Its official...the 335 has new competition...

[Slke46]

That thing looks horrible, almost like a sunfire on steriods.

[Corky71]

might sound like a BMW snob, but I like pulling ladies with the badge. What kind of women hop in a Pontiac for the badge? Never mind,....I don't want to know.

I'd prefer the woman who doesn't mind the pontiac but only who's driving it. What are you in high school?

[Craigito]

Originally Posted by mrad01

Maybe a bit of education needed....completely wrong accent...


New Zealanders sound like Australians like....

Canadians sound like New Yorkers

Hope this helps you..

My bad. And I also assume Canadians all speak french. I'm all messed up

[Atombyte]

I haven't driven then G8, nor do I plan to. Personally, I think the styling better than most Pontiacs of the last 35 years (looks very BMW-ish from some angles), but why must Pontiac keep putting those tacky hood scoops on their cars???

I owned a new Pontiac in the early '90s and basically threw the car away after 9 months. I know that was over 15 years ago and a lot can change. But GM (and Ford and Chrysler) put out so much crap for so long that they have a lot of proving themselves before I'll consider one again.

That said, this looks like a step in the right direction (V8, RWD, good handling numbers, etc...). Let's see how they hold up.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

So you're judging a sports sedan based off of its fuel efficiency?

Why not, that's how they advertise their trucks. They can't compete in any other catagory!

[maximka]

in handling pontiac isn`t a bmw competitor

[grumpybear]

Originally Posted by maximka

in handling pontiac isn`t a bmw competitor

it is now, welcome to the 21st century....

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...deoId=20220025

Here is a Edmunds video review of the G8 GT and Charger R/T.

It says in the video the G8 basically has copied the 5-series suspension setup and pretty much matched the 535i handling numbers they recently tested.

Pontiac is going in the right direction.


Edmunds:
"Fast, nimble and comfortable, and an awesome value besides; Pontiac builds the poor man's 5 Series."

[RichReg]

To all those hopeful for the G8's success (as well as other American manufacturers), I truly hope you are right....that they will indeed build cars again that the masses will flock to, as was back in the 50's and early 60's.

But the appeal has to go beyond anything we read about or drive in today. Their cars have to stand the test of time. I have 120K miles on my 323CI and it drives just as good (if not better) than it did from Day one. But in addition, that unique BMW driving feel is ALSO still there. In the grand scheme of things, that 'feel' might be minor, but its enough to bring me back to the brand.

Now if someone who bought a Grand Prix or a Taurus 8 years ago is feeling the same about their vehicle 8 years later, then GM, Ford, etc., should have no problem selling the G8, the Fusion, or whatever new design they've created. So the question becomes....have they successfully sold those buyers that have already bought?

Because its going to be pretty damn difficult (given history), to sell any of these new designs just based upon what the reviews are for them today. Should we give them a chance? Will you? I hope someone does.....
...Just my $.02

[LODOSS]

The car looks pretty damn good from the side.. but the front is not very attractive, rear looks menacing with its quad exhaust.

I can't help but say that for 30k you are getting on hell of a car. Between its base model and the GT model.. just the engine justifies the price difference and then there are quite a few additional packages you have to get to the get the base model with the same options as the GT. I can see the GT model sale like crazy.

30k, 6.0l liter engine with great gas milage <considering we are only at 3.0>. Fully loaded with 19 inch wheels, 6.5 screen, sunroof, 6 cd changer, leather.. I can't see anyone rally complain about it.

If this was out when I was getting my car, I probably would have considered it as an alternate option.

Drawback - Weight, 4000 lbs.. Not for anyone looking for a car that can handel.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by AdamJ

I've had the "pleasure" of driving one. Was not impressed. Felt like a slightly improved Grand Prix.

You're saying it drove like a slightly improved piece of sh*t? That's pretty bad compared to 99% of the other reviews/previews I've seen in magazines or on the web.

[mrad01]

Originally Posted by grumpybear

it is now, welcome to the 21st century....

Ummm, I have a Holden HSV Senator sitting outside right now. (My business partner has one)

I have driven these things myself - not relying on a review.

They may have copied the suspension design of the 5-series, but the weight distro is miles off and they don't handle - simple as that!

Holden Commodore (aka Pontiac G8) is NOT considered a high quality car in New Zealand and Australia. It is a munters car. (Munter being like Wayne and Garth in Waynes World)

If it is considered top-notch in the USA - then your locally made cars must REALLY suck.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by mrad01

Ummm, I have a Holden HSV Senator sitting outside right now. (My business partner has one)

I have driven these things myself - not relying on a review.

They may have copied the suspension design of the 5-series, but the weight distro is miles off and they don't handle - simple as that!

Holden Commodore (aka Pontiac G8) is NOT considered a high quality car in New Zealand and Australia. It is a munters car. (Munter being like Wayne and Garth in Waynes World)

If it is considered top-notch in the USA - then your locally made cars must REALLY suck.

You drive a VXR8? I thought the Holden Commodores looked great in Australia. Admittedly, your cars are better (much higher standards than the US). The weight dist. on the G8 is 51/49 fyi - basically the same as the 5 series or any other Bimmer for that matter.

