It's a lot to pay for any gas-guzzling vehicle. Likewise, until American automakers get their quality/reliability up, I don't see how they can charge that for a vehicle...I don't care how upscale it's supposed to be.

Quality American engineering, or not..

"Based on the Commodore from GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia, the G8 will serve as a replacement to the aging Grand Prix."

"built in Adelaide, Australia"

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2008-pontiac-g8.html

Watch out it's GM's new American Revolution!

+++GM I will give you a freebie; dump all your R&D into turbo diesel technology for cars and maybe you'll be around in 10 years.

+++FlexFool is a joke as you loose 30%+ mileage due to the motor not being fully ethanol compatible.

That car should cost around $30k. I've been hearing of people having trouble getting some parts for the GTOs built in Australia. They should have an on-shore parts warehouse.

The G8 GT will not cost 35k. It will retail at a little under 30k, around 35k fully loaded. TheGMSource is weak.

This isn't a sports car...
I mean come on, who buys a Pontiac Coupe and calls it a sports car. That's like saying Honda makes sports cars. If you're going to buy anything that doesn't get 35mpg then why bother wasting money anymore on something like this? Hell, electric-driven cars will beat this thing off the line anyway because of the instantaneous torque and drivetrain.

If the GTO was any indication, you'd need all that horsepower to lug around all that weight to match similar specs (at least on the lower MPH scale) to the jap counterparts - at similar prices but with more luxury.

A BETTER question is, would you pay 38k for this when you can still hunt for an LS1 GTO for
~20k and an LS2 GTO for ~26k ??

I do applaud them for trying to get more desirable cars and who knows, this could be a good follow-up to the sexy Solstice. And if they offer a neutered v6 to drop down the price, then its a definite maybe.

And how come every time we see a featured potential US sports car theres an issue about fuel savings? I bet none of you said anything about the S4 and RS4 V8s :P Or do you honestly believe more liters automatically means equals less MPG ? It seems this nonsense bashing keeps hitting US cars.

Let the parent company decide the fuel strategies and solidify it instead of handicapping brands and cars. Yes they stepped into the MPG game really late but getting a 12sec 0-60 for 31.5mpg isn't going to help a car intended for sports car folks right?

Yes, it is.

Yes, it is.

Yes, it is.

Do us all a favor and research before you post .. this discussion is about the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT (W/ V8) which IS 35K base and 40K loaded, your thinking of the NON-GT base which is around 30K.

"R. Force:

The G8 GT will not cost 35k. It will retail at a little under 30k, around 35k fully loaded. TheGMSource is weak."

Do us all a favor and research before you post .. this discussion is about the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT (W/ V8) which IS 35K base and 40K loaded, your thinking of the NON-GT base which is around 30K.

"R. Force:

The G8 GT will not cost 35k. It will retail at a little under 30k, around 35k fully loaded. TheGMSource is weak."

Uhh, flexfuel vehicles give people a bonus whether they know it or not. Tax Credit of about $3500 for a flexfuel car. That pays for like a years worth of gas.

They are trying to compete with the Audi S4/BMW M3/Lexus IS300 market and this will fail miserably. GM is not capable of engineering a car to the standards of the German/Japanese companies.

Much like Chrysler they have completely lost track of what people want and need.
Big gas crisis $3.50/gallon = let's put a HEMI in it. WTF? The Trailblazers use an inline six that is smooth as butter and plenty powerful. Slim that G8 down and drop the inline six in it, make it look like a 3 series Bimmer.

Everyone in my family who has had a GM product has regretted it and usually spends most of its time at the dealership in repair. Want an excellent car made in America, buy a Toyota, most of them are made in the Midwest USA.
My $.02

Yeah, uh.. WTF?

Fuel economy is not important to this cars demographic. What really matters, is weight, handling, and 0-60. Seriously, it's like building a monster gaming computer, and then bitching about the increased cost of electricity.

Also keep in mind that this is a four door car!

Think of what the "Sport Touring" market is for motorcycles. A Busa, or similar bike has an execellent power /weight ratio, is huskily built, and handles more than one rider with ease. They are great for long day trips in the mountains. They lack the "RAW" accelleration of a sportsbike, because they are heavier, but their top end is long as the roads. They are not the best touring bike because they don't come stock w/ paniers, a 10 speaker sound system, and A/C like a Goldwing, which is something you would be more comfortable on longer rides.

The G8 is a crossover car of sorts. It's meant for the guy who wants a Vette, 2010 Firebird 8'}, Mustang GT, or similar vehicle but has kids.

