I was picking up a bunch of stuff at the dry cleaners so I had a moment to stare out the window at our 2008 Pontiac G8 GT waiting on the street. It is by far the most attractive car General Motors makes and it only gets more attractive when I drive it. It's a shame it's going to end up having such a short lifespan in the U.S. -- that is, unless a two-seat, plug-in hybrid G8 is in the works.
I've always liked our G8 from afar, but have never had more than a night in it, because it always seemed like more car than I needed. This week, though, I'm over that feeling, as I'm driving our big Pontiac to Napa for a business event. When the real work wraps up on Friday, the G8 and I will explore some of NorCal's back roads. I'm looking forward to it.
(Aside: Even I was surprised that two Priuses found their way into this photo. Lovely Santa Monica...)
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 13,670 miles
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GM should keep it on after the de-branding fiasco ahead and call it the new Chevy Impala. I'll take a wagon version.
Besides the two Prii (plural Prius ... get it!?) you've also managed to snag a 535i, the car that people have been comparing the G8 to. Lovely.
I have honestly seen one (ONE!) G8 in Boston and the surrounding suburbs. Odd as there are two (TWO!) Pontiac dealerships in two adjacent towns on the South Shore. How many 5er's have I seen? Let's see ... I guess that depends how long I sit and look out while stopped at a red light.
Wait I lied ... it's a pre-facelift 545i. Usually I'm really good at this too.
^^ it could be a 530 or 525 with a wheel upgrade...
Yeah, it could be a 550i too. I gave up caring after the second post I made. Thanks for your astute eyes, though!
OOH where are you going to be in Napa? That's where I live! What kind of event is it? I can tell you where some of the best back-roads are as well.
My idea was to give the G8 to Buick as the next Lucerne. Call it the Invicta and market it as the family person's Camaro, which is exactly what it is anyway. And now that GM is finally cutting the dead weight brands, they might even have the money to market it.
I saw 2 in town here last Friday, with those that makes it 4 in total that I've seen. Always moving past in the opposite direction so I don't get a good look. I guess I could go to the dealer to see one but I hate making small talk and getting a salesmans hopes up when I'm not buying.
that should be a good road test up to Napa and around.
oh, and post lots of updates from the trip. This is one of the few cars in your fleet that I'm owning vicariously through Edmunds.
I think it is a great car, just bigger and thirstier than I'm in the market for.
"I think it is a great car, just bigger and thirstier than I'm in the market for."
I agree. I love the car, but its far more car then I need and I don't think I'd be able to justify it in the foreseeable future. But then again I'd make the same comment about pretty much every 4 door sedan on the market, not just the G8.
+1 on bad-ass Impala wagon
I've been thinking this should have been the new Impala ever since it debuted. It would make a great, and logical, step up from the new Malibu, whereas the current Impala is more like a couple steps down.
Most attractive car GM makes? I dunno about that. The G8 does look nice, but I don't think it looks as nice as a Corvette, CTS, Saturn Sky Redline, Escalade, Acadia, or XLR-V.
G8 is nice but the "by far" is a stretch. Why do people always have to act like GM can only have ONE model worth praising? The Malibu, Aura, Vette and CTS are every bit as attractive to me. Soon you will be able to add Camaro to that lis.t
I dont think we should believe that this car is going to be cancelled. GM's statement suggests that Pontiac is going to consist of low volume sports sedans and coupes. I think the G8 is going to be hear for a while.
There was speculation that it would get the DI V6 next year and if so that will address the efficiency issues.
1487, Erin was referring to the fact that the G8 is only going to have one model cycle before it is cancelled. A couple months back GM announced that in 2012 or whenever the first generation car is due for a redesign it will simply be axed.
Anyway, back on topic. I personally do feel that the G8 is the most attractive car GM makes (although I really like the C6 Corvette too). It isn't as polarizing or gaudy as the Cadillac offerings but is upscale enough to set it apart from everyday family cars like the Aura and Malibu (which are still very nice looking cars).I think it is great that I can think of a handful of great looking GM cars; a few years ago I simply couldn't.
" But then again I'd make the same comment about pretty much every 4 door sedan on the market, not just the G8."
Well said, the frustrating thing is I really want to need one :) Especially since the new 2010 Mazda3 got that stupid grin on the front.
Too bad they don't go the way of BMW and come out with a similarly styled smaller version with say the DI CTS engine in it.
I like the G8's styling but I prefer the Holden's exterior.
Hey Erin - add 1 BMW and 1 bus to that. Then you REALLY have Santa Monica. =)
Looks like Pico Blvd., but I'm not sure... Anyway, Love the G8GT. I will be purchasing one in Silver early next year. Can't wait!
Every other car in Santa Monica is either a Prius or a 3-series. All yuppies must die!
spinchild: I'm in Napa now, and I'd love to hear any route suggestions you might have for Friday. -ER
"Too bad they don't go the way of BMW and come out with a similarly styled smaller version with say the DI CTS engine in it."
I've heard Cadillac is working on such a car. It probably won't be out for another 2 years, but it is being developed.
"Yeah, it could be a 550i too. I gave up caring after the second post I made. Thanks for your astute eyes, though!"
It couldn't be a 550i - the 550i has different lower bodywork. It's a 545i with the sport package - notice the Shadowline trim.
Oh, and I think Berkeley takes the most-Priuses-per-capita award over Santa Monica!