Chevrolet SS is reminder GM no longer does cheap go-fast for the family

"DCCARGEEK" (dccargeek) 12/14/2013 at 15:44 • Filed to: None

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"The most powerful car under 30 grand" says the announcer. For $29,995 you got a car with endless rear-leg room, projector headlights, leather and a pushrod V8 that would propel you to 60 in five seconds flat. It wasn't a earth shattering level of performance nor would the mid 90's decorated interior impressed most buyers...but good god was it a performance deal.

My wife owned a G8 GT. It was not a stock car. Heads, cam, headers, a 2800 stall; it was a beast of a car and she loved it. Unfortunately it was too loud for our new baby so she sold it and we bought an IS-F.

Here is a quick start-up video of the G8. I still keep up with car and email the owner every now and then.

I'm not here to reminiscence the demise of Pontiac, but rather to ask what has filled the void of cars like the G8 GT in terms of practical, performance and price point.

When you look at the URL for the Dodge Charger it says, "2014 Dodge Charger - Full Size Sedan with a HEMI Engine." It would appear that Dodge is the last bastion in the land of performance sedans that I would consider affordable.

I started to think about all this after !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , a car that in many ways replaces the G8, both in offering and Country of Origin. But the SS costs $14,000 more than the G8 GT putting it far out of reach of many buyers. Yet the performance is identical, 0-60 in 5 seconds.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Think about that. Five years after the G8 GT was launched Chevy brings over an almost similar car with almost identical performance numbers and charges you $14,000 more for it. Talk about "Bend over performance buyer."

I don't want this to turn into a Best Performance Car Under $30K discussion, but I have to ask – was the G8 GT the last of it's breed from General Motors? Has GM walked away from the family performance buyer that isn't SS-rich?

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 16:02

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The SS is more on par with the G8 GXP. That was an easy 41k with a manual. Add a bit more for an auto. I say the price of the SS is what you would expect the G8 GXP to be after 4 years.

Now, consider the Camaro. I wanted a 2002 SS so bad when I was in high school. That was about 34k back then if I remember. Well, when I graduated college I (maybe less than wisely) bought a 2010 SS. You got a vastly improved car all around. For 2 grand more after 8 years.

PS9 > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 16:04

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Has GM walked away from the family performance buyer that isn't SS-rich?

Yes. But we started it.

The reason the Caprice (non-australian version) and it's kin went away was because sales of those cars took a dive. Here's the ugly reality us jalops are going to have to face; Toyota will sell tons more fully loaded v6 FWD Camrys then GM could ever hope to sell G8s and SSs combined, for roughly the same money. At $30k - and it's hard to admit it, but... - we don't want V8 RWD performance from a 'rubbish' marque anymore. And I do say 'rubbish' as affectionately as possible.

The muscle cars are around, sure. But only stripper models can be had for $30k. Most can be optioned out to $40k. Expect that to go away too after the new mustang intro's three engine options in the US instead of the usual two.

It was absurd to think any car, no matter how good it was or wasn't, was capable of turning around decades of shitty reputation for Pontiac. But the G8 didn't sell, so it is what it is. If people are only willing to buy your $30k RWD V8 sedan in limited numbers, you may as well charge a good premium for it.

DCCARGEEK > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/14/2013 at 16:06

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Has is it more on par with the GXP?

Sn210 > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 16:08

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Interesting thought. The SS is kind of essentially a second gen or face-lift G8... 5 years later... I don't think that warrants a $15k hike. Side note: did your wife enjoy her G8? I'm considering one for my next car. Anything I should look out for?

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 16:11

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The G8 GT was a 360hp 6 liter. The GXP, like the SS, was a 415hp 6.2 liter.

DCCARGEEK > PS9 12/14/2013 at 16:19

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Some of that had to do with the fuel economy concerns, but I think your notion of 'rubbish' has more to do with it.

I live in a fantasy world where you can get a new CTS base car with an optional V8.

DCCARGEEK > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/14/2013 at 16:21

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Engine output is one thing, I was speaking more in terms of performance. If the SS has the same 0-60 times as the G8 GT then cubic inches don't really matter.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 16:24

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There's more to it than 0-60 times. The GXP got upgraded brakes, suspension, seats, wheels... The SS is practically a GXP successor.