Simillarly as the SUV crossover markets.

Enough about demographics...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyway as for all electric, there is no competition in the performance area, and there are no players either. Yes an e-performance car like the Tesla Roadster, or non existant T-0 would smack almost any car 0-60 (even many exotics), but there is NOT ONE PRODUCTION MODEL readily available in this sub 40K category that is all electric and has similar performance.

If there was, I'd own it.

Seriously, I think we need to get more into the performance of vehicles. Start relying on Hybrid tech to get us that extra "boost" of power. Now that Turbos have evolved, ingrain them into production. Utilize waste heat like the 6 stroke featured in PoP- SCI. Make hybrids that are both more fuel efficient, and better performers.

And if you think I am talking out my rear, realize that I put down my '00 firebird and drove a PRIUS for a whole month. I earned 50+ MPG OVER 5000 MILES! But it took the fun out of driving. It's great for getting from a to b if you have time to kill, but I like my 0-60 to be in the sub 8's (more like in the 5's, but I'd settle if it were the right blend of performance and economy)

The closest thing to this "dream market" is a friggin' SUV. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid which gets better HP, and great fuel economy. Now if only they'd drop that engine in the Prius....

PW

I see your point Jangleberries,
but at the same time I don't.
I built a 700 watt Monster gaming PC and
I really don't notice a difference in my electric bill.
Watch the movie Robocop and when they mention the new Detroit wondercar - the 2000 SUX, you will see the G8's true demographic...LOL
The demographic for this car is the over-paid middle manager family man who should have stayed single and bought a Vette, but got married instead. I say just have a cheap 4 door Kia family sedan for the Wife, and the man gets his own M3, and he's all " I'm going driving, see all you family people on Monday night."

Just because it's a V8 doesn't necessarily mean it gets poor gas mileage. Corvette Z-06s are rated at 19/27 or something like that with 505hp.

HEMI Magnums and 300Cs are still rated 17/24 which isn't bad for 340hp.

Why a G8 vs a GTO? easy, because you have a family and coupes are pretty stupid for families and LOTS of people don't want to drive a minivan, like me.

Would I buy it for $35k? Probably not, but then again I'm not in the market for something like this. But this near-luxury sedan that has to compete with G35, IS350, and TL, that 362hp V8 is still a selling point and while I don't know its mileage, it probably isn't far off its competitors. Plus it'll likely use regular gas while the other premium brands demand premium unleaded.

How do American manufacturers get such a small amount of horsepower from an engine? A European 4.0L V8 would give more than 360HP without any hi-rev or supercharging capability...

Is it just me or does this look like an Acura TL with a new front end and hood scoop? I wish GM would be a bit more unique.... As far as quality goes you people are full of it.. I have a 2004 Chevy Venture and a 2006 Honda Accord. I like the Accord but it has already been back to the dealer more times than the Venture....

Barry:
How do American manufacturers get such a small amount of horsepower from an engine? A European 4.0L V8 would give more than 360HP without any hi-rev or supercharging capability...

Well, many reasons: 1. cost of the engine; a highly strung engine tends to cost much more than an old design. 2. More torque, the more displacement, tends to give you more torque. 3. More torque and power at lower revs, as one Eddie Irvine said: the thing with F1 cars compared to a big block v8 is that you don't "feel" the engine push you, you see endless progressive acceleration. I'd say it is not better, or worse, but different. Have you tried a big block instant acceleration? It is fun, even at 20-60 mph, without neglecting top end power much. Try to have that fun on a highly strung engine on such a heavy car. Again, they could have made it all of alluminum, but again, what is the price point of Pontiac? It a cheap, value based GM brand. The European equivalent would be a Seat Cordoba or Fiat Bravo, perhaps Opel? Not Audi, for certain.

GM has V8 engines that turn off 4 cylinders when in HWY mode. What makes you think they will not incorporate this technology into this car????

I own a Mercedes and they didn't think of doing that!!!
My car uses all 6 cylinders all the time. I believe GM has finally attracted talented engineers to build for them. Is there car (or this car) worth $35k, I don't know. A few years ago a Kia Spectra cost around $9,000 now it is around $15,000. Hyundai is releasing a lux/vechicle soon and its going to be $30,000 base. Would you spend that on a Hyundai?

My family buys GM cars, they never had issues with them and beside basic maintenance, they have driven them into the ground. We still have a 1987 Celebrity that runs!!

Say what you want about GM but my MB has been to the shop more times than our Venture Van. That really is sad.

To answer the original question, I would buy a $35,000 GM car, this car looks really nice. It has a Japanese/German look to it.

Ahhh, another small part of the big problem....

In answer to the question at hand, I wouldn't pay 35 DOLLARS for this car. It won't make your pocket rocket any bigger than a Corvette would either, guys.

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times: STOP SCREWING OVER OUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS FOR YOUR VANITY.

I'm getting to the point where I need to start slapping people around.

Ahhh, all the haters out there.

this is

1) sports sedan.
2) pretty cheap compare it to any BMW sedan with reasonably similar features. Dont bother with HP or it will be 45-60K
3) Reliable enough

I have a porche, its not reliable. I have a silverado, it is reliable. got figure....

You have a Porsche and a Silverado, both very fuel-efficient and eco-friendly vehicles. Thanks for thinking of others when making your purchases.

You are just another small part of a big problem. Bravo!

All you guys are forgetting that this car is made in Australia so
It will handle better than any other GM car made in America
and it will have a better finish than any GM car made in America
It is one of the few cars that can seat five adults in comfort on long trips and still have the performance of a V8 sports sedan.
It is using an American made GM motor so if it doesn't put out enough power for your likes I am sure there are some performance add ons you can buy from performance motor shops.
There is a V6 option in Australia if GM so wish to use it.
I do no know why everyone is so hung up on the V8 / fuel thing. It is all about choice people. GM is giving you another one so stop complaining. Market forces will decide its outcome in the end so lets wait until it is released and we have a drive of one before we start foaming at the mouth.

To answer the question: I wouldn't buy it new because of the poor resale value. Pontiac is hopeless. I read elsewhere that the hood scoop is fake, rice style. Now what is up with that??

But I would definetely consider the similar Commodore. GM should ditch Pontiac soon, but I understand there are too many Pontiac dealers out there who wouldn't be happy about it.

wow, it does look like a TL.....I'm suprised I didn't see that.

Well, with the Pontiac pig nostrils added on.
I guess I can't complain about it's look other then the scoops, but I'm sure it'll turn on some folks.

Hey Solution Man,

If you've said it once you've said it a million times, but you never tell us exactly HOW we are supposed to not screw over our kids and grandkids over vanity?

Do you mean we should walk to work and the store, even though we'll sweat or get rained on?

Do you mean we should invest all our money instead of buying cars and leave it to future generations?

If you're suggesting that the cumulative effect of a population buying fuel thirsty vehicles instead of fuel saving vehicles is going to somehow destroy your kids world.

Think about how vain it is to waste precious electricity on posting to a blog like this. Calm down.

I'm still waiting for the engine that runs on anger, that can be supercharged with half-cocked arguments. This forum could power half the world.

you guys are absolutely right... a big sedan like that? who needs all that horsepower... but i mean while your at it they better cancel the BMW M serries, and alot of Mercedes, oh and jags... to hell with it, lets just close down all auto manufaturing plants cept smart and maybe like the volkswagon plant that makes golf's and rabbits... or wait... maybe you leave it up to the driver to make the distinction of what kinds of cars they want to buy.

All I will say (due to some time constraints) is:
This car will suck, GM is incapable of pulling off a RWD sports sedan if their recent past is any indication, and I can already smell the recalls.

Restart flame war....... now!

Dear Obviously DaMoron:

What I mean is that if idiots would stop buying Tahoes, Suburbans, Exploders, Hummers, Avalanches, and Escalades to drive themselves to work, maybe the oil might last 100 or 200 years instead of 20-40, and our children might be able to live in a world where THEY don't have to walk to work in the rain, can breathe clean air,

Personally, I'm waiting on the engine that runs on stupidity and selfishness, because obviously those are unlimited resources.

Any more questions?

Dear Obviously DaMoron:

What I mean is that if idiots would stop buying Tahoes, Suburbans, Exploders, Hummers, Avalanches, and Escalades to drive themselves to work, maybe the oil might last 100 or 200 years instead of 20-40, and our children might be able to live in a world where THEY don't have to walk to work in the rain, can breathe clean air, and live in a house instead of a cave.

Personally, I'm waiting on the engine that runs on stupidity and selfishness, because obviously those are unlimited resources.

Any more questions?

Sorry about the double-post, I was having a Hummer-Owner moment.

I'm not the guy who can't figure out if he's hit the post button.

That's the best you could come up with? Well done!

Aren't you supposed to be looking for something??

This is fun, but I have to admit I'm feeling kind of bad for picking on an obviously mentally challenged individual. Just be sure to wear your helmet, ok, I don't want you to hurt yourself.

I mentioned it in another posting area, when you reduce your arguments to name calling. It means you've lost.

I don't noe what u yanks are winging about with the prices of this car.

The base model commodore in australia is 35k au which is about 29.5k US. and for that u get a 4 speed auto with a 180kw v6 no airconditioning no nothing.

An equivilant model to that gt would be our ssv which costs about 52.5k aus. which is like 44.5k us. Use are saving like 10 grand comapred to us. Thats bullshit considering we have to export the cars out to youse.

U pricks don't realise how lucky youse r with car prices. Use get them so bloddy cheap. And u also get everything else cheap including fuel, electronics, food well everything.

All i can see is that use are all to self centred and thats why no one in the rest of the world like u pricks!!!

Aussie Luke: I'd rather be a prick than a wanker. I guess if stuff is so expensive down under you should think about moving or making more money. (lol)

DaMoron: Win lose it's all the same to me. I don't think I called you any names did I? I just said you were mentally challenged. I stand by my assertion.

I'm still waiting for a cheap trip to Australia, haven't found one of those yet.

Ok...ok...dudes...lets get this straight...the GTO or in Aus, the SS or HSV Clubsport or Grange has over 300KW and is a reasonably cheap and savagely powerful car.

Common, are you REALLY trying to compare it to a lightweight sports car? Anyhow, how many sick 'sports cars' can you get for 35K??

It's a 4 door muscle car that can tow boats, lug the kids around, run near flat 13 seconds quarter miles...I AM NOT JOKING...and with a computer tune, breaks into the 12s...show me a 35K car that can do ALL that...is very safe in a crash, is reliable (they easily get over 300,000 KM out of them even with thrashing) and is quiet and comforable like a 'common mans' BMW?

You can race them round a race track and they don't break!

If that is what you want - enjoy...otherwise, go buy an electric car or a prius you bunch of hopeless whingers.

It's a bloody muscle car!

I am tired of all these eco-friendly enviroment hippies coming in here telling us that we are not thinking of others while purchasing our gas guzzlers well heres the truth... We don't care and no one cares except all you prius and hybrid goof balls who are pompous and arrogant who think we are making this world a worse place. Guess what I enjoy destroying our natural habitats flooding the air with fossil fuels and harmful carbons and I applaud those hard workers destroying the rain forest to build our big houses with 10 bedrooms while only using 2. I will gladly destroy this earth slowly with my gas guzzling cars for the thrill of the ride of a sports car or going mudding in my truck that gets 14mpg in town. Also forget hybrid engines and diesels give me my big block carbureated v8 crate motor and put an end to this nonsense of fuel injected engines and refined motors from luxury companies... I want the biggest most un-fuel efficient gas guzzling enviroment harming vehicle out there so I can blow by your little electric vehicles and rice cars that sound like lawn mowers and show them a tone defining sound of a growl from my pipes.

G.M. is making cars again that according to magazines & forums over the last few years‚ that America wants. The only people with negative remarks should be the people who don't really care about cars in the first place. I drive this cars predecessor it is powerfull 5.7L Chev 355 bhp looks mean,handles,is practical & relative to it's performance capabilities (0-100km/h 6.5 sec & it stops on a dime) is cheap to service.I bought this car in 2003 with 1500km's on the clock, any problems I've had with the car were taken care of by the warranty. Unless you buy a Toyota/Lexus this is to be expected, I know from thirteen years experience working for car rental companies & their wide fleet ranges. These cars G.M. is now releasing in the U.S. really don't have direct competition for what they offer,as far as ride,handling,refinment e.t.c. is concerned, l drive many new cars and believe me in most cases unless your buying the flagship of the range your paying for good engineering that only car journalists can notice along with dynamics that the average person will never test.G.M. is once again making the cars that here in Australia l grew up with & enjoy.

I definately would if the gt version had a 3800 series v6 like the Grand prix did. I would not prefer a v8 but this car looks like a cross between the bonniville and the grand prix and feel that it will be a good car for GM to have out there in competition with other cars in the similar vehicle type class!!

