2008 Pontiac G8 Comes in Under $27,000

One of the most anticipated new cars for 2008 is the rear-wheel-drive Pontiac G8 sedan. This Grand Prix replacement comes standard with a 256-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 for $26,900 and, even better, the 361-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 G8 GT will start at $29,300. Neither price includes the $695 destination charge.

We’ve had a first-hand look at a preproduction G8 and can say that, for the money, this is a very good value — especially the G8 GT. The interior quality is far superior to anything else in the Pontiac lineup. In fact, you’re getting more for your money — and at a lesser price — than the recently discontinued GTO that featured the same V-8 engine. Not only that, it beats the starting price of the Hemi-powered Chrysler 300C and Charger R/T, which come in at $35,100 and $30,640, respectively.

What do you think? Is the G8 price right?

Comments

If you can drive a loaded one home for less than $35,000 total - tax, a year of insurance, tags, etc. then it should sell.

Unfortunately it looks like a Pontiac. The younger buyers will be looking at the BMW 1 series even though it is smaller.

It's about time something actually competes with the charger & 300.. those cars are boring to the eye now that they're everywhere you turn pretty much.

I think a lot of people will gravitate towards the G8. Younger buyers probably aren't the top of the list. the BMW 1 and this are so different I doubt they'd find many crossshoppers.

and I do know a few 20 somethings dying for this car too.

I believe that there are options (such as leather) on this car unlike the GTO. Is any information available on these?

In any case, it should be a great deal. The sticker on my '04 GTO was about $33K. Hopefully, the G8 offers a sunroof and climate control.

the V8 has a six speed auto too...to bad the V6 doesnt. GM has been cleaning up their act when it comes to interiors. the newer models have some very nice, upscale appointments on the inside. If only they would start incorperating more six speeds, or even 5 speeds to their cars.

comparing this to a 1 Series is not a good comparison. the 1 Series competes more with the Volvo C30 and A3

The only thing distinct about this car is freakin' high price. Like the recently extinct GTO the G8 will go down in the history books as another GM flop. Better luck next time.

KJ,
How is it a high price when it is less than it's direct competitors? Not following you there. If you follow recent GM releases they haven't had that many flops.

KJ-

Why does this car need to be cheap? Cuz its American? Or so that you could afford one????

I for one think it's priced right. Remember, it is an import and priced less than it's (yuchy Chrysler) competition. This car will not be a flop.

Does GM hate its customers?
A big engine V8 in RWD selling to a bunch of folks never ever driven a RWD in their life for the past 20 years or so.
Can they at least offer an AWD option, as 300 does?

Well it looks like Chrysler Corp will have to change up the 300 and the charger in the upcoming years. This competition kills them.

There is a certain niche group for this car along with the charger and 300. Don't compare this to an import. (even though it is an import.)

They should have called it Bonneville,and not G8.This G5,G6,G8 stuff reminds one of A6000,J2000,T1000,Bonneville Model "G" crap of the 80s.

I think the price is right, especially when compared to a Charger. The only problem I see with this car so far is the wheels. I imagine the car will top out at just over 35K with everything. I'd like to see how well it holds its value and what the residual value will hover around for lease rates.

The problem with "Bonneville" is that it just plain sounds old. Young people don't want the image of the crappy old 80s clunkers that Pontiac made: if they have to have a car with an old name, it better be a good name.

As to the guy who said "Don't treat it like an import," wait, why not? Its made in another country, buy another company owned by a company foreign to it. That company might be GM, but the workers are still outside America (to recall many of the complaints of the "Buy American" crowd). Also, Toyota makes its cars here, and its investors live here or just plain everywhere, kind of like those at GM.

Why should imports or domestics be treated differently at all is what I ask.

One thing though: I can understand why maybe the wheels are different from the concept, but the body styling of the concept should've stayed. What would it of cost to keep it? A few bucks? Might that even of saved money as it was already done? The hood and fenders needed to stay.

And word has it the L76 V8 is just an LS2 with a different cam.

Who wants to void the factory warranty? me!

Definitly more bang for your buck, but I think the extra $$ on my Charger was worth it in looks alone.

The 300C though is over priced but also has a great exterior...

As someone sorely disappointed by American cars of yore, I hope that GM executes this car perfectly, and I will gladly consider American cars for my next automobile... its good to see GM finally mount up a credible challenge to imports... and I say this as a person who was only driven Toyotas and Hondas all my life.

The new Pontiac G8 got at least a look from me. It looks decent. I think GM loyalists will flock. The price is right but, GM still has a long way to go before I would even considering giving up my Avalon for one. Sorry! Still jaded from too many bad experiences with past GM cars I owned.

