G8....disappointed

[Silverado]

I'm really disappointed. I went to a local dealer today to check out a G8....they had two...one used and one brand new....I checked out both...

Great legroom in the front....I usually need the seat all the way back, but not in the G8, so that would mean decent room in the back for the kids....+1

Seat felt comfortable enough and the fabric was "grippy"....no sliding around when cornering....+1 (although, I couldn't find the "recline adjustment button/toggle/etc, and still manual lumbar?)

Interior seemed laid out well enough...looked sharp too....+1

I wanted to check out the trunk, so I looked for the trunk button, here's where the disappointment started....not on the dash, not by the driver's doorsill, checked the center console...nope, look in the center armrest...whoa, what the? The lid on the center armrest about twisted off in my hand...and it feels totally cheap...I mean like Chevy Citation cheap...-2

Trunk button...finally found it in the glovebox (seems old school, but okay)........the glovebox cover...while it covers a large glovebox, it's flimsy. The cover literally twisted in my hand as I started to shut it...I thought I must have done something funny, so I opened it again and noticed the same "flimsiness" while opening it....so I paid closer attention....it looks like a cheap piece of crap plastic, it feels cheap too....-2.

At first, I attributed it to this one being used (although barely), so I checked out the new one...nope, same crap. I can't believe that GM puts out this great looking, most likely great performing, legit 5 seater, 4-door sports car and then just doesn't finish off the details. I didn't have a lot of time, so I cut my look short, but I walked away very disappointed. I was seriously considering a G8 as a backup plan (if something doesn't work out for me getting a Camaro), but now, probably not. I really hope that same cheap feel doesn't show up in the Camaro interior, but I know, we've been told that we'll be pleased, so, I still believe. It just sucked to come away so disappointed from a car that I wanted to like so much.

[MerF]

Hmm....thanks for the feedback, I kinda wann go do some snooping on a G8 myself at the dealership. Ink's still drying from my last visit there (buying the Trailblazer) so I should be at least allowed to sit in one.

[ihc95]

Really??? How come they dont mention this cheapness in car magazines? Guess there only bothered about performance.

[Kyle2k]

Originally Posted by Silverado

I'm really disappointed. I went to a local dealer today to check out a G8....they had two...one used and one brand new....I checked out both...

Great legroom in the front....I usually need the seat all the way back, but not in the G8, so that would mean decent room in the back for the kids....+1

Seat felt comfortable enough and the fabric was "grippy"....no sliding around when cornering....+1 (although, I couldn't find the "recline adjustment button/toggle/etc, and still manual lumbar?)

Interior seemed laid out well enough...looked sharp too....+1

I wanted to check out the trunk, so I looked for the trunk button, here's where the disappointment started....not on the dash, not by the driver's doorsill, checked the center console...nope, look in the center armrest...whoa, what the? The lid on the center armrest about twisted off in my hand...and it feels totally cheap...I mean like Chevy Citation cheap...-2

Trunk button...finally found it in the glovebox (seems old school, but okay)........the glovebox cover...while it covers a large glovebox, it's flimsy. The cover literally twisted in my hand as I started to shut it...I thought I must have done something funny, so I opened it again and noticed the same "flimsiness" while opening it....so I paid closer attention....it looks like a cheap piece of crap plastic, it feels cheap too....-2.

At first, I attributed it to this one being used (although barely), so I checked out the new one...nope, same crap. I can't believe that GM puts out this great looking, most likely great performing, legit 5 seater, 4-door sports car and then just doesn't finish off the details. I didn't have a lot of time, so I cut my look short, but I walked away very disappointed. I was seriously considering a G8 as a backup plan (if something doesn't work out for me getting a Camaro), but now, probably not. I really hope that same cheap feel doesn't show up in the Camaro interior, but I know, we've been told that we'll be pleased, so, I still believe. It just sucked to come away so disappointed from a car that I wanted to like so much.

No offense but why are all the stupid minor nit-picky problems -2 and all the major things that actually seem to matter +1? Pessimism

[Silverado]

Originally Posted by Kyle2k

No offense but why are all the stupid minor nit-picky problems -2 and all the major things that actually seem to matter +1? Pessimism

No offense taken...really, I probably rated them that way because everything else seemed good, so the (as you call them) nit-picky things stuck out more and made more of an impression.

On top of that, like I said, I really wanted to like this car, so when some of these things showed up, it seemed like a bigger deal.

Maybe I overreacted or over/under rated things....fine, I can accept that....I still don't accept that for $30K, the interior pieces feel cheap.

By the way, another plus that I forgot to mention....it does have a good sized trunk.

[Kyle2k]

It is good to see however that the few things you mentioned could easily be adjusted or fixed by some aftermarket interior materials (if you would want to enough) or some rewiring or moving stuff around. I still haven't been able to see a damn g8 in person yet because they seem to sell the day they get in at our local GM dealer :(

[LS9CamaroSS]

Originally Posted by Kyle2k

It is good to see however that the few things you mentioned could easily be adjusted or fixed by some aftermarket interior materials (if you would want to enough) or some rewiring or moving stuff around. I still haven't been able to see a damn g8 in person yet because they seem to sell the day they get in at our local GM dealer :(

OMG they are amazing... especially in the orange... one pulled up behind me the other day... i just stared as it drove up to the stop sign and then pulled off...

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Silverado

No offense taken...really, I probably rated them that way because everything else seemed good, so the (as you call them) nit-picky things stuck out more and made more of an impression.

On top of that, like I said, I really wanted to like this car, so when some of these things showed up, it seemed like a bigger deal.

Maybe I overreacted or over/under rated things....fine, I can accept that....I still don't accept that for $30K, the interior pieces feel cheap.

By the way, another plus that I forgot to mention....it does have a good sized trunk.

So I guess that puts things even? +1+1+1-2-2+1=0. And that doesn't include performance.

As for what the pro reviewers say, if they mention the interior that tend to say that its nice, not great, but nice. And a huge improvement over the averge GM interior. But considering the rest of the car and the price tag, overall its a very good car

[TAG UR IT]

Hmm...I didn't even notice a flimsyness when opening the glovebox and center console. I'll have to check that out again and see if I can find what you are tallking about.

Trunk space was great, though....and the fact that the battery is in the trunk. Great interior room, updated interior, high quality leather, leader in performance, great looks, ...eh, I love the G8 GT. And, I can't wait to see the GXP!

[Fenah]

So the flimsiness of the glove box makes you not like the car ? I think your being a little picky. If it bothers you that much fix it some how ?

Just my opinion.

[Jak]

Seen one today at the local dealership an gotta say at $30145, it's tempting to buy one, but I gotta wait for my Camaro.

[camaro5]

I've scoured the Internet re the G8 and here's some of the few, but real, downsides according to new owners:

I read about the flimsy console lid from other reviewers, also

Seatback manual adjusters hard to reach and hard to turn

Air bag light built into rearview mirror - glares all the time

Ridiculous red volt / oil display in center of instrument panel (this is the biggest dislike by far). I'd take 'em out and replace with two analog gauges. G8 GXP will have different display.

Turn signal lever feels like it's going to break off in your hand

Some have orange peel paint

Rough idle - some say retune idle a little higher smooths it out

Brakes squeak when backing up

DIC washes out in sunlight

Alarm goes off for no reason - dealer reprograms PCM

Passenger seat does not go as far back as driver's seat

Piston slap from the L76 engine when cold

All of these have multiple reports.

One person said when he steps on the gas he forgets about all the minor irritations. I'm funny that way, I don't like trading $33,000 for irritation.

The G8's interior is very nice overall. It is simply a Holden Commodore rebadged. It is a Holden designed and built interior. The Camaro is not.
Spy shots of the Camaro interior are another reason I'm waiting for it to arrive. But the G8 is always on my mind, it is a fun car to drive.

[Silverado]

You know, you guys are jumping all over me for being disappointed in seemingly a couple minor issues, but a couple things....I had to cut short my visit because of time (I may have found more things or been so impressed that these would be minor issues) and as I mentioned (so did someone else) if I'm paying $30K (maybe more) for something, I shouldn't have to go out and "fix it" right away.

As you can see from the previous post, apparently there are a lot of "issues". I didn't have access to the keys, so I couldn't see the displays, the airbag light, etc). I didn't drive it, so I don't know about brakes, engine noises, etc. I did mention having difficulty finding the seatback adjustment. And, it appears that not only the glovebox and the console lid are done cheaply, but so is the turn signal stalk. So what else is there? I don't know, maybe nothing, maybe a lot....I'd need more seat time to find out for myself.

I'm not saying that the car is junk. I'm saying I'm disappointed that the details were better executed.

[MerF]

Oh man, a lot of the stuff Camaro5 mentioned in his review-summary reminds me too much of the fiance's G6 GT. Random alarms, etc...I'd put 10:1 odds that the clock resets itself to random times occasionally, too. Dunno why Pontiac can't get a PCM/ECU to work correctly.