2008 Pontiac G8 GT

Pros: Speed, handling, bang for buck power, profits go to an American automaker

Cons: Fuel costs, don't look for luxury or an especially smooth ride.

Summary: CNET once again misses the point of the product they are reviewing. The G8 isn't meant to be tech crazy, it's not meant to have the smoothest ride (it has sport suspension, are you kidding me?), and it isn't meant to conserve fuel. If you want to conserve fuel, buy a 4-banger and enjoy your lack of acceleration in peace.

The G8, plain and simple, is trying to bring back the cheap, American muscle car - a decent amount of horsies grafted onto a price not outside the realm of possiblity for most people. Is it a perfect vehicle? No, but for what it attempts to do, it does well.

First off, it gives you good power to price ratio, which is its primary turn-on. Secondly, it is suppose to give you the average of car cabin tech and styling, plain and simple. It is not meant to excel at cabin tech, or be extremely styled. This car is all about kicking ass and taking names at a cheap price.

I like how CNET links this vehicle in comparison with the MB C300, which is a V6 with only 228 HP. Good luck getting the same type of ride with the G8. Sure the MB might have some more cabin tech, features, etc., but that is because it is a completely different type of car. Comparing apples to oranges here.

Oh and by the way, if you don't know when to shift without a redline marking, stop reviewing sports cars CNET.