2008 Pontiac G8 GT: first real competition for 135?

[aesthetect]

2008 Pontiac G8 GT:
rear wheel drive
base price just under $30k
5.3 0-60
mid 13s 1/4 mile

there's admittedly not a lot of cars that fall into the exact category of competition for the BMW 135. but the G8 seems to, powerful engine, stiff suspension, rear wheel drive and a relatively low price tag. i actually like the front end and the dash layout seems to be more interesting than the 1 series (although you have to tell that kind of thing in person). im personally a fan of smallish sedans so i would consider that a plus, and the starting price is in 128 territory...

badge whores of the belief that they cant compare and no-one would be cross shopping them based on the fact that its american crap vs german luxury need not post.

[InquisitiveA]

Originally Posted by aesthetect

badge whores of the belief that they cant compare and no-one would be cross shopping them based on the fact that its american crap vs german luxury need not post.

OK then... :wink:

(doh!)

[AMB]

I think this is stiffer competition for the 3 series due to size and sedan like nature. Most who want the 1 want the compactness and tight driving feel.

But I have to admit, it is very tempting. First American Car that has me thinking in some time. And the GXP will be giving the ///M a run for it's money soon enough. (literally) Price:Performance it should be a beast.

[mkiiieustyle]

what's the power output? is it NA or forced inducted, i'm getting the 1'er for 4 reasons, turbo, rear wheel drive, manual 6speed, 6cyl.
i'm a tech and to be honest from a repair point of view both german and american vehicle have there share of problems no car doesn't, american manufacturers have had to step up there game alot because of the import market, japanese cars are whipping them on reliability and MPG and have been for years, and i havent seen an american car that can touch the european market in luxury. i think were going to see alot more vehicles like the G8 from different american manufacturers, which really is hard on them from a R+D point of view but great for the consumer because the choices available on the market.

[jbenington86]

for starters the car is huge......its 800lbs heavier than a 1er.....that pretty close to being up there with the 5 series....6L engine that puts out 61hp more than a 3L....so whats the insurance jump on that?

[Genericuser1]

Its comparable to the 5 series in performance and size not the 1 series. Its just cheaper than a 135 is all.

[aesthetect]

sorry, 6.0-liter V8 rated at 361 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 385 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. 4106 lbs.

well yes the weight is closer to the 3 or 5 but the price difference there is huge

edit: ok humor me. pretend we're not all multimillionaires - bang/buck discussion rather than which is going to be a better go kart

[Robert]

That car is huge!

[ARES45]

That car is large, the mustang would be a beter comparo than that.

[M3WannaBe]

I've considered the G8 because of the price point and the bang/buck ratio that aesthetect mentioned. I finally saw one on the street over the weekend, and I thought it looked really sharp. My biggest complaint about the G8 GT is that it's not offered with a manual transmission. That's a big plus in favor of the 135. I'm also used to driving smaller, sporty cars with a manual, so even if it were offered in the G8, I'm not sure how driving a larger car with a manual would feel.

I do have 2 small kids that I need to get to daycare/school in the morning, so in many respects a 4 door would make more sense, but I'm still leaning toward the 135.

[JCtx]

Well, a few comments from a GTO owner.
First, the G8 is heavier than the GTO, and has less power. The 3,800-lb GTO does 0-60 in 4.8 seconds vs the 135i of 4.7 (same magazine), so the 135i is a better performer, as hard to believe as it is (I was surprised too). And the GTO is definitely quicker and faster than the G8 (more power and less weight), which means the 135i would run circles around the G8.

Now, the 135i is a very different animal from previous BMW cars. It's a better performer than the 5 series IMO (don't know about the M5 though), including the V8 550. In fact, saw a youtube clip where it barely beat the new M3. The numbers say otherwise (4.3 vs 4.7), but it surely is that close.

Finally, owning a GTO, having seen the G8, and having driven the 135i I can categorically tell you the interior quality (and overall quality, for that matter) of Holden (who actually builds the cars in Australia) is nowhere near BMW. The G8 is a bit better than the GTO, but very similar. I'll NEVER have another pushrod GM engine again; their tolerances and quality is awful. It's a good engine, but $10K more for the 135i is money very well spent. If you don't have it, and want a V8, then it's a good buy, I guess, but not comparable IMO. Hope this helps. Later.
JC

[stampchez]

It would definitely be a car to look at if you wanted something that big.

