Crapwagon Outtake: 2009 Pontiac G8 GT
For the last few months, the esteemed commenters of TTAC have welcomed me onto their screens. I’m here to tell you that I’ve been using you. I’m using the B&B as a sounding board to help me decide on my next car, and to help generate enough factual ammunition to sell it to domestic management.
So, let’s play the game again, shall we? This week, like last, Chris decides he wants a GM muscle car. Can’t buy new since the SS might as well be vaporware. Mark argues that the new Sierra with the 6.2 is a new hotrod, and he may have a point – but I’m just not a truck guy. I need four real seats, too.
The Pontiac G8 might be the answer. Our hornblower-in-chief Bark M. occasionally misses his G8, even though he’s wandered toward the Blue Oval since. The G8 GT may not have the extra power of the hard-to-find and still-pricey GXP, but 361 horses is plenty for a daddymobile. This one has turned nearly 93,000 on the odometer, so some maintenance may be due soon, but $18,000 looks rather enticing. What else can I buy for that kind of money?
Yes, someone will certainly point me toward a Charger. For some reason, the older ones don’t really appeal to me. Sorry.
I’ve never been a big fan of white cars, but this looks impressive. I’m ashamed to say I never knew the car had a Saab-like, console-mounted ignition switch. I wonder if this Aussie import avoided the GM ignition switch debacle?Bark thinks the GT won’t be collectible. I’m not so sure. HiPo GMs always have a following. Sure, the GXP is still fetching close to MSRP six years later, but I think this car will have a future beyond the used car lots.
Some enthusiasts say they were born with gasoline in their veins. Chris Tonn, on the other hand, had rust flakes in his eyes nearly since birth. Living in salty Ohio and being hopelessly addicted to vintage British and Japanese steel will do that to you. His work has appeared in eBay Motors, Hagerty, The Truth About Cars, Reader's Digest, AutoGuide, Family Handyman, and Jalopnik. He is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, and he's currently looking for the safety glasses he just set down somewhere.
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The Taurus SHO is a much better car inside. The drivetrain may not be as fun as the G8, but it's just as powerful and the interior a hell of a lot better. The G8's interior is a terrible place to spend time on a long commute. The seats aren't any good either.
I have to disagree here. I like the interior of the G8 and find its seats to be fantastic. Much better than the seats in the Taurus. Also I can actually see out of the G8.
Just forget the American part! I shall have to recommend something else of a bit larger size, but much better made inside and out, and which has more taste, power, reliability, space, and luxury. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-LS-LS460-/121710893179?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c5688d87b&item=121710893179 07 LS460, navy, 128K mi, one owner, Lux Pkg, 380HP.
I was very close to picking a G8 GT over the Charger R/T I did buy, but the local dealers just wouldn't deal at all on it as it was a new model. They wanted sticker minus whatever rebates were on it at the time. I didn't have the time, and since I was in a rehab place (Knee surgery), I couldn't go there and pester them into dealing, I needed a car the day I got out. My Charger was ok, zero issues in the 3 years I had it, but I didn't like the looks of it at all, and the model car looking "chrome clad" wheels on it bothered me more than they should have..