Budget - Pontiac G8 GT available at ATL

This is my second rental in 2 weeks from ATL and I was happy to see a 2008 Pontiac G8 GT in my Fastbreak area among a few Sebrings, Caravans and a Jeep Compass.

A little information that might give light in why its such a fun drive compared to your average 4 door. The GT model has a 361 hp V8 and 6 speed automatic. While not equiped with leather, it did have a very comfortable interior and easy to read multifunction radio/climate on a 6 to 7 in screen (No nav). The car comes with traction control to keep all the hp on the road. It has a very pleasant ride and shifts smoothly. It has quick acceleration but the petal is alittle sluggish to respond sometimes. But that could have something to do with the traction control. The quad tip exhaust has a very nice noticeable note when you give it some gas. Visually the car is a head turner compared to anything Pontiac currently has with the exception of the Solstice.

If you are looking for a rental friendly on the gas, I don't think this is the best pick. I seem to be averaging 16 mpg according to the vehicle. I am enjoying driving the vehicle though and that means I seem to have developed at heavy foot. It is advertised to get 20+ mpg on the highway.

The rental was mfg in April 08 and had 7100ish miles on it when I picked it up. ATL seems to have quite a few of these on the lot which seem suprising since its a high performance car and they are all the GT grade with the V8 vs the standard V6 model.

Just wanted to give a little info on this nice suprise on the Budget lot, hopefully someone else will read this and find out this isn't your average Pontiac. For replacing both the Bonneville and the Grand Prix, it does a great job and does well to erase the memory of either of the replaced vehicles.

Enjoy!

This is my second rental in 2 weeks from ATL and I was happy to see a 2008 Pontiac G8 GT in my Fastbreak area among a few Sebrings, Caravans and a Jeep Compass.

A little information that might give light in why its such a fun drive compared to your average 4 door. The GT model has a 361 hp V8 and 6 speed automatic. While not equiped with leather, it did have a very comfortable interior and easy to read multifunction radio/climate on a 6 to 7 in screen (No nav). The car comes with traction control to keep all the hp on the road. It has a very pleasant ride and shifts smoothly. It has quick acceleration but the petal is alittle sluggish to respond sometimes. But that could have something to do with the traction control. The quad tip exhaust has a very nice noticeable note when you give it some gas. Visually the car is a head turner compared to anything Pontiac currently has with the exception of the Solstice.

If you are looking for a rental friendly on the gas, I don't think this is the best pick. I seem to be averaging 16 mpg according to the vehicle. I am enjoying driving the vehicle though and that means I seem to have developed at heavy foot. It is advertised to get 20+ mpg on the highway.

The rental was mfg in April 08 and had 7100ish miles on it when I picked it up. ATL seems to have quite a few of these on the lot which seem suprising since its a high performance car and they are all the GT grade with the V8 vs the standard V6 model.

Just wanted to give a little info on this nice suprise on the Budget lot, hopefully someone else will read this and find out this isn't your average Pontiac. For replacing both the Bonneville and the Grand Prix, it does a great job and does well to erase the memory of either of the replaced vehicles.

Enjoy!

That's awesome, probably my most wanted to drive car right now.

Do Avis and Budget share a fleet down there? I'm hoping with the upcoming October fleet refresh I'll see a few up here in Toronto/Ottawa/Calgary.

That's awesome, probably my most wanted to drive car right now.

Do Avis and Budget share a fleet down there? I'm hoping with the upcoming October fleet refresh I'll see a few up here in Toronto/Ottawa/Calgary.

Nope, Budget is all by itself in ATL. I think Avis was by itself and National and Alamo shared fleets (judging from the shared buses).

They had quite a few of G8 GT's it was quite suprising. Its one of those things that you wonder if they knew what they were buying. Its not in a special class, its just a standard or fullsize 4 door.... it just happens to have 361 hp^

They had quite a few of G8 GT's it was quite suprising. Its one of those things that you wonder if they knew what they were buying. Its not in a special class, its just a standard or fullsize 4 door.... it just happens to have 361 hp^

Full size?
I just booked a ful size (Taurus or similar) for MCO 01/17 to 01/24. Anyone have any idea what the odds are that I get one at MCO?

I just rented in Kansas City from Avis. Some guy pulled up next to me at Subway driving a G8 GT, said it was from Budget as a "Premium" full size. Checked with the desk at MCI and, yup, they got 'em. Went to Chicago, changed my booking from Avis to Budget and got a G8, but no GT. The G8 was by far the best rental I've had, even with the V6. Lot's of fun. I HAVE to get me the GT!

How much did you guys pay for the rental if I might ask? Budget quoted me a price of $308, but I'm curious how 'good' that really is. I'm planning on picking mine up on Friday if they still have one available.

Thanks!

How much did you guys pay for the rental if I might ask? Budget quoted me a price of $308, but I'm curious how 'good' that really is. I'm planning on picking mine up on Friday if they still have one available.

Thanks!

I was renting monday through friday and it was quoted at 280ish but don't worry they add about 30 to 50 dollars in fees generally...

I'll be back there on monday, I hope I can snag one when I get there... Fastbreak usually is a very literal description of people running from the Budget bus to the Fastbreak areas on Monday's in Atlanta.

I was renting monday through friday and it was quoted at 280ish but don't worry they add about 30 to 50 dollars in fees generally...

I'll be back there on monday, I hope I can snag one when I get there... Fastbreak usually is a very literal description of people running from the Budget bus to the Fastbreak areas on Monday's in Atlanta.

Can you guys confirm for me what class car you are booking in order to get these? I head to MCO mid-January and would LOVE to take one of these out.

Thanks!

These things seem to popular and sought after, I'd be curious if Budget will make it a "Driver's Choice" vehicle in the near future.

Bad News!

National Rental Cars is phasing out all G8s in their rental fleets.
They are no longer available in Texas.
I spoke to the Rental Fleet Manager at Vanguard (National's Parent Company) who stated that since Enterprise Rent a Car took over National they are going in a different direction (More Basic Model) as far rental car selections are concern.
He also stated that a few location still had them but they would all be going
away.
I paid $100.00 a day to be the first person to drive a G8 GT from DFW
in April 08. The car had 7 miles on it. Before the G8 arrived I was a Grand Prix GXP Man but they were replaced with the G8.

And speaking of GXP, Pontiac will bring out the G8 GXP around Feb 09 but I don't thank they will end up in any rental fleet.
(415 HP & Cost aound $40,000.00)

So send your protest e-mails & letters in now.

DR.