2008 Pontiac G8 GT Thomasville GA
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2008 Pontiac G8 GT
November 3, 2009 By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor
2008 Pontiac G8
DriverSide Overview
Beleaguered Pontiac has struggled to find an identity in recent years - don’t think we’ve forgotten the Aztek – but there’s a beacon of hope on the horizon, and they’re calling it the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT . Being touted as the savior of this troubled brand, the G8 is Pontiac’s flagship vehicle, and rightly so. After driving it, we’d have to agree that Pontiac will no doubt have a turn of luck with the debut of this Australian built, V-8 powered rear-wheel drive sedan with horsepower to burn and a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds. And, yes, it feels that fast. Masking its muscular performance are an upmarket, sophisticated exterior design and a comfortable and stylish interior, all for just under $30,000. The G8 GT is wolf in sheep’s clothing, poised to take on the best Europe has to offer at half the price.
What's to Like
The Pontiac G8 GT is the most powerful passenger car in America under $30,000! Enough said.
What's Not to Like
The large, cartoonish digital gauges displaying oil pressure and battery voltage are located smack dab at the top of the instrument panel and can’t be turned off. Your options are pretty limited; there isn’t an available navigation system, satellite radio or manual gearbox. Gas mileage is, as Mary Poppin’s says, something quite atrocious. See previous “What’s to Like” section if you’re feeling discouraged.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Get ready to do some doughnuts and hear the American, er, Australian, V-8 roar around. Mashing the throttle delivers power almost immediately to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission and provides addictive, neck snapping, tire squealing, knuckle whitening exhilaration. While the normal drive mode is perfect for city driving, we wouldn’t fault you if you never took the transmission out of sport mode, which provides even more on demand power by altering the shift points to stay in gears longer and use all available engine power. Handling is the only glaring issue with the G8’s drive quality; it’s certainly not up to the Germans’ precise standards. Straight shots and long, loose turns are navigated brilliantly, but tight hairpins can feel a bit unwieldy in this 4,000-pound car. It’s the only time we were reminded that there was room for three behind the driver’s seat.
Engine and Drivetrain
The G8 GT is powered by a 6.0-liter V-8 sequential fuel injection engine, which produces 361 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque. The lack of a manual gearbox, an option that is provided on almost all of the competition, will disappoint the most avid driving enthusiasts. However, we were pleased to find that manual mode, controlled by tapping the shifter up and down, is incredibly responsive and will eagerly hold the redline at...