Here Is The Next Musclecar

[spd2918]

Looks hot, but will it be a rattle bucket in three years?



ken

You need to get with the times.  This was true 12 to 20 years ago, but things have changed.  The interiors may still be a little chinsy, but the major components are dead on reliable.  Hell, I have had four new Chrysler products (Wrangler, Liberty, Neon, and Dodge Truck) with only 1 problem- the paint one the truck's wheels.  I have had two VWs (Jetta, Passat, both 04's) and each had SEVERAL issues.

Just about everything made today (except Kia and Chinesse cars) is high quality.

[Rogue]

How about I would like GM to succeed and start kicking ass.  They come out with a car like this because its easy to design rather than something that has some potential to sell in large volumes - like something that competes with cars like the Camry or Civic that sell in the 100,000's....GM should be planning for what kind of cars people will want to buy when gas is over $5/gallon and not these low volume niche markets.  

GM just released the new Malibu to compete head to head with Camry/Accord.  They hope to take over the mid-size car market from Toyota and Honda.  And BTW, GM is making money and they haven't even sold a single G8 or Malibu yet.  So maybe you can cut them a little slack for trying?   And you mentioned that GM should be planning for what kind of cars people will buy when gas prices are $5/gallon--did you see my post on GM's Volt Hybrid?  How about the one about the GMC Yukon hybrid?  They're not only planning, they are doing it.  

A year ago, many people here spelled nothing but doom and gloom for GM.  A few even WISHED it.  WTF?    Now GM is back to profitability and is on a very strong track to continuou this trend.  They have released lots of car models, in addition to SUV's and pickups.  Just goes to show that many of you doom and gloomers were wrong with a capital W.  

Now can we please stay on topic and talk about musclecars and NOT Corollas?  Those things are just boring as hell!

[ruffcut]

Who is posting Chargers?  That pic is clearly a 2 door Challenger.

It was criminal when Chrysler brought the Charger out with four doors.  

  Agreed!! 4 door charger for God`s sake.

[MadMax96]

There's an ad for the G8 in the November Car & Driver magazine.  They compare the horsepower to an Infiniti M45 and say with a 0-60 time in just over 5 seconds, it's taking on the BMW 5-series.

Umm.. sure.  

Oh yeah - then it says it beats the competition at their own game... at a fraction of the price.

If I was in the market for a 5-series or the Infiniti do they really think I would say to myself, "oh hold on there... you're saying this Pontiac is faster to 60 than this BMW and has more hp than the M45?  Sheesh - I'd be a fool to not buy this car."

Sorry, the people looking to spend the money on the German and Japanese car wouldn't even consider a Pontiac that's made in Australia, let alone the U.S.

I think it'll be a very decent car, that horsepower/features at that price is a great value - I just don't think it'll take sales away from BMW or Infiniti.  I still don't think I could spend $30k on a Pontiac though.

At least Pontiac didn't try to revive an old nameplate again like they did w/ the GTO.  That 04-06 GTO is one of the best bargains in the used car market.  The first thing I'd do is rip off the nameplates because it just shouldn't be called that.

[Rogue]

Sorry, the people looking to spend the money on the German and Japanese car wouldn't even consider a Pontiac that's made in Australia, let alone the U.S.

Absolutely true!  

Although I think the marketing hype is aimed NOT at the BMW/Infinit, or any of the potential luxury car buyers.  It is aimed at the Musclecar guys.  I'll give credit where credit is due.  The Infinit M45 and BMW 540i are fast 4-door sedans.  I think it is a complement to those cars to say the G8 can beat their performance, because that is a lot of performance.  

In any case, if someone had $30k to spend, now they have an added choice.  Think about this:  who besides Chryslers makes a car with similar sporting credentials and V8 powertrain at this price point?  To get this kind of stuff indeed you have to go to Infinit/Lexus/BMW/MB/Cadillac then pay the premium for those luxury brands.

[Galo]

Want a modern, 4-door muscle car? It's called the Lexus IS350.....it's faster from 0-60 than a BMW 545, gets much better gas mileage, and is $12k cheaper to boot.

Now, the G8 will do all that as well, and cost another $12k less, so.....what's your choice?

If I were in the market for such a car, the answer is simple: the G8

[Rogue]

Well since you're on a price point discussion, I would get a G8, then buy a new fully kitted sport-touring bike.

Now THAT is value AND performance.

Like I said, the G8 won't appeal to import lovers.

[Galo]

Well since you're on a price point discussion, I would get a G8, then buy a new fully kitted sport-touring bike.

Now THAT is value AND performance.

Like I said, the G8 won't appeal to import lovers.

Them are three very true statements!
 

[Orson]

That's always been my favorite muscle car  

[ironmike]

One nostalgic word for you, Orson...  (bet it'll make y'grin, too)

 - "Bullet"

[Mike-H]

One nostalgic word for you, Orson...  (bet it'll make y'grin, too)

 - "Bullet"

Limited quantity build for 2008.....315 hp & 325? ft/ibs torque....green only MSRP $31199.00....sweet....

