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Pontiac G6: Test Drives

11 messages,  Last post on Sep 02, 2007 at 5:24 PM

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What is this discussion about? Pontiac G6, Coupe, Convertible, Sedan

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#2 of 11 The G6 Convertible drive by heymjo May 16, 2006 (4:17 pm)
I test drove a G6 convertible GT today and was very disappointed. It is underpowered and doesn't have any real get up and go. Aside from that, I found out that the GTP, which has a little more HP, is not available for 07. The dealer was surprised when he pulled up the dealer info. Also, you cannot get an On Star system for the convertible nor is there a GPS system available. If you buy an aftermarket GPS system, you cannot get an in-dash one to replace the radio because the radio also supplies information about the car's system and you would lose that. There is also no Bluetooth to hook your phone into the radio system. I watched the roof go down and it seems a bit shakey and doesn't move all that smoothly, especially as it goes to lock into the down position. There is a spare tire in the trunk, so with the top down there is almost no trunk space.      I drove the C70 (yes, I know it's at least 10K more), but look at the differences in the way the top goes down and the build quality (or lack thereof) becomes more apparent. Replies to this message: alp8 (May 16, 2006 4:37 pm) bobinnj (May 18, 2006 12:50 pm) e2helper (May 18, 2006 4:08 pm) beachlife (May 21, 2006 7:10 am)
#3 of 11 Re: The G6 Convertible drive [heymjo] by alp8 May 16, 2006 (4:37 pm)
Replying to: heymjo (May 16, 2006 4:17 pm) that's too bad - I was rooting for GM on this one.   Still probably the best drop top at that price point   do people really buy cars based on ON-star? Bluetooth? GPS?   for all the people pissed off that there is a full-size spare, you have the same number happy that it's not a fake-o-spare
#4 of 11 Re: The G6 Convertible drive [heymjo] by bobinnj May 18, 2006 (12:50 pm)
Replying to: heymjo (May 16, 2006 4:17 pm) Just got back from the dealer and checked out his new '06 G6 GT convertible. Unfortunately, it was prominently displayed in front of showroom and I didn't have time to take test drive and have them pull it out. However- I did sit in the vehicle with top up and down and saw the top go from stored to up position. First off - this is a large hard top, and according to salesman, the largest of any of the current hard top convertibles on the market today (ala, C70, SC430, SLK350, etc). I would have to agree from looking at the other models. Might be why GM had some concerns about it's reliability and insisted on a tight QC check. (The top mechanism, BTW, is made by Karmann, who also does the tops in the Lexus and Volvo). The top went from down to up fairly smoothly with little shaking in about 20-25 secs. Not that noisy either. The top closed smoothly with automatic latching so there was nothing to do but press the up/down button. As far as interior - this is one ROOMY coupe. I'm 6'0" and had a good 3-4" of head room with top up. Leather seats were comfortable and the wheel tilt allowed me to put it in a good position. Leg/shoulder/hip room was quite good. Gauges were easy to read, armest was OK, but could have been higher and more forward.    Cosmetically, the G6 Con is gorgeous looking with top down (as most convertibles are) but even with top up, it was very attractive, and looked nicer than the coupe IMO, maybe because of the higher roof line (I tried sitting in a G6 coupe and hit my head on roof w/sunroof). It had 18" wheels, and leather interior. No Onstar or GPS is available in either GT or GTP (does Pontiac offer GPS in any of their vehicles?), although you can get the XM sat. radio and remote start as options. Another missing feature is no available rear wind screen, which would help cut down wind noise. According to one post on here - GM (in it's 'wisdom'?) has decided only to produce the GTP in limited quantities for the '06 model year, then only GT's for '07, although you can opt for the larger 3.9 engine in the GT. Why no more GTPs I have no idea, since the price difference between base GT and GTP is not that much, and you get standard Stabilitrak and hydraulic power steering in GTP (not numb drive by wire, as in the GT). Guess it's a cost containment issue, but stupid IMO and may hurt sales. Salesman said his allotment is all sold, and these were pre-ordered. The next one he's getting is a GTP, but it's spoken for .I don't think you can order the GTP anymore, so if you put in an order now, it would probably be an '07 GT. So if you're lucky enough to have acquired an '06 GTP, you could have a 'collectors' item'! His wife just drove a GT Con off today -the first that they got and he said he put the order in 6 months ago. He was told that shipment was delayed due to concerns about the top, but evidently they have gotten the bugs out. This might be the weakness in this vehicle given the size and weight of the top, but guess it depends on how many times you raise/lower it. I think their QC test was considered passing if it worked correctly at least 10,000 cycles, which is more than most people would probably do it over a typical life cycle of the vehicle. Hopefully, it will be reliable, but time will tell. So to sum it up, although I didn't get a chance to drive the new G6 Con, it definitely is one impressive looking hardtop convertible with plenty of room for the driver (even 6'ers), despite minimal trunk space (I should add the 2 rear seats are very spacious, so if you can't fit those items in the trunk, throw 'em in the back!). Replies to this message: e2helper (May 18, 2006 4:08 pm) beachlife (May 21, 2006 7:10 am)
#5 of 11 Re: The G6 Convertible drive [bobinnj] by e2helper May 18, 2006 (4:08 pm)
Replying to: bobinnj (May 18, 2006 12:50 pm) Nice summary   A few clarifications:   For 2006 as well as 2007 ALL convertible models have Hydraulic Power Steering. The EPS system on sedan/coupe really isn't "steer by wire" it just provides the power assist.   For 2007 when you order the GT Convertible with PDX Sport Package you get the Stabilitrak feature as part of the package along with 3.9L engine, dual exhaust, 4T65E transmission with 3.69 axle, auto air conditioning, 18" tires, etc.   I am really not too sure what is different between a 2006 GTP and 2007 GT with Sport Package Convertible other than the emblems on vehicle. Has anyone looked into that
#6 of 11 Re: The G6 Convertible drive [bobinnj] by beachlife May 21, 2006 (7:10 am)
Replying to: bobinnj (May 18, 2006 12:50 pm) Found out the dealership where I have a GTP ordered has one on the lot RED RED RED. I found out via the internet doing a dealer inventory check. My Salesman didn't think it was important enough to let me know they had one. Anyway, I went over to take a look. They have had it for about a week. ADM (Additional Dealer Markup) sticker to $35,000+. If you remember, my order has not been priced to me yet. Anyway this one has been there a week and not sold. Yesterday salesman ask if I might want this one and I told him wrong color for me. Then he told me nearly all of their inbounds were sold and this one was to show. Then later said he thought they had a buyer for this one. Then said they did not and I could buy this one. So, a week at $35,000 and not sold. I'll wait a couple of weeks and see what they offer me. ABOUT THE CAR: Looked great, top operation was smooth. Big piece of roof to fold in. Operation was smooth and quiet with no hesitation. I think the Volvo C70 had another joint or something. The Volvo system had a lot of cables and looked a lot more complicated. I liked the BIG back seat area. Plenty of room there. Yea, trunk is challenged, even though it opens both ways. but two seaters are the same way. No adjustable pedals and no wood in this one. Interior was what I expected, a lot of shine, chrome accents. Did not drive. I can tell the salesman wants me to drive actual car so I'll be warm/hot to spend money. Front was roomy too. The steering wheel adjustment while manual is both up and down and telescoping in and out. Anyway, I liked your review. Now if we can just get some drive reports.
#7 of 11 I liked it. by frostyr Nov 07, 2006 (6:24 pm)
Just rented a 4Cyl G6 for a week. Frankly I thought it was simple and quite adequate. I found it comfortable and easy to drive. I'm a large person and found the car comfortable. I'm sure it was a base car but I found the lack of needless frills to be refreshing (I own a 2007 Lexus ES 350, which has a lot of needless gadgets.) I must also say that the mileage was less than outstanding.   There is only one reason I would hesitate to buy one. I don't know how reliable it will be. I've owned several Toyotas that went over 100,000 without a single problem. I wish I knew that the GM would give me the same service.
#8 of 11 Nice tight chassis yet lacking power & powertrain refinement by andrew20 Dec 21, 2006 (7:49 am)
I just got a GT as a replacement car for my V6 Accord that's being repaired - my impression, after 2 days driving it:   Good: I found the chassis to be very rigid and tight, it feels solid. The suspension is just right, not overly firm, not too soft. The interior is a little cramped yet nicely done, although I can't say that it has the same quality as my Accord. Controls and buttons are ergonomically placed and shaped, but they feel plasticky and cheap, certainly not as smooth as Honda's.   Bad: The 3.5 liter engine is no match for the Accord's 3.0 liter V6. It sounds very coarse, and feels crude, unrefined. It does not make as much power either - not on paper, and not in real life. Acceleration is so-so, not what I expected from an engine that big. In fact, my Odyssey feels peppier and more responsive. GM can certainly learn how to make better engines from others.
#9 of 11 G6 engine by whateverdude Aug 22, 2007 (10:32 am)
I'm not surprised you found it coarse and loud, but if you had the '07 3.5 liter engine, it should be comparable in power to the Accord V6. The '07 3.5 has 224hp (20hp less than the Accord V6, but it reaches its peak at 5800rpm vs. 6250rpm for the Accord) and 220 lb/ft torque 4000rpm (vs. 211 lb/ft 5000rpm for the Accord). I believe they test out pretty closely in the 0-60 and 1/4 mile as well.   In any case, the 3.6 liter engine they put in the '07 G6 GTP (252hp/251 lb/ft torque) is much stronger and more representative of GM's latest engine technology.
#10 of 11 Love it! by rjent Aug 22, 2007 (1:52 pm)
We just purchased a new 2007 G6 convertible and love this car. I have had no problems and have put about 1200 miles on so far. We have the 3.9 and we are getting above 27 highway and over 20 in town. The top is incredible. I own two Corvettes (one a convertible) and I can honestly say that this car is just as much fun to drive, though the performance is not a good (naturally) it is still a fun car. I am suprised by all of the negative posts here on the G6 vert! So far so good for us!
#11 of 11 just bought a 08 g6 value edition by steven39 Sep 02, 2007 (5:24 pm)
just picked up my new 08 G6 value edition on saturday.paid 18,000 plus ttt.iam in miami and i just took the G6 on a nice long test drive of about 225 miles to orlando where i will be spending the labor day holiday.the car drove nice and smooth and feels like it's a well built car unlike the 07 vw rabbit that i traded in for the g6 which had electrical problems from day 1....anyway i will give more updates as i put more miles on the car.right now there is only 250 miles so it's still early in the game but so far so good.......steve

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