Advice from the GenVibe collective....

[Susan]

Sooooo. With 186,000ish miles on my 03' GT (purchased new in 02), I'm looking at a next car. A local dealership has a 2009 G8 GT on sale. (I wouldn't mind the GXP, but that's not happening.) I'm not too concerned about the price, since all five I found in my area are retailing in the same range. I'm curious what everyone's take is on it. I like that it has the Pontiac styling (although it's a basically a Holden - I think), and it will be my last chance to own a non-classic era Pontiac, but I wonder if anyone has any experiences with it and what they think.

Thanks in advance for the discussion,
Susan
'03 GT
Abyss
186,000 miles and counting

[joatmon]

186,000 miles per second is the speed of light


I think I'd really miss having a hatchback, but everyone is different, and that's why they make so many different cars. With the discontinued Pontiac, there is a lot of Vibe parts interchangeability with the still supported Toyota Matrix and Corolla. I don't know how dependable GM support of the Holden platform will be. I'd check a G8 forum to be sure G8 owners do not expect to run into parts availability problems

[vibenvy]

I would love to have a G8! They are great looking cars for sure, but are also very different from a Vibe i.e. size, gas mileage, versatility, etc.

186,000 miles is nothing on a Vibe. If there's nothing wrong with the Vibe, why get a different vehicle? I would enjoy not having a car payment for as long as possible. Just my $.02 though.

As joatmon said, your best bet would be to check out a G8 forum for info on reliability, any issues you need to look for, etc. Ultimately, the decision is up to you though.

[journeyforce]

If it has the V8 in it then go for it as they are nice to drive and have scorching power. It will be a collectors item one day as one of the last muscle cars. Like the 2004-2006 GTO

If it is the V6 version then pass. You would be better off with a Pontiac G6 with the hardtop convertible, then a V6 G8(talk about all show and no go)

Good luck

[tpollauf]

Welcome to GenVibe Susan. I think I'll be able to offer you the BEST response since I own a 2009 G8 GT (titled in my name BUT it is the wife's car, whose name just happens to be Susan ). First bit of advise ..... KEEP the Vibe as it will cost you next to nothing to continue driving & maintaining it. It is already paid for and if you were to trade it in, the dealer won't give you "jack" for it . Also depending on where you live, you'll want to park the G8 GT in the winter and drive your Vibe in it's place. Rear wheel drive, low profile tires, and all that power = sliding & dangerous driving in the snow. Our G8 Gt has never seen snow and with the optional 19" rims w/summer tires, it wouldn't even make it up our driveway one winter when I had to move it over one bay in our garage, with a little bit of snow on the driveway. Another thing is that all that aluminum under the car (engine, frame members, etc.) would get destroyed after driving it a few winters here in the midwest.

The G8 GT has many more blind spots and you sink down into the seats each time you get behind the wheel. I believe the car is something like 6" shorter in height if not more than the Vibe. I can easily wash the G8 GT getting full coverage and I'm a short 5'-8" whereas I have difficulty reaching the center roof areas when washing the Vibes Fuel economy on the 6.0 litre engine isn't bad either. Full city 16-17 and full highway 24-26mpg. The acceleration will definitely throw you back into the seats if you're not used to a car with this much power . My Susan loves that feature of this car.

I could go on & on here on mainly "positive" comments about the G8 GT but no time. The only big drawback is cargo carrying capacity in the G8 GT. They have the battery in the trunk (drivers side) as well as the Onstar & Sirius/Xm equipment ALL mounter under the rear deck, and it sometimes gets in the way when loading my hockey equipment (or any bulky objects). My hockey sticks need the fold down center arm rest down to fit them in the car. Rear seat legroom & comfort are incredible. I bet I have 12" of extra room from my knee to the back of the front seats . This is a teenagers dream car if they were to use it for some serious "making out" we're talking about lots of room back there!

Look into it BUT I'd keep the Vibe ...................................... Good luck

[hotbug1776]

186,282.397 miles per second is the speed of light


I think I'd really miss having a hatchback, but everyone is different, and that's why they make so many different cars. With the discontinued Pontiac, there is a lot of Vibe parts interchangeability with the still supported Toyota Matrix and Corolla. I don't know how dependable GM support of the Holden platform will be. I'd check a G8 forum to be sure G8 owners do not expect to run into parts availability problems

Sorry, fixed the MPS to be more accurate. LOL
I think even at that, I've gone plaid... ludicrous speed!!!