Test Drive: 2009 Pontiac G8 V6

[MX793]

Oh, and IMO the reason the G8 isn't doing as well as the old GP is because:

1)  The GP was less expensive (for low end models, which seem to be far and away the more common trims of GP) and was heavily discounted on top of that
2)  A significant portion of GP sales were to rental fleets

[SVT666]

I recall looking up the numbers and IIRC, something like 55-60% of GTOs were manual, which surprised me.

That doesn't surprise me.  That's about the same ratio as the Mustang GT.

[MX793]

That doesn't surprise me.  That's about the same ratio as the Mustang GT.

Manual box on a Mustang isn't a $900 option.

[Tave]

Manual box on a Mustang isn't a $900 option.

The GTO was more expensive regardless.

[MX793]

The GTO was more expensive regardless.

Yes, but I kind of figured that the fact that the manual was an extra cost option would further drive customers to the auto, helping to bias the sales more towards automatic.  The Vette is a similar situation and the majority of new Corvettes sold for the past several years have been autos (around 55% are automatics).

[TBR]

You also have to remember that enthusiasts were the only ones who knew anything about the GTO.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Manual box on a Mustang isn't a $900 option.

Was it a $900 option? I thought it was a no cost option (like on my Z28) at the time.

[MX793]

Was it a $900 option? I thought it was a no cost option (like on my Z28) at the time.

Nope, the 6MT was an added cost option for both the GTO and Corvette of that time period.  GM dropped the extra-cost MT thing for the Corvette when the C6 came out.

[Soup DeVille]

You also have to remember that enthusiasts were the only ones who knew anything about the GTO.

No, lots of people knew about it, but they went to the dealership expecting to find something with a Ram Air scoop, vinyl top and whitewall tires.

[SVT666]

No, lots of people knew about it, but they went to the dealership expecting to find something with a Ram Air scoop, vinyl top and whitewall tires.

Well they got the Ram Air hood in 2005.

[Soup DeVille]

Well they got the Ram Air hood in 2005.

Not the one they were looking for.

[MX793]

Well they got the Ram Air hood in 2005.

But not a vinyl top or whitewalls, and no other styling cues that otherwise hinted at the 60s era Goats.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Nope, the 6MT was an added cost option for both the GTO and Corvette of that time period.  GM dropped the extra-cost MT thing for the Corvette when the C6 came out.

OK.

[SVT666]

But not a vinyl top or whitewalls, and no other styling cues that otherwise hinted at the 60s era Goats.

Nope, and that was a problem.  Instead it was a car that could be mistaken for a Grand Prix.  Personally, I like the sleeper look of the car, but only in certain colours.

[Soup DeVille]

Nope, and that was a problem.  Instead it was a car that could be mistaken for a Grand Prix.  Personally, I like the sleeper look of the car, but only in certain colours.

I completely agree. Ideally, I'd get a silver 6.0 GTO and retrofit the earlier non-scoop hood (if that's feasible).

But, what I want and what the market at large seems to want are clearly not in the same room.

[SVT666]

I completely agree. Ideally, I'd get a silver 6.0 GTO and retrofit the earlier non-scoop hood (if that's feasible).

But, what I want and what the market at large seems to want are clearly not in the same room.

Without the scoops it looks like a Cavalier.

[Soup DeVille]

Without the scoops it looks like a Cavalier.

Yes, it does a little.

[TBR]

I completely agree. Ideally, I'd get a silver 6.0 GTO and retrofit the earlier non-scoop hood (if that's feasible).

But, what I want and what the market at large seems to want are clearly not in the same room.

I prefer black with red leather (and the scoop-less hood).

I'd also put some nice 18s or 19s on it.

[Soup DeVille]

I prefer black with red leather (and the scoop-less hood).

I'd also put some nice 18s or 19s on it.

That's a sharp looking combo, but a little less sleeper-ish...

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I prefer black with red leather (and the scoop-less hood).

I'd also put some nice 18s or 19s on it.

Yep! Thats the perfect combo.

[SVT666]

Yep! Thats the perfect combo.

with scoops it would be better.  Without them it looks like a J car.

[the Teuton]

The G8's center console makes my car feel like a Lexus.  Pieces of the trim popped out when I fumbled around with it.  To call it a disappointment would be an understatement.  And this was the GXP model, no less.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

with scoops it would be better.  Without them it looks like a J car.

I would keep the scoops also! The car looks better with them.

[Raza]

Manual box on a Mustang isn't a $900 option.

I believe it was a $600 option on the GTO, that lowered the overall price of the car, because the standard automatic came with a hefty gas guzzler tax.

[Raza]

I would keep the scoops also! The car looks better with them.

I like them either way.  I prefer the split tailpipes on the 05/6 model to the same-side exit of the 04, but I like the clean looks and gas mileage of the 04.

[Raza]

I completely agree. Ideally, I'd get a silver 6.0 GTO and retrofit the earlier non-scoop hood (if that's feasible).

But, what I want and what the market at large seems to want are clearly not in the same room.

I believe, technically, the "Ram Air" hood was actually an option, although I believe take-up was somewhere around 100% for dealers.  Kind of like my current car; the spoiler is an option, but up until last week, I'd never seen one without it.

[MX793]

I believe it was a $600 option on the GTO, that lowered the overall price of the car, because the standard automatic came with a hefty gas guzzler tax.

Just looked it up, it was $695 in '04.  Not sure if that price went up or was steady for the entire run.  For some reason I thought it was $850-$900.

[Raza]

Just looked it up, it was $695 in '04.  Not sure if that price went up or was steady for the entire run.  For some reason I thought it was $850-$900.

My point still stands--ticking that option box lowered the price of the car.

[omicron]

Rear spoilers on Monaros need to die. Painfully. I think I've seen only one or two, and both times scarred me for weeks afterwards.




That's much better.

[Raza]

I'm fine with them either way.