seamless & effortless. I prefer this trans behavior & the programming selected ( by far ) to the 3 & 5 series BMWs I have driven - even with their latest 6-speed ZF automatic trans. Kudos!

    The absolute maximum acceleration rate is clearly not quite what I am used to, in the Corvette - obviously. Mid- to high 13s in the quarter mile is quick enough for me, however, in this class car. The acceleration is very smooth – and I expect that it will prove to be ‘sufficient’. Saying quite a lot, coming from someone who has been driving a [ roughly ] 3200 pound ‘Vette for over 30,000 miles, I think. I have so far found the G8 GT to exhibit what I’d call ‘a satisfying level of quickness’.

    Overall, the experience in the G8 GT is rather dramatically less ‘intense’ than the Corvette – yet the feeling is remarkably similar, to me. The ride is quieter and much less firm, ( the Corvette has run flat tires – a big contributor here ) yet I find the steering feel of the G8 GT to be excellent and the body motions remain largely well controlled. The high speed handling, feeling of security & directional stability seem quite good. And the ride is really excellent on smooth but slightly undulating highway surfaces – again, very well controlled – and it certainly is quiet. On surface streets, the ride is very well damped, impact harshness is well muted ( over RR X-ings, for example ) and handling is very good, up to any cornering lateral Gs I’d use in normal street any driving. The ride & handling compromise results in a level of refinement I find rewarding – and pleasantly surprising in a $30K sedan. The various systems seem to work well together, resulting in a sense of a very well integrated machine that generally gives the impression it is responding as a whole – rather than a bunch of separate parts.

    The interior ( with a couple of exceptions, listed below ) provides very comfortable & supportive seating and a well-finished appearance, with most amenities I care about. I find the tilt & telescope steering wheel to be particularly well done.

    I knew that I would miss my HUD – had one in the Corvette – and a couple of Grand Prix sedans – back all the way to 1997. I still just find it weird that none is offered on any G8. I am still adapting to the display of ‘Gear Selected’ in the DIC – so low on the dash – compared to right below my line-of-sight out the windshield. I am old & slow to adapt, sometimes – but I expect that this will be OK, eventually.

    I miss the paddle shifters that I had in my Corvette – and in a 2005 Grand Prix. Another odd option omission, seems to me. And no surprise.

    I do ** NOT ** miss having to be [ oh, so very ] careful when approaching any significant dip or severe upward angle in the road, and even some ‘speed bumps’, due to the extremely low ground clearance of the ‘Vette. I scraped the front spoiler nearly every time I backed out of my garage & onto my street – not to mention a few hundred other times. And now I can actually see most overhead traffic signals without poking my head forward in front of the steering wheel. I find the visibility good. The ergonomics are generally very good. Nothing fancy here – but very functional & convenient.

    I am still working to find the perfect sunroof position – but I do really appreciate again having the option of an opening roof – since the Corvette’s removable panel was really useless ( noise & wind buffeting ) at highway speeds, and could not be removed while driving, nor set \ adjusted in any way. And having the convenient option of the sunshade open \ partially open \ fully closed at any time is appreciated as well.

    Anyway – so far, I am well pleased with her.

    And at an actual transaction price near $30K – well it is the best alternative I see to a BMW 550i. And I actually like several aspects ( the looks, inside & out, the trans. behavior ) a lot better on the Pontiac!

    Cheers,
    - Ray
    G8 GT 09 driver . . .

    Notes:
    I waited for the 2009 for 3 primary reasons:
    1 = A [ model ] year of US production. In case there were any significant issues.
    2 = XM.
    3 = A color I really wanted = Silver.
    Also: All comments above re: the trans. behavior refer only to Sport \ Manual mode.

    You have by now all likely seen one, but here are a few quick pics:

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/rayainsw/new%20G8%20GT%202009/P1320363cro- pnewG8GT2009.jpg

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/rayainsw/new%20G8%20GT%202009/P1320370cro- pnewG8GT2009.jpg

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/rayainsw/new%20G8%20GT%202009/P1320423new- G8GT2009.jpg

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/rayainsw/new%20G8%20GT%202009/P1320430cro- pnewG8GT2009.jpg

