2009 Pontiac G8 GT Review - The LAST *GREAT* Pontiac! 

Before Pontiac was discontinued they were gonna announce a pick up truck version of the car called the G8 ST based on the Holden Ute which would've been the spiritual successor to the El Camino.

I'd take one of these over any of the mopar equivalents any day off the week.

Blaupunkt is a German company that makes stereos. They mate the head unit for the g8. They make head units for German cars like Porsche. Blaupunkt is German for blue point

I used to sell Pontiac's back in 2008-09. The G8 GT (and Vibe GT's) were fun cars. The G8 GT had great looks and great styling. The car was a total blast to drive. GM screwed up when they killed Pontiac.

"American sedan" Bruh you insult me as an Australian Holden fanatic.

I bought my 2009 Pontiac G8 GT brand new in 2009! I have a little over 80,000 miles on it and love driving it today as much as the day I bought it. I have modified the 6.0 liter V8 some by removing the DOD active fuel management, adding a high performance cam, Magnuson 2300 Supercharger, dual fuel pumps, Bosch Injector Dynamics 1050 fuel injectors, Rotofab Cold Air Intake, 3 inch long tube headers with stainless steel exhaust and X-pipe, E85 fuel system conversion. It has been dyno tuned and makes 715 HP and 650 FTLB Torque on E85. I will never part with this car!

Definitely an understated ride. To the uninitiated, it could easily blend into traffic with all of the 4 cylinder and V6 Camrys, Accords, Tauruses of the day and other mundane, generic FWD sedans. Especially in an inoffensive color like white or gray. Until you hit the gas pedal.

Every time Zac says “American” when it’s an Aussie car 💀

Super clean G8. The owner should be proud. Glad you were finally able to review one.

These came out at a bad time. It's a shame because they were good sport sedans and still have a following today. They were cut short by GM shutting down Pontiac and the recession. GM does it all the time where just when they perfect a car, they kill it. GM didn't actually want to sell the SS, as part of the contract for Holden to build the Caprice PPV they also had to import 12k SSs so they didn't bother to advertise them. There's at least one company that imports Holden ute and wagon bodies to convert these. One guy actually got his registered as a Holden Ute in his home state. The Commodore/Caprice were sold under various badges as LHD in the Middle East so that's another reason for the central window switches. Look at a Caprice PPV and you'll see the same fender bulges. The bubble-wagon Taurus and Sable were good cars. I miss my fully-loaded 4th gen sometimes. Slow, not that well put together or reliable, ugly, but comfortable and tons of room.

Holden Commodore, Vauxhall VXR8, Pontiac G8

The last great car pontiac made? Pontiac never made them in the first place as they were made by Holden in Australia.

Another cool feature is the stealth mode interior lights. Push both buttons at the same time on top of headlight switch and kills all the interior lights except spedo

Holden Commodore from 1978 used to put the power windows there, so probably a continuation. The mirror switch has gone through a few locations over time. Early Commodores with electric mirrors had them in a panel under the steering column.

This car was based on the Australian Holden Commodore which the Chevy SS was also based on. The GTO was based on the Holden Monaro which why this car reminded you of that

Blaupunkt is the company that made the audio system for this car

Excellent review! remote start and heated seats are a real life saver in the cold 🥶

6:28 I've driven that bubble wagon taurus in 2004. Not sure if it was a factory option, but it had "purple" paint that color changed in the light and has the touchiest accelerator I've ever used. The thing was shockingly punchy for what it was, I liked the car!

Still in Love with my g8 after almost 4 years of owning it now, nice review, there’s one big down fall with these cars that you didn’t mention, it’s the dod (displacement on demand) it loves to kill these engines and with out a “DOD delete kit” your kind of on the fences with it, but after you do a full dod delete you got yourself a great reliable car!

FINALLY A TRUE REVEIW ON THIS CAR! Really wish we had a driving clip

Man I can not believe this Millenal doesn’t know what Blupaunkt systems are.

Mine was destroyed by an epic hail storm that shattered the rear and side windows when I was at work, and subsequent rain damage to the interior that destroyed my electrical system. I loved that car. I miss it. I had a red g8 gt with red interior. It was a special car.

Back in 2010 i tested this car at a dealer and fell in love with it.someone ended up buying it the next day before I had chance, couldn’t find another for many miles from me.I ended up buying a 300srt8 which I enjoyed very much but I always wanted one of these

I love the fail musical note💜🎵

That gauge screen still looks better than the one I have in my 2020 Jetta GLI S, and this one even tells the tire pressure.

Lol the “this is actually an Australian car” comments got me dying

Just picked up a g8 gt a couple months back and its a blast to drive. And what i love about it the most its very underrated and stands out. I didnt want to get what every person has on the road

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THE HOLDEN COMMODORE!?! WHAT DID YOU DO!?!