DCCARGEEK > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/14/2013 at 16:29

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Ok. The SS is priced perfectly.

dal20402 > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 17:04

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Don't take that factory 5.0 second time too seriously. Car and Driver got a 4.4 from the SS, which is a better time than they ever got out of any G8 GXP. MT got 4.9, but said that was under severely traction-challenged conditions and they were launching almost from idle.

CAFE doesn't allow makers to sell 14 mpg cars in high volumes. That's why the SS only comes loaded.

dal20402 > Sn210 12/14/2013 at 17:07

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The difference between the SS and the G8 is that the SS only comes loaded. The reason is CAFE. The SS (and V8 G8s) gets absolute shit fuel mileage, so it can't be sold in high volume.

The SS price is just about what you'd expect for a G8 GXP + nav + 5 years of inflation.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > dal20402 12/14/2013 at 17:13

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Came here to say the exact same thing- F CAFE.

DCCARGEEK > dal20402 12/14/2013 at 17:14

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Thanks for the additional times. I agree, CAFE is a PITA and while we want to raise our fists at it, the data shows cars are more fuel efficient and faster than they've ever been.

The sound of a V8 is unmatched even if a twin turbo six can out perform it.

Dugg-117 > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 17:14

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Aspect Ratio. that is all.

Racescort666 > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 17:16

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The other thing is the ridiculous perception American car buyers have that RWD is bad in the winter.

KillerBee > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 17:25

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Ford does still make a Taurus SHO.

http://www.ford.com/cars/taurus/tr…

$40k MSRP, 0-60 in 5.1 seconds, seats 4 comfortably (probably 6 if you've got kids and aren't a seat belt nanny). Sounds like a performance family sedan to me. And, frankly, better looking than the SS if you ask me.

dal20402 > Sn210 12/14/2013 at 17:37

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Ignored the second part of your post. I'm a G8 owner. They are very durable cars with just a couple of weak spots. Check out the front suspension carefully — the lower control arms are fragile. Prepare to budget for replacements if you hear any clunking or other front-end noise. Look for play in the plastic panel below the driver's seat cushion — those often crack, particularly when the primary driver is heavier. Make sure the climate control/radio unit is working correctly; sometimes they go on the fritz. And, of course, look for signs of abuse; many of the cars have been used hard.

JoeMechanical > KillerBee 12/14/2013 at 17:38

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The SHO is a POS. Horrible build quality. Horrible interior. Massive beyond belief. Heavy. FWD biased. It's quick, for sure. But it is not a performance sedan.

Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 17:44

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Unfortunately it was too loud for our new baby so she sold it and we bought an IS-F.

You couldn't find quieter mufflers?

Bubs > KillerBee 12/14/2013 at 17:47

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I've driven the latest SHO and it's an excellent car. Even as someone who hates automatic transmissions, I loved driving it.

BeaterGT > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 17:51

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You brought up some really good points and I think you're right. We're losing a little bit more each year. Sorry you had to get rid of the car, hopefully you still have that C6.

DakirSmith > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 18:02

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The problems with the SS are price, no manual, it looks weak (carryover G8/or 1992 GM boring take your pick) and the name. SS isn't a car it's a package on other things. I have no idea what GM is thinking.

Sn210 > dal20402 12/14/2013 at 18:03

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Awesome feedback, thanks!

Thisnewformatisrubbish > KillerBee 12/14/2013 at 18:09

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Wrong wheel drive.

Thisnewformatisrubbish > DakirSmith 12/14/2013 at 18:10

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Maybe the new CEO will pull the collective head out of GMs ass.

dal20402 > KillerBee 12/14/2013 at 18:12

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At $35k, the Taurus SHO would be very tempting.

At $40k (or $45k loaded), I'd rather have the better chassis and interior of the SS.

dup0ntcircle > Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter 12/14/2013 at 18:17

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What he meant to say is they're adults with children now, and adults don't drive shitty Pontiacs — they drive imported cars like sophisticates. And I'm sure he sold it for a pretty penny as G8 GT's have tremendous resale value.

GhostZ > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 18:18

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G8 GT MSRP in 2013 Dollars: $32,536

HP/Weight = . 0914 HP/lb

SS MSRP in 2013 Dollars: $44,470

HP/Weight: .1044 HP/lb ( weight is 3975, off Chevy website)

So price is 37% worse , while HP/Weight is 14% better.

