Edmunds SHO vs G8GT

[NEp8ntballer]

Vehicle: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO



Odometer: 2,289

Date: 06/16/09

Driver: Chris Walton

Price: $45,475



Specifications:

Drive Type: All-wheel drive

Transmission Type: 6-speed automatic

Engine Type: V6

Displacement (cc / cu-in): 3,496cc (213 cu-in)

Redline (rpm): 6,700

Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 365 @ 5,500

Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 350 @ 1,700

Brake Type (front): Ventilated Disc

Brake Type (rear): Disc

Steering System: Electric power steering

Suspension Type (front): Independent, MacPherson Struts with stabilizer bar

Suspension Type (rear): Independent, multilink with coil springs and stabilizer bar

Tire Size (front): 245/45R20 99V

Tire Size (rear): 245/45R20 99V

Tire Brand: Michelin

Tire Model: Primacy MXV4

Tire Type: all-season

Wheel Size: N/A

Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy

As tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,404

Test Results:

0 - 30 (sec): 2.4

0 - 45 (sec): 3.9

0 - 60 (sec): 5.8

0 - 75 (sec): 8.7

1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 14.2 @ 99.11

0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 5.5

30 - 0 (ft): 31

60 - 0 (ft): 127

Braking Rating: Average

Slalom (mph): 62.9

Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.80

Handling Rating: Average

Db @ Idle: 44.1

Db @ Full Throttle: 71.8

Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 64.1



Acceleration Comments: The SHO didn't respond (good or bad) to brake-torque, so best launch was at 2,000 rpm. Revs didn't fall (good) but things didn't really start 'till 3,000 rpm. Upshifts at 6,250 were smooth but not especially quick. Accel was linear until end of quarter-mile where it lays down a bit. (Smoking brakes after 5th accel run.)



Braking Comments: Gravely tire noises, moderate pitch, soft pedal goes nearly to the floor. So-so initial bite, good in the middle then soft at the end.



Handling Comments: (Skid pad) Chassis is slow to respond to steering input -- not at the sidewall level, but due to body motions. Understeers with maintenance throttle and lifting to get rotation awakens stability control. (Slalom) To keep from arriving late at each cone, I had to dial the speed down. Friction-free steering with mild load-up. Just as understeer begins, stability control starts grabbing brake, then throttle dips. Would be nice to turn off stability control, but you can't do that unless you get the optional performance package. That same package also adds better tires which would likely improve results.



Vehicle: Inside Line's Long-Term Pontiac G8 GT



Odometer: 2,675

Date: 06/16/09

Driver: Chris Walton

Price: $31,845



Specifications:

Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive

Transmission Type: 6-speed automatic

Engine Type: V8

Displacement (cc / cu-in): 5,967cc (364 cu-in)

Redline (rpm): 6,900

Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 361 @ 6,300

Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 385 @ 4,400

Brake Type (front): Ventilated Disc

Brake Type (rear): Ventilated Disc

Steering System: Speed proportional power steering

Suspension Type (front): Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs and stabilizer bar

Suspension Type (rear): Independent, multilink, coil springs, stabilizer bar

Tire Size (front): 245/40R19

Tire Size (rear): 245/40R19

Tire Brand: Bridgestone

Tire Model: Potenza RE050A

Tire Type: Summer performance

Wheel Size: 19-by-8-inches front; 19-by-8-inches rear

Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy

As tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,021



Test Results:

0 - 30 (sec): 2.3

0 - 45 (sec): 3.9

0 - 60 (sec): 5.8

0 - 75 (sec): 8.3

1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.95 @ 101.3

0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 5.5

30 - 0 (ft): 28

60 - 0 (ft): 113

Braking Rating: Very Good

Slalom (mph): 63.4

Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.86

Handling Rating: Good

Db @ Idle: 48.1

Db @ Full Throttle: 76.9

Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 68.1



Acceleration Comments: Why is there no redline on the tach? Isn't this a sport sedan with a powerful engine? Bizarre, especially since manual mode holds gears and will bang off the rev limiter all day long. Quickest accel times came in Sport setting with transmission shifting on its own. There's very little wheelspin at launch.



Braking Comments: Some fade became obvious after 5-6 stops, but the distances continued to come down to a world-class 109 feet. Some ABS kickback is noticeable through the pedal, but the overall brake feel -- at least prior to the minor fading -- is confident.



