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New car reviews » 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

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Better than: Many cars out there
But not as good as: 1967 Pontiac GTO
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 99.83  

Poor Pontiac. Not only is GM pulling the plug, but in the last year they have released two of their coolest cars: the hardtop Solstice and the V8-powered G8 GXP.

Sure, the G8 comes from the land Down Under, but it’s got two things that are as American as apple pie: rear-wheel drive and a honking V8 under the hood. Our test car even came with a six-speed transmission—a real, live manual six-speed transmission.

Combine that with a 6.2-liter LS3 and the G8’s already capable RWD platform and you’ve got a car that fully lives up to Pontiac’s “We build excitement” slogan. Too bad it will be gone so soon.

Other staff views:

David S. Wallens Editorial Director:

How odd is it that one of the best “American” cars comes from Australia? And how odd that one of the best cars available lately has already been killed off.

Personally, I’m bummed that this couldn’t become a new Chevy. Yes, the G8 is a big brute, but it’s also comfortable, fast and nicely equipped. In five or 10 years, we’ll all be fighting for the ones that show up for sale in the used car market.

Joe Gearin Associate Publisher:

It is getting harder and harder to be a fan of General Motors. This G8 GXP is just another example of GM getting a car right and then killing it.

This is a huge shame because there is so much to love about this car. The G8 is composed, comfortable, reasonably good-looking, and has tons of power and handling. Sure, there are cheap-feeling interior bits here and there, and the bling taillight treatment leaves me cold. Overall, though, the G8 GXP is a huge home run for GM—if they weren’t killing it!

I really hope the brass at GM rethink their decision and bring this car back as the Impala SS, because it may be the best bang-for-the-buck big four-door they have ever made. I actually preferred this car to the new BMW M5 (SMG), even if money wasn’t an object—the G8 is that good. I only wish it could survive.

JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director:

I put all of 5 miles on this car, but loved every single one of them. The American hot-rod sedan comes into and out of our lives every so often (GN/GNX, GTO, G8) and we don’t seem to fully appreciate them until they are gone, which they inevitably are all too soon. I only hope when the next one comes around enough folks see the light and it gets the love it deserves.

Reader comments:

1. aussiesmg: — Nov 24, 2009 6:18 p.m.
   

   This will be my next work car if I can wrangle it, downunder rules

2. pinchvalve: — Nov 24, 2009 10:48 p.m.
   

   My father’s company just bought a bunch of G8’s as company cars for their sales managers. No excuse not to be on the road now! (wait till they see the fuel bill!)

3. tuna55: — Nov 25, 2009 6:50 a.m.
   

   Just another example of how GM has great engineers and a terrible marketing and executive departments

4. MadScientistMatt: — Nov 25, 2009 8:12 a.m.
   

   This has got to be a rule written down somewhere in GM’s bureaucrazy somewhere: You must cancel anything as soon as the engineering staff gets it right, in order to create a cult classic and seal its reputation forever. Examples:

   • Fiero
   • Buick Grand National
   • Firebird (LS1 Trans Am)
   • Caprice / Impala SS
   • And now, the G8.
5. nowucme: — Nov 25, 2009 8:46 p.m.
   

   4050 lbs! Even our cars are obese!

6. miwifri: — Dec 11, 2009 9:21 a.m.
   

   Another good car goes away. Long suffering American car fans have one more thing to cry about.

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