By David Clarke

highspeedhijinks

Some folks are fortunate enough in life that money really is no object: you buy what you want, when you want it. The rest of us are left to dream, and it’s the dreamers I’m speaking to right now. With dirt-cheap car prices, massive dealer and manufacturer incentives, Cash for Clunkers, and the credit market finally starting to open up again, right now really is the best time in our generation’s life to buy a new car. So I’m asking you this “what if” question: if you had the money to purchase any realistic new car on the market right now, what would you choose? My vote is for the Pontiac G8 GXP with a six-speed stick–and hey, maybe I can still get one before the remaining inventory of Pontiacs dries up.

How about you? What new car do you have your eye on?

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Citing an informed and confidential source within GM’s executive ranks, Automotive Traveler has confirmed that not only will Pontiac’s highly regarded G8 sedan migrate to the Chevrolet brand, but it will be built in North America at GM’s Oshawa, Ontario plant.

Late this morning, Automotive Traveler learned through confidential sources at GM that the G8 (based on GM’s Global Zeta platform, a lighter, more efficient version on the chassis that currently underpins the G8) will be built in Oshawa, Ontario, right alongside it’s stable mate, the Chevy Camaro. We have learned that the new car will most likely be called the Caprice, and that it will be launched within 18 months, most likely at the start of the 2011 model year after Pontiac gets its last rites. Read more at Automotive Traveler.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

I got a chance to check out Neil’s G8 at SEMA in November, where it won the GM Design Award of Excellence and the Dunlop Maxxed Out Tire Award. Since then, he’s made a bunch of updates, including the Vortech supercharger, Air Lift suspension, carbon fiber Status Racing seats and a custom MagnaFlow Exhaust. You can see it at Spring Carlisle this week. And of course you can see all the latest updates on his ride page.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

This week’s Showroom Showdown was over in a matter of minutes. I guess horsepower, RWD and good looks carries the day…

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Ford made headlines recently when they announced that the SHO is coming back. Pontiac has been in the news as well, though it hasn’t really been good news. Still, the G8 GXP is one of the hottest Pontiacs to come along in a long time, so we thought this would be a good match up. With the SHO you get AWD, a 365 hp twin-turbo, direct-injection 3.5-liter V-6, and your only option is the paddle-shift 6-speed auto. The G8 GXP is RWD, has a 415 hp 6.2 liter pushrod V8, and it’s available with a 6-speed manual tranny. Both cars come in right around $38k. So, which would you choose?

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Neil just sent this to me. Looks like his G8 got the Vortech treatment. Check it out.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Jalopnik is reporting that GM just killed the Pontiac El Camino (I guess it was officially called the G8 ST). Kind of sad, but not all that surprising considering what’s been going on lately. I thought it was gonna be too expensive, anway. They need to build something cheap like a Dodge Rampage. Anway, tell you what, Pontiac. You can make it up to us by bringing back the Firebird. Thanks.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Here’s Neil talking about his Pontiac G8, which is featured in the GM booth. I dig the matching car seat for his son.

Appetite for Destruction is one hell of a record, and everyone should own a copy. It’s also the best thing Guns and Roses ever did, and I think that’s unlikely to change with the release of the long-delayed  Chinese Democracy. One cool thing about the album hitting shelves? Well, since it’s going to be released by the end of the year, Dr Pepper is going to give everyone a free bottle of soda. Anyway, here’s the news:

• It seems like everyone wants to make an electric car right now, and Rolls-Royce is no exception. It seems like a idea, and might actually make the engine quieter than the clock. You have to imagine why they haven’t done this already, after all, there’s plenty of room for batteries in a Phantom. Car
• The latest casualty in the race toward small, fuel-efficient cars looks to be Pontiac’s G8. The General has said the model won’t get a refresh, so the current generation will mark the end of this lump of new-school muscle. Jalopnik
• Lamborghini is currently testing a new supercar, and it sounds like Santa Agata isn’t pulling any punches. Rumor has is that the new mill will produce a very respectable 700 horsepower, and that their might even be a special RWD-only model. Hell. And. Yes. Next Autos
• TTAC is all mad at Autoblog over this post about small car safety. Do I care? Nope, I just wanted another opportunity to write about how Farago’s blog secretly lets its writers go on trips funded by Big Oil, but constantly preens about its "integrity." The Truth About Cars

Neil just updated his Pontiac G8 ride page with pics of the new polished 20" One Lug Wheels, which are matched up to 245/35/20 and 285/30/20 Dunlop tires and the custom mounted Corvette Z06 big brake 6pt font and 4pt rear calipers and rotors. Pretty flush offset here as the custom One Lug Wheels are 20×9.5" up front and 20×10.5"in the rear. Neil says the car will be done next week, and will be debuting in the GM booth at SEMA, so watch his page for updates.