What does the Pontaic G8 compete with?

[omicron]

Interior quality.

I was always a big fan of the VY-VZ interior.



The Saab cupholders were marvellous!

[Raza]

Ride/handling compromise?
The Badge?

I haven't driven it, but considering this is the new chassis compared to the older Monaro, I'd say the ride and handling are going to be quite good, if it's better than the Commodore-based Monaro-based GTO. 

for serious?

He's right.  As a percentage of the whole, I'd say that 85% of BMW drivers buy one because it says BMW on it.  They don't really give a shit about the rest of the car.  Maybe the cupholders.  A Pontiac isn't going to impress anyone at the local country club.

As reprehensibly snobby as it is, he's right. Badge matters a hell of a lot to the kind of people who buy BMWs. Maybe more than anything else.

He's right too.  But Zach might not be snobby in this case, just realistic. 

[Raza]

I was always a big fan of the VY-VZ interior.



The Saab cupholders were marvellous!

I sat in a G8, and was able to cause massive flex of the plastic with just my hand on the center console between the seats.  The dash may be better, but as far as I can tell, the GTO's interior was better.

And this time they stole the handbrake from Saab.  Not as marvelous. 

[omicron]

Of course, it's important to remember that this car is designed for a market in which a 550i is almost three times as expensive as a Calais-V ($164,900 vs. $58,990).

[omicron]

I sat in a G8, and was able to cause massive flex of the plastic with just my hand on the center console between the seats.  The dash may be better, but as far as I can tell, the GTO's interior was better.

And this time they stole the handbrake from Saab.  Not as marvelous. 

I prefer the clearer vision you get in the VY-VZ range - the A-pillars are much thinner, the beltline lower and the windscreen feels larger.

That new handbrake is depressing; I agree. I haven't spent anywhere near enough time in a VE interior, though - the crowds at the most recent motor show were too great for any sort of decent seat-time.

[Vinsanity]

As reprehensibly snobby as it is, he's right. Badge matters a hell of a lot to the kind of people who buy BMWs. Maybe more than anything else.

He's right.  As a percentage of the whole, I'd say that 85% of BMW drivers buy one because it says BMW on it.  They don't really give a shit about the rest of the car.  Maybe the cupholders.  A Pontiac isn't going to impress anyone at the local country club.

He's right too.  But Zach might not be snobby in this case, just realistic. 

Good points. I'm not to hot on the image of Pontiac myself, but badge worship just makes me shake my head in disgust. I like BMW's enough, but the only one I can see myself buying is a 3 series convertible only because noone else besides Ford and BMW make RWD 4-seater convertibles at the moment. The Lexus IS and Infiniti G convertibles can't come soon enough.

Sorry for the rant; back on topic. Personally, I can see the G8 cross-shopped by many against pre-owned E60's (another BMW I might consider owning someday)

[Submariner]

Good points. I'm not to hot on the image of Pontiac myself, but badge worship just makes me shake my head in disgust. I like BMW's enough, but the only one I can see myself buying is a 3 series convertible only because noone else besides Ford and BMW make RWD 4-seater convertibles at the moment. The Lexus IS and Infiniti G convertibles can't come soon enough.

Sorry for the rant; back on topic. Personally, I can see the G8 cross-shopped by many against pre-owned E60's (another BMW I might consider owning someday)

Mercedes CLK is a 4 seater RWD cabriolet as well.

[CALL_911]

Mercedes CLK is a 4 seater RWD cabriolet as well.

DItto the 911.

[Submariner]

I haven't driven it, but considering this is the new chassis compared to the older Monaro, I'd say the ride and handling are going to be quite good, if it's better than the Commodore-based Monaro-based GTO. 

He's right.  As a percentage of the whole, I'd say that 85% of BMW drivers buy one because it says BMW on it.  They don't really give a shit about the rest of the car.  Maybe the cupholders.  A Pontiac isn't going to impress anyone at the local country club.

He's right too.  But Zach might not be snobby in this case, just realistic. 

No I'm not being snobby.  I'm stating the truth. 

I'll be perfectly honest.  The badge was a consideration in finding my car.  The very thought of owning a BMW was marvelous.  Of course, it came after design, ride, drive, practicality, etc.  To one extent or another, the badge matters to everyone.  If its a minor consideration, thats fine, but when it's the major dictator to what car you buy, thats when it becomes silly.   

[Submariner]

DItto the 911.

Well, with 4 practical seats.    The XK has 4 seats but that is hardly a true 4 seater. 

[Vinsanity]

Mercedes CLK is a 4 seater RWD cabriolet as well.

DItto the 911.

I knew about the 911, but it's way expensive and only people with no legs can fit in the back. I did forget about the CLK, although I'd rather have a 335 for that money. I also forgot about the SC430, but like the 911, it's also way expensive with a comically useless rear seat.

[Submariner]

I knew about the 911, but it's way expensive and only people with no legs can fit in the back. I did forget about the CLK, although I'd rather have a 335 for that money. I also forgot about the SC430, but like the 911, it's also way expensive with a comically useless rear seat.

Not to mention the SC is an absolutely horrid vehicle.

[Vinsanity]

Not to mention the SC is an absolutely horrid vehicle.

I was going to add something to that effect, but I figured that kind of went without saying

[sandertheshark]

As reprehensibly snobby as it is, he's right. Badge matters a hell of a lot to the kind of people who buy BMWs. Maybe more than anything else.

Badge actually matters most to the women who date the kind of guys that buy BMWs...

[Raza]

I knew about the 911, but it's way expensive and only people with no legs can fit in the back. I did forget about the CLK, although I'd rather have a 335 for that money. I also forgot about the SC430, but like the 911, it's also way expensive with a comically useless rear seat.