[Atombyte]

Originally Posted by mrad01

If it is considered top-notch in the USA - then your locally made cars must REALLY suck.

With very few exceptions, that is correct. The domestic auto-makers here have all but forsaken cars in favor of the mighty SUV for almost 2 decades now. Ford has absolutely nothing here (except the GT), although their European cars seem to be generally well-regarded. Chrysler has some neat designs and a monster engine in the HEMI, but they're not executed worth a damn. GM is starting to try, but still have a long way to go.

In general, if we need a solid, reliable car to get from point A to point B, we buy Japanese. If we want a car that drives well, costs a good bit more, but may lack in quality, we can buy German. If we want neither quality or drive-ability, we can buy domestic.

Before I check out of this world, I would love to be able to go buy a car from Ford, GM, or Chrysler that wouldn't give up a thing to the Germans or Japanese. But until they catch up and prove it, I'll be looking elsewhere.

[mrad01]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

You drive a VXR8? I thought the Holden Commodores looked great in Australia. Admittedly, your cars are better (much higher standards than the US). The weight dist. on the G8 is 51/49 fyi - basically the same as the 5 series or any other Bimmer for that matter.

No, I don't drive a VXR8 - but they are all the same. I actually refuse to get into it. Going from a BMW into a Holden is night and day.

I think the slalom figures from Edmunds.com show where the G8 is compared to the 335i. This shows you what you are going to get when you get a G8 - you have just bought a whale.

Hey, the 535i is slower - but that is a luxury cruiser. The G8 is supposed to be a sporty car....NOT!

Lincoln Navigator L 4WD - 52.9
Honda Odyssey Touring - 60.3
Dodge Charger R/T - 62.3
Bentley Continental GT - 64.3
Nissan Altima Coupe - 64.5
2005 A4 - 64.6
535i - 65.3
Pontiac G8 GT - 65.7
Honda Accord Coupe - 66.2
E93 328i - 66.3
IS350 - 66.4
E46 M3 - 66.6
E90 330i - 67.4
MB C350 sport - 67.6
Subaru Impreza WRX - 67.7
MB CL600 - 67.8
Mini Cooper S Clubman - 68.2
E92 335i - 68.4
C63 AMG - 68.6
E90 335i - 69.2
E60 M5 - 69.2
Mazdaspeed 3 - 69.3
Z4 M - 69.6
Lexus IS-F - 70.2
RS4 - 70.5
911 Carrera S - 70.5
135i - 72.4
Nissan GT-R - 72.9
E92 M3 - 73.3

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by mrad01

Ummm, I have a Holden HSV Senator sitting outside right now. (My business partner has one)

I have driven these things myself - not relying on a review.

They may have copied the suspension design of the 5-series, but the weight distro is miles off and they don't handle - simple as that!

Holden Commodore (aka Pontiac G8) is NOT considered a high quality car in New Zealand and Australia. It is a munters car. (Munter being like Wayne and Garth in Waynes World)

If it is considered top-notch in the USA - then your locally made cars must REALLY suck.

Do Munters have mullets?


Seriously, the 2 impalas I've had for company cars have been more reliable than my wife's Acura MDX. I hated the interior of the first Impala, but the current gen car they gave me didn't look too bad.

Performance-wise though, it was a total piece of shit. The Impala, that is. The MDX is too, but that's expected.

[TMNT]

Originally Posted by tag824

6.0 L engine (automatic): 15/24 (city/highway mpg)

Does it require 93 octane or 89? If its 89...that aint freakin bad!! It would be the equivalent to spending the same amount of gas a month for an A5 or C350 which get around 17/25 on 93.

[urnuts]

Originally Posted by vinlikesred

i can't imagine anyone would cross-shop 335i for pontiac g8... i had a hard time deciding 335i and porsche cayman... people who would consider g8 would consider the likes of ford...hyundai...

I like the G8. It's a 5 Series sized car (bigger even, I think) and I don't need (or care for) a car that big. But, I like the G8, built in Australia by Holden which makes lots of sick, high performance cars.
I think the quality is good, performance is excellent, and I bet the value will be outstanding. Resale? Not sure.
BMW ain't all it's cracked up to be.

[JesusFrEAk]

Well it appears to me that some of the people on this thread (wont mention names) want to take stuff that edmunds says and throw it out the window without giving it any merit.

However, when it come to other issues like our cars having more power than BMW said (edmunds review, as well as some others) and a faster 0-60 we dont throw that out the window.

So, it's niave to agree with some of the stuff the reviews say, but when it comes to an american car edumunds does'nt know what they are talking about.

I personally like the G8. It looks pretty stylish except for their badge. (need a new one to go with the new look) But, I have the same judgment as a lot of other people in thinking that it's not going to be reliable and the interior is kind of plain jain. I do have to agree though it's a great car for the price.

A few mods to the suspension and better tires and maybe it will handle a lil better than the 5 series IMO. That's as far as i can say, because I havent even driven the dang thing!

Just my 2 cents.

[E82tt6]

So many clueless badge whores here.

Do me a favor and go look up reliability ratings in consumer reports before you start calling American cars junk. They're actually well ahead of BMW in terms of reliability in nearly all cases.