So yes, agreed. The SS is much more expensive for the performance than the G8 was, and you have a good case here.

EDIT: And the G8 GXP:

MSRP in 2013 Dollars: $43,538

HP/lbs: .1031 (weight is 4023 lbs)

Which puts the SS at 2.14% more expensive and 1.26% better power to weight ratio.

west-coaster > PS9 12/14/2013 at 18:19

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And to further your thought. Do you know why the prior generation of V8 RWD cars (Caprice, Impala SS, Roadmaster, Fleetwood) were killed off in 1996?

So GM could convert its Arlington, Texas assembly plant to build more Suburbans, Tahoes and Yukons. "We" were going crazy for big body-on-frame SUVs when gas was around $1.50 a gallon.

Would General Motors have kept those large cars going, a la the Ford Panther, and evovled them? Who knows. But imagine the interiors, engines and build quality found in those Texas-built full-size SUVs of today, but in a large sedan instead.

Schmitty > KillerBee 12/14/2013 at 18:21

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enjoy the muted v6 vacuum cleaner noise while the SS and SRT8 buyers get to enjoy the naturally aspriated V8 symphony. :)

west-coaster > KillerBee 12/14/2013 at 18:23

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Yes, they do, but what a yawn of a car.

Boring looks (barely distinguishable from other high-trim Taurii), no snarl to the exhaust system, and a generally "meh" feeling to the whole car.

Plus, transverse V6. Supercharged or not, 365 horsepower or whatever, it still isn't a V8 driving the rear wheels and making V8 noises.

LTIROCKS > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/14/2013 at 18:27

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It basically IS a GXP!

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2009-p…

The only real difference is that that the SS is based on a "revised version" of the same platform.

The mainstream press keeps going along with the GM propaganda that the SS is an all new car, when in fact it is not.

21 MPG highway for a car of this size and power simply isn't competitive in late 2013. The SS should have used a "revised" version of the new Corvette's LT1, along with the new 8 speed automatic. Period.

And as a GM shareholder, I'm disappointed they didn't.

PolestarBlue > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 18:35

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what if this gets made?

Katsumoto > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 18:37

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I think Chevy is trying to be so much like the foreign makers, but there's a few executives that are holding out for the old days of GM. Everything they sell, cannot go without mentioning some kind of fuel efficiency over so and so foreign car. Every Chevy commercial is basically:

It's INTRODUCING The CHEVY Fuckwesuck , 1 billion mpg starting at 16k. End commercial.

Meanwhile, Dodge is advertising about your crazy uncle who gave you fireworks for your birthday, listens to metal at 100 volume, and does burnouts in the desert with a V8 Challenger/Charger.

Ford is only making commercials about their trucks being better than everyone else's, so while they play with their tiny dick about my F350 has 600 torque, Chevy is saying MPG, Dodge is like, I got a V8 and RWD and some 80's hairbands, you in?

GhostZ > KillerBee 12/14/2013 at 18:37

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It all comes down to how much you care about interior, HP numbers, and drivetrain. The SHO isn't RWD, and the SS may be getting a Manual if sales are good.

472CID > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 18:40

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That G8 sounds bitchin' and it's your wife's car? nice.

2007mcs > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/14/2013 at 18:42

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Full loaded with a mark up maybe. A base z28 was around 23k..ss package was around 3.5k. You could have a ss for 26.5k that is waaaaay below what you can get a base v8 camaro for nowadays.

This chevy ss is 10k too high and lacking a 3rd pedal.

Jared Glentz > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 18:48

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im sorry but the ''too loud for the baby'' is one of the most bullshit things i ever heard...

1. the little fart can deal with it for as he's gonna cry about one thing or another.

2. put ear muffs on him

3. put really quite mufflers on the car

QQXQXL123 > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 19:02

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One thing that has to be borne in mind is that the Australian Dollar has appreciated greatly over the US Dollar since 2008. Back of an envelope calculations suggest that if nothing else had changed at all apart from the exchange rate, a 2013 G8 would cost $40,000.

The only hope is that GM decide to ship the tooling to the USA after they close the shutters at Holden.

SVTRaptor > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 19:04

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I've said this before, but the SS fails the 'used German sedan litmus test'.

For the price of a new SS, I can buy a lightly used BMW 550i (or even xi for snowbelt folks). I can also buy a Merc E550, and possibily even a Jag or Cadillac CTS-V.

