I just wanted to get this out somewhere in the G8 world because I feel like ranting.
I was always in love with the Pontiac G8 since hearing that GM would import the car to North America. After the short run of the GTO (and lack of Canadian Govt. acceptance), it was exciting to hear that GM would give a re badged Holden another go, this time giving us a practical 4 door sedan. Chrysler already had a huge success with their big RWD 300 and Chargers / Magnums but having that Holden background meant the Pontiac would be able to steer as well as go fast in a straight line.
3 years later, I found a G8 that was within my price range at a GM dealership. It was not a GT but I didn't care. It had ZERO options but I liked that because it might have appealed to someone in the collector car world down the road. First time I saw the base centre console in ANY G8 I've seen in the 3 years I've looked at photos. Looked pretty snazzy w/o the screen and the cloth looked and felt much better than the leather. Car performed admirably during the test drive. I was happy to know that I could finally purchase the reasonably priced car of my dreams.
Went a second time to the dealership on Saturday where the salesman gave me a bunch of sheets that stated the car's history of maintenance (was an ex-lease vehicle). Everything checked out OK. All of its recalls were taken care of promptly. Then I noticed that the lower control arms were replaced at 21,700 miles. I thought 'wtf?' So I gave the salesman an excuse to leave before making a deal and said I would be back tomorrow. Wanted to get home and research this. What I thought would be under an hour of research turned out to be 4 times as that. Wasn't just the LCAs but the Ball Joints as well. I was a bit heartbroken that GM would allow cars to be shipped from one continent to a much colder one without weather testing them properly. And, from what I read, re-read and cross read with other G8 forums, those who put on the 'new parts' still had failures down the road. My thought was 'hey, I live in the Pacific Northwest. Our winters rarely get below -10. I think I'll chance it anyway'. Of course, I was not 100% sure whether the ball joints were replaced but I assumed they were not.
Woke up this morning (Sunday) and when I turned on the TV to flip it to the football game, I saw a news story on how the G8 was being recalled for the passenger airbag. I took it as a sign and said 'fuck it'.
It's really a shame that GM's QA is the way it is. The car was a dream come true for many of us. It had awesome reviews with many who praised its architecture as a revitalization for Pontiac and a future for the GM brand. And then I find out about their typical penny pinching. Of all the cars you should test properly it should be A) One that you hype up and B) One that is coming from a completely different hemisphere particularly one that doesn't see snow like us North Americans do.
I refused to give my money to GM. Now you're probably thinking 'dude, just swap out the parts for some aftermarkets'. My response is simply 'I wanted to tinker with a nice platform, not fix a faulty one'.
Sorry for the length but I was just feeling choked all day.
P.S. Last week, I tested out the 2011 Buick Regal. Beautiful coupe profile and exquisite interior. Too bad it's slower than a moped getting up to highway speed. What a joke. Another car I wanted to love.
I was always in love with the Pontiac G8 since hearing that GM would import the car to North America. After the short run of the GTO (and lack of Canadian Govt. acceptance), it was exciting to hear that GM would give a re badged Holden another go, this time giving us a practical 4 door sedan. Chrysler already had a huge success with their big RWD 300 and Chargers / Magnums but having that Holden background meant the Pontiac would be able to steer as well as go fast in a straight line.
3 years later, I found a G8 that was within my price range at a GM dealership. It was not a GT but I didn't care. It had ZERO options but I liked that because it might have appealed to someone in the collector car world down the road. First time I saw the base centre console in ANY G8 I've seen in the 3 years I've looked at photos. Looked pretty snazzy w/o the screen and the cloth looked and felt much better than the leather. Car performed admirably during the test drive. I was happy to know that I could finally purchase the reasonably priced car of my dreams.
Went a second time to the dealership on Saturday where the salesman gave me a bunch of sheets that stated the car's history of maintenance (was an ex-lease vehicle). Everything checked out OK. All of its recalls were taken care of promptly. Then I noticed that the lower control arms were replaced at 21,700 miles. I thought 'wtf?' So I gave the salesman an excuse to leave before making a deal and said I would be back tomorrow. Wanted to get home and research this. What I thought would be under an hour of research turned out to be 4 times as that. Wasn't just the LCAs but the Ball Joints as well. I was a bit heartbroken that GM would allow cars to be shipped from one continent to a much colder one without weather testing them properly. And, from what I read, re-read and cross read with other G8 forums, those who put on the 'new parts' still had failures down the road. My thought was 'hey, I live in the Pacific Northwest. Our winters rarely get below -10. I think I'll chance it anyway'. Of course, I was not 100% sure whether the ball joints were replaced but I assumed they were not.
Woke up this morning (Sunday) and when I turned on the TV to flip it to the football game, I saw a news story on how the G8 was being recalled for the passenger airbag. I took it as a sign and said 'fuck it'.
It's really a shame that GM's QA is the way it is. The car was a dream come true for many of us. It had awesome reviews with many who praised its architecture as a revitalization for Pontiac and a future for the GM brand. And then I find out about their typical penny pinching. Of all the cars you should test properly it should be A) One that you hype up and B) One that is coming from a completely different hemisphere particularly one that doesn't see snow like us North Americans do.
I refused to give my money to GM. Now you're probably thinking 'dude, just swap out the parts for some aftermarkets'. My response is simply 'I wanted to tinker with a nice platform, not fix a faulty one'.
Sorry for the length but I was just feeling choked all day.
P.S. Last week, I tested out the 2011 Buick Regal. Beautiful coupe profile and exquisite interior. Too bad it's slower than a moped getting up to highway speed. What a joke. Another car I wanted to love.