[OrientBlauZHP]

I looked at the G8, thought it was nice inside - they actually moved the window controls to the center, something I wish BMW hadn't strayed from, but oh well. The killer for me was the lack of choice in transmission; sorry, gotta have a manual. And I told the dealership that they lost a potential buyer because of this oversight. But I don't think "we" are thier target market, so I'm not all that surprised; however, the GXP version is supposedly available in a 6 spd.

[carguymo]

I am in no way, shape, matter, or form saying that the Pontiac From Down Under is equal too or better than the 135. But can you believe we are actually comparing a PONTIAC to a BMW? I think that's amazing! 5 years ago we would have been laughing our butts off at anyone who would dare make this comparo. 10 years ago we would have flamed the hell out of them and probably banned them from the forum. The improvement in The General's products is really a sight to behold. It's rotten that we (car guys/gals) still aren't their target market but I'm still impressed.

[whya1?]

I think people actually will cross shop the G8 vs. the 3 series/1series. You are paying quite a premium for the BMW and you get significantly less space. That space is nicer but the gap has narrowed VERY significantly.

I personally really like the G8 and have test drove one. The automatic hampers the car but the price is unbeatable. With the 6 speed manual GXP coming out with a price that undercuts the 135 it is definitely a competitor. And it is going to have about 100hp/100ftlbs more than the 135. It also comes standard with everything. No need to pay thousands for leather, sport package, Ipod integration, power seats,heated seats, etc...

The problem with the GTO and why it's quarter mile time suffers is because GM put narrow 245 tires instead of the 275/285 that the car really needs. GM knows owners are going to be doing hole shots and would rather burn up tires than blow up differentials. There is a reason Ford still has a solid rear. It is unbreakable.
With correct tires a stock GTO will break the 12s and i have seen it happen many, many times.

Stock for stock a GTO is FASTER than a 135. It feels much faster and is a much more violent acceleration. Don't try to take one, they will embarass a 1 series with the right tires. No displacement for displacement. I expect the G8 GXP to continue this tradition. The 1 series is more nimble but for day-day and highway cruising the G8 is excellent.

[esses]

Stopped reading after the word "Pontiac."
In conclusion, the answer to your query is a resounding "No."

[whya1?]

Originally Posted by carguymo

It's rotten that we (car guys/gals) still aren't their target market but I'm still impressed.

I wouldn't say that. The new G8 GXP, Pontiac Solstice GXP and even the GTO are all very solid performance cars and can be made excellent with just a bit of work. Parts are cheap, plentiful and actually productive. They are for car guys who know how to turn a wrench, not just sign a check.

The good thing about GM engineering is that they can offer a low price point for those who want the car and they leave so much on the table that a header/catback can net you 50hp. Very tuner friendly. If you are looking to make an extremely quick street car or drag car then you go Pontiac/GM/Ford. Mustangs with a bit of suspension rework can also really chew up an autocross.

How many sub 12 second BMWs have you seen? (up till the recent 135/335.) Even the new turbos are going to have a tough time breaking the 10s, something done regularly by those "ancient" pushrods.

[mtla4]

I like the G8, the new challenger. Im happy that were founding some great alternatives

[hitthemark41]

Originally Posted by M3WannaBe

My biggest complaint about the G8 GT is that it's not offered with a manual transmission. That's a big plus in favor of the 135.

just an fyi...I read in a magazine a few months ago (I believe it was C & D but don't hold me to that!) in a comparison with the Dodge Charger, that the G8 will be available in manual later on in the year...it just wasn't specified exactly when. Sorry...not to add fuel to the doubtin' fire! :iono:

[colonel1961]

The design, or lack thereof, is pretty lame. Who gives a rip-snort about price/performance if the thing looks like a Mercury Milan...

[Russo]

i'm one of those trying to justify paying $40k for an entry level BMW, or $40k for a flagship m5/m3 competitor....

as recently stated here
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8913

[john970]

The interior looks like an asian copy of an audi. Embarrassing...