Took out a G6 GTP coupe today. Acceleration was dissapointing. The engine did NOT feel like it had 240 hp. The 3.9L doesn't hold a candle to the L67 in the low-end. I guess it was stronger up top, but it wouldn't fool anyone into thinking it was a cammer. As a result, it feels so-so everywhere. This probably makes it a good choice in the Impala LTZ, but it proves VERY underwhelming in what is supposed to be a sporty-coupe. There's just no pop to it.

Traffic was too heavy to test handling, but it did feel more settled than the 2000 GP I drive.

Honestly, unless you're really in love with the look (it is very attractive) than the Grand Prix GT is a much more serious sporty mid-size contender. For some reason, the G6 utterly fails to excite.

 

i drove one when they first came out and i did love the engine but as you said the rest didn't excite at all. then when you consider you can get a mustang GT for the same price it makes the GTP look even worse.

 

Not to mention its city fuel economy is worse than LSx.

 

Couldn't agree with you more dav305. After driving one for 6 months, the engine is underwhelming, but it does come alive somewhere around 3500-4000RPM. My biggest problem with the motor is the uneven and jerky power delivery down low, it just does not rev very smoothly on the bottom end (where you do ost of your driving). Note to anybody considering a GTP - stay away from the 6-speed like the plague.

I do really like the handling though, it's not razor sharp, but it is forgiving and it encourages you to push harder.

MPG for the past ~1500miles is 19.3 with about 70/30 hwy/city mix.

 

I was just really dissapointed in how it compared to the 3800 S/C. NVH on the low-end was noticably worse than the 3800, and the one I drive is 5 years old. Instead of the muted growl you get in the 3800 from 2000-4000, you get what sounds like a hacking cough. And again, the top-end, while improved, was still what you'd expect from a pushrod. It almost felt like GP GTP with a CAI at the top-end.

I don't know if it's the VVT or what, but it seems to me like they were trying to weedle out the "bad" characteristics of the pushrod, and ended up taking away its very significant "good" qualities. The result is a hybrid with no exceptional qualities.

 

Its funny, because compared to my '01 GT, I love it. I thought the NVH characteristics of the engine are far and away superior to the hoarse groan of a 3800, and I love the engine pared with a stick...good low end torque, pulls nicely, etc. Indeed, there isn't the torque there like an L67, but would anyone really be surprised by that?

All in all, I think its a pretty decent engine, to be honest. When it comes down to a GTP G6 vs. an '06 GP GT, it depends on what you want. If you want fast and a sportier outside, the GP is the way to go. If you want a more subdued look but a WAY better interior, the flexibility of a stick and a more buttoned down feel in the twisties, the G6 is the winner...

It all depends on what you want, but I like the 3.9 a lot, personally...

 

The G6 GTP is not a bad car...it's just not a exceptional car. And that's too bad, because Pontiