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2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, First Drive
Detroit, 6:47 AM
Fri Dec 11
25 posts in the last 24 hours
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2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, First Drive |
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11/22/08
Also, if GM goes bankrupt it doesn't necessarily mean Holden, Opel and other GM subsidaries go bankrupt. They operate independently of the mothership more or less.
Holden just recieved a big loan from the Aussie government and Opel is in line to recieve one from the German government if GM goes bust. Opel may even become independent which it can certainly do as can Holden and Daewoo.
If anything the GXP makes the GT look like all that much better of a deal. The only things you get on the GXP are a restyled front fascia, different wheels, Brembo brakes on the front only, more bolstering on the front seatbacks, the choice of a manual and of course the LS3 V8. That's about it. The GT already packs a variant of the LS2, has nicely bolstered seats already and excellent brakes.
11/22/08
11/21/08
JJ
[jalopnik.com]
another GM car i would like to own.
WANT.
i can has?
Sara :)
oooo, a grand am
/gag
i hate pontiacs
a lot
JJ
holy crap, that's so far away from a grand am it's not even funny
and you're a prime example of why GM is failing
they built crappy cars for way too long
soooo hard to recover from that
Sara :)
well, that's their own fucking fault
And there you have it, folks. That's gonna take a lot to overcome. She drives an '03 Pontiac Vibe, in case you were wondering. She loathes it.
11/21/08
11/21/08
The G8 solves the engine issue, and I like the way it looks inside and out. Unfortunately, although I'd buy one, that Grand Am image isn't going away anytime soon, and I'm sure it's the same for many because, at least around here, the Grand Am is the most popular car in the "lower-income" parts of town because of incentives making it half the price of a Kia Rio.
Good luck, though, Pontiac.
11/21/08
Also: I nominate that for "COTD: Root Cause Edition".
11/21/08
11/21/08
11/21/08
Besides, GPS is so attainable in a standalone unit or most of the entry level smart phones are capable now and your average cellphones almost all have access to proprietary GPS products (i.e.-VZ Nav)
Find something more relevant to bitch about, or read the whole article and comment on the reasoning given.
Stop the blind hate.
11/21/08
11/21/08
I also had hopes for finding a nice used GTO for a bargain price,but it hasn't happened yet. I think everyone figured out how great those cars really are. I can almost assure you this will happen with the G8 GXP also.
11/21/08
...and the kit to re-Holden-ize them is another $2-3k
11/21/08
Not really anti-american car, just anti-POS car.
11/21/08
The domestic = POS days are long gone. (well.... I guess don't go check out a Sebring maybe)
11/21/08
Fnckin GM.
11/21/08
11/21/08
11/21/08
It's nice to see they have the option for a no-frills muscle car (with a manual!) that can handle, but I don't see how this is revelatory. The GTO did much the same thing, just without 2 doors. And if a 'vette can get 26 mpg (or even higher as some claim) on the highway, why can't this Pontiac edge past 20?
11/21/08
11/21/08
There must be a good reason why this thing doesn't have cylinder deactivation.
11/21/08
Also remember those are EPA figures which are extremely conservative. I have no problems wrangling 22mpg out of my Silverado which is EPA rated at 19 highway.
11/21/08
11/21/08
You see, if GM folds up it's tent, then Holden goes, Opel goes, Daewoo goes, GM China evaporates, and I really don't think any of the countries involved will let that happen.
Oh, and this car will only appeal to a couple of thousand buyers, so it really won't save GM by itself.
11/21/08
Maybe it's time to play the Marshall Plan card--You guys got your mass transit, now help us keep our sole transit!
11/21/08
I don't believe GM or Ford can be saved. Their economies outstrip those of entire countries; holding their heads up is more than even the US could support. But I think that we will soon find that neither Ford nor GM need saving - they can put their feet down and stand on the bottom. If GM or Ford died, it would utterly destroy an enormous portion of the world economy, not just America's. So they won't die. Not suddenly like people are worrying about, and not anytime soon.
11/21/08
Seriously, chop off that "Pontiac" nose and I'm all over it.
11/21/08
Stop.
Put the Aussie front end back on it and you'll sell 50% more of them. You are trying to change your image, so quit reminding everyone of the crap you used to build.
I realize that you can find something like that front end on old 60s GTOs, but that is not what I or (IMO) most people see. We see years of Grand Ams and Grand Prixs that we would rather forget.
11/21/08
11/21/08
Hey, if the 'mericans we're making products good enough to best the Europeans and the Asian, we'd all be driving them.
11/21/08
11/21/08
11/21/08
Quick Q: How does the GXP differ from GT? They are both V8, but GXP has more amenities and a 6MT?
11/21/08
There is also the power difference; 361hp/385lbft (GT) versus 402hp/402lbft (GXP)
11/21/08
11/21/08
11/21/08
But sadly, it is clealy lacking in snobbery over they tiny, yet heavy, 135I.
11/21/08
I liked BMW when it still had the mentality of an airplane engine company. "Ja, ve build ze cars. We're glad you like zem." Now they ride around on the "ultimate driving machine" hubris and have cast away the verve of driving and look for the aura of status - they don't make the car fast and tossable because it's fun, they do it so it will be status symbol. Who gives a damn about that?
And now the G8 with it's Aussie bloodline tosses hubris and aura and status into a cocked hat. "Too right she's fast! Stick yer foot in! Harder! Harder! C'MON MATE YE'RE HOLDIN' BACK!"
Rock on, Pontiac. Blow me, BMW.
11/21/08
Anything that hands the flinty-eyed Nazi bomber builders their ASSES on the end of a Louisville Slugger can't be all bad.