Pontiac G8: "Audi level interior"

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

All this and much more from THE WASHINGTON POST! Edited April 13, 2009 by Oldsmoboi

[CaddyXLR-V]

"part old-fashioned American muscle car, part sophisticated European performance ride"

That should be Pontiacs new tag line, and every car Pontiac makes should be made to fit that.

[Intrepidation]

"part old-fashioned American muscle car, part sophisticated European performance ride"

That should be Pontiacs new tag line, and every car Pontiac makes should be made to fit that.

[K.C.]

That's good stuff.

[Camino LS6]

'bout time they noticed.

[Gnitro]

G8 GXP - Big-Bore Bad-Ass American Attitude mixed with an equally impressive dose of European Sophistication

Just wish I could afford one.

[CSpec]

That's surprising; I read before that the G8 has some minor interior build quality problems.

[pow]

All this and much more from THE WASHINGTON POST!

The Washington Post's auto writer, Warren Brown has been, in the past, quite conciliatory with GM - he was once described as a "Detroit apologist", having written possibly the only positive review of the Torrent ("Pontiac's Torrent just makes you want to drive - Chock full of SUV attitude, this is a vehicle built to escape urban sprawl and crawl.")

This article is written by a "staff writer", but if you've read the Post's car reviews, their praise of the G8 doesn't come as a surprise.

[Oracle of Delphi]

The problem with that tag line is, it's not an American muscle car (it's Australian), and there is nothing European about it ...

FOG don't be taken in by the Liberal Media (The Washington Post) that you hate ... :rotflmao:

Edited April 13, 2009 by Pontiac Custom-S

[Camino LS6]

It most certainly is an American musclecar, its just screwed together in Australia.

And, the most important component of a musclecar (the engine) is built right here.

The configuration, proportions, and styling certainly fit that of a European sport sedan - so BS to you on that as well, PCS.

You just hate the fact that so many people love this car.

[Oracle of Delphi]

It most certainly is an American musclecar, its just screwed together in Australia.

You keep telling yourself that, while you're at it click your ruby slippers together and repeat, "There is no place like home, There is no place like home ..."

And, the most important component of a musclecar (the engine) is built right here.

Really, I could have sworn I smelt Mexican food when the engines were uncrated.

The configuration, proportions, and styling certainly fit that of a European sport sedan - so BS to you on that as well, PCS.

Sorry, European means made in Europe, like me ... :rotflmao:

[Camino LS6]

All your quips aside, the reality is that the G8 is more American in intent than anything short of a full-size pickup and more European in execution than any other sport sedan not built there.

[Oracle of Delphi]

All your quips aside, the reality is that the G8 is more American in intent than anything short of a full-size pickup and more European in execution than any other sport sedan not built there.

Ahhh intent, now if I were only an attorney ...

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

The Washington Post's auto writer, Warren Brown has been, in the past, quite conciliatory with GM - he was once described as a "Detroit apologist", having written possibly the only positive review of the Torrent ("Pontiac's Torrent just makes you want to drive - Chock full of SUV attitude, this is a vehicle built to escape urban sprawl and crawl.")

This article is written by a "staff writer", but if you've read the Post's car reviews, their praise of the G8 doesn't come as a surprise.

***sigh***

I see your point.

But hypothetically, with that mindset, I can also see how you could be another anti-GM person that is just unwilling to accept that the company can do something right. The Torrent is NOTHING like the G8. I'm pretty sure the G8 earned ALL of this praise.

The problem with that tag line is, it's not an American muscle car (it's Australian), and there is nothing European about it ...

GM = an american company. Pontiac = an american brand (exclusive to North America) That's about as american as you can get this day in age IMO.

FOG don't be taken in by the Liberal Media (The Washington Post) that you hate ...

1) I never offered my opinion on the article.

2) The CONservative media is just as bad as the liberal media.

You just hate the fact that so many people love this car.

Sorry, European means made in Europe, like me ...

Denying your texASS heritage now?

Edited April 13, 2009 by FUTURE_OF_GM

[Dsuupr]

This seems fitting and typical GM for the past 30 years. They get something perfected for a division or a product then it is killed (Oldsmobile, Fiero, etc.).

[Camino LS6]

This seems fitting and typical GM for the past 30 years. They get something perfected for a division or a product then it is killed (Oldsmobile, Fiero, etc.).

Can't argue with that.

Unfortunately.

[Camino LS6]

One difference this time though, this time the product was right from the start - not so much the corporation that produced it.

[siegen]

comparable to something from Audi

I'll see about that.

[Camino LS6]

Planning some test drives, Siegen?

[deftonesfan867]

***sigh***

I see your point.

But hypothetically, with that mindset, I can also see how you could be another anti-GM person that is just unwilling to accept that the company can do something right. The Torrent is NOTHING like the G8. I'm pretty sure the G8 earned ALL of this praise.

