It may seem crazy to a lot of you, but yes. I think this:




looks better and more aggressive out of the box than this did:



I realize that this is a slight downgrade in overall vehicle, but it allows me to still have a car I like, gain some power, lower my payments, and keep a few thousand dollars to pay some other bills.... not a bad deal to me. Its not a definate yet though, we shall see.

 

In looking at the Bimmer forums I found this:

He should tell that to the guy who lives about 10 minutes from me with a lovely NSX collection...

Plus Bimmer owners like to mention their free maintenance plan for 3 years...the dealerships around here (since competition amongst BMW and Infiniti is pretty intense around here since both companies have several dealerships in the area), Infiniti also offers a free maintenance plan of their own. It cost me $1800 over sticker for the 4 year/75,000 mile free maintenance, which one ups BMW by a year and 25,000 miles.

 

Sean, by the sounds of it you are just tired of your G. I still prefer the look of your stock G in those pics. As you say it's a totally different car.
One thing for sure, whatever you get you will have it looking sweet with your tasteful mods.

 

Saving money...recall a car is a DEPRECIABLE asset.

The G8 is a good car (if you buy one that isn't marked up that is). Like Infiniti, you get a lot of bang per buck. You can't really get that kinda practicality and power at that price point anywhere else.

When reviews in car mags compare it to a BMW 5-Series without the bells and whistles...thats saying something.

Gas mileage in that car is comparable to what we get in our cars.

I think its hilarious whenever people try to bring up reliability issues in an American car...its as if people are completely oblivious to the fact that MB, BMW, and Audi aren't reliable what so ever. Everyone I know with either of those cars that are over 5 years old have some sorta annoying issue with their cars but they won't get it fixed due to the cost.

My family is strictly American...dunno why, I just buy whichever car I like. But all of my family's GM cars have held up like a rock, especially their pick-ups. My dad had a 1995 Silverado that lasted well over 200,000 miles with little issues. His current 2006 Silverado is still kicking and that thing already has 70,000 miles on it, no issues what so ever. Mother's 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a different story.

From HS through college I owned a Pontiac Grand Prix GT that I got when I turned 16. I got rid of it at 170,000 miles, only issues I had was the display on the factory radio going out, that was replaced under warranty...happened again a few years later and I just got an aftermarket unit. Power window motor went out twice in its lifetime, got that replaced. Other than that, never had anything major happen to it. Despite the fact the interior was designed and built by Rubbermaid, it never rattled.

Hokie, you may want to wait until later on this year...the new G8 GXP is gonna be sick.

 

Thanks for hitting a lot of key points! I am with you, I think that the bang for the buck factor is HUGE with the G35 and the G8. I have said hundreds of times that bang for the buck the G35 cannot be beaten when compared to the BMWs, MBs, Audis, etc etc. The G8 will not be put in that class by most people b/c it does lack some of the bells and whistles and its a Pontiac (gasp!) but again, bang for the buck, its amazing.

As for markup, when I called they said MSRP + $5k, I laughed and said no way! They called back 3 minutes later at MSRP and $1000 off for currently owning a car 1999 or newer. Strange promotion....

As for the GXP, it would be nice to get the factory Nav. I am kind of in the mode that if I am going to do something, its going down. haha.

 

Yes and no. I typically don't keep cars long. I always see something else I want, etc etc. I do love the G. I am tired of it being lowered, tired or replacing tires, and tired of scraping all the time. I think I want a little change too, last 3 cars have been Infiniti's (2 coupes and the sedan).

 

Car and Driver recently tested the G8 GT, and it's not any faster than a G35 sedan. 0-60 was 5.3 seconds, versus 5.2 for the G and 1/4 mile was 13.8 sec vs. 13.9 for the G.

Says something about the efficiency of the G35 powertrain. G8 needs nearly double the displacement to match the performance of the G35 (3.5L V6 vs. 6.0L V8).

Anyhow, I like the G8 GT (sans hood scoops). It's a hell of a performance margin, and I'm sure you'll be happy with it! Some different to enjoy!

 

You forgot one very important metric....the weight of the vehicle:

G8 GT: 3995 lb (.0904 HP/lb)
G35: 3497 lb (.0875 HP/lb)

So in reality, the G8 GT's powertrain is more efficient.

 

The $1000 under invoice is interesting too, as walking my dealer lot had $3k upcharge on the sticker.

Bigger back seat would be nice, but poorer performance of V6 with the same mileage or worse gas mileage of V8 pretty heafty price to pay. If they would reskin the nose & hood, it'd be a nice poor man's 5-series for sure.

No bluetooth for sure (wouldn't want to compete with OnStar!), but what about iPod? Thats whats nice about the G, toys are covered in the 1 premium checkbox.

hmmmmmm, maybe the dealer tariff of Houston is too much!

 

Am I missing something because I dont see any REAL Pontiac's in either of those pictures.

 

https://g35driver.com/forums/media-share-v36-sedan/206189-g35x-18-g37-non-sport-wheels-pics.html

I put these on my car and haven't looked back. The pics don't do it justice. I catch myself looking at it when I leave the car. They do look really good and no lowering or camber issues.

 

This is just my opinion and obviously styling is highly subjective, but those G8 wheels and front end look cheap as hell. From the side w/ nicer wheels it would look pretty good but that still leaves that boy-racer front end and those hood scoops look silly, especially when they want to be mentioned w/ BMWs But at least the front end isn't as ridiculous as the CTS.

 

GM has continually impressed me on paper and their blend of their australian and european companies into their domestic lines has really made for some pretty cool cars.

They've definitely taken more of a cue from their foreign designs than Ford has.

Still, I can't get past that I think most GM vehicles are damn ugly on the outside and their interior ergonomics are still designed for the boaty american feel. And no offense to the overweight, but they really seem to fit the american fast food crowd in terms of fit as well. For a small guy like me, I am just not comfortable in most of their vehicles. That's one of the things I love about the G, it's a bigger car, but you really feel like you're driving a much smaller more nimble vehicle.

The G8 does look nice on paper though. I've seen a few in person and they don't impress me on the exterior, but I have yet to see the interior of one, so one of these days I might have to check it out. The GTO did not impress me, although in a straight line it was fun

 

I think American manufacturers are heading in the right direction with their latest designs. What I still don't like is primarily the lack of worksmanship that I encounter whenever I get rentals from Hertz or Avis. It's the little details like edges on the driver's door storage compartment that are not smooth, and could downright cut someone's hand. Ergonomics are another point of complaint for me. I do like the CTS though.

 

I had a G8GT on order, it's a great car but the interior looks and feels outdated, it felt like the 80's.

It has much more space than the G35 and in my opinion it's better looking.
Steering feel/handeling are great but it feels lazy compared the G35.

Acceleration wise they are about the same but the G35 feels much more responsive due to lower gearing and much quicker transmission (not to mantion 400lbs less weight...).

It is much cheaper to modify the G8, you can get an extra 40hp with just ECU tune and an intake (Less than $1K).

Also, the steering wheel is so huge on the G8 it feels like driving a bus.

The G8 is not a good value compered to the G35: have you considerd
the depreciation on a Pontiac?! When the GXP comes out your G8 will be
worth less than 20K...

I could have bought the G8 for MSRP: $32K (Sport & Prem Pkg), I got a
brand new 2008 G35S 5AT with Prem Pkg for less than $34K.

I think your (Ex)G35 is the best looking G I ever saw but you seriously
compromised it's handeling/ride by lowering it too much, there must be a happy medium.

P.S. Never keep a BMW past the warranty period! ask me how I know