Cheap in general, or compared to the GTO? I was really hoping that the G8's interior would really nice. Now I'm not so sure.

 

The thing that I find so attractive about the 135, is that while everyone else's sporty cars are getting bigger and heavier - this one is small and light. With a badass motor. And RWD.


Not to open a can of worms, but as the original "ponycars" have grown large and heavy, could this beemer actually be truer to the ponycar formula?

 

Check it out for yourself. Except for that one item I mentioned, I thought it was pretty nice.

 

Yeah that's what I plan on doing. Obviously it will be worlds better than my '02 TA, I was just hoping it would be as good if not better than the GTO's because those are real nice.

 

It absolutely is except for it's price, although given the marque, you could argue (relatively) it's true to the original formula. Hopefully Detroit gets back to that formula before I lose all interest.

 

you can call the 1 series what you want. I think its awkward looking. It has the presence of a clown car. There is no way Id ever buy one over a Camaro SS. And I am someone who likes the 3 series. I just went to their site. 36k for that???

 

Yeah, the front end is alittle goofy looking. But that 135, looks pretty nasty with it's lower ride height and agressive wheel/tire combo.

 

It will solicit potential Camaro customers. GM needs to hurry up.

 

Of course it will. Sure, you'll pay afew thousand more for a 128 or 135 than you would for a Camaro. So those buyers who are stretching themselves in order to get into a basic Camaro, won't be able to pull it off financially.

But many/most Camaro intenders will be within the 1 series $28,000 - $36,000 price range.

 

EXACTLY!

I sat in the G8 at NAIAS and that certainly took some of the luster off the interior and had me questioning how substantial the quality was--at least versus my expectations. I'd still consider it, but I'm curious to see if the Camaro isn't a better put together car overall.

Like Z284ever, I'm also warming to the BMW 1 series. It's just a bit expensive (starting high 20Ks) for the "lightweight" 3300 lbs. That is respectable now, but I remember when 3300 lbs wasn't lightweight, say about 6 years ago. Here's a car there's no argument about weight on: the Smart Fortwo is only 1600 lbs! It is rwd, but I won't mention the 70 hp, problems w/hills, and meager 31/40 mpg (for a car of its size).

Another detail on the G8 (it may be GT-only): The door handles are chrome with body-color inserts. It's kind of hard to pick out as it look like a reflection off the car. By the way, even after seeing it in person I think the bright red isn't the best color for this car. Black certainly is and I think the dark gray of the concept do it more justice.

 

Haven't had the pleasure of seeing the back seat myself, but the Challenger still isn't a "pony car". It's a large coupe.

I made a post of impressions on the VE hen I went to Oz year before last, so I wanted to chime in.

I did find the interior of the VE to not be as good as the GTO was in quality of materials and solidity of construction. In particular, the interior door covers feel a bit cheaper, the console down where your feet are likely to rest against it wasn't as solidly anchored as the GTO's was. the seats, though still outstanding, didn't quite feel as good as the ones in the GTO. The stitching on the seats and trim seemed better in the GTO.

However, that said, the G8 is still a couple of centuries ahead of the Grand Prix in interior fit & finish, and is on par with some the best interiors made in any car from the US (usually residing in Lincolns and Cadillacs).

However, when you compare it to the GTO, it's obvious that GM North America's cost cutters had a hand in taking cost out of the interior of the new VE Holdens over what it must had cost to do the old VY-VZ interiors.

 

Which makes it even more pathetic when you consider Charlie said...

So we have a overweight, extra large coupe with a tiny back seat....?!?!?!?

 

So you have a goofy expensive 1 series that is slightly bigger than the Mini? Not only is the front goofy, the green house reminds me of the Aveo! To each their own but thats not me. Id rather have someone looking for my bowtie on the grille rather than my big red shoes and baloon animals...


335i on the other hand..