GM = an american company. Pontiac = an american brand (exclusive to North America) That's about as american as you can get this day in age IMO.

1) I never offered my opinion on the article.

2) The CONservative media is just as bad as the liberal media.

Denying your texASS heritage now?

Well let's see....he wasn't born there....not a Native Texan.

[z28luvr01]

Really, I could have sworn I smelt Mexican food when the engines were uncrated.

So how's the engine in your wife's Equinox doing? ZING!!

[deftonesfan867]

The Camry is built here, but the funny thing is...I wouldn't call it an American car, because guess what?!?!? The parent corporation is in Japan! Without GM Holden wouldn't be building such vehicles. Therefore the G8 is a domestic.

[Lamar]

The Camry is built here, but the funny thing is...I wouldn't call it an American car, because guess what?!?!? The parent corporation is in Japan! Without GM Holden wouldn't be building such vehicles. Therefore the G8 is a domestic.

To bring it closer to home for PCS, does that mean that the X5, X6, and Z3/Z4 (prior to MY '09) are American cars?

[MyerShift]

That's surprising; I read before that the G8 has some minor interior build quality problems.

It does. The interior has nowhere near the solidity and quality of build that an Audi has.

In the centre console area, there were some trim pieces that I noticed that were disturbingly loose.

[hyperv6]

Too bad they could not build a G6 with the appeal of a G8.

But they would have had no money to maket it properly anyway

As it is the GXP will be a faily unknown car in the greneral public just as my HHR SS is. I get peole all the time thinking I made my HHR SS and I have to explain they are sitting on most dealer lots.

GM get some good cars and can't afford to spread the word.

[pow]

***sigh***

I see your point.

But hypothetically, with that mindset, I can also see how you could be another anti-GM person that is just unwilling to accept that the company can do something right. The Torrent is NOTHING like the G8. I'm pretty sure the G8 earned ALL of this praise.

Don't get me wrong... I love the G8. It's my favorite reasonably-priced GM vehicle. And it's gotten great reviews from tougher critics as well. But the OP made it seem as if a positive review from the WP were impossible.

[Oracle of Delphi]

So how's the engine in your wife's Equinox doing? ZING!!

Smells like Chinese food when I open the hood, but it's not trying to pass itself off as American vehicle with a EU feel now is it? Go Canada!

[CaddyXLR-V]

Smells like Chinese food when I open the hood, but it's not trying to pass itself off as American vehicle with a EU feel now is it? Go Canada!

Really? All I smell when I read your posts is jealousy because the Australians can do something better than the Americans for cheaper than the Germans.

[FAPTurbo]

If it's a Euro-fighter, than mission accomplished. Pontiac always seems to have had a more 'European' orientation anyways, what with vehicles like the 1st Gen V6 OHC Firebird, the 6000 STE, or of course, the Le Mans.

[cletus8269]

To bring it closer to home for PCS, does that mean that the X5, X6, and Z3/Z4 (prior to MY '09) are American cars?

WOOO! go south carolina! we're on the map! hehe

[Oracle of Delphi]

Really? All I smell when I read your posts is jealousy because the Australians can do something better than the Americans for cheaper than the Germans.

I don't think that's all you smell, take a deep breath ...

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Thanks for fixing that title Oldsmoboi... It was driving me nuts!

[FAPTurbo]

What I don't understand is PCS' massive beef with this car. Considering it's vehicles like this, the Malibu, the CTS, etc. which are helping to garner GM some much needed praise and PR.

[deftonesfan867]

What I don't understand is PCS' massive beef with this car. Considering it's vehicles like this, the Malibu, the CTS, etc. which are helping to garner GM some much needed praise and PR.

Because he doesn't care about GMNA, just GME....well he DID.

[CaddyXLR-V]

I don't think that's all you smell, take a deep breath ...

Ahh, now I smell it. Some burnt rubber from my GTO.

[Oracle of Delphi]

Ahh, now I smell it. Some burnt rubber from my GTO.

Such a chubby Cavalier you have ...

[caddycruiser]

It's definitely not Audi comparable, other than being "inspired" I would say in design and some textures. Not that I'm used to it, it is very good and very solid, but also clearly not done with a limitless budget. Door panels and seats are terrific, as is the dash top and such, but lower dash and center console is all essentially harder, shinier stuff.

That said, it's still a quality piece, and between the layout, the Blaupunkt, the door panels & dash, etc. definitely not typical American based design. Could really be taken to the next level with more polished and solid lower dash panels and center console/lid, for sure. It's actually a bit like the Chrysler LX cars in this regard, to a unique level, where the money clearly went into the overall design, structure, suspension, drivetrains, etc. and a bit less put into every bit of the interior. But it's still quite well done, as is.

[Camino LS6]

What I don't understand is PCS' massive beef with this car. Considering it's vehicles like this, the Malibu, the CTS, etc. which are helping to garner GM some much needed praise and PR.

It has nothing to do with the car.

It's that corporate infighting silliness between Holden and GME that he was part of. It was GME's mission to hurt this car any way they could.

Pathetic and absurd.

Holden is the last corner of GM to know how to do things right, and the G8 proves it.

This makes PCS mad.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Such a chubby Cavalier you have ...

You're just experiencing GTO envy... It's okay, most Grand Prix owners experience this...

And 50% of BMW owners experience the same thing (the ones that actually know the performance of cars, not the ones who buy it because their friends like blue and white propellers)

[Robert Hall]

It has nothing to do with the car.

It's that corporate infighting silliness between Holden and GME that he was part of. It was GME's mission to hurt this car any way they could.

Pathetic and absurd.

Holden is the last corner of GM to know how to do things right, and the G8 proves it.

This makes PCS mad.

Or he's jealous because the G8 is such an infinitely better car than his mediocre, outdated W-body

Edited April 14, 2009 by moltar

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

It has nothing to do with the car.

It's that corporate infighting silliness between Holden and GME that he was part of. It was GME's mission to hurt this car any way they could.

Pathetic and absurd.

Holden is the last corner of GM to know how to do things right, and the G8 proves it.

This makes PCS mad.

It's funny...

The people who helped kill GM through pissing matches seem to be fleeing to other companies now. Hopefully they'll take their ass backwards way of thinking with them.

[Drew Dowdell]

I wish Toyota would hire Carl-Peter-Foster.

[Argen]

Firstly, there are shops out there that "prepare" all of the cars sent out for mainstream press reviews. So I'm sure that specific G8 was as polished as an Audi, because it was half-disassembled and half-rebuilt by hand at one of those shops. Unforunately press cars are not really representative of real production models.

That said, the G8 is still fairly good in regards to the interior.

My problem is that GM considers taking after the Germans is a good thing for Pontiac. If they are going to take after the continentals, then they need to be taking after the Italians. The G8 is a bit cold and boxy for my tastes. A bit too Teutonic. It needs tan leather and curvy styling and little chrome highlights.

[Oracle of Delphi]

It has nothing to do with the car.

It's that corporate infighting silliness between Holden and GME that he was part of. It was GME's mission to hurt this car any way they could.

Pathetic and absurd.

Holden is the last corner of GM to know how to do things right, and the G8 proves it.

This makes PCS mad.

That was not my mission, and I don't get mad, I get even ... It's a German thang ...

[Camino LS6]

The car was actively undermined from within.

Or perhaps sabotaged would be me accurate.

Only some enlightened folks have realized how good it is anyway.

A small bright spot in the black hole that is GM today.

[Oracle of Delphi]

It's funny...

The people who helped kill GM through pissing matches seem to be fleeing to other companies now. Hopefully they'll take their ass backwards way of thinking with them.

Fleeing? Hardly, I wanted to make sure my pension was locked in under EU rules and not US'. This gets me out of the way and safe from any reprisals from GMNA in it's last dieing gasp.

Who knows, once the dust settles, I may come back to GME either as an employee again or as a contractor making 300 dollars an hour, either way, they are options that were left open to me by a friend, after all he did come from BMW, so it's no coincidence that I am going there to be sheltered from the coming storm ...

[Intrepidation]

That was not my mission, and I don't get mad, I get even ... It's a German thang ...

So is getting your asses served to you.

[Oracle of Delphi]

The car was actively undermined from within.

Or perhaps sabotaged would be me accurate.

Only some enlightened folks have realized how good it is anyway.

A small bright spot in the black hole that is GM today.

Sabotaged, is such a strong word ...

[wildcat]

sabotage

verb 1. damage, destroy, wreck, undermine, disable, disrupt, cripple, subvert, incapacitate, vandalize, throw a spanner in the works Brit. (informal)

verb 2. disrupt, ruin, wreck, spoil, interrupt, interfere with, obstruct, intrude, crool or cruel Austral. (slang)

noun 3. damage, destruction, wrecking, vandalism, deliberate damage

noun 4. disruption, ruining, wrecking, spoiling, interference, intrusion, interruption, obstruction

from Collins Essential Thesaurus 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2005, 2006

[Intrepidation]

I think it's an entire appropriate word. One of GM's very best plaftroms denied being able to realize its full potential while rolling piles of crap like W-bodies and G-bodies continue to litter Avis lots.

And it wasn't being RWD that makes it so great, although for the planned applications yes RWD adds to it.

However, the platform was and is so great because the amount of polish it has. It's one of the few platforms where the cars it underpins feel like solid, polished products able to runw ith the best of them.