Pontiac G8/BMW Prices in Australia
01-01-2008, 03:29 AM
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My Ride: 2004 BMW 545i, M-Sport Bodykit, Sports Suspension, Sports Seats, Active Steering.
As I am from Australia which is where the Pontiac G8 is made, (Holden Commodore), I am interested to hear of what you guys think of this car. The Holden Commodore is the best selling passenger car down under, and although 80% of its sales are fleet dominated, it's very popular in the used car market among the private sector. The G8 is actually bigger than the 5 series, and here in Australia, a new Australian luxury version Holden Calais 3.6 litre, 6 cylinder costs about AUD$55,000, a new BMW 530i costs AUD$130,000. However to keep things in perspective, a Pontiac G8/Commodore's refinement is no match for a 5 series.
In addition, we have very strict road laws, with speed cameras everywhere and conservative speed limits, the maximum speed on most of our freeways is 110 kph.
So all you Americans are very lucky that BMWs are generally cheap compared to AU prices and even luckier that you don't have speed cameras. And you Germans on the autobahns have it the best.
In addition, we have very strict road laws, with speed cameras everywhere and conservative speed limits, the maximum speed on most of our freeways is 110 kph.
So all you Americans are very lucky that BMWs are generally cheap compared to AU prices and even luckier that you don't have speed cameras. And you Germans on the autobahns have it the best.
01-01-2008, 05:18 AM
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Originally Posted by stavros' post='512484' date='Jan 1 2008, 07:29 AM
As I am from Australia which is where the Pontiac G8 is made, (Holden Commodore), I am interested to hear of what you guys think of this car.
01-01-2008, 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by stavros' post='512484' date='Jan 1 2008, 01:29 PM
....and here in Australia, a new Australian luxury version Holden Calais 3.6 litre, 6 cylinder costs about AUD$55,000, a new BMW 530i costs AUD$130,000. However to keep things in perspective, a Pontiac G8/Commodore's refinement is no match for a 5 series.
I drove the Commodore when I lived in Australia and while it's not bad you're right on the refinement argument > it can't match the 5er's level.
01-01-2008, 10:03 AM
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The G8 sure looks like it has the potential to be a very good performance sedan for the price. A new commercial on during the bowl games today is saying the V8 version will start under $30K in the US.
Living in Michigan and working in the auto industry it would be better for me to drive an American vehicle. I was going to get a CTS-V, but found this 530 with low miles for a good price. I really would have liked a GTO, but needed 4 doors. The G8 basically being a sedan version of the GTO should be a nice balance of performance, function, and price. If I still feel like I need a larger sedan for my next car I will give it strong consideration - -- plus it would look good sitting in the garage next to my 1969 GTO convertible!
Living in Michigan and working in the auto industry it would be better for me to drive an American vehicle. I was going to get a CTS-V, but found this 530 with low miles for a good price. I really would have liked a GTO, but needed 4 doors. The G8 basically being a sedan version of the GTO should be a nice balance of performance, function, and price. If I still feel like I need a larger sedan for my next car I will give it strong consideration - -- plus it would look good sitting in the garage next to my 1969 GTO convertible!
01-01-2008, 02:11 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by stavros' post='512484' date='Jan 1 2008, 06:29 AM
As I am from Australia which is where the Pontiac G8 is made, (Holden Commodore), I am interested to hear of what you guys think of this car. The Holden Commodore is the best selling passenger car down under, and although 80% of its sales are fleet dominated, it's very popular in the used car market among the private sector. The G8 is actually bigger than the 5 series, and here in Australia, a new Australian luxury version Holden Calais 3.6 litre, 6 cylinder costs about AUD$55,000, a new BMW 530i costs AUD$130,000. However to keep things in perspective, a Pontiac G8/Commodore's refinement is no match for a 5 series.
In addition, we have very strict road laws, with speed cameras everywhere and conservative speed limits, the maximum speed on most of our freeways is 110 kph.
So all you Americans are very lucky that BMWs are generally cheap compared to AU prices and even luckier that you don't have speed cameras. And you Germans on the autobahns have it the best.
In addition, we have very strict road laws, with speed cameras everywhere and conservative speed limits, the maximum speed on most of our freeways is 110 kph.
So all you Americans are very lucky that BMWs are generally cheap compared to AU prices and even luckier that you don't have speed cameras. And you Germans on the autobahns have it the best.
01-01-2008, 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by CWS530' post='512609' date='Jan 1 2008, 06:11 PM
I follow Australian V8 Supercars on Speed Channel, and on local channels when I travel in Asia a few times a year, and am amazed by the performance of both cars and drivers--very aggresive. Garth Tander's Toll HSV Commodore VE pumping out 620 BPH from a throaty 5 litre V8 as he flies around the course is a rush to behold. It looks like there is a lot of sponsor and fan support, so I can only surmise all those "street" Commodore owners want a piece of the action.
01-01-2008, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by CWS530' post='512609' date='Jan 1 2008, 06:11 PM
I can not speak to the refinement level of the Holdens, but I would imagine that if you happen to be into aftermarket styling/performance upgrades (despite the low speed limits), they must be readily available at a reasonable price. I follow Australian V8 Supercars on Speed Channel, and on local channels when I travel in Asia a few times a year, and am amazed by the performance of both cars and drivers--very aggresive. Garth Tander's Toll HSV Commodore VE pumping out 620 BPH from a throaty 5 litre V8 as he flies around the course is a rush to behold. It looks like there is a lot of sponsor and fan support, so I can only surmise all those "street" Commodore owners want a piece of the action.
It is a great spectator form of racing with big cars, big sound, and close racing. The series is always very tight and Bathurst (the 600mile race at Mount Panorama in October each year) is right of passage for all young Aussie racing fans.
The V8 Commodare SS costs about US$45k plus a couple of $k to put it on the road here in Oz.
Good bang for your buck but not in the same class as a 5er.
01-01-2008, 04:33 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by JPJ' post='512630' date='Jan 1 2008, 06:33 PM
Isn't that some great racing! Reminds me of Trans Am in the old days. I just discovered it over the past couple of weeks and have been trying to record when ever it's on, but so far keep getting the same 2 races. I found video clips at bigpondvideo.com, but even with high speed internet it buffers too much to watch. Any suggestions for how to be able to see more of this series? (or maybe I just have to wait till Speed broadcasts more events)
01-01-2008, 04:39 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by Scooter' post='512635' date='Jan 1 2008, 07:11 PM
The V8 Supercars sound awesome too.
It is a great spectator form of racing with big cars, big sound, and close racing. The series is always very tight and Bathurst (the 600mile race at Mount Panorama in October each year) is right of passage for all young Aussie racing fans.
The V8 Commodare SS costs about US$45k plus a couple of $k to put it on the road here in Oz.
Good bang for your buck but not in the same class as a 5er.
It is a great spectator form of racing with big cars, big sound, and close racing. The series is always very tight and Bathurst (the 600mile race at Mount Panorama in October each year) is right of passage for all young Aussie racing fans.
The V8 Commodare SS costs about US$45k plus a couple of $k to put it on the road here in Oz.
Good bang for your buck but not in the same class as a 5er.
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