If i had the money right now to buy this car with the big V8, id get it in a heartbeat. And for the price, of the GT, thats not bad at all, isnt the Mustang GT about the same price?

Why do people call this an American car? Its based on an Austrailian made vehicle owned by an American company, and isn't it also built in Austrailia?

People call it an American car because of the Pontiac logo, just like the same suckers that call the Chevy Aveo American. But smarter folks know the true identity and place of birth.

With that said, I still like the G8 and hope that it will succeed and revitalize the Pontiac brand.

Kinda OT, but an excellent illustration of our "addiction to oil," and how corporate America "helps" in our addiction - setting the car price low for a massive V8 engine that's only a few thousand more - and will probably be no difference when the rebates come in a few months - to the (supposedly) more efficient V6 (but probably not by much). There's no penalty tax for a 6000+cc engine either, meaning quite a number of Americans can afford (but not necessary buy) the G8 V8! As much as how great this car may be and how many of you will actually buy this car, I feel sorry for our soldiers overseas who gave up their lives so that "we" can enjoy this type of luxury, and satisfy our needs for oil and speed.

Well, if out version is built in Canada then it will actually be a domestic. I believe GM plans to build these in Australia, Canada and one other country (China?)

As for me, a 29yo-male, would I want a beast/gas-guzzler (with 6-speed manual) with a honking V-8 or a svelte coupe with a kick-ass turbo-6 and slick handling with a BMW logo and better mpg? for the same 35-large? Not to mention free maintenance for 4 years.

I'd put my money on the 135. They may not compete head-to-head, but they do compete $-wise.

Granted, I'd never consider a 300 either, so maybe I'm just not in their target group.

Overall, I like it, and I think it will sell. I wouldn't mind having one, that's for sure. The only things I'm not really keen on are the hood scoops (unless they're functional) and the coolant temperature gauge not having any numbers on it.

And I agree with not calling it Bonneville. That's the car high-school kids drove that their grandparents gave them. Not cool.

I like it in white. :)

This is the first American car that I like (ok second 2008 corvette looks very nice too). It is a bit on heavy side but the design is very good. V8 should have more power though. I hope GM will work on that. The price is dead on and I predict very nice future for this car. Also, new corvette made me thinking and for sure I will compare it to Cayman S when I am ready to go with my new car. GM has finally started coming back and I am very glad to see that.

Hey Guys i have, this same exact thing
with chevy logos, (we get them here as chevy lumina's in the Mid east) saudi arabia.
And they start at $19,500 for the LS, then $24,500 for the LTZ, and $29,800 for the SS. So i think the $6,000 rebates better be ready. But its an awesome car so its worth it.

I see pace car at the next nascar race written all over it, not that its a bad thing. Too bad Pontiac dropped the idea of new silver logo seen on the concept. It would have been a good idea to incorporate it on their new halo car to help add buzz and a fresh look to the brand. The car does look good and muscular, but not enough of a deviation for me personally. I have never been that much of a fan of the grand am /prix style pontiac has been sporting for well over a decade. I know they have the brand identity with the split grille but I feel they can get a little more inventive with the overall styling. A good example of that would be the Pontiac Solstice. It took me a little while to warm up to it but the car looks awesome with smooth lines and a hint of old roadster thrown in.
GM wants everyone to Rethink American with their last ad blitz from Saturn... and I would love to except doesent the G8 epitomize the supposed American of old? Big engine, big fuel consumption, big car, super fast, bold box style. Pretty much an excercise of over indulgence. In any case I am probably being a little harsh on the car. The price is right and it will sell to the same demographic as the 300, Charger, Magnum buyer, forcing Chrysler to finally update 300 which I am pretty tired of looking at.

I can already see their commercial says this: The First ever G8, has more interior room, horsepower and a lower price than a Lexus IS350, BMW 328i, and Infiniti G35.

Who can match this?

Not BMW, not MB, not Nissan, not Toyota.

This is a winner!

As some of you may already know, the G8 is a rebadged version of the Holden Commodore in Australia. I had the chance to drive one down under and please mark my words: INCREDIBLY FAST AND OVERALL HIGH QUALITY.

Everyone can drive a FWD, even my grandma can, but to be able to enjoy the pleasures and challenges of driving a RWD and especially the V8 than you ARE THE MAN. The best part about this car is that it sells for $65000 AUD oy $57000 US and you can get the same one for less than $30K ... come on guys, why pay more for less when you can get alot more for less $$.