Handling Comments: Transition to oversteer isn't as intuitive as I'd like. Perhaps this is due to minimal roll stiffness. Once the tail is out, however, the G8 GT is easily controlled. Little roll stiffness also means there's an uncomfortable amount of time between weight transfer in transitions in the slalom. Otherwise, handling is good with predictable limits. Oh, and stability control can be fully disabled.

discuss

 

[thebigjimsho]

I'd like to see the PP SHO...

 

[OSU 4 SHO]

Similar numbers and a 14k price difference.

X2 on the pp sho

 

[drivinhard]

19x8" wheels on the G8, has anybody ever figured out how wide the SHO wheels are?

 

[93rev2sev]

hmmm... what was that 1/4 mile time?

 

[roland]

the G8 does match the SHO for performance, but it is very performance oriented and sacrifices a lot of interior quality and luxury.

Popular Mechanics had a comparison of the 300C AWD and the SHO, which were about the same price and were similarly equipped.

Popular Mechanics also posted much better numbers than Edmunds.

13.7 @ 101.7

http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4322127.html

 

[thebigjimsho]

the G8 does match the SHO for performance, but it is very performance oriented and sacrifices a lot of interior quality and luxury.

Does it really? I thought the back seats of the G8 were incredibly roomy, moreso than the MKS, and comfortable. Just because the cockpit of the G8 is a bit more austere, I don't see that as a drop in quality. And if you get the PP on the SHO, kiss a lot of those luxuries good bye, for now anyway.

Hopefully the SHO will get the full options with the PP and without the 20"s...

 

[roland]

Does it really? I thought the back seats of the G8 were incredibly roomy, moreso than the MKS, and comfortable. Just because the cockpit of the G8 is a bit more austere, I don't see that as a drop in quality. And if you get the PP on the SHO, kiss a lot of those luxuries good bye, for now anyway.

Hopefully the SHO will get the full options with the PP and without the 20"s...

I thought the G8 was nothing but a cheap piece of plastic on the inside. The seats were comfortable but the resting your arm on the door or center console.....yuck.

To be fair, the MKS wasn't so great either, especially compared to an ES350 or even a Hyundai Genesis, but I thought the G8 was cheap on the inside and poorly designed.

As far as options go, the G8 GT doesn't come standard with a whole lot, power seats, leather, sunroof, nav - that's all optional. I would imagine when you load the G8 with all the goodies that the SHO has standard, you're going to be at the same price if not higher.

 

[DJSHO91]

If you check the specs listed, you will find that the G8 was on summer performance tires while the SHO was on A/S rubber. Changing the SHO to similar rubber(as on the G8) would make up the small differences in handling and braking. Add in the Performance Package would most likely push the SHO to leading numbers in all catagories. It would also improve on the few negative issues reported for the SHO.

As for the pricing difference, you have to remember that the SHO is a 2010 model with AWD. The G8 GT that was tested was their 2008 long-term test model(link). If you look at the pricing for the 2009 G8, the base price is almost the same as the optioned 2008 model. The 2008 G8 also had only $1800(approx.) in options while the 2010 SHO had over $7000 in added features. The one thing that strikes me as interesting is that they show the 2008 G8 as having been tested on 4/28/08 while the SHO was tested on 6/19/09. There's no telling how many enviromental differences may have existed. As with most comparisons, the difference is often found in the details.

 

[OSU 4 SHO]

No matter how you guys try to justify it, a 14k difference is HUGE. Especially between cars that are VERY comparable.

 

[FOMOCOTOSHO]

No matter how you guys try to justify it, a 14k difference is HUGE. Especially between cars that are VERY comparable.

Comparable only in size and performance. Don't get me wrong the G8 is an awesome muscle car but that's all it is. A great performing rear-wheel drive Detroit muscle car (.... from down under) A fully loaded G8 GTwill price out around $35k, and that doesn't even get you CLOSE to all the options & features a stock SHO has. You can't even get a GPS Nav system on a G8 if you bailed out GM from the government yourself.
So yes for all practical purposes of comparing competition for the SHO, the G8 is an obvious choice but in a real world comparison if these cars were stripped of all their branding and you had no idea who made what, the G8 would not make the cut for the type of comparison the new SHO would be in.

Of course this is only my opinion obviously, but I think the more appropriate models to compare with would be the 300C AWD (which Popular Mechanics has done for us thank you), the Acura RL, Audi A6 Quattro, BMW 535xi, Infiniti M35x, Cadillac STS-4, etc. Sure it may not win the battle but it appears so far it should be able to make the cut for the comparo, if not have a real chance at causing a few upsets.

 

[OSU 4 SHO]

Comparable only in size and performance. Don't get me wrong the G8 is an awesome muscle car but that's all it is. A great performing rear-wheel drive Detroit muscle car (.... from down under) A fully loaded G8 GTwill price out around $35k, and that doesn't even get you CLOSE to all the options & features a stock SHO has. You can't even get a GPS Nav system on a G8 if you bailed out GM from the government yourself.
So yes for all practical purposes of comparing competition for the SHO, the G8 is an obvious choice but in a real world comparison if these cars were stripped of all their branding and you had no idea who made what, the G8 would not make the cut for the type of comparison the new SHO would be in.

Of course this is only my opinion obviously, but I think the more appropriate models to compare with would be the 300C AWD (which Popular Mechanics has done for us thank you), the Acura RL, Audi A6 Quattro, BMW 535xi, Infiniti M35x, Cadillac STS-4, etc. Sure it may not win the battle but it appears so far it should be able to make the cut for the comparo, if not have a real chance at causing a few upsets.

Besides navigation can you name some options that the G8 doesn't have that the SHO does? I say this because I can not think of 1 feature, let alone any bundle of features available on ANY car over and above what the G8 offers that I could justify paying 14k more for, on any car with similar performance numbers. AWD and NAV could MAYBE account for 2-4k. However I think factory navigations are ridiculously overpriced. A top of the line Garmin is far superior for 500-1000. Memory seats, back up cameras, etc etc could not add up to a 10-13k difference for ME personall. I understand what forum I am on, but some people are being a bit up tight about the new SHO.

Also, you have to be realistic about what cars you compare with the SHO. You are not going to get many, if any cross shoppers of the premium brands. (A6, 5 series, E series) You might get a few with the Acuras and Infinitis but even still, they are completely different customers. Image is everything and Ford can not compete with much outside of the US. Its a solid effort from Ford, a solid car and very cool that they brought the name back, but it isn't exactly a bargin and it won't be pulling any sales away from A6's, 5 series etc.

 

[hawkeye18]

How about an interior that wasn't designed by a short-sighted accountant?

 

[NEp8ntballer]

Comparable only in size and performance. Don't get me wrong the G8 is an awesome muscle car but that's all it is. A great performing rear-wheel drive Detroit muscle car (.... from down under) A fully loaded G8 GTwill price out around $35k, and that doesn't even get you CLOSE to all the options & features a stock SHO has. You can't even get a GPS Nav system on a G8 if you bailed out GM from the government yourself.
So yes for all practical purposes of comparing competition for the SHO, the G8 is an obvious choice but in a real world comparison if these cars were stripped of all their branding and you had no idea who made what, the G8 would not make the cut for the type of comparison the new SHO would be in.

Of course this is only my opinion obviously, but I think the more appropriate models to compare with would be the 300C AWD (which Popular Mechanics has done for us thank you), the Acura RL, Audi A6 Quattro, BMW 535xi, Infiniti M35x, Cadillac STS-4, etc. Sure it may not win the battle but it appears so far it should be able to make the cut for the comparo, if not have a real chance at causing a few upsets.

If you need crap like an in dash nav system and a rear view camera you probably also wish that you could pay somebody to wipe your own ass. ooooh turning my head and having awareness of everyting around me is too much to ask!!! Why won't they design something to take me having to use some muscle systems out of driving?

besides in dash nav is a complete ripoff. I'd rather save a fist full of money and have the ability to pull my GPS out of one car and put it into another one or use it like a regular GPS.

Lets face it, being able to turn a 1/4 mile in under 14 is decent and respectable, however considering that the car is supposed to be a sleeper but it can't turn a time faster than other domestic offerings with four doors makes it no contest at all. I don't give a damn about how nice the interior is. they should have spent some of the money designing the interior on making the freaking thing faster.

now the car may sell well with old folks who like having power and comfort but for a true enthusiast they're gonna go find somebody that delivers the best performance and handling for their money. and with the way things are shaping up that isn't gonna be the SHO. I'd sit on an entirely metal seat if the car could take off like a rocket and take the twisties like a champ. Because when it comes to doing stuff like that you probably don't give a damn how nice the interior is. I know I wouldn't... I'd be having too much fun grinning like an idiot and giggling like a little school girl. I imagine a conversation going like this, "your interior looks and feels kinda cheap" "check this out" *tires squeal, motor roars, and mr. hoity toity craps his pants*

you **** and moan about bean counters running GM projects and causing them to have to make choices while you don't ***** about FOMOCO designing a car to try and please everyone when it may not please anyone.

