Questions on G8 GT

8991 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by kwblue, Aug 8, 2008

Redevil06

Discussion Starter · Jul 30, 2008 (Edited)

My interest into the G8 GT was stirred when my local dealer advertised a G8 GT at price lower than MSRP. In checking prices, it seemed his advertised price was about the same or slightly lower than the price shown in Edmunds that they say everyone is paying, which is lower than MSRP. In addition it’s one of the first 888’s and he didn’t even mention it in advertising it. It has only one option, the premium interior package. BTW, for the 2009 G9 GT in Edmunds they don’t show any discount on what everyone is paying, I believe because it’s just hit the dealers.

My very small inventory GM dealer, sells Chevy’s, Buick’s, Pontiac’s and GMC’s, doesn’t stock a lot of cars. And the one’s he does have are sometimes old, like the 2007 Solstice on the show room floor.

In looking at G8 GT inventory on the web I noticed that I couldn’t find one G8 GT with all three of the major options in one car, i.e., the premium interior package, 19 in wheels and the sunroof. You could find cars with two of the three but not all three. You could find lots of premium interior packages and sun roofs, or lots of premium interior packages and 19 in wheels. I don't think I could find the sunroof with the 19 in wheels. Occasionally, you’ll find the M/S 18 in wheels as the only option. But don't think you could find one with the sunroof alone. It wasn’t until I saw on eBay a 2009 G8 GT with all three of the major packages, and it was in the new Styker Blue color. Is this true for the 2008s, that they didn’t build one G8 GT with all three major options?

Another interesting find, was that for the first 888 series, most of them have just the premium interior packages. I did find one with premium interior package and the 19 in wheels too, but I couldn’t find one that had a sun roof alone or with any other option in the first 888 series. Did any of the first 888’s have a sunroof? Or for that matter was there any G8 GT built with the sun roof as the only option?

One more question on the sunroof. Does it slide into the roof or on the outside?

Also, one more question. What gas does the G8 GT use? I’ve seen where people are making changes to the programming to use premium 93 octane gas. Does the G8 GT require premium gas, 91 octane? Or does it start out running on regular and you can switch over by using 91 octane gas instead and thus automatically switching as other GM engines do? Does anyone know what Pontiac or GM says?

Redevil06

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mem

· #2 · Jul 30, 2008

I have one of the first 888, nad I don't have a sunroof. The other's that I looked at that were later all did. I don't know if they first 888 did not include that option. I only have mine to compare it to. If I remember correctly, the sun roof slides into the roof.

We use regular unleaded gas, but only purchase top tier gas. I believe that the maunal states regular unleaded. But honestly I didn't read it, my husband did. I think we also have been running a tank of premium through every other tank. So far we have gotten 17.4 mpg on average. My commute is roughly 8 miles and it is all city driving. I didn't think that was horrible.

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chiefpontiac

· #3 · Jul 30, 2008

Sunroofs were not an option for any of the first 888. But I know of one install of a Westphalia sunroof in one that is hard to tell from oem other than location of buttons. I believe the roof is tilt and slide, that it can tilt, but that it slides inside to open. Sunroofs were only installed on a low % of 08s, the number for 09 should be higher. It was recently explained to me that teh extra weight of it might push the vehicle into gas guzzler territory if too many 'roofs were sold (from a rep dealer friend). Sunroofs can be had wit hteh cloth interior, but they are rare. What you want is a GT3 configuration - none currently available for tagging. And none I can find in a quick review of inventory

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Redevil06

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 31, 2008

Thanks for responding back

I think the getting all the three options would be a big seller for this car. It seems like they made the 2008's without all three included. I saw another 2009 G8 GT, red, with all three options on eBay. The blue 2009 with all three options was gone.

I wonder why they don't show the inventories of the 2009's on the Pontiac website?

Question on the Sport Option, which is really the 19 in wheels. Why does it say you get a "sport" steering wheel? From what I can see it appears the steering wheel doesn't change once you get a G8 GT. Is this just a mistake in their literature? or is there really a difference with the "sport" option?

The car I would be looking for would be white, have all three options and the red inserts in the interior. I wonder how many will be made like that for 2009? I saw on eBay a 2009 just like it but without the "sport" option.

I'm looking forward to seeing the 2009 GXP version and the 20 in wheels and compare that to what they have now. I wonder what the price difference will be over the other 2009's?

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mem

· #5 · Jul 31, 2008

Have you seen the two tone interior in person? I ask because I liked it until I saw it in the car. The red wasn't what I had pictured. It is really a matter of personal opinion, and if that is what you like than that is what you should get.

