Here is a links to some new Holden models

http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/conceptcar?modelid=20004

I just went and checked on the ‘06 in the garage….yup, option code U3U. Look back at the link you posted, but click on the “audio systems” tab.

Corvette. Take that!

I actually looked at the options list for the Corvette before posting that comment.

http://www.chevrolet.com/corvette/features/

The Corvette has On*Star turn-by-turn, but doesn’t appear to have a standard nav system with a map screen. If it does, it’s not listed on the options list on the website.

Recently I was looking at used BMWs with a family member and the navigation built into 2004 and older models was more a detriment to the cars than a benefit for resale. A lot of them had outdated information and hard to use interfaces. Maps and portable units are still superior in my opinion.

The G8 isn’t really a luxury car, it’s a muscle/performance car first which is reflected in it’s interior and exterior design as well as tuning.

Should the G8 offer nav? Sure. But for performance minded V8 enthusiasts the car is meant to appeal to they will be more interested in dropping the $2k+ on engine mods like a tune, intake, heads, cam, exhaust, gears, etc

jthorner: “It worked fine in the one we test drove last year. Toyota is also integrating a back-up camera with most of their satnav systems. When you put the car into reverse, the LCD screen becomes a real-time view from a camera in the rear bumper. That’s a good safety feature on vehicle where it is hard to see what is directly behind you.”

I don’t think I explained it properly. In Toyota’s nav system, the vehicle must be completely stationary (in park) to enter any destination data. It then gives directions as normal with the vehicle in motion after that. At least that’s the way it works in the Prius.

And Toyota’s back-up camera is exceptionally annoying. It has a proximity sensor that emits a constant beep which then gets more frantic as the vehicle gets closer to an object. Fortunately, Toyota hasn’t yet made the system to where the beeper can’t be turned off. It’s not in the manual and Toyota won’t tell you how to do it but the procedure can be found via a Google search.

It worked fine in the one we test drove last year. Toyota is also integrating a back-up camera with most of their satnav systems. When you put the car into reverse, the LCD screen becomes a real-time view from a camera in the rear bumper. That’s a good safety feature on vehicle where it is hard to see what is directly behind you.

Back to the G8: Maybe it would have a better chance if it was sold as a Grand Prix. It makes me foam at the mouth to think GM ditched a once great name like Grand Prix for something which sounds like a boring annual economic summit.

Wrong car + wrong time + wrong name + wrong division + wrong exchange rate = flop. It’s already showing up in rental car fleets!

The GTO comparison is valid because it too was a Pontiac nose-job onto a Holden.

Geotpf: “Compare this to, say, Toyota. You can get sat nav in things as low-end as a Scion xD or a Toyota Corolla.”

Suzuki recently announced that every 2009 SX4 will have an integrated Garmin nav system as standard equipment. This actually makes sense since aftermarket nav systems can be had for as little as a few hundred dollars, yet the RPO price auto manufacturers charge for an optional nav system is almost universally around $2k.

The MSRP base price of the 2009 SX4 (including shipping) will supposedly begin near or under $16k.

As to Toyota’s nav systems, although they’re available in a large range of vehicles (the Yaris may be the only Toyota that doesn’t offer nav), I believe Toyota’s legal dept. have the nav systems configured in such a way that they will not operate while the vehicle is in motion, i.e., the vehicle must be in park for the nav to function.

Though I doubt this will be the game-changer Pontiac/GM needs, it’s not going to be a flop; rather, it’ll just be status quo. Take a look a look around at the number of Grand Prix’s on the road…it’s surprising, but mostly thanks to Enterprise & others. I really don’t see how w/a better styling package, the G8 will do worse than the Grand Prix.

If the G8 fails, it’ll be because it’s the wrong car for the wrong times, and will confirm that the V8 is indeed dead.

Bringing out any new car without a satnav option is just stupid. Lots of money to be made there. Toyota and Honda offer it on almost everything.

Corvette. Take that!

Nav is available in a ton of GM products expensive and inexpensive already.

Name a MY 2008 or earlier US GM product that is not a Cadillac or a SUV that has normal sat nav (with a screen) (On*Star turn-by-turn does not count). I double dare you.

Compare this to, say, Toyota. You can get sat nav in things as low-end as a Scion xD or a Toyota Corolla.

Oldsmoboi :
May 9th, 2008 at 3:33 pm

Actually, for 2009, it looks like the only GM models that WON’T have bluetooth will be the Aveo, Colorado/Canyon, and G8.

Like I said, they recently did a 180 on this policy. But, for MY 2008 and earlier, I am correct.

Mark my words, six months from now you’ll open your Saturday/Sunday car section in the paper (yeah I know, dying medium) and see these at the inevitable $21K w/GM bankrupting incentives/employee pricing. That said, still a stretch for me.

However, I might be tempted once one 1-yr old models start showing up at dealers w/GM 5yr/100K warranties at $17-18K. There’s probably a lot of value there compared to what you’ll get w/an import in the same segment.

Note: $20 says there will be a Mary Kay version.

And for those of you who do not like the V6 you can take heart in knowing the majority of 2009 G8 production will be V8 models.

Basically, the six-cylinder G8 needs to be cheaper than it is.

That comment is dead on.

A manual trans V6 with leather seats and sport suspension would be perfect- at ~$25,000.

A slushbox stripper at $28k isn’t going to cut it in this market.

The front end is the only Pontiac aspect of the exterior to me.

Agreed. As with the GTO, it’s pretty obvious that they just slapped a Pontiac grill on a car that otherwise bears little in common with the rest of the Pontiac line-up. Of course, the problem is that half of Pontiac’s line-up are just Chevys with split grills, so who’s to say what a real Pontiac looks like anymore?

He seems to be saying both. He said that the base trim felt cheap.

Actually, for 2009, it looks like the only GM models that WON’T have bluetooth will be the Aveo, Colorado/Canyon, and G8.

just sayin….

I think that is your Mitsubishi Enthusiast Forum user name. Sorry forgive me you are absolutely right on your survey it was all about older Lancer and the New 08 Lancer.

And Again you are really doing a great job for the consumer.

For this Forum is it really important do have a built in NAV on your dash?

I mean how many times a day do We use it.
Are we going find our way to work by using a Nav system even though we know where we going.

I definetly think that the NAV system is for Show Off only.

Hey I HAVE A NAV do you have one?

I really don’t like those Nav things. you tend to look at it every minute while doing 65 mph (even though you don’t need to look at it).

It is an accident waiting to happen.

Not that many buyers will want the poor fuel economy of a V8, but those that prioritize affordable performance in a sedan have few other choices. In contrast, there are a lot of six-cylinder sedans in the market at around this cost, as well as some competitive four-cylinders, which takes away from the value proposition.

Basically, the six-cylinder G8 needs to be cheaper than it is. The weak dollar probably won’t allow for that, though.