[jude]

Looks hot, but will it be a rattle bucket in three years?



ken

Yeah, not like my Accord that took exactly 1 month to start rattling and squeaking to high heaven.  Man, was I ever snowed on Japanese 'quality'.

Oh, and don't get me started on the complete piece of shit called Camry, that never did get it's electrics sorted.  Finally had to sell the shit-box after two years of pure pain.

[Rincewind]

The cop versions of this car scare me.  I saw two while out riding today.  One in white, backed up a crevice ready to pounce - glad I wasn't speeding too badly.  Phew.  Then I saw police version, in black.   That is one mean looking cop car.  

[MadMax96]

Absolutely true!  

Although I think the marketing hype is aimed NOT at the BMW/Infinit, or any of the potential luxury car buyers.  It is aimed at the Musclecar guys.

Not sure about marketing "hype" but the comparisons in the magazine I referred to is an actual advertisement from Pontiac - it wasn't the editors from the magazine.  Judging from the ad, I think Pontiac is trying to break into the sports-luxury sedan market.  Pontiac has always been more sport than luxury and BMW & Infiniti have been luxury first.

I think Pontiac would have a better chance marketing this as direct competition with the LX body Chryslers (300, Magnum, Charger).  Chrysler owns the market of the big hp, RWD, 4 door sedans.

[gforce]

The cop versions of this car scare me.  I saw two while out riding today.  One in white, backed up a crevice ready to pounce - glad I wasn't speeding too badly.  Phew.  Then I saw police version, in black.   That is one mean looking cop car.  

And one gigantic waste of our taxpayer dollars.  The days of "high-speed chases" went out with police radios and copters.

Seriously, can you believe that Detroit thinks "retro-muscle" -- with automatic trannys -- is going to lead it to the promised land in this environment?    

I'll believe Detroit's gotten its head extricated from its posterior when I hear about the functional goals of new models before I hear about the "styling cues."  

And, sadly, I don't expect that to be anytime soon.

[Jeff]

I for one think the new four door Chargers are sweet. Are they as bad assed as the original? No. But I bet more people will buy a four door Charger than they would a two door. Four doors makes it easier for passengers. Got kids in a car seat? Four doors is WAY easier to deal with. Anyone who dreams of a muscle car, but can't get one because they need a grocery getter/people hauler, now has their answer in the Charger.

They just need to have a manual transmission.

Jeff

[veefer800canuck]

That's Hawt!  

[twist]

Yup.  The Evil Conglomerate is just eager to please everyone.  The Pontiac G8 goes on sale.  Already seen the ads in the moto-mags.

http://www.pontiac.com/g8/index.jsp

Holden Commodore.  Anyway, getting 360hp out of a 6.0 V8 is not my idea of a muscle car.  At least put a fully tuned LS2 in it, so it makes 400hp.  An LS3 would be even better.

[Dichotomous]

Thanks for the links.

In case you haven't looked, GM has gone back to profitability beginning 2007 and is making a strong finanical comeback.  The GMT900 truck sales is pretty strong considering they haven't even been out a whole 12 months!  BTW, the largest market in the US is light trucks.  Ford sold over 900k light trucks in 2006.  Should GM ignore this market?  Of course not!  They did the right thing by coming up with the GMT900 light trucks.  

In any case, I have said this before, the car market in N.A. lies in Light Trucks and Mid-size sedans.  It is NOT in compact cars!  The Fit, Yaris, and others....these things are just a way to lower ones CAFE average.  You will not see America lining up for these things!  They will continue to buy the mid-size cars and light trucks.  This is why GM is attacking this segment with the new Malibu.  

You gotta look beyond what YOU think is the best car for America and instead look at what people are REALLY buying.  Just because many people here think it's cool to drive around in Prius or Scion, doesn't mean it is THE right car for everyone.  For that same reason, the muscle cars are NOT the right car for everyone either.  But if you are the type that likes them, the cars above are really cool. Let's not over analyze the car market and just discuss the cool cars above.  If you don't think it's cool then move on or start a discussion on whatever else you think is cool.

have you looked around you lately?  there are just as many if not many many many more small japanese cars driving around the streets than there are light trucks.  or maybe its just that way here.  I wouldnt be fooled so much my sales figures, people might be buying fords and GM's, but I dont see them on the road as much as hondas and yotas, maybe they buy them and find out that they dont last quite the same and cost more to drive so they fall back to the camry

[Squareman357]

The cop versions of this car scare me.  I saw two while out riding today.  One in white, backed up a crevice ready to pounce - glad I wasn't speeding too badly.  Phew.  Then I saw police version, in black.   That is one mean looking cop car.  

Don't be too scared.  The cop versions are usually the V6 and not the Hemi.  I've seen one or two Indiana State Troopers driving unmarked Hemi's, but all the other local popo I've seen with them had the 250 hp 3.5 liter V-6 and not the 340 hp 5.7 liter Hemi V-8 and DEFINITELY not the one in the picture, a 430 hp 6.1 liter Hemi V-8.  You're still relatively safe LOL!