What does the Pontaic G8 compete with?

[mojammer]

I guess this is the right place for this topic.

Aside from the Dodge Charger R/T, what does the G8 run with?  A used E39 M5?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Hopefully, the Ford Falcon.

[Raza]

Well, you've got the Charger and 300C which are the most direct competitors, but it also competes with the Camry, Accord, and Maxima.  And, if Pontiac is optimistic, the 5 series, 3 series, C class, and E class. 

These things are popping up all over the place here.  I've already seen five or so on the roads, more than I've seen of the Astra (1), Focus (3), and Smarts (4). 

Too bad the interior is made of cheap plastic.  The gearshift console area flexes when you apply pressure, and it doesn't impress the way the GTO did (nor does it look as good).  It's a shame that the same quality in the failed model doesn't appear in the apparent success.

[Raza]

Hopefully, the Ford Falcon.

I have little doubt that Ford will be watching this car closely to see if the Falcon is viable here.

[SVT666]

I want a Falcon.  It's better then the G8 as proven by the comparos from down under.

[Vinsanity]

I'd venture to say it competes more directly with the Hyundai Genesis than any BMW. I'd also say the Infiniti G35, but that's direct competition for the CTS; the Maxima is more of a G8 competitor although someone who ends up with a G8 has FWD high on their 'DO NOT WANT' list

There's also possibility that some would cross-shop it with the Mitsu Evo X

[Tave]

I'd venture to say it competes more directly with the Hyundai Genesis than any BMW. I'd also say the Infiniti G35, but that's direct competition for the CTS; the Maxima is more of a G8 competitor although someone who ends up with a G8 has FWD high on their 'DO NOT WANT' list

Not necessarily. I don't think everyone who bought the 300 got it because of RWD. You're giving the general public too much credit.

[Vinsanity]

Not necessarily. I don't think everyone who bought the 300 got it because of RWD. You're giving the general public too much credit.

That's true; the Chrysler 300 sells (sold) mostly on styling. But the Pontiac G8 doesn't have as edgy of a design the LX cars had when they came out; it kind of looks like a BMW 5-series through beer goggles, that's not what's going to sell the car. At least not as much as the performance aspect will.

[sportyaccordy]

Price-wise, I would say an E39 M5 and the new Hyundai Genesis.

GM better pray, and throw that 4-cyl from the Solstice in for good measure.

Jesus Christ.

[Submariner]

These things are popping up all over the place here.  I've already seen five or so on the roads, more than I've seen of the Astra (1), Focus (3), and Smarts (4). 

I haven't seen one.

[68_427]

ive seen 6, 5 black and one in a strange purple color, definately looks even better in person than in pictures

[SJ_GTI]

I've only seen a couple of them.

The most interesting time I saw one I was heading home from the office on a weekend on route 38. which is a three lane road but has stop lights.

I first came up behind it at a light where a G8 GT and two Impala SS were all at the light (not many cars around since it was a Sunday). As the light turns green all three cars gun it and the G8 absolutely smoked both Impala's. I was able to keep up with the Impala's in my GTI (I wasn't racing them, just following them) reasonably, but the Impala's were also pretty darn quick. This repeated two more times before those cars went one direction (toward downtown Camden) and I went the other direction (route 130 toward home).

Overall the G8 was really nice looking, and I was really impressed by its acceleration. It really made the Impala's and my GTI seem like slow cars.

[Vinsanity]

were they the 90's Impala SS's or the current model? I know the 90's models aren't fast at all by today's standards, but I think most of the ones on the road are modded.

[Tave]

Only on CarSPIN does Pontiac's new full-sizer "compete" with a used BMW.

[SJ_GTI]

were they the 90's Impala SS's or the current model? I know the 90's models aren't fast at all by today's standards, but I think most of the ones on the road are modded.

Sorry, they were both current gen Impala SS's. FWD but with the ~300 HP V8.

I am guessing all the guys knew each other. They all looked to be in their late 20's early thirties and were talking to each other at the lights.

[Vinsanity]

heh, I've never seen 2 of the newer Impala SS's in the same place at once yet. Last time I saw one was last weekend with its driver weaving through traffic on the freeway. I wanted to test drive one last year, but none of the dealers had any stripper models in stock, just $29,000 fuly loaded ones. At that price, there's no reason not to get a Charger (in this year's case, a G8) instead.

Haven't noticed seeing any G8's on the road here yet, but it's good to know they're on the road somewhere.

[S204STi]

I've never seen a new Impala SS on the road, as far as I can remember.

The mid-90s Impala SS with the LT1 isn't the fastest thing on the road but it can hustle.  Plus there is at least a little aftermarket support for them, so you might keep an ear out for a sleeper now and then. Though honestly, most people who own them don't really mod them much, as far as I can tell.

The G8 really seems to be targeting the BMW demographic, and in terms of domestics the only thing like it is the 300C or Charger, neither of which seem particularly appealing compared with the Pontiac.

[Soup DeVille]

I've never seen a new Impala SS on the road, as far as I can remember.

The mid-90s Impala SS with the LT1 isn't the fastest thing on the road but it can hustle.  Plus there is at least a little aftermarket support for them, so you might keep an ear out for a sleeper now and then. Though honestly, most people who own them don't really mod them much, as far as I can tell.

The G8 really seems to be targeting the BMW demographic, and in terms of domestics the only thing like it is the 300C or Charger, neither of which seem particularly appealing compared with the Pontiac.

I see the new SS from time to time.

From what I've seen though, an LT1 Impala SS is more likely to be a standard Caprice with shiny new badges than a genuine LT1 powered hustler.

[S204STi]

I see the new SS from time to time.

From what I've seen though, an LT1 Impala SS is more likely to be a standard Caprice with shiny new badges than a genuine LT1 powered hustler.

So true... Kinda like STi/Type R/Ralliart badges on a plebeian replica.

Another common sight are retired police interceptors or high level cruisers (for the upper echelon).  Those I think actually are quite similar to the SS, AFAIK.

[S204STi]

Speaking of which, did any of you guys see that John Philips article a while back about his Caprice wagon?  Now THAT's a fast wagon!

[Soup DeVille]

Speaking of which, did any of you guys see that John Philips article a while back about his Caprice wagon?  Now THAT's a fast wagon!

This one?

[The Pirate]

Speaking of which, did any of you guys see that John Philips article a while back about his Caprice wagon?  Now THAT's a fast wagon!

No, I'd not heard about that.  I seem to recall a column where he got rid of his Accord coupe for a Crown Vic though (this is several years back, at least).  I'm going to have to look up the Caprice developments.

[The Pirate]

This one?

I've always liked John Phillips.  I might love him now. 

[sandertheshark]

I've seen a few.  I'm thinking of test-driving one soon.  Pontiac wants it to compete with the BMW 5-series.  Apart from the price and a nav system, I can't really see anything that the Pontiac is missing from that part of the market.

[S204STi]

This one?

Exactly.

[Raza]

I've seen a few.  I'm thinking of test-driving one soon.  Pontiac wants it to compete with the BMW 5-series.  Apart from the price and a nav system, I can't really see anything that the Pontiac is missing from that part of the market.

Interior quality.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I haven't seen one.

It's one (V8) in the lot of my complex right now.

[Submariner]

Interior quality.

Ride/handling compromise?
The Badge?

[Vinsanity]

The Badge?

for serious?

[93JC]

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.