With all due respects, wait till you actually drive one and then make up your mind. If you watch TOPGEAR on BBC, even the Brits love the car (called the Vauxhall VRX8) cause GM is Vauxhall in the UK. Get the facts, drive the car and you shall see that this is the best HP you can get for your dollar. There is another version of the same car called the HSV GTS and GM will rebadge it as the GXP. It comes with the 6.2L V8 with around 440 hp. I did drive that one also in Austalia, and beside haveing to cope with driving on the wrong side of the road and shifting the gears on my left... GOD it is FFF FFF FFFFAST ! and the growl from the twin exhaust was just awesome.
Even the V6 version called the Commodore SV6 is fast and steady. Corners very good and the finishing touch is the exact same as the V8 version

So take it from someone who DID drive the car, you will not be disappointed !

Regards to all.

To PPP - You are absolutely right. An Aussie living here in Canada now for 7 years, I have waited patiently for the day that GM got smart and decided to import the Holden Commodore.

I too have had several of these models over the years and the build quality, ride and handling is far and beyond Nth American product - (this is where all the mud-slinging starts from locals!). I've owned an GM product here and now a Chrysler product - neither have stacked up to this vehicle.

And for all who don't bother to check facts before they comment - IT'S AUSTRALIAN MADE, NOT AMERICAN!! I guarantee you a ride worth waiting for once this gets here.

My only beef...the ugly pontiac nose they have to throw on everything - the commodore hood is so much nicer...just wish they would leave well enough alone on the design front sometimes.

I know will be first inline with a deposit cheque for sure!!

To overcome some concerns about the G8. While the temp gauge doesn't have numbers the computer gives a digital readout of exact temp (C in Holden). To the Avalon driver Toyota was badly disappointed when they sold them in Australia and gave up. Commodore and Falcon are both reliable and tough cars and even Toyota have recalls and other problems. A dealer managed to have an Aurion Turbo engine fail recently and they were withdrawn until the cause was found. I have a 7 year old 3.8 Commodore S 5 speed manual and it has 180,000km on the clock and it still goes well. I have done several thousand km in a VE (G8) V6 auto and it is a stronger bodied car than my VT S.

To overcome some concerns about the G8. While the temp gauge doesn't have numbers the computer gives a digital readout of exact temp (C in Holden). To the Avalon driver Toyota was badly disappointed when they sold them in Australia and gave up. Commodore and Falcon are both reliable and tough cars and even Toyota have recalls and other problems. A dealer managed to have an Aurion Turbo engine fail recently and they were withdrawn until the cause was found. I have a 7 year old 3.8 Commodore S 5 speed manual and it has 180,000km on the clock and it still goes well. I have done several thousand km in a VE (G8) V6 auto and it is a stronger bodied car than my VT S.

to me i wanna see what this g8s gonna do whos knows it maybe like fords fusion a total waste of time and theyll bring back the grand prix im sorry u just cant replace the grand prix so let see if the g8's a hit or a miss nice looking car tho

I'll test drive it when it comes out - However, I think I might be waiting a while up here in Canada. With all 08 and 09 models coming out of Aussie Land, few will find there way in Canada or the North East. I think the name sucks however - I wished they kepted the Grand Prix name - it just sounds a lot cooler than G8

How can someone give an opinion about something he never experienced ???
How many of you have driven the Holden Commodore or the HSV Clubsport.
Go to your GM dealer and test drive the G8 !
They should of kept the name "Commodore" but people here are so ignorant that they would think it's the computer from the 80's ! LOL !
The driver is superb and it is bloody fast.
Inthe UK, the same car is sold as a Vauxhall VXR8. You should see the review TOPGEAR gave the Aussy Muscle Car ! Bye bye Germans !
I JUST WANT ONE !

Just check it out it's absolutely BONKERS !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0Um9ckt7S0&feature=related

Hi All,

It's an exciting day for this Commodore fan to finally see our home grown AUSSIE (yep, that's right, these are built "DOWN UNDER"!) car gracing the US market. I believe it's officially released on June 1st?

Here in Australia I own a 6.0L HSV Clubsport, kind of a step up on the G8, with 307kW up from the 270kW of the G8, or as it's known here, the Commodore SS-V.

I'm migrating to Canada at the end of the year, and first thing on my list to do is head to the local Pontiac Dealer and BUY one of these!!! They are world class cars - 10 years ago perhaps not, but the latest model "Commodore" or G8 is fantastic quality inside and out - and a beautiful car to own and drive.

Go out and test drive one now!!!!! Once you see it, feel it and drive it.... you will want to own it!!!

Love the "I Just Want One" comment PPP - HSV's well known war-cry....

I actually am driving one right now at the car lot that I work for and I am going to be buying one of these soon. I am a little curious though on the residual value of these. Thats my only concern. Any help out there on that?