Any one of these luxury rocket-ships will roast the SS, and will cost about the same to buy... Operating and insurance costs may be a bit higher, but who keeps cars like this for long nowadays anyway?

I've waited for the SS for a long time, hoping it would arrive with (A) a manual, (B) the LT1 motor (thought the LS3 aint bad), and (C) a sticker price around $35k. None of these came to pass, so I'll likely buy a used luxury sedan. Or I'll wait for the new CTS V-Sport, cause THAT car looks AMAZING.

Swing-and-a-miss GM. Better luck next time.

TheContradiktion > Jared Glentz 12/14/2013 at 19:12

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Yeah, because all good parents:

1) think of their kids as little farts

2) put ear muffs on them which can disorient and confuse a child

3) OK, that one was a good suggestion, but really 1 and 2 were bordering on offensive

Blizz > dal20402 12/14/2013 at 19:23

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Better chassis? Probably. But a GM with a better interior than a Ford? I laugh. Unless they put a Cadillac interior in the SS, I find this statement hard to believe. It's hard to make a judgement from Jpegs on the internets.

dal20402 > Blizz 12/14/2013 at 19:47

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Judge for yourself. I think the materials in the SS are clearly a cut above those in the Taurus, and it also has better feature content. This isn't your 2005 Malibu interior.

RiddldedTomcat > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 20:02

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Still too much money. Can't afford it.

Free Market Party Company > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 20:02

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For one thing, the definition of "performance" has changed. In 1985, if your car could beat 10 seconds in a 0-60 you were doing great. Now? MOST cars can do it in 8 and many mainstream cars can do it in less. My 2010 Kia Forte Koup could take a mid-80s Supra, and in current dollars it's maybe half the price.

When you add in considerations like insurance, some people deliberately avoid overt performance nameplates.

G8GT364 > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/14/2013 at 20:07

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I thought everyone knew the 0-60 in 5 seconds was like BMW saying the 335i has 300 hp? On a side note, how great is it that we look down upon 0-60 in five seconds? We are truly living in the golden age of performance.

aquila121 > Jared Glentz 12/14/2013 at 20:34

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Teach the kid to love the sound (and going fast)—just look at Torch's kid in the "Will it baby?" segments.

Atomic Buffalo > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 20:56

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"My wife owned a G8 GT. It was not a stock car. Heads, cam, headers, a 2800 stall; it was a beast of a car and she loved it. Unfortunately it was too loud for our new baby so she sold it and we bought an IS-F."

*facepalm*

Put the stock mufflers back on.

Do you see the irony of this statement in the context of "GM doesn't build family performance cars anymore?"

1. You bought a family performance car.

2. You Jalop'd the family right out of it.

3. You sold out for a much more expensive foreign performance sedan.

And you wonder why GM doesn't build affordable performance anymore.

BTW, don't blame the baby for getting rid of your sweet Pontiac. That decision is entirely on you. When your kid grows older they don't need that kind of guilt.

BJDonnellan > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 21:06

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the ss does come standard with every single option so it probably could come in cheaper is gm wanted to sell more by offering more variants.

MMinSC > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 21:30

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The local Constabulary has the special service version, and they are DAMN fast. I tried to accelerate away from a light with one, and he pulled me HARD without a whole lot of effort.

Oldstyle81 > DCCARGEEK 12/14/2013 at 21:32

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The SS is practically the G8 GXP, the GT came with L98 v8 IIRC and the GXP came with the LS3. I personally believe that we should be getting HSV versions instead of regular old Holden's.

jpaulus > Atomic Buffalo 12/14/2013 at 21:40

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Yea.. The IS F blows away that piece of shit Pontiac. Oops does that hurt ?

Gloff > jpaulus 12/14/2013 at 21:43

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Argument invalid, you for got to cite your sources.

syaieya > Free Market Party Company 12/14/2013 at 21:57

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Really the biggest leaps in the "Performance" Segment have only really hit home in the last 6 or 7 years.

If you look at the early 00's, it was still reasonable to have a 300 horsepower car and have that considered big power. Even the "sport" models were ringing in at less than 200. The fast cars of the 80's were still somewhat competitive.

But since then, it seems like 400 is the benchmark and every other camry sold it seems has the 270 horsepower V6. This makes old sports cars seem like a joke in the speed category.

This didn't hit me until I realized that most entry level cars could now be a ringer for the old Cosworth 190E that came stateside.

Lawyer_Applegate > GhostZ 12/14/2013 at 22:12

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That song made my colon writhe.

Not in a good way, either.

Phathead > Sn210 12/14/2013 at 22:43

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I bought my GT back in April and it's the nicest daily driver I've ever had. The fuel milage on the freeway, I think, is surprisingly good for as big of an engine as it has.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > 2007mcs 12/14/2013 at 23:24

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I may have been pricing out a 35th anniversary. For some reason 34k-ish is sticking in my head.

But even so, in 2002 the Z28 had 310hp for 23k. Ten years later, the current V6 puts out the same power for the same price (though the acceleration isn't quite there). Plus better suspension, better quality, and more features in terms of toys and safety. The current SS is still about the same price as the GTO of 2006.

PardonMyFlemish16 > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 00:06

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There are plenty of choices if a V8 is not a requirement. Cheap V8 cars of any kind have been pretty rare. Mustang, Camaro, rebadged Vauxhall, Chrysler LX. But yea, something like a WRX, especially with mods, would pretty much wipe the floor with an SS and not be much less practical if at all.

Prophet of hoon > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 00:26

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Welcome to two things:

1) the GM promise to the UAW that they would build the car which replaced the Chevelle RWD platform

2) the high Australian dollar - the 14k difference is almost exclusively caused by that.... kind of informs on why GM is shuttering Holden.

evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) > PS9 12/15/2013 at 00:31

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Maybe for now, but we've also seen many indications that they will offer cheap performance models in the future. For example the Code 130R and rumored Grand National on the ATS platform. I also wouldn't rule out a Sonic/Cruze that's a real Fiesta/Focus ST competitor, and I'm sure the next Camaro will be lighter and more refined like the new Stang.

sadfasdf > syaieya 12/15/2013 at 00:48

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The cars of the 80s and 90s had enough power. The cars of the early 2000s had more than enough, now it's getting ridiculous. I am a fan of Mazda's approach, keep power more or less frozen, and focus on weight and fuel efficiency. It's way past due.

syaieya > sadfasdf 12/15/2013 at 01:16

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Well, the later 80s. The early 80's were generally sad, especially in the diesel department. But that being said, I have never thought to myself "I need more than 200 horsepower for my daily driving today"

And that's even in a weighted down E class. Mazda's approach is wonderful. Even as a fan of Mercedes I will sing Mazda's praises to anyone who asks my opinion.

Nate B > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 01:25

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I think this car is proof that Chevy is about five years behind everyone else on their styling. This car has no sex appeal to me whatsoever.

PS9 > evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) 12/15/2013 at 01:32

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It's more than 'for now'. It's a permanent decades long trend that isn't going anywhere. How many RWD V8 four door cars does america sell? Charger, 300 , CTS-V, SS and...that's it. Lower the price to $30k, and you lower your options to either zero or the used market. It's an incredibly tiny market, and it has spoken; no luxury badge, no sale. Muscle cars are the only exception, and even those are slowly but surely migrating their V8 options to the $40k bracket.

I'm taking that ATS rumor with a salt mine. There's been no noise at all on the horizon about a possible switch to RWD for the Regal. Even if it does happen, 1) Won't be availible at $30k, 2) definitely won't come with a V8.

GrauGeist > Jared Glentz 12/15/2013 at 01:45

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@Jared - that's a pretty stupid and ignorant thing to day. The facts is that children and adults actually process a fixed decibel level of sound very differently, owing primarily to age-based hearing loss, which may be further exacerbated by hearing damage. What an adult perceives as merely "loud" may actually be causing physical pain in a child, you stupid fuck.

sadfasdf > syaieya 12/15/2013 at 01:45

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Most people aren't even coming close to using what they have in older cars, let alone new ones. Might as well design a car around what people actually do with it.

Free Market Party Company > sadfasdf 12/15/2013 at 02:37

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I think that's actually what's happening, and the public's expectations are changing too. It used to be, driving a certain form-factor of vehicle meant something. If you saw a dude in a Trans Am, you knew to stay out of his way. Now? The Volvo-driving soccer mom might just be able to whip his ass.

My point is that having an overtly performance-oriented vehicle is more looks than anything else these days. If people are getting enough of a rush from their Camry, why do they need a Celica anymore, exactly?

(PS, I'm deliberately exaggerating and overgeneralizing. I LOVE sporty-looking cars, but these days people are getting just as much rush from their family haulers that they used to get in their buddy's hot rod... the market is shrinking as a result)

Pockets > SVTRaptor 12/15/2013 at 02:49

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Yeah, but Used vs. New isn't exactly a fair fight; otherwise you end up with "Hey I'm thinking of buying a new Focus ST?" "What?! You could buy a BMW M5 AND a Jaguar XKR for that!"..."Subaru BRZ?" "Nah, Porsche 911!" ... "What about a new Fiesta?" "You could get three Alfa Romeos and two MX5s for that!" and then nobody can have nice things because there's not a supply of anything but BMW 120Ds and the like.It's a decision that people buying a car have to make, but it's not one that can ever have the new car being a value-for-money offering.

JustWaitingForAMate > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 02:57

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Unfortunately it was too loud for our new baby so she sold it and we bought an IS-F.

Funny story, my mate's V8 VE was a sure fire way to get the kid to go to sleep. If she was crying he'd put her in it, take her around the block and she'd be out by the time he got back.

Ed Gifford > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 03:21

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Think about that. Five years after the G8 GT was launched Chevy brings over an almost similar car with almost identical performance numbers and charges you $14,000 more for it. Talk about "Bend over performance buyer."

I think the world is finally realizing that buying a new car is no longer the smart thing to do, making new cars a luxury more than a need. Think about it...and performance sedan that is 5-10 yrs old is nearly as reliable as a new performance sedan...BUT...can be had at a fraction of a price. Add to that all the new environmental and safety requirements and you get a rapidly increasing price. Remember when you could get and econobox for 10k a few years ago...well now they run 13-16k. Nothing new here...move along.

Atomic Buffalo > jpaulus 12/15/2013 at 03:22

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Only thing that hurts here is watching you completely miss the point.

Ed Gifford > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2013 at 03:27

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Why would you compare a compact sedan to a full sized sedan in all out performance?

R W > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 04:09

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If you bought an isf, you are not qualified to write this article.

StoneColdSteveUrkel > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 06:03

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The baby didn't like the sound of the V8?
Time to consider new baby.

Joking. Or am I?

covers86 > dal20402 12/15/2013 at 06:09

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That interior is off a 2010 SHO, 2013 is here for comparison's sake:

ZeeeeCar > Jared Glentz 12/15/2013 at 06:22

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New exhaust, 2 layers of Raam Mat, problem solved.

sadfasdf > dal20402 12/15/2013 at 06:39

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That alone shouldn't stop them from selling a detuned version that gets better fuel economy.

sadfasdf > Free Market Party Company 12/15/2013 at 06:44

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It's also easier for grandma to picture herself behind the wheel of the Camry than the Celico or the Volvo vs. the Trans Am. I always suspected that was why the Mustang persisted when the Camaro went away in 03. The Mustang's looks weren't nearly as radical.

Omnislash79 > KillerBee 12/15/2013 at 07:35

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John Ross > Jared Glentz 12/15/2013 at 08:32

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I read that too and went WTF? Did the guy have open headers on his G8? I had a 1966 427/425 corvette that was NOT stock: Ported heads, roller cam, headers, low restriction mufflers, and it emitted an awesome rumble. Whenever I took my baby daughter anywhere in it, she was asleep practically before we got out of the driveway. That big block was apparently one giant reassuring heartbeat for her. I kept the car until she was 14 years old, and she loved riding in it. I used to tease her that she couldn't have had much fun it it before age 7 or so, because she was never awake...

2007mcs > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/15/2013 at 08:36

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Gto didnt sell because of price. If you read bob lutz book, the original business plan for the gto was to bring it here and sell it for 25k. If the msrp was 25k like originally planned...it would have sold unbelievably well.

I only say this because the gto and ss are being sold to my demographic. I can afford it, I like it (beside it lacking a 3rd pedal which is a nono for me)....but I feel it costs too much so I wont touch it. For that price I could get a cpo ctsv. I just dont like spending that much on a depreciating asset. So I will avoid it.

On the flip side... if it cost 35k and had a 3rd pedal...I would have been waiting in line

nandodiaz82 > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 09:01

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So the answer is clear,U want a Chevy SS? Buy a Pontiac G8 GXP, It's cheaper,better looking and as a manual ....

FERNO > jpaulus 12/15/2013 at 09:20

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Overpriced piece of shit Pontiac.

FTFY.

Hedgehog in the Fog > GrauGeist 12/15/2013 at 10:09

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Doctors, scientists and industrial hygienists would disagree with you on that point...

KillerBee > Omnislash79 12/15/2013 at 10:19

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I see what you did there. Sho' nuff I did.

PardonMyFlemish16 > Ed Gifford 12/15/2013 at 10:21

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Because the only criterion for the author's dream car is a fast family car under $30K. There are plenty of those.

AkumaZeto > Atomic Buffalo 12/15/2013 at 10:23

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Ha, who knew the ISF had fan boys? My favorite thing to do is compare cars in completely different pricing brackets.

Illegal Machine > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 11:01

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I'm sure the SS's performance is mildly better (and will have a better aftermarket, because Chevy), but I can't fathom giving up my 300 SRT for one of those.

mechanicsc > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 11:02

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I think you are also neglecting the change in Australian $ to US $ exchange rates over the last few years making Australian-built cars far more expensive. In 2009, the US dollar fell like a rock against the Australian dollar & hasn't recovered much.

If GM hadn't killed Pontiac the G8 would have had to have been a LOT more expensive to keep from losing money on them just due to exchange rate differences. I think this is the primary reason you see $44k Chevy SS, and the reason GM only brings them over totally loaded (so customers won't feel like $44k is a ripoff).

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > 2007mcs 12/15/2013 at 12:09

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I was referring to the Camaro SS in the last sentence. But you're right. Knock 20% off any car's price and it will sell unbelievably well. I'm sure GM had a reason for the price they set for the Aussie imports. I don't think they honestly said "Hey let's charge way too much so these things don't sell."

GrauGeist > Hedgehog in the Fog 12/15/2013 at 12:34

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Oh, you're pretending to know something here? How cute.

2007mcs > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/15/2013 at 12:55

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Its in the book. The aussies currency went up...so the price had to go up or else they would've taken a huge loss on them...thats why the price went from 25 to 32 or 33.

Barry > jpaulus 12/15/2013 at 13:35

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I bought an '08 IS-F and briefly cross-shopped the G8 GXP along with all the usual suspects (M3 etc) because of the value proposition. There's no way you can objectively classify the G8 as a "piece of shit". Did it have what I was looking for? No, but performance and build quality weren't two of its sore points.

BigGatorChris > GrauGeist 12/15/2013 at 15:17

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You're calling someone a "stupid fuck" for suggesting he buy better mufflers?

Yeah, he's the hydroencephalitic one here.

GrauGeist > BigGatorChris 12/15/2013 at 16:26

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No, I'm bagging on idiot boy because he suggests that loudness isn't a legitimate complaint for a child, when that complaint may very well be rooted in actual physical pain, given the actual physiological differences between children and adults.

But it appears you lack the basic reading comprehension for that...

DntPnc > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 16:38

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Didn't I hear rumors of a gm rwd front engine, that would compete with the subiyota? What ever happened to that?

Omnislash79 > KillerBee 12/15/2013 at 16:59

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LOL , it was a reach. I was not sure people would remember the movie ^_^

Rollo75 > DCCARGEEK 12/15/2013 at 18:53

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"Chevy brings over an almost similar car"

No. General Motors brought over THE SAME CAR. It's still the Holden Commodore and like the G8 before it, GM fears Australia; so killed it.

I think that this is the final admission that America builds shite cars and that the only way to stop Australians proving that they can and do do better, was to kill the Australian motor industry.

Every way you slice it, the Commodore was better than every car produced in America, hands down and that's not hyperbole.

Copperbottoms > DCCARGEEK 12/16/2013 at 00:26

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This is a sad state of affairs, especially since this sets a new bar for those of us who like to buy a few years used :(


For cripe's sake jalop, learn how to apostrophe. You only write for a damn living. 3rd error in as many posts tonight.

mrroo > DCCARGEEK 12/16/2013 at 08:10

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I own and LOVE my G8! Even with full mods you can keep them quiet. You sold it cause its to loud? Sounds like your wife had you by the balls and didnt give them back. The G8 is is a perfect family car. I have two car seats in the back of mine. Perfect ultimate sleeper is how mine is.