Allow me throw some words, terms and numbers at you before you think
about the dead automaker: Mac Pherson front strut layout and multilink
rear suspension, thick sway bars, a 361 horsepower 385 lbs feet of
torque 6 liter V8 and a 6-speed transmission. If you jumped into a BMW
5 with its excellent 4.8 liter V8 with 360 horsepower (and 360 lbs feet
of torque), with its automatic – you would be driving very similar
cars. No, not comparable or the equivalent of; the Pontiac G8 GT has
similarities in power and performance which makes it a compelling (and
½ the price) choice.
Time’s running out before they are gone.
This
is a perfect car for that person who sacrificed their Corvette, Mustang
or other hot coupe and needed a large rear seating area. The Pontiac G8
GT is all business with none of the silly tacked on plastic cladding
that used to drip off Pontiacs. Its styling design could have been
lifted from the old BMW 5’s and 7’s silhouettes. It is sharp,
distinctive and easy on the eyes. The sharp beak pulls back to the wide
arches and follows a clean line all the way to the rear which has clear
taillights. There are just enough tack-on extras to tell you that you
are looking at a Pontiac, like the (sadly, non functional) hood scoops
and Pontiac’s own dual nostril shape in the grill.
There is an
okay base model G8 with a 256 horsepower V6 and a monster G8 GXP with a
whopping 402 horsepower (Corvette sourced) 6.2 liter V8 with an
optional 6 speed MANUAL! If you get the G8 in GT trim, you get quad
rear pipes which sing the sweet music of a big V8. Nothing sounds quite
like it, especially when you gun it and hear the mellow thrum turn into
a ballsy roar.
I
highly recommend shutting off the traction control, touching the brakes
while slightly turning the steering wheel and playing the nastiest
music you have. Now, SLAM your right foot down and let that badass 6.0
liter rev high as it breaks the rear tires loose. Keep your foot in it,
twist left or right and enjoy the smoke and scream of melting rubber.
It’s stupid fun – which is the best type and will cure what ails you!
At an average of 14 mpg – it lightened my heart and my wallet.
Regular
driving is an easy affair and painless in the Pontiac G8 GT (and can
average well over 20 mpg – if you’re good). Simply keep your foot from
pressing too hard on the power pedal and the G8 will casually move you
around town in comfort. No, it’s not as softly sprung as a large
Cadillac or Lincoln and is slightly jittery on rough roads, but no more
than sophisticated and vastly more expensive European and Japanese
vehicles in a similar bracket.
Large people will be comfortable in the nicely supportive front
seats as well as the very roomy rear seats. Headroom is on the lower
side, but I was able to find a comfortable compromise by messing with
the (less than intuitive or easy to reach) seat adjustments. Though
somewhat shallow, the length and width of the trunk provided great
luggage space on par with German and Japanese cars in the same segment.
I
was less than pleased with the sound of the 230 watt, 11 speaker
Blaupunkt sound system. My tester also had XM, which helps, but I could
never get the system to sound quite right. But you know what? The
Pontiac G8 GT’s 6.0 liter engine sounded so damn good, music was barely
needed.
I’ll miss the Pontiac G8 line. This was a great car for
people who wanted a great American (ish) machine with real performance
potential. It took the fight to world class performance sedans. I liken
G8s to discount Cadillac CTS(V)s. There are a few left out there with
full GM warranties that should be a hell of a bargain.
This is the only vehicle I’ll miss from the current batch of Pontiacs.
Farewell G8, farewell to sweet goodness indeed…
Automotive media, racing, vehicle evaluation, wrecking yards, and car
sales are just a part of Nathan Adlen’s vehicular past. He writes out
of high octane passion! To read more reviews by Nathan Adlen or just to
enjoy more of excellent writing please visit him on at his examiner.com
page HERE. Photos by: N.D.