    Sticker of an identical one:

    http://www.gmbuypower.com/ws/nvlWindowSticker.vs?gmMilitary=&makeId=002&model=G8- %20Sedan&makeDescrip=Pontiac&partnerID=900001&nameplateids=004^002^012^&sellingS- ource=16&year=2009&preferredColor=&userType=GMBP&optionCode=&typeDescrip=%20%20%- 20&searchType=0&modelId=085&VIN=6G2EC57Y19L199732&zip=28779&styleDescrip=GT%20Se- dan&pvc=208&make=pg&subModelId=251&iPi=5&preferredOptions=&subModel=&mmc=2EC69&b- rand=G8%20Sedan&styleId=GT%20Sedan&style=GT%20Sedan&fPi=5&vehicleModel=/images/g- mbp/16002/vehicle/2009/med/2009251.gif&type=%20%20%20&&dealerName=JOHNNY%27
    2022 X3 M40i
  • mrpushrodmrpushrod Member Posts: 80
    You bet it helps the economy. Just like when we send a check to Japan every time we purchase a Camry. GM gets a check every time they sell a Holden vehicle.
    GM pays out just as much on health insurance for working employees as it does for non workers Legacy packages for UAW is choking the US companies. We are all going to be buying American regardless if GM goes under or stays afloat. Some

    That said, the 2009 is an improvement. They got rid of the stupid OIL/Temp gauges and put a nonsticky surface on the lip so now it can bes used for cell phones, etc. They definitely reprogrammed the transmission which shifts a little cleaner in auto normal and sport mode. Manual mode is still useless which I have found in other makes including Toyota.

    I have done some serious driving in the G8 now. Funning, I really miss the HUD too. One of my daily drivers is a C5 vette with HUD, selectable suspension.

    Prior to purchasing the G8 I drove just about all the crap out there in this price range (both for my purchase and a cousin's). I can't believe Pontiac is not selling more of these cars.

    I drive from Mass to Manhattan NY quite often and to tell you the truth, I have never driven a better car than the G8 for handling the washboard twisties once you start getting close to the city. Everyone wants to race and the G8 put all the competition to shame. The rear end keeps its composure in tight corners regardless how broken the pavement. My cousin owns a new mid size Mercedes and it handles these rodes nicely too. But I will say the Pontiac seams to handle the potholes better. I am not saying the G8 can out handle my Vette, but I am saying driving the G8 fast in this these types of situations is brainless. Never any hops or surprises. Very easy to negotiate.

    The car has a big interior toboot. There is not much sacrifice (I traded my wifes town car for the G8, so I miss the 24CF trunk) to use this vehicle primarily as a family car. My kids are older and complain like hell when the back seat is tight.

    So far I have test drove a 08 or 09 CTS, STS, Avalon, Camry Fusion, MKZ, last gen Maxima, Altima, Focus, Mercedes, BMW 3 series. I did like the STS and CTS too. The CTS is too tight in the interior. The STS is nice but a lot more money. The FWD vehicles from Japan could not hold a candle to this car. Especially the Avalon and Camry. You instantly notice the balance and lower center of gravity in the G8 when piloting the car. One of the other great features is the bite you get during takeoff. It barely lays any rubber due to the weight transfer you get to the drive tires when accelerating in a RWD car. Great for deleting a Maxima at a stop light.

    My only real complaint is positioning of some of the buttons, no power recline & lumbar.

    Good luck with your new car. Being a car buff, I have purchased many new vehicles in my day. The G8 is an excellent daily driver in my opinion offering a great compromise.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Just test drove an 09 G8GT. Very impressed.

    Narrowing down my next car purchase....

    09 G8 GT
    09 G8 GXP 6MT
    10 LGT 6MT
    10 Genesis Coupe 6MT

    -mike
    Subaru Guru and Track Instructor
  • lonestar98lonestar98 Member Posts: 48
    Hello folks,

    GM dropped of a 2009 G8 for me to review. Unfortunately, I can't copy and paste all the pictures and text here, but if you like you can check out the post here:

    http://allcarsallthetime.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-week-2009-pontiac-g8-gt-test-d- rive.html
  • murphy4murphy4 Member Posts: 92
    I would love to buy a G8 GT but I commute 60+ miles a day. Anyone have a good idea on highway miles with a steady foot.
  • cadillacman08cadillacman08 Member Posts: 2
    purchased a 99 grand prix with 147k and drove it from north carolina to new york, 600 miles, allegedly with either a loose or broken flywheel and/or a loose torque converter. Could either one of these things destroy my tranny anytime soon and is it just a miracle that i was able to drive the 600 miles without killing myself?
  • cadillacman08cadillacman08 Member Posts: 2
    purchased a 99 grand prix with 147k and drove it from north carolina to new york, 600 miles, allegedly with either a loose or broken flywheel and/or a loose torque converter. Could either one of these things destroy my tranny anytime soon and is it just a miracle that i was able to drive the 600 miles without killing myself?
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    "I would love to buy a G8 GT but I commute 60+ miles a day. Anyone have a good idea on highway miles with a steady foot."

    I expect to be driving over 700 miles this coming long weekend.
    Mostly highway.
    I will post results next week.
    - Ray
    Looking forward to a 'road trip'...
    2022 X3 M40i
  • murphy4murphy4 Member Posts: 92
    I like the car but I don't want to be spending my salary on fuel.
This discussion has been closed.