 

[Kens1992mtxSHO]

I love the new SHO, but not for 14k difference in price. For the same price I'll take a G8 GXP thank you.

 

[Toolman]

I don't give a damn about how nice the interior is. they should have spent some of the money designing the interior on making the freaking thing faster.

I'd sit on an entirely metal seat if the car could take off like a rocket and take the twisties like a champ. Because when it comes to doing stuff like that you probably don't give a damn how nice the interior is.

Umm, well, for about $3k you can have your choice of V6 SHO that would do all that you ask? So, for about $28k less than the Pontiac. Sounds like a bargain to me.

 

[FOMOCOTOSHO]

Here's a list of options the SHO has that the G8 does not offer if you really wanna know:
*AWD (like it or not, this is a feature a lot of people look for these days that will appeal to a larger demographic)
*GPS Naviagation (I don't care if you think they are a rip off and don't want one- you are not the majority of people buying cars these days. People want NAVI's these days and that's that.
*Laser-sited adaptive cruise control
*Heated & COOLED & massaging front seats w/ memory
*SYNC
*HID headlamps
*Heated rear seats
*Blindspot warning
*MyKey
*Capless fuel filler
*SecuriCode keyless entry
*Power adjustable pedals
*Power rear sunshade
*Rain-sensing wipers
*Auto high beam headlamps
*Rear-view camera

I understand the sticker price is hard to swallow, **** I can't afford one either. So if you just want a large performance sedan from Detroit (well let's just give Detroit credit anyway) with no other requirements or concerns then I say you SHOULD buy a G8. But if you want many of the features today's consumers want with many other cutting edge options that not even some luxury brands offer, then you should consider the new SHO. I don't think the new SHO is going after "THE TRUE ENTHUSIAST", that was the old SHO and we need to get over that, as hard as it is.
I agree it's going to be a challenge for Ford to steal market share from some of the luxury & near-luxury sport sedan buyers but that is what they are attempting. The G8 clearly was not intended to compete with those cars, it was meant to be a large 4dr rear-wheel drive muscle car and I praise GM for it!

Remember these are only opinions that I myself hold, maybe some of you agree with me and obviously some of you don't. That doesn't mean you need to be rude & brash with your comments. This is an enthusiast web site intended to share thoughts, tips, suggestions, and opinions on the SHO & similar-related topics. Please keep other comments to yourself if they are not meant to be helpful or insightful about the topic at hand.

Everyone keeps saying $14k difference from the G8GT vs. the SHO. I'm not sure how you keep getting that number. A loaded G8 GT is $35,500 MSRP. A stock SHO is $38,000 and many of those features listed above that the G8 does not even offer are standard on the SHO (e.g. HID's, AWD, SYNC, MyKey, Reverse Sensors, Memory Seats)
So you're only talking $2500 more for the SHO with all those features and comparable, if not better, performance (arguably I understand).

I'm not writing this only to escalate some sort of ******* match I just think people aren't giving a fair comparison of the 2 vehicles. Thanks for listening

 

[Izzmo]

Good comparison IMO. I would take the SHO over the G8 with the 14k diff. I mean.. most of us here would like the nice gadgets and options inside as well as the amount of power. Unlike most GM cars, you get power but no toys to play with.

The SHO is nice quality of both worlds.

 

[stephen newberg]

you **** and moan about bean counters running GM projects and causing them to have to make choices while you don't ***** about FOMOCO designing a car to try and please everyone when it may not please anyone.

Does not wash. I will be pleased with it, I suspect, and a number of posters who have actually driven the car are apparently pleased with it. I note with interest and amusement that the most vocal negatives are always from those that have not been behind the wheel. Strange how that goes...

pax, smn

 

[thebigjimsho]

Good comparison IMO. I would take the SHO over the G8 with the 14k diff. I mean.. most of us here would like the nice gadgets and options inside as well as the amount of power. Unlike most GM cars, you get power but no toys to play with.

The SHO is nice quality of both worlds.

Like what GM cars, exactly??