DriveTech

Cars at a Glance
2008 Pontiac GTO

Well let's try it again, bring a car in from Australia that is. We tried the Pontiac GTO and it failed miserable. It all started out as a great car, a Holden front engine 6.0-liter V8 manual transmission but they didn't address the United States driver, they just switched the steering wheel from the right to the left, switched a few badges and sent the GTO sailing, and it sunk!

This time with the G8 Pontiac learned form their errors, they Americanized the G8, yes they moved the steering wheel but this time they moved the clunky hand brake and all the control knobs so the driver feels like it is his or her car. They dumped a 2-door model in favor of the four door version, and no stick shift transmission, kids today!

Retaining the Pontiac snout and the long lines it seems to have hit a homerun with US drivers. I got my tester from John Hine Pontiac and found the car to be what everyone had stated, a great car with plenty of get up and go. Still hanging on to the red speedometer and gauges and even throwing in a red center section in the very comfortable front and rear seating.

I liked the way the G8 rode and handled itself in the mountains. But where was the navigation system? Pontiac decided to go full bore with OnStar and their drive by turn system which is a little screen above the steering wheel showing you arrows and a live voice walking you through the directions. I didn't try it because I'm a guy and don't need directions but at least their going in the right directions (excuse the pun). I'm not in favor of a disc driven navigation system that can become obsolete but give me a live person that will do all the looking and just give me back simple driving instructions. Staring at the navigation screen when lost not only puts you in harms way but everyone around you.

You can get the G8 in two models, the sedan and the G8, in the sedan the engine of choice is the 3.6-liter V6 developing 256 horsepower and 248 foot pounds of torque at a very low 2100 rpm you only get one transmission in the sedan, a 5-speed automatic and in the other model, the GT you get a 6.0-liter V8 producing 361 horsepower and 385 pound foot of torque at 4,400 rpm with a 6-speed automatic transmission. You will expect to get 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the open road with the V6, and as far as the GT goes you will expect 15 city 24 on the freeway. Not bad for a full size four door sedan.

The G8 has plenty of storage space in the truck and will appeal to a lot of drivers but I must admit I had concerns with the door closing, a little rattly, not what I expected from Pontiac.

Overall I liked the G8, not real thrilled with the name, G8, what is up with that, but hey I don't run Pontiac and they are surly not going to listen to me but if a four door sedan is in your future for around $26,910 as a base and up to $29,310 plus tax, license and a few options you might want to put the G8 on your list and as far as dealers go you can't beat John Hine!

Tell them Dave sent you!