REVIEW: Pontiac Ends On Top With One Of Its Best

REVIEW: Pontiac Ends On Top With One Of Its Best
Nearly as American as the hamburger, fries and a milkshake, it is a shame to see it go.  It has been around since the mid 1920s and has been a driving force behind sensational products.  When it was announced, on that fateful April day, that Pontiac would be phased out, I believe a part of every automotive enthusiast died.

Infamously known as a brand vying to put an aggressive spin on General Motors products, Pontiac had dialed up the sport and created years worth of memorable cars. Let us think back: the Bonneville, GTO, Firebird and G8 are all landmark vehicles.  On the day they have decided to cease production of the Solstice I figured would be the best time to write an obituary for Pontiac.  Then I started thinking.  If anything, this should be a celebration and a time to memorialize the brand’s greatness.

Meaning there was only one thing to do: review the G8 GXP.

Let’s face it, Pontiac is in their predicament for one reason.  It was not producing exciting, innovative products – which was the core of its original mission.  To be an “athletic” brand, it had to bring together powerful motors, in-your-face styling and impressive driving dynamics.

A 1995 Grand Prix never did it for me and neither did the 1999 Trans Am 30th anniversary edition....

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Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 7/29/2009 10:06:33 PM
+10 Boost
I don't understand why people who review cars look for the plastic bits in American cars but totally overlook them in european cars such as benzes and audi's... I am continually disappointed whenever I sit in whatever automotive journalists hint at as the "ultimate" in quality. I am always greeted to hard seats, the same cheap ass plastic and horrible blind spots. I guess it's cool to go with general consensus...


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 7/29/2009 10:57:00 PM
+11 Boost
not really sure if there are any vehicles out there (under 100K) that does not use plastic in the interior...


WorldofLuxuryWorldofLuxury - 7/29/2009 11:09:41 PM
+7 Boost
I still can't get over the fact that Edmunds Inside Line was so nice to Merc and the pleather in the latest C-class. They said that it was "friendly to the environment and your back"... or something like that.

It's comfy; I'm sure it could be. Mercedes really should go out there and publicize that it uses fake leather for the sake of the environment.

Then again, it's true that making every single bit top notch does come at a price. Heck I don't blame to Lexus LS hybrid for its over $100k price tag because at least it has semi-aniline leather for the entire dash, unlike its gasoline counterpart. (Although a better adaptive cruise control like that of the new Bimmer 7 wouldn't hurt)


Agent00RAgent00R - 7/30/2009 2:03:25 AM
-1 Boost
@Joe:

While I cannot speak for other journo's in the business, I make sure to inspect every vehicle's interior and weigh in.

The fact remains you cannot compare interior materials from the Pontiac G8 to the Audi A6 I am driving this week. Granted, they are in different price segments with different end goals.

MB's materials are above average for the most part (with cheap buttons) and Audi generally has the best in-class interiors.

Different strokes for different folks.


Agent00RAgent00R - 7/30/2009 2:04:49 AM
+1 Boost
@Thierry

Right. But, that does not mean that there are not varying degrees of quality.


rxh8me9000rxh8me9000 - 7/29/2009 11:44:53 PM
+2 Boost
What was wrong with the 30th anniversary trans am? Pulled more g's on the skidpad then a G8. It had a .2 second slower quarter mile time but both cars reach it at 104 mph.Its top speed was 157 mph and its price back than was $31,475. Doesnt seem so bad to me.Than again i use to own 1 lol. Intake,headers,exhaust,head,cam,tune,spray = bullet. I miss it :(


Agent00RAgent00R - 7/30/2009 1:58:17 AM
+1 Boost
Valid points but there is more to a car than skid pads and quarter mile times, particularly in the real world.

Don't tell me you kept the blue rims on yours ;)


rxh8me9000rxh8me9000 - 7/30/2009 2:33:28 AM
+1 Boost
Lol. Stock the car was fine for city and highway driving,but to give you some credit it did have its flaws. Visibility out the front,rear and sides sucked. Radio was trash and of course this being before American companies upped the quality,it did have its squeaks and rattles by the time i sold it.Nevertheless a raw machine it was. And no blue wheels for me. Had the C5 wheels and stock WS6 wheels.


JMB1013JMB1013 - 7/30/2009 1:04:39 AM
+3 Boost
so the last great car released from an american company before it disappears is australian....


Agent00RAgent00R - 7/30/2009 1:57:01 AM
0 Boost
Unfortunate but true.

In several weeks I will have the chance to drive the Solstice GXP -- assuming I fit -- perhaps that will be Pontiac's last great AMERICAN car.


AnthonyAnthony - 7/30/2009 5:05:16 PM
+2 Boost
It will look cheesy in a few years, like all Pontiacs made after the '70s eventually do.


ShredmoShredmo - 7/31/2009 10:13:23 AM
-1 Boost
You are aware that this is a WORLD car, right?


John_StosselJohn_Stossel - 7/31/2009 4:21:50 PM
+1 Boost
What does that mean? Then it will look cheesy in all of the WORLD.


ShredmoShredmo - 7/31/2009 4:50:59 PM
+1 Boost
Go look up Holden Commodore, see what I'm talking about.

Do you guys make these same juvenile comments on the Amana, Maytag, & Kenmore fan sites?



2ndbimmer2ndbimmer - 7/31/2009 11:19:01 AM
+1 Boost
I think this is a great car. I would definitely buy one if I was in this particular market segment. I also think the G6 is a nice vehicle, way better than the camry.
The only thing they need to do is get rid of the crappy tail lights they have on the G6. worst in the world. cheapens the car. I guess since it will be a GM model soon, they should give me a call and I will change a few things that will enhance the vehicle 10-fold without increasing the price.


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