Back up camera was a dealer option. Very rare to find a G8 with one. Also a 2 way keyless remote with small LCD screen was available as a dealer option.

Knowing of Holden Australia's reputation for fast, muscle coupes and sedans, I purchased a G8 GT new in 2009. I totaled it about 5 years later, so I found an exact copy 1,800 miles away, and bought it. I loved everything about it; the speed, the incredible room, even the gas mileage (averaged 25 mpg on a cross country trip loaded down with people and luggage). Perhaps the best part of owning one of these was, it was....RARE! It was not unusual to get a 'thumbs up' from someone on the road. In fact, that happened twice during the 45 minute drive to a Kia dealer to trade it in to get my wife a new SUV. She looked really guilty when this happened, because she knew I was trading my "Baby" for her. So now, she's gone, and my baby's gone too. But I still have all the fond memories; of the G8 GT that is.🤣

I have a 08 G6 gxp street edition and it's amazing I love this car and I hope to get my hands on a G8 gxp some day

I love these vids man

Can't stand GMs for the most part, but these G8's make me sloppy wet. They sound sick with aftermarket exhaust.

Hey Millenial, that is a made in Australia sedan. They just imported it and put Pontiac or Chevy name on it.

Picked one up a month ago. Excellent car but the 6.0 in the G8 is ridiculously quiet for a V8. First thing I did was install an axle-back exhaust and it really helps the car come alive.

My current daily is a 09 Liquid Red GT with a 6.2 LS3, full bolt on and TSP Cam. I love the car

I love the Pontiac G8 so much. It is a very cool car to me. If I could find one for myself, heck yeah I would so get one. But one thing that is true is that General Motors actually canceled the G8 because in 2010 they got bankrupt so that's why they canceled Pontiac. I still kinda wish that Pontiac still existed because then there would be a bunch of Pontiacs that people can see and also get a chance to have one. In my opinion I think the Pontiac G8 and the Dodge Charger are in some way similar and also competitors. I really miss the G8. Very interesting Car but very good car for a lot of stuff.

One of my dream cars too get only time will tell🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 messed with the vid heavy🤙🏽

How’s the headliner in this one?

Wished i knew it had center window switches, I would've bought one. The saturn had them, and I actually liked them.

The back seat brings back memories of your former Pontiac G6? Nice! We'd love to hear more about that, but I guess you need to keep the vids G-rated. 🤣

bro i have never seen the stock stereo set up only all aftermarket smh that stock system is where it’s at its beautiful

It's not American, it's Australian and prior that it's an Opel

Gone but not forgotten

The center console... Push the button at the top and the whole middle section folds down. Has a cup holder that might pass the BFC test.

It's not very basic GM at all. It's very basic Holden. Not even the engine is shared with any other GM car. The L 76 in this configuration is unique to the G8.

I bought my Pontiac brand new in 2009 and still drive it today. I tell everyone who asks that the pedigree is Australian/New Zealand from Holden. It’s surprising how many people never heard of Holden. They kept making Holden vehicles for years after Pontiac was shut down.

Fun fact: the V6 base version has red taillights. V8 versions have the clear ones like this

This car is proof us Australians do know what we’re doing.

“American sedans, American Sedans” and it’s a captive import from Australia rebadge Holden Commodore.

Chevy SS is not a spiritual successor to G8, the SS is the same car with different brand badge and updated front/rear facia.

GM screwed over Pontiac so much when it came to this car. For one thing, the v6 in the base car was destined so it had FIFTY LESS HP than any other model fitted with that motor. The GXP was detuned compared to the Camaro and Corvette for no reason. They also didn't market the car at all. Its like they were gonna scapegoat Pontiac before the government told them too

God that red and black center console makes me jealous never knew it was an option I have a g8 with the red and black interior and now I’m on the hunt for it

Center console lid has an aftermarket cover and the entire center section of the backseat does flip down and has 2 cup holders and a pass-through to the trunk..

Great review. My family owned an 09, my father sold it around 2014ish after my parents got divorced. Loved that car, still do, think its one of the best looking "affordable" sedans in the past 20 years

The red leather option wasn't very rare. The red leather on the center arm rest is aftermarket.

I was debating on the GXP or the Cadillac CTS-V3 for a while. Got the CTS-V3 but I still want that GXP🤾‍♂️

Don't know if you did this car yet, but you should review a 2013-17 Chevy SS. Their prices stand firm today even tho it was a poor seller for a lack of identity. No one knew what it was in the states; overseas it's a Holden

Blaupunkt… at this point… well, they had a really good ad sometime in the early 2000’s. The one with the stuffed bunny riding on the rear deck of a car with the thumping music.

Still want one of these!

That red console is not a factory option.

