[Absolut Speed]

New job, new requirements, need new wheels. I need a 4 door car that holds 4 adults. No room for a fourth car and the Formula's not that great to keep around anyway. (the Firehawk does stay, however) Not looking to compete Nationally, but it would be nice to be semi- competitive locally. Would like to stay around $30k or less.

Thoughts?

[00 SS]

I drove a G8 GT Friday afternoon. All I can say is, NICE CAR. I want one. The one I drove had the smaller 18" wheels with all season tires, premium package (leather etc.) and no sun roof or sport package, basically just what I'd probably order for a daily driver. The G8 drives small, if that makes any sense. It's very tight and responsive with good brakes, good power and quick steering. It has great ride but it's not mushy at all. The traction control can actually be turned completely off, not true in the Chrysler products. The seats are awsome and the back seat is the one you needed in high school, it's huge. At 6'-3" I can ride very comfortable back there with someone my size driving. It has a big "2 body" trunk with fold down rear seats to make it even bigger. It even has telescoping steering, a must for people with long legs.

The only thing I really didn't like was the overly complicated stereo/climate controls/info center in the dash. Trying to change from floor vents, to dash vents in heavy traffic might be dangerous.

[Absolut Speed]

I drove a G8 GT Friday afternoon. All I can say is, NICE CAR. I want one. The one I drove had the smaller 18" wheels with all season tires, premium package (leather etc.) and no sun roof or sport package, basically just what I'd probably order for a daily driver. The G8 drives small, if that makes any sense. It's very tight and responsive with good brakes, good power and quick steering. It has great ride but it's not mushy at all. The traction control can actually be turned completely off, not true in the Chrysler products. The seats are awsome and the back seat is the one you needed in high school, it's huge. At 6'-3" I can ride very comfortable back there with someone my size driving. It has a big "2 body" trunk with fold down rear seats to make it even bigger. It even has telescoping steering, a must for people with long legs.

The only thing I really didn't like was the overly complicated stereo/climate controls/info center in the dash. Trying to change from floor vents, to dash vents in heavy traffic might be dangerous.

Yeah, I crawled around in one on the showroom floor and the space inside was freaking awesome (I'm your height). The only thing that really bugged me was the back seat not folding down to increase cargo room for oh, say, 4 tires, a jack, a small toolbox and a small cooler and a couple of helmet bags. I'm just not sure 4 18" or 19" wheels are going in that trunk and my other hobby, cycling, isn't real conducive, though they do sell a roof rack specific to the G8 for that. I did get to drive an A4. That was a nice little ride. Car seems a bit heavy, but I'm guessing it wouldn't be much different from the G8 (except the A4 does get the advantage of AWD. I guess the 2009 A4 will have a stretched wheelbase, a little more power, the DSG and a little better fuel mileage. I may bump my spending and compare a G8 GXP with an A4 in the fall.

How was the G8's manumatic?