I understand that, the first few H bodies I've ever driven had HUD'*, and I've had a lot of seat time with them, but It didn't change the experience for me. IMO it is best at night, you can turn down the gauges to almost unlit, and just have the HUD on helping your "night vision." I think it'* brilliant for that, but day to day driving, It didn't affect me much.

Just an opinion, some ppl could care less about things I hold dear to my heart, and noharm no foul

Honestly, what product by GM isn't a rebadge? And I think it'* a hell of a lot closer to what Pontiac'* marketing seems to be directed to than the past 10 years have been. I wasn't aware the bonneville was a ground up design, nor was/is it a very glorious flagship.

Plus, if Pontiac is the excitement division, why do you need this stuff? You shouldn't know where the hell your going or how fast you're getting there at!

Also, I think it'* good that we're getting Holden cars here. Think of it as an imported car, like some sort of delicacy. I'd rather have a G8 than another year of the Grand Prix. The G8 platform is nothing to be ashamed of.

Retrofitting :? No offense, but what are you talking about? This isn't some option that just hit the face of the earth I was hoping they would squeeze in last minute. Navigation has likely been around longer than the G8 has been on the drawing board.

As for OnStar, I would have been astonished had it not been there. Again, this has been around since the late 90'* and since the '07 MY is STANDARD equipment on all but a few work vehicles GM offers.

I may be misunderstanding what you're trying to convey in the latter part of your statement. Pontiac had been marketing the Bonneville as a "Sport Luxery Sedan" and "Flagship" of their line-up in much of the advertising I had seen. Are you saying that you didn't realize it was their "Flagship" or you don't think it'* very glorious?

I'm saying I don't think it'* very glorious. It'* a good car, and great value, but it'* not the best at anything IMO. <-- Disclaimer, this is an opinion.
That said, the G8 isn't the best flagship, either. Maybe the GXP can be better, but I hope they come out with a new GTO.

HUD will be at the top of the list when i look for features in my next car...

Definitely not a gimmick. (windshield washers, headlight washers, ECC, maybe twilight sentinel: those are gimmicks)

I agree, this is the first year.....They will listen to what people want, I can see them doing a SE, SLE, SSEi type deal with this......I think the 09s will have most of what we are accustomed to in the Bonnevilles.....Just wait and see

Guess it'* all relative as far as what you expect out of flagship. I personally just go for the fact that it'* a bigger car and don't care about the little features.

My Bonneville is just a commuter car, so this type of G8 would work for me (I don't need navigation to get to work, and I just drive with the flow of traffic, speed isn't a factor)

As far as I'm concerned, they can strip it down to hand crank windows and no radio, just get it cheap enough that I can get one soon!

I'm not anticipating anything in the way of option changes for '09. The 2009'* are already on their way to Canada. I can't see the the upcoming US '09 will have any option differences.

My understanding (from the dealership) is that the G8 is a slightly smaller car than the Bonneville (unless you're referring to engine displacement).

.. It'* a 4 door GTO.. :?: