Pontiac G8 test drive

[210Noskubc]

Is it true that the g8 v8 could run on 4 cylinder? Anybody?

[MrHmitra]

Hey there! Have you considered the intellitus cash system (do a google search)? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my father made a ton of money with it.

[deezomaxima]

Uh, the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. LOL!

[australianmade74]

thats bs exporting a car to the us and selling it cheaper, hows that for a slap in the face for aussie buyers......your getting ripped off.

[kompleti]

bring back the g8 in a chevy badge

[NicholasToras01]

@kompleti Two words Chevy Caprice

[singe13]

american's spell "tyre" like "tire" what fucking retards....from the beginging they've already ruined this car... 

[masterjedi89]

its american engineering marketed in austraila. the engine is a gm v8. gm owns holden and throws in its own ideas etc. just like they did with saab except what they did wrong with saab they did right with holden

[AUSSIEDAVEROCKS]

@masterjedi89 My god I don't believe the sheer ignorance of your comment.

The GM LS3 motor is american designed but its made in Mexico.

But the rest of the car is wholely AUSTRALIAN designed and built.

I suspect even the Pontiac badging that was put on them was probably made outside the US.

But go on and try to steal the credit for an australian designed and built car and give it to the US you fucktard, because the facts can't be altered no matter how had you try.

[Seattlecarnut]

I prefer the right-hand drive version, but keep the Pontiac name.

[bradpollack]

Well you Aussies built a hell of a vehicle!!! I own a Pontiac G8 GT and Love it!!! It's a shame they no longer make them!!!

[TVRnGTR]

@bradpollack You should see our branch of ford aswell

[Mechknight73]

@bradpollack If ever you wanted a "newer" version some time in the future, you can import one from either the UAE or Saudi Arabia. If you can live with the fact that it will be badged as a Chevy Lumina, it is still essentially an LHD Holden Commodore

[F1NN69]

i don't get why people bitch this car is australian no one seems to mind buying european cars...bastards

[JET997u]

Hopefully, Chevrolet will modify this car for its own line. Anyone buying a G8 now will have to wait many years before realizing some kind of worthy resale value as the Pontiac name disappears from the US market.

[robertkurt2]

I agree with you. What really pisses me off is the way dealerships are price gouging the car. Here in Alberta Canada there is one dealer that is asking $51,000 for a G8 GXP that already has 7000 km on it. That's ridiculous seeing they MSRP for about $40,000.

I always tell people to wait a couple of years for these to really depreciate than get a good pre-owned for about $17,000.

[Mechknight73]

@JET997u They already do, they just don't sell it in America. The Holden Caprice is the Chevy Caprice, the Holden Commodore is the Chevy Lumina in the Middle East

[biggredd911]

How the hell is GM an American brand? I'm from Michigan (the state that brought the automobile to this nation) and this state is turning into a giant ghost town! Hardly anything is made in here anymore! Hell, their full size pickup is made in Canada! And that's their best selling product!

[Janusha]

While GM is collecting a billion trilllions in american crisis aid, they are building a huge SUV factory near St Petersburg in Russia. Worth 300 million dollars.

[Greendude33]

@biggredd911 GM is an American brand are you kidding? FYI The Silverados/Sierras are made in Flint Michigan and Fort Wayne Indiana. Ghost Town? Read the Wall Street Journal GM is back and very strong and Ford never left.

The only reason we have plants in Canada is b/c they have no worker's unions and GM doesnt have to pay for their healthcare and in turn is much cheaper labor.

Finally might I say BOWLING GREEN KENTUCKY guess what's made there.

[NakedSnakeBlGBOSS]

@Greendude33

Well, let's see how many cars are American.

GM's Chevy Camaro, based on the Holden's platform, engineered by the Australians, exterior design done by a Korean and built by the Canadians.

Chevy Cruze. Rebadged Holden Cruze.

Buick Regal. Rebadged Opel Insignia.

Chevy Aveo. Made by Daewoo.

...what's next, Corvette made in Iraq?

[Greendude33]

@NakedSnakeBlGBOSS The Camaro was ruined by the Aussies I already know this, the Buick is a coopertive effort between the Americans and Germans the rest of the cars you mentioned who gives a fuck.

Corvette is pure Americana that will never change even if some Chink offers to build it for free in his sweatshop.

[NakedSnakeBlGBOSS]

@Greendude33

Well, if the Chinese get to build Corvette, how the hell can that still stay American?

I don't think the GM guys are stupid enough to allow Corvettes to be made by foreigners(but then again, I could be wrong, maybe they really are that stupid considering the fact that they killed Hummer)

[Greendude33]

@NakedSnakeBlGBOSS That's what I said GM would never sell out the Vette. That's just unheard of.

Why would they? The Bowling Green Facility has made every profit goal since it's opening and is not only GM highest quality factory but the highest quality factory in the western hemisphere according to JD Power & Associates.

[NakedSnakeBlGBOSS]

@Greendude33

Are you serious? That's interesting.

But well, even though, ZR1 was a sales failure. I guess the people do not really want to spend more than 100,000 dollars for a Corvette.

[Greendude33]

@NakedSnakeBlGBOSS Wrong dude wrong. The 2009 ZR1 made a massive splash in the Corvette community. In 2009 GM made 1400 ZR1's and sold every single one of them. They made less of the 2010's and the figures on those havent been released yet.

[Mechknight73]

@Greendude33 Actually, the stying on the Camaro was done under Chevrolet's instructions. Most of the arguments between Holden and Chevrolet about the Camaro were to do with safety issues such as the height of the roof. Chevy's engineers had specific instructions on how they wanted it to look; unashamedly retro

[Greendude33]

@Mechknight73 No the chassis they picked for the Camaro was shit, it was too heavy and big and weighed the camaro down. This is why only after 4 years they are already replacing it with the Alpha platform.

The current Zeta platform is fine for sedans but too large and heavy for the Camaro, GM only used it b/c they were rushing to put the Camaro out.

As for safety... Who gives a damn about that when buying a muscle car, if you want safety by a fucking Volvo.

[killdac]

ok even though the g8 came from the commador that dosent really matter because (GM) owns Holden so it is still an american car cause as everyone knows in the whole world (GM) is an american company

[PrescriptionSeven]

@killdac the g8 is MADE IN AUSTRALIA !! THE G8, AND GTO ARE BOTH AUSTRALIAN!!!!!

[Futuregohan14]

killdac: GM may own Holden, but the Commodore was engineered in Australia, designed in australia, and built SPECIFICALLY FOR the australian market. That is why it is considered an Australian car, despite the fact that an American company owns Holden. It is the same way that Opels built in Europe are considered European, even though GM owns Opel. Those cars are engineered and built in Europe, and can't really be called truly "American". Neither can the G8.

[MCHAH]

I bought a red 2009 G8 GT today. I pick it up Wednesday night. It is an incredible car. I got $3500 cash back and 0% financing for 72 mos. This is the last red G8 GT in NJ. I am so happy I found it.

[musicofthesoul85]

congrats to you buddy!

[Pana69sonic]

Ha this vid is great, under the bonnet or the "hood" lol thats rich, and here in canada remote start has been around since the 90s, nothing new.

[Hampstead343]

Don't forget that Australia has a hotter climate. So for them, they are impressed.

[laverkfc4stitching]

the american makers always rocks coz the aussie version is just trashy

[TVRnGTR]

oh really this has 300kw whereas the aussies can get the 490kw

[kram0257]

I love this Video

[kevbrix]

i just wish the g8 gt had better exhaust sound

[JWI01]

Borla or bust.

[Mechknight73]

@kevbrix Nothing you can't fix by changing the rear muffler and/or resonator lol

[123perrin]

hey guys, the reporter is talking about the steering etc, from an aussie perspective, and as though hes talking to an aussie audience. think about it, why would he say the steering is on the wrong side- to an american? its not that hard to work out... anyway, ive been driving holdens/commodores for years, and they are seriously a great car. its the reason holden has outsold ford in australia for many years.

[Jman016901]

The Left Side is the right way.

It's The North American Way "Mate"

LOL!

[anthonyjcassino]

Bought mine about three week ago. LOVE IT! 2009 G8 GT Sport Red Metallic with black leather interior and 19" performance wheels. Incredible car for the money.

[mogaard07]

Psh... wrong side of the car. Haha! Seriously though... WANT!

[aresta21]

Just got mine !!!! Yep and I love it !

than you Holden for exporting the Commodore ... I just wanted one and now...I do !

[kainaussie]

wtf how does that car thing start with out keys

dam they need that in aus

but does that mean it will be easier to be stoller

[Bdawgs19]

its called "Remote start" thats how it started without keys.

[meinsla]

How have you never heard of remote start??

[kainaussie]

no 1 in aus has it

[Smthkd]

Dude Chill! Are you forgeting that Holden and GM which owns Pontiac also "own" Holden!!! So its really the same car!

[BLOODYCLQ]

this is my SS commodore, it is not a fucken pontiac and this dickhead sits too close to the steering wheel,, if you gonna sell Aussie cars there use the trademark Holden, i am telling ya those americans are fucken fucked,

[colderbeer]

Most everybody here in the States that is after this "Pontiac" already knows that Holden makes this GREAT car in Australia. So relax....it's all good.

[davidd2005]

Pontiac G8 is a beautiful car. I am going to trade in my BMW 325 for the base model G8 loaded with everything, I test drove and it has much more power and much higher quality throughout than my BMW that since my warranty expired is costing me tons of money for maintenance.

[sspope]

Why'd you buy car that is trying very hard to look like a Beemer and will probably fall apart in a week?

[colderbeer]

Go test drive one with the 6.0 V8 under the hood....you'll be singing the praises of this fine machine, (it does EVERYTHING quite well....steering, braking, ride quality, etc) and then you'll understand what the big deal a Pontiac G8 really is, and why aresta21 bought one....

[Sodamoeba]

Nice BMW.

What's with the fake hood scoops though?

[MrSquirrel88]

There not fake...pop the hood and see for yourself...

[neoconsnightmare3]

man i love it when those teutonicphiles yell 'german is the best' no matter what facts are presented to them.

i guess one has to pretend that american, american/australian and korean (genesis) cars are lousy, regardless of what critics say. that way, they can justify getting hosed for paying tens of thousands more.

[Mechknight73]

@neoconsnightmare3 Consider this; the BMW emblem: It is meant to represent a propeller against a blue sky. However, if you were to substitute the blue part for black, and the white part for yellow, what do you get; the symbols they paint down the sides of cars in crash tests! German engineering can be good, but it has a hard time withstanding the kind of punishment Australian roads can dish out. Which is why Holden builds 'em tougher than anything European.

[neoconsnightmare3]

@Mechknight73 i see. hell, depending upon what cities you drive on in the u.s., the roads can be pretty brutal, too. (chicago for instance).

folks just don't want to face certain facts: outside of the 3 series bmws (which tended to be at least average quality) all other bmws are 'worse than average' when it comes to reliability.

mercedes benz has had every car in it's lineup suffer the same fate at SOME poin in the last 7 years.

that G8 is nice...too bad pontiac folded.

[Mechknight73]

@neoconsnightmare3 I've driven some of the so-called "superior German cars," and when I relate it to how much they cost (relative to their Australian built equivalents) it makes no sense at all. When Holden designed the VE Commodore, the G8's parent, they used the 5-Series BMW as a benchmark for handling. They still are built with the usual Holden toughness, but can outcorner and in some cases outrun something which costs up to four times as much.

[neoconsnightmare3]

@Mechknight73 hey, i loved the car. if i were single, i'd have it. wife and i comprised on a 2009 honda accord V6 (which we both love).

but yeah, that G8 is a beautiful car that delivers. hopefully, chevy will be 'given' that car...hell, maybe buick?

[Mechknight73]

@neoconsnightmare3 Chevrolet already have their badge on it in the Middle East. The new police Caprice cruiser is its LWB version. There's rumours getting around that they're doing a limited civilian version in America. If they do, it will be loaded with just about everything; including DVD compatibility, with LCD screens in the back of the headrests with wireless headphones. If you have kids, it's an easy way to keep the peace on long drives lol.

[neoconsnightmare3]

@Mechknight73 well, if that's the case, cool. we love the accord, but in a few years we'll have to get another car.

and, if i'm going to do that, i have to have the 8cyl. lol.

[Mechknight73]

@neoconsnightmare3 The beauty of Holden's engineering is that they're great believers in "universal tooling;" having a lot of parts in common with a range of models, which slashes the costs to build them. For an example of what I mean, search "VE HSV Club Sport R8," VE HSV Senator," and "VE SS Commodore." All three of these, plus the G8 started from the same basic car, and any part from the four of them is interchangeable. The Chevy version has the VE SS front with bowtie badges. 

[Mechknight73]

@neoconsnightmare3 Although the V6 version of the current model has the same "cylinder shutdown" type engine management seen on the V6 Accords. Even the V8s have it now; known as Active Fuel Management. So long as you don't drive with your foot to the floor, your fuel economy could match, and in some cases beat, a 4 cylinder Camry or V6 Aurion

[mrjenko]

Go team Vodafone!

[mrjenko]

Shame it gets blown away by the 6 pot Turbo Ford!!

[bukfut]

Haha, Spoken like an ill-informed ford fanboy

[mrjenko]

??> The F6 kicks it from here to anywhere, Holden wannabe

[bukfut]

You're saying I want to be a Holden? weird. The Chev makes more Power and Torque and does it without any turbo lag

[mrjenko]

The F6 trounces is everywhere. Handleing top speed 1/4 mile.Just face it, its a commonwhore nothing more.

[bukfut]

Dream-on fanboy

[mrjenko]

?? The F6 has 415/hp and 416 ft/lbs of torque. What planet are you getting your gear from? Even the std XR6 womps this pretenders butt. But hey you can still get some comfort from your HSV doona!

[Frankster177]

Man people like you are terrible.

Be happy this is made ffs.

Its not a Japanese habib mobile

The Ford turbo 6 is great yes.

But some people like me prefer V8's

[mrjenko]

?? Why am I terrible? I've owned enough Holdens to know that the Ford 6 pot beats the american V8. Nothing worse than a 6 pot Falcon leaving you and your GM V8 for dead. Even the VL RB30 was quicker than its V8 brother, which is why ex-interceptor VL's still pull so much money. Although the W427 is a whole different kettle of fish :)

[tigercrap]

Ahhh, youmight want to check out the BIG gap @ the front of hood lip...just like the good 'ol days at GM. At least this is a respectable American V8 4-door (wft?) big-sport-wanna-be...sedan. No wonder the big 3 is going down. They never seem to get it...unless it's for a bail-out (fuck that shit). WHo bails out the working stiff when he gets laid off?

[RTiger18]

Since these dumbass people like to make 4 door super cars all that,why dont they make a 2 door van with 800bhp?

[Mechknight73]

@RTiger18 As it's based on an Australian car, the Australian market dictates it has to be a 4 door. The coupe market is notoriously volatile here, so coupes will seel one year, and likely not the next. As for an 800hp van; Holden sort of already did that. A van based on the coupe pickup version of what the G8's predecessor had a V8 option, and 800hp out of an LS2 isn't unheard of

[RTiger18]

Nice car but,why did they add 4 doors to it?

That's some bs man.high powered type cars are not meant for a family.I hate sedan sport cars.

[castle001]

Its always had four doors, its a Holden Commodore

[poutin]

thank u holden (GM) for giving us in Canda a tast of something other than than the same old !!! AWSOME!!!! I'm going for a test drive on monday!!!!!!

[SkooB916]

Pontiacz are an American made brand. but this car is Fuckn sexy. yet i can't help but notice h0w the trim when u look at it fr0m the side somewhat resembles the bmw m3 or m5.

[stu22aus]

Part from the badge and engine there's not much about the car that's american...

[Mechknight73]

@SkooB916 Except that Holden used the 5-series as a benchmark for handling and equipment levels, and made sure it surpassed that one by a healthy margin. Its top of the line LWB version hits the road in Australia for about A$75,000. For features, you'd need a 7-Series BMW or an S-Class Merc to match them for features. Either of those wouldn't give you any change from A$250,000 in Australia.

[gigaboat]

first up you mention an aerial , WTF . 2nd you lost my attention .

[gabe0083]

I love how they translate everything into american becaues I don't know any of those phrases, like bonet

[linphobo]

And Kilowatts in Australian is Horsepower in American? It doesn't sound as masculine and tough as horsepower does.

[CowboyDiplomacy]

Its a science thing.  I agree with you that horsepower sounds more masculine, but I think KW would be better to measure power (easier to do math with) and NM would be better to measure Torque and Weight would be better to measure fuel that gallons.

[rhyanna04]

why not be different and buy a G8 and then you would be unlike the others in aussie,

in the states some custom mini truckers convert there rides to lefty or buy them that way from over seas

[Wheelin98]

good review I love this car

I would just tweek it to have alittle over 400 hp and the same torque

[Futuregohan14]

I frickin love this car.

Now if only I could find 30k lying around...

[poutin]

0 % for 72 mts!!!!!!!

[bbrla123]

and its fucken cheaper

[bbrla123]

WTF! if it is an aussie car then why do the americans get extra things in it in the same model, thats fucken gay

[shabbadooba]

lol, yeah I know, well commodore is owned by gm (which is an american car company), the engine the g8 (commodore) has is from gm, reminds me of ford here and europe, the US gets a piece of crap ford focus, in Europe the focus gets a turbocharged 4 cylinder rs with sweet rims, weird. either way they are both great cars.

[JohnMaverick42]

the only Americans who bash the Aussies are the uneducated hicks who have their heads firmly planted up their asses. I am glad we have such strong allies and i love the G8 with its American AND Australian influences

[markymark414]

Also type in google Ve Commodore and see what type of car it is! something aussie made

[markymark414]

The Holden Commodore, Something australia takes pride in, and something we will argue about with the yanks becasue they will try to claim it as there own. just a quick question btw yanks, y is it that u rip on us constantly then we you meet us and love our accent, you bow down and try to blow us? i dont understand. well have a good day fromme the guy who comes from the country that drives on the "right" side.

[zookygixx]

This looks like a tissue box, I mean shit box...

[mdrehmer]

A shit box under 30K :-)

[BestOfG]

The right side is the side that most countrys use. Only brits and ex british colonies use the right, therefore wrong side:)

[XTheFadedLineX]

and japan, basically island nations, some just happen to be former british colonies.

[zman6033]

i like the fact that you doun under folks did the review instead of us yanks

[CowboyDiplomacy]

The powertrain and most of the toys are produced in america wether it be by GMPP, chevrolet, or pontiac, which might explain the lower price. Cheaper to ship a whole car than individual parts for it.

[DuBobD]

L76 Engine assembled in Mexico, 6-speed Transmission assembled in USA, but it all comes together in Australia before being shipped back here.

[CowboyDiplomacy]

Maybe they just decided that they wanted a under 30G sports car? lol. I'm at a loss.

[thee0n3]

cowboy: its not that they wanted a 30 g sports car. the reason the COMMODORE (g8) is so expensive over here (in australia) is because of our high taxes, and because the government likes to charge so much. i mean just recently the put an extra 8% tax rise on cars over abuot $55K. which means if a CAR cost abuot $60K, (before the tax increase) it now cost $65K. what a rip off. and america gets cheaper cars that the rest of the world. eg BMW M5 in U.S.A bout $90K, in Australia its about $225K

[pbjbmw]

The ones that go into the Commodore & G8 are assembled in Australia

[comcastchinomike]

Is the coupe version gonna come to the US.

Dont know how much the GXP cost

oh by the way, China is also on the left side

[seanus71]

Look up Holden Coupe60. If enough demand, it will be built. The latest WHEELS magazine in Australia has a spy photo of a two door Commodore being tested. This could be the Coupe60 going thru evaluation.

[RDJim]

It's not the "wrong" side, it's the "left" side. UK, Japan, Ausie and a few 3rd world colonies put wheel on "right" side, which is the "wrong" side for the majority of the world. ;)

[619Niners]

your so right. left side is the right side. lol, cant wait until the g8 gxp 400hp

[seanus71]

you forgot New Zealand, China, India, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Israel, Pakistan......um, when you think about probably more than half the worlds population drive right hand drive cars!

[RDJim]

didn't I already mention the third world countires? ;) Good catch though seanus.

[pbjbmw]

Japan isn't third world... nor is Singapore, or South Korea or NZ but most of South America is.... and they drive on the same side as the US does.

[MFS357]

It's the wrong side for us Aussies

[xkimopye]

if you were to go way back into history, then yes its the wrong side. Napolean it to the wrong side of the road back in horse and cart days in france which in turn influenced other countries. so the original correct side of the road is on the left hand side, and that dates back a couple of thousand years ;)

At least i learned something from history at school

[RDJim]

sure, blame it on the French.... heh heh.

[vzcalaiskid]

Its the wrong side for the Commodore, noob.