Anyone else think this would be the perfect car for Al Gore? He could drive it around the US telling people to stop wasting our natural resources, all the while only getting 20mpg in it. Even at that MPG, he's putting out a lot less greenhouse gas than his lear jet :-)

Damn.... get a life.... or at least a girlfriend the lot of you!

i cant believe all the ignorant comments on here.
GM had some rough times, especially in the 90's, but the truth is theyve really stepped it up.

heres the G8's competition:
Dodge Charger RT
Nissan Maxima
BMW 550i

do any of you even know the numbers on these cars?
the charger gets a 0-60 in the mid 6's.
the maxima in the late 6's
and the BMW, in 5.4.
the G8 gets it in 5.3.

and no, the BASE PRICE is 29,990 for a GT. again that is a GT.
i sell pontiac so i know. a fully loaded one will be anywhere from 35 to 37.
a base G8 with a 3.6l V6 is gonna be about 25k.
and alot of you are forgetting the fact that these cars are gonna be RWD. the GT will have a 6speed auto. the charger only has 5. even the SRT8. the BMW has the same performance stats as the G8, but costs twice as much. and yes the G8 handles well. besides the fat tires and wide stance, it has fully ind. suspension in the front and back.
and also later in the production year a 6 speed manual will be available, and is estimated to have around 400hp.
and in terms of reliability?
this is an LS2 engine. the same engine in the corvette. was that a good engine? hmm........... YES.
also to answer all your gas guzzling questions, the GT will come standard with active fuel management. so there will be no gas guzzler tax. it will get 24mpg on the highway. in the city will be mid teens.
no other manufacturer makes a 4 door muscle car that actually does preform in the same price range. u cant compare this thing to an RS4. an RS4 is comparable to a 3 series beamer. and this car cant be compared to a 3 series either. its MUCH bigger than a 3 series.
and anyway, this car is being marketed to people who would like the comfort, convenience and safety of a large 4 door sedan, but the performance of a RWD muscle car.
and also, in no way shape or form is this car comparable to the grand prix. the grand prix is a midsized FWD sedan. this is a large RWD sedan with the soul and performance of a muscle car. and o yeh, the american companies are making muscle cars now, because in 2010, muscle cars will be a thing of the past. THATS why there doing it now, even with the existing fuel prices. 2010, all new vehicles will have to get at least 30mpg on the highway.

ABOUT TIME.
I've been looking at the Z06's but need the backseat. The fourdoor makes it even nicer option for the kids, or grandkids.
There is only one thing missing, the AWD option. This would allow ANYONE to use ALL the power ANYTIME. Holden, GM's counterpart experimented with the Manaro (GTO) and made a prototype.
The AWD is the reason I bought my foriegn car (3000gt VR4) back in '93, Vette's, Maro's and Stang's all had the same poor traction issues, and its only adding insult to injury "detuning" the engine or adding brakes to stop the burning. After all the mods, I still get 19 mpg and about 485 dyno hp.
This sure sounds sweet though, 6 spd overdrive for now, 6 speed manula soon! Can't wait:-)

I think it's pretty cool. If I were in the market for a new car, a G8 GT would be probably the one I'd look seriously at. When we complain about mpg and using limited fuel resource here, I really wish we could quit looking at limited run collaberatives like the Pontiac - Holdens, the GTO and the G8, and look at the numbers for a moment. Look around you how many Crown Vics are out there in all these fleets. Millions and millions. Look around how many oversized SUVs are out there being used for commuting and grocery runs and stuff where an average sized car would suffice, with much less carbon footprint I'm sure. I don't think there's anything wrong with a few good performance sedans built with some modern technology that at least get somewhat better mileage than those Crown Vics and fugly SUVs that I keep seeing everywhere. It's a strong, well-designed and fun car for the family. GM needs to play where it can to win and fast, and this is one of the options where it can do that. No, the muscle car era isn't coming back, it's just a limited nostalgic salute before it all goes away, and probably should, come 2010 or so. Good to see such a solid effort from one of the best.

I just wanted to add I agree on the 3800 thing. A great option to see thrown in there. Give me Fiero engineering, including something like the cool plastic panels on frame thing, with a powertrain like the 3800 in a lightweight, strong full size sedan and I'm so there, I was there yesterday already waiting for it.

Okay, first off, i love how retarded ppl think that GM won't be around in 10 years. GM has the best retirement and is practically paying its competition to help them on stuff just to keep the competition ALIVE. I person can't stand ppl that buy foreign cars. our economy is doing so poorly due to ppl buying hondas, toyotas, or the praised over priced toyota, LEXUS. god im sick and tired off ppl whining about what the want but can't have. DEAL WITH IT!!!!

Okay, first off, i love how retarded ppl think that GM won't be around in 10 years. GM has the best retirement and is practically paying its competition to help them on stuff just to keep the competition ALIVE. I person can't stand ppl that buy foreign cars. our economy is doing so poorly due to ppl buying hondas, toyotas, or the praised over priced toyota, LEXUS. god im sick and tired off ppl whining about what the want but can't have. DEAL WITH IT!!!!