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Redevil06

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 4, 2008

Haven't see it yet

mem said:
Have you seen the two tone interior in person? I ask because I liked it until I saw it in the car. The red wasn't what I had pictured. It is really a matter of personal opinion, and if that is what you like than that is what you should get.

I haven't the red inserts yet. A semi-local dealer had one, but it was too far to just take a ride to see it. Maybe next weekend. If they don't really look good then, they won't be on the list anymore. I saw a couple of cars with the sunroof, but didn't see it operate. It looked like tilted up and moved back on the outside, but I'm not sure since I didn't see it operate.

I like the idea of the red inserts but I'm not really the crazy about just a plain white exterior. I wish it had some pearl in it. I'm really looking at a lighter color because I intend to move where there's going to be a lot of sun year round. I really think the darker colors look better.

My local dealer had two 2009 G8 GTs and they both had the premium package and the roof. In addition they both also had the all-season tires. I think that adding the all-season tires going to be "standard" combination that most dealers would get for the northeast or anyplace that it snows.

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xfactor

· #7 · Aug 5, 2008

I too agree that the red inserts were not what I expected. No other accents in red around or in the card (unless you consider the dash lighting). By the way, I do not own a G8...yet... I am trying to hold out for the GXP and again I too want all three options, sunroof, the larger rims, and premier interior. I want the exterior to be Black. I have a friend trying to talk me into a Charger SRT8, some friend!

The only item I am struggling with is the chrome trim around the windows, I hate it. It looks like and out dated car. I noticed that the Holden's does not have this trim. I also noticed that the Holden's has an uplifted spoiler on the back that I like. Considering purchasing these directly from Holden. So I have two questions:
1. Has anyone done any mods with the chrome trim?
2. Has anyone had any experience purchasing items from/for Holden?

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chiefpontiac

· #8 · Aug 5, 2008

You can search for 2009s by first completing a 2008 search - then edit the url in address bar of your browser, change 2008 to 2009, and hit refresh.

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chiefpontiac

· #9 · Aug 5, 2008

JHP imports Holden parts direct and can help you out. They only sponsor on our sister site g8board.com

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SDG8GT

· #10 · Aug 6, 2008

I have a Panther black 2009 GT with the premium, sport, sunroof and two-tone interior. This configuration was almost impossible to find in California and Nevada, but it is well worth it, but totally by happenstance. During my search there were only 4 in the entire state of CA with the premium, sport and sunroof. Mine was the only one with all the options and the two-tone interior.

My avg mpg has been between 17.5-17.8. My commute is about 15 miles; 1/3 canyons and mountains and the remaining 2/3 on the freeway.

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Redevil06

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 6, 2008

Sounds like a great looking car. Good luck with it.
Does the sunroof open only to the outside (I know it tilts up outside) or does it slide back inside?

I understand that the 2009's got rid of the Oil pressure and Voltmeter electronic gauges that weren't liked by the media and others. How were they replaced? I think the Holden 427 has actual analog gauges where they were. I wonder if you can get them from Holden like you could for the center gauges for the 04-06 GTO's.

Also, do the 19 in tires keep the actual same overall tire diameter size as the 18's. I think the new Camaro's tires, 18's, 19's and 20's are supposed to do this. Makes it easier to change tire size without recalibrating your speedometer.

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kwblue

· #12 · Aug 8, 2008

Redevil06 said:
Sounds like a great looking car. Good luck with it.
Does the sunroof open only to the outside (I know it tilts up outside) or does it slide back inside?

Both. There's a knob next to the front reading lights that you turn either left or right. Turning it to the left from the center makes the sunroof tilt up more (3 levels I think). Turning it to the right from center makes the sunroof slide open/back more (again 3 levels I think). Center is of course closed. There's a manual slide cover when you don't want any light coming through - although some of the finger grab points do a little light to peak through the seems.

Redevil06 said:
I understand that the 2009's got rid of the Oil pressure and Voltmeter electronic gauges that weren't liked by the media and others. How were they replaced? I think the Holden 427 has actual analog gauges where they were. I wonder if you can get them from Holden like you could for the center gauges for the 04-06 GTO's.

There's just a shelf there with a slight tactile surface although GM has said they are considering other options. JHP has some gauges that can be ordered to fit there but not sure if they work with the 09's...I would think they could.

Redevil06 said:
Also, do the 19 in tires keep the actual same overall tire diameter size as the 18's. I think the new Camaro's tires, 18's, 19's and 20's are supposed to do this. Makes it easier to change tire size without recalibrating your speedometer.

Not sure. Should be able to research this pretty easily looking at spec sheets.

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