Awesome video big big Pontiac fan I'm sure you've seen it but the Chevy SS is the predecessor of the G8 the Holden design continues and the G8 in this videois in awesome condition. Bravo 👏

love Pontiac so much

I really like my G8 GT. I’m currently gathering parts for a cam swap

My cousin has one of these and my other cousin just bought a Charger SRT8. And here I am being the only import guy with a WRX

While you comment about the trunk being large for an American car, it is a Australian car. 100% made in Australia.

I have the basw model and it does have dual zone climate

one of my favorite cars

This car looks better than nearly any new, current car. Just my opinion, but it stands out. Doesn't look like every single other vehicle on the road. Oh well, it is what it is 😒

I have a GT but swapped a 6.2 LS3 in it (not by choice lol) and I still love it. Comfortable cruiser daily on the highway and a rowdy muscle sedan when you step on it. Very underrated cars in my opinion.

12:31 wrong... Pontiac did not make the G8, it was actually Holden in Australia that built them and then exported them to the United states were Pontiac rebranded them.

Only if USA got HSV GTS with LSA V8 either sedan or ute version. As in Australia we do miss our two local hero sedans, utes n wagons even Ford Territory which was base off Falcon sedan.

I always loved these cars!

My man’s tire pressures are all over the map 36psi in front right and 42 in back left! Would be interesting to see his wear pattern on them??!

I own a 2009 G8 GT. Slightly modified. Cam, headers, exhaust, etc. I love it.

i have a g6 coupe for years now and I want a g8 so badly. hard to find a clean low mile one though :(

I always wanted this car, but the ISF came out in 2012 and that changed my mind by a long shot

All the Pontiac G8 GTs were made in Australia by HOLDEN a GM company , so they were imported here for the American cat market , Australia's version was called the Manaro

Thank you to Holden of Australia for this car. But we are begging for the UTE also. What a car/truck.

My buddy has a magnetic grey one. Its a beautiful car. I have a 2005 Phantom Black GTO

Blaupunkt is a German electronics company,famous for their car stereos! This car is a GM Holden,made in Australia,so it isn't American,really. Also sold as a Vauxhall VXR8 in The UK & Ireland.

8:10 I got a Lincoln town car, and we measure its capacity in bodies not cubic feet😆. Also this looks like a really fun car.

Didn't hear holden once in this video. If you know you know I guess.

GM's Aussie Holden subsidiary did not sell enough 'Commodore(s)' rebadged Pontiacs, Vauxhalls, Chevrolets using GMs Global RWD architecture due to high end pricing since all the above were imports from down under. So GM pulled the plug on Holden, Pontiac, Saab and all other brands that were not making them cash.

Love my g8, red is definitely the best color

I got ro impound 1 of these 10 years ago i just thought it was a v6 fwd pontiac. Man was i wrong. I hammered it down and it blew me away. It was supercharged. I just thought it was a v6 that was scary quick

I own one, daily drive it, feels like no matter how many times I drive it, I’ll always get looks or comments about it🙏

Beautiful

It was a great Australian car, VE Commodore 2006 -2012.

To me it looks like a regular Aussie ve ss with a different front bumper.hell Aussies put the g8 front bumpers on them here even the v6 ones.but its still nice to see Aussie built muscle imports in America

Just me being a pedant, but the G8 is a rebadged Holden Commodore from Australia (just like its successor, the Chevy SS), so all the comments about the American sedan and American trunk space are really Australian sedans and trunks. Great video though!

You wete incorrect about the Dual Zone Climate. It was an available option on the base V6. Mine has it.

6.0 v8 - my European mind cannot comprehend!

Gotta hold down the traction control button for 10 sec to get that full stabilitrack off. That with sport shift wakes her up a lil

Halfway through, no mention of the Chevy ss which is the (not just a) facelift of the VE Commodore. The gto was there previous era Commodore, more the catera than g8.

That center console is an after market leather cover.

Reminds me of my first car, an early 2000’s Pontiac Grand Am. GM’s issue was it had an identity crisis with Pontiac. Whereas Chrysler pivoted Dodge into their sports vehicles division, Chevy half assed the same pivot. The Corvette and Camaro were kept in the Chevy family, and god forbid any of the Pontiac cars were faster than those sacred cows.

Gotta love the G8 🥹

Enjoy our Holdens in the US. Mary Barra and her bean counters killed Holden a few years ago, this after taking a huge subsidy to keep the company running from the Australian government and taxpayer. For this reason we will never forgive GM US. Holdens were built tough to put up with bad roads in the outback to the smooth roads in the cities. They are great cars which handle superbly. Holden's engineers were brilliant sorting out handling. P.S. "Blaupunkt" is a German brand which Holden appointed to make the car audio systems. Before that Astor, an Australian brand, made Holden car radios.

Blaupunkt.... Remember that really old movie, where they're on that snow planet, with those walking thingies? How old is this kid? I don't know, I didn't carbon date him. He's on the young side. Just kidding, dude. Love the channel!!!