Gotta make this quick...busy day on the floor

1) GTP sounds beautiful and is extremely smooth and POWERFUL. From the second you turn the key, you know this is not the typical GM 60 degree V6. The burble out the exhaust on start-up is mellow, deep and extremely refined sounding. Under load, its extremely smooth, and under "hurried" acceleration (getting the tach to 3,500 or so), this sucker hauls. You can feel the 241 lb/ft of torque at only 2800. And what's awesome with the VVT is that it doesn't all of a sudden come "on cam" like with the VVTLi Toyotas. Its turbine smooth with its power delivery all the way to redline. GM claims 0-60 in 6.6 seconds...I believe it. I can't wait to drive a 6 speed Also, the hydraulic steering is significantly better than the electric in the base and GT models, and with the 18s turn in is very crisp. While I didn't have a chance to auto-x it on the way to the car wash, I can say with confidence a GTP is a significant step up from a GT in terms of performance, for only $1,600 more when comparably equipped.

2) The 4 cylinder is very peppy. We have our first one for $19,500 with a remote starter, cruise and keyless. Unfortunately, when we ordered this car the 1SV package was not available, which without those 3 things is only $17,995!!! (No options available on 1SV). From now on, for a cheap car I think we'll order the 1SVs. But anyway, the 4 cyl is rated 23/34 Same MPG as a Cobalt with the 2.2!!! The engine is extremely refined (quieter than the 3500, I think) and the torque is acceptable for a 4 cylinder. I have to admit, for the MPG benefits, if gas got over $3.00 per gallon and stayed there, if I was in the market even I might be compelled to look at the 4 cylinder. It doesn't have nearly the "penalty box" feeling the Ecotec Grand Ams and Aleros had.

3) We got both of those cars with the beige interior and wood accents. Anyone who complains about a G6 interior needs to sit in a beige one with wood...seriously. Its beautiful.

After driving the GTP and the 4 popper, I drove a GT for a few minutes. The 3500 is great for a base model step up, and is fine for people that like the style and the amenities of the GT but don't care so much about all-out performance (aka 70% of the people who bought Grand Am GTs...they're out there). For the enthusiasts, I can't imagine not stepping up to the GTP.


The value promise pricing seems to work very well versus last year, and the additions of the GTP and the coupe models make me feel that the G6 can (and hopefully will) carry Pontiac back from the brink of "Damaged Brand" ville. Here's to hoping that damn convertible makes it to production, and shows up next spring!

 

We just our Crimson red coupe with a six speed in today. Very nice ride, and SO easy to drive it's funny. Pretty peppy too.

 

I have a Crimson GTP sedan and an emerald green GTP coupe in 6 speed yet to come in...can't wait

 

Looking forward to driving a 6 speed GTP.

 

Its funny Charlie, I was thinking of your previous comments when I drove the GTP. I think you'll be satisfied. If you can, drive one with the optional $150 "3 season tires." I won't be stocking any because that will end up being the longest sitting car I'll ever have. A brand new, 4 door, FWD family sedan that admits on the window sticker it won't budge an inch in winter. Imagine having to buy snow tires!!! Never happen

 

Hold on, are you saying cruise control and keyless entry are part of a $1500 package? WTF, shouldn't that come standard?

 

No, you misunderstood. A BASE G6 is $17,995. No options are available. If you want ANY options on your 4 cylinder, it starts at $19,500 and goes up from there. The $19,500 car comes standard with cruise and keyless, above and beyond the base 1SV $17,995 car.

Now here's the catch...

When the Cavalier and Sunfire were available with a base 1SV package, they were super cheap at $10,800 MSRP (this was '04!!!). A 1SA car was like $13,900, and had the SAME EQUIPMENT STANDARD. But, you could add options to a 1SA car. The catch is this...the 1SA car had a $3,000 rebate...the 1SV had ZERO rebate. Effectively, they were the same price. Why did GM do it? To get a super low MSRP on the window of a stripper car a cheap buyer would want. Also, if you make no options available, they're easy to build and you can crank a ton out the same way.

Now, if I had to guess...I'd bet the same applies to the G6. Advertise a Hyundai-like $17,995 base price. Have a $1,000 rebate available on all other G6s. Therefore, your car with keyless and cruise becomes $18,500...only $500 more!!!! Its all in the marketing

I just thought of that on the ride home from work. I'd bet $$ that when the 1SV cars hit the lots, they will not have the current G6 $1k rebate...nor should they. That's the same base price as a Malibu!

 

Jason I always appreciate your enthuisam for GM products, you are a real die-hard fan. I am so-so these days, kinda like I wanna cheer for them but some of the products steer me away. And there are some that are pretty solid too.

I dislike GM's rebates, I like the prices to reflect the cars value and I can understand so rebates here and there but it seems bad that they have to employee price or us rebates and jut about EVERY model. It clouds the price picture and can make the consumer feel like they got a bad deal. People shouldn't be car shopping around the idea of lets wait till the next round or rebates comes out and then we'll decide.

 

Sounds like a buyer couldnt do wrong.

 

graham,

That's what I really, really like about the G6 lineup and why I think it may be enough to turn Pontiac around (adding the Solstice and Torrent will obviously help too). There's something for everyone. Think about it. 3 sedan trim levels ranging from 167hp to 240hp, ranging from $17,995 to $28,900. $17,995 buys you a solid midsize sedan with all your basic power goodies and a CD player. $28,900 buys you a 6 speed, 240hp screamer with 18" wheels, quality heated leather, power everything, a panoramic moonroof, XM, On-Star, Stabili-Trak, polished wheels, side and head curtain airbags, 6 CD Monsoon stereo, remote starter on AT cars etc. All in a well packaged, well built, attractive 4 door sedan.

Coupes have 2 trim levels and range from $22,900 to around $28,000 (cheaper than the sedan because no panoramic roof is available). For $23,800 I have a beautifully styled stealth grey GT coupe with a moonroof and all the essentials. Knockout style, decent power, etc. And again, if you wanna get a little crazy, a 6 speed GTP coupe appears to be a decent choice for the red blooded guy that wants to charge some backroads in a hot looking car. That would be me

My fiance would love a $21,500, 34 MPG base 4 cylinder sedan with a moonroof and power everything. I'd love a $26,700 GTP 6 speed coupe with leather, moonroof and shiny wheels. Her and I have two completely different wants and needs in a car, and yet the same nameplate can make us both extremely happy. She will more than likely get a G6 in about 2-3 years. Me? As you can see in my sig, I have a different calling for my next car

Flip,
Indeed, I love GM cars. I always have (for the most part...2003 was a tough year for me...), and probably always will. But while I'm a GM fan, I'm not a GM fanboy. There are cars they have that need attention. I really disliked the '04-'05 Grand Prixs from the start. The interiors looked cheap. 200hp was inexcusable in a loaded $28-29,000 Grand Prix GT, as were 16" wheels. The base cars looked completely cheesy with crappy hubcaps. For '06, it seems Pontiac got serious about the car. The base model is better equipped at a cheaper price, and now has the availability of niceities like a sunroof, 6 disc and leather (things only the GT got last year). It basically became an '05 GT for less $$$. The '06 GT is the real surprise. They gave the car 17" wheels and the s/c 3800 for barely $800 more than '05. It used to cost over $2,000 more to get those in a base GTP. And, the option packages are less. For the same $28-29,000, you get an excellent performing car with a sunroof, leather, 6 CD etc...it isn't stripped by any means. Then of course, we have the GXP If you haven't drive one, drive one. Add to all these the fact that they upgraded the interior significantly for '06. More chrome, better materials, and the nicest steering wheel I've ever seen in any GM product.

I blasted the GP before on these boards, but GM fixed everything I didn't like about them (save for the idiotic, wide door moldings that detract from otherwise nice side styling). They still have further to go with some cars, though. You can option a Torrent to $30k, but it has 185hp. A Lucerne will start around $30k probably, and have 200hp. This is completely inexcusable. The Torrent is a great crossover with a mediocre engine...something that may be a tough sell for me on the lot. Time will tell...

Like I said, I'm a GM fan...not a fan boy...

 

I still dont like the GP, maybe after the next redesign. Its so big and ugly. I liken it to what nissan did with the maxima, ruined a good thing. The 2000-2003 cars are sweet, I was comparing them and the previous generation GP's last year when I was shopping. Nissan screwed up the max just like pontiac screwed up the GP, they are both too big and ugly for me now. I feel they made the altima too big also and hopefully it will be a smaller package in the next redesign and fill the gap for size that I like. The previous generation <2004' BMW 3 series are also a good size car. Too bad they are growing too.

Can you clarify for me what rear suspension the G6 has? Is it solid or not and does it have struts? I like the altima's independent coil/shock setup, very smooth and cheaper to maintain. My biggest gripe about my 01 max is the solid rear axle. After driving the altima any FWD with a solid rear just doesnt ride as nice.

 

If the GP is too big, why not G6?

 

Why is GM always so slow to update their site. New models appear on their site only after they have been in dealers for 2 weeks. After reading this, I'm pretty interested in the G6. I tried building a GTP G6 and it's not listed yet. I was hoping you can tell me about it. Specifically what fuel economy I'd get with the GTP 6-speed 4-door (Main reason I'm selling my camaro), what kind of stereo system is available, and what kind of tires come on it?

Also do you get the listed incentives on top of the Employee Discount? Could you please give me a price after all the discounts on the car. I'd like a the 4-door GTP with leather, Panoramic roof, upgraded stereo, and 18's.

 

The G6 sounds like to be a heck of a car all around from the reviews I've read including this one. I've tried and I've tried to like the G6's styling I definately say its sleek and sofisicated but I dunno about myself but I liked the aggression the Pontiacs offered in their cars. Just the G6 dont look aggresive enough for me I think the front of the car looks too sleek for my tastes and I dont like the rear end of the G6 either expecially the coupe (though that Coupe G6 commerical with it lookin like a spider looks awesome) I just wish the G6 had more testicular fortitude in it but I guess the new direction for Pontiac is to drop some of the boyish vibe in it to gain more chick sales.

 

Ok, in order...

Flip,
I tend to agree somewhat with your assessment of the redesign of both cars. I love the previous gen GP...that's why I have one. I could have bought an '04+ but decided to go used in late '03 when I bought mine. I wanted a coupe and the design of the new car just didn't do it for me at first. Interior felt cheap, wheels were ugly, no 2 door etc. GM fixed everything they could, and now I could MAYBE live with a 4 door (maybe not though ). BTW, GP didn't grow in the last re-design...its still based off the same platform, has the same wheelbase etc. It just looks bigger. The G6 really is "just right" in size now. A Grand Am was too small (mainly too narrow). Ours feels tight inside. But now, the G6 is less than 1" narrower than a GP. The rear suspension is independent sturts, IIRC. The ride is excellent.

maksik,
I have this same complaint. Not sure if you can even price a Torrent yet, yet Edmunds already had a review of it with full pricing!!! GM is awful about being able to price cars online. Do you know even a dealer can STILL not get pricing for a MC or a GTO? Asinine. And the '06 MC has been on Chevy's site for months! Anyway, a 4 door GTP starts at $24,700. Add $1,850 for the panoramic roof/polished 18s (normal 18s are standard)/6 CD package, $1,300 for the leather package (heated leather, leather wheel with radio controls and ****) and you're at $27,850. Monsoon is standard. Invoice should be about $2,000 less, and you get a $1,000 rebate...so a hair under $25k. You're getting everything except On-Star and side airbags...nice choice No GTPs qualify for employee discount, as all are '06s. However, they are worth every penny, at least IMO. The GTP package really transforms the G6, and I haven't even driven the M6 yet!!

Intimidator,
Go drive one Have you seen the coupe in person? Everyone I talk to says it looks like a G35 coupe in profile...that can't be a bad thing