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One week 2009 Pontiac G8 GT test drive: Part I
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Hood nostrils aside, the G8 is an attractive ride
"We don't normally drive like this" quipped my wife rather excitedly as I flung the Pontiac G8 GT onto the freeway on-ramp and nailed the throttle. The 6.0 liter V8 roared as we reached warp speed merging onto 280. My son shouted "Whee!" from his perch in the back seat. I quickly remembered who I was driving and scaled things back to a more sedate pace. That's the thing about this G8, though, it can really make you want to get a little crazy. So begins my review of the 2009 Pontiac G8 GT: a car that isn't perhaps equipped quite how I'd like it to be, but is dynamically everything I'd hoped for.
The G8's backside probably isn't its best angle
Like its departed relative, the GTO, the soon to be departed G8 GT is a bit of an odd bird. The Pontiac has an engine made in Mexico, a transmission from the U.S., and is assembled in Australia. That's quite an international heritage! What do you get for you hard earned dollar? For my money, one fantastically well sorted out driving machine. I found the ride to be right in my comfort zone, nothing too plush but not harsh like a 328xi I recently drove. The six speed automatic had crisp shifts and I never felt it was out of sync with how I was driving. During partial throttle applications, the transmission would sometimes hang onto a higher gear, but I never found it intrusive and I'm sure it helped fuel economy a bit. As expected the throttle response was phenomenal, a great rush of acceleration that impressed friends and family.
Interior is a bit somber
It's all pretty positive so far, right? Yes, on the basis of driving the G8 GT it is a true winner. Unfortunately, when it comes to the complete package is where it will probably lose some buyers. The problem certainly isn't the price. My loaner stickered around $32k, and given the size and specs of the car that isn't an unreasonable price. The cabin certainly has soft touch plastics in most places, suffered from no rattles and generally had good fit and finish. Interior room is generous and passengers reported being comfortable from all seating positions. My car was equipped with leather, but sadly it didn't have the two-tone color scheme and was very somber and monochromatic. Bringing things down further was the fact that the car was not equipped with a sunroof to let in a bit more light. But hey, a sunroof is available and when it comes to somber interiors, look no further than the Germans, so I'm not dinging the car for that.
For Part II of the review, click here.
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