I've sat in the back of a 911.  And I have legs. 

Four seat rear drive convertibles with manuals are a very rare breed. 3 series, Mustang, 911, DB9...I can't think of anything else.

[93JC]

Badge actually matters most to the women who date the kind of guys that buy BMWs...

That too.

[Tave]

I've sat in the back of a 911.  And I have legs. 

Why do you always argue this point, when it's obvious to anyone with two eyes and half a brain that those seats are very impractical? I've sat in the back of one too (the one in my sig), and it was the most uncomfortable, horrid experience I've ever had in a car, aside from the time 5 of us on my basketball team rode in my friend's Stang.


For fuck's sake, when I'm in the front of a 996, the back of my seat touches the rear seat, and there is 0 inches of legroom.


Are you under contractual obligation to suck Porsche's phallus without question, or did your trip include a midget sitting in front of you? No one in their right mind would call that glovebox, er, I mean rear seat, "practical."

[CALL_911]

Why do you always argue this point, when it's obvious to anyone with two eyes and half a brain that those seats are very impractical? I've sat in the back of one too (the one in my sig), and it was the most uncomfortable, horrid experience I've ever had in a car, aside from the time 5 of us from the basketball team rode in my friend's Stang.


For fuck's sake, when I'm in the front of a 996, the back of my seat touches the rear seat, and there is 0 inches legroom.


Are you under contractual obligation to suck Porsche's phallus without question, or did your trip include a midget sitting in front of you? No one in their right mind would call that glovebox, er, I mean rear seat, "practical."

Agree, and I'm a HUGE 911 fan.

[CALL_911]

Badge actually matters most to the women who date the kind of guys that buy BMWs...

So how's that 335i doing?

[Vinsanity]

Why do you always argue this point, when it's obvious to anyone with two eyes and half a brain that those seats are very impractical? I've sat in the back of one too (the one in my sig), and it was the most uncomfortable, horrid experience I've ever had in a car, aside from the time 5 of us from the basketball team rode in my friend's Stang.


For fuck's sake, when I'm in the front of a 996, the back of my seat touches the rear seat, and there is 0 inches of legroom.


Are you under contractual obligation to suck Porsche's phallus without question, or did your trip include a midget sitting in front of you? No one in their right mind would call that glovebox, er, I mean rear seat, "practical."

haha exactly ... although 2 things to the contrary:

1. I remember Raza saying he put 2 grown adults in the equally ridiculous back seat of an SC430 before. Whether or not he did so as a form of torture was not mentioned, however.

2. I do remember seeing 2 guys ride in the back of a 996 convertible before. Although they did have the most miserable faces one could possibly have while riding in that car.

[Laconian]

1. I remember Raza saying he put 2 grown adults in the equally ridiculous back seat of an SC430 before. Whether or not he did so as a form of torture was not mentioned, however.

LOL!

The SC430 in Mean Girls managed to fit two chirpy blondes in the back. I paused it and used the zoom feature on the DVD player--the only time I've ever used that!--to confirm that it wasn't just a feat of CG trickery.

[Raza]

Why do you always argue this point, when it's obvious to anyone with two eyes and half a brain that those seats are very impractical? I've sat in the back of one too (the one in my sig), and it was the most uncomfortable, horrid experience I've ever had in a car, aside from the time 5 of us on my basketball team rode in my friend's Stang.


For fuck's sake, when I'm in the front of a 996, the back of my seat touches the rear seat, and there is 0 inches of legroom.


Are you under contractual obligation to suck Porsche's phallus without question, or did your trip include a midget sitting in front of you? No one in their right mind would call that glovebox, er, I mean rear seat, "practical."

I never said it wasn't uncomfortable.  And I do recall mentioning that my foot got stuck.  But that happened in a C class too.

Stop whining like a pussy so much.

[Raza]

haha exactly ... although 2 things to the contrary:

1. I remember Raza saying he put 2 grown adults in the equally ridiculous back seat of an SC430 before. Whether or not he did so as a form of torture was not mentioned, however.

2. I do remember seeing 2 guys ride in the back of a 996 convertible before. Although they did have the most miserable faces one could possibly have while riding in that car.

No, you're remembering incorrectly.  It was just one grown adult.  And he was pretty short.  Taller than Prince, but still pretty short. 

[Tave]

Stop whining like a pussy so much.

AHAHAHA

You got it, chief

[sandertheshark]

So how's that 335i doing?

I have a smoking hot girlfriend from Switzerland who loves old war movies, jazz, and BBQ.

[Soup DeVille]

I have a smoking hot girlfriend from Switzerland who loves old war movies, jazz, and BBQ.

It boggles the mind that such people exist.

[Raza]

AHAHAHA

You got it, chief

You're the one freaking out because I said I sat in the back of a 911.  You're being a little bitch for no fucking reason.

[Rich]

If I could get either the V6 or v8 with a 6MT, I'd make sure I'd have one waiting in the states for me when I get back.  arrg

[MX793]

If I could get either the V6 or v8 with a 6MT, I'd make sure I'd have one waiting in the states for me when I get back.  arrg

That's the #1 thing that irks me about the G8.  Only way to get a stick-shift is to pony up over 40 grand for the GXP.  Why the hell can't I get a standard with the lesser engines?  There is especially no excuse for the V6, since they offer a 6MT with that same engine in the Caddy CTS.

[Vinsanity]

actually somewhere on autoblog there's an entry reporting that the 6-speed will be available on the 6.0L GT model. I'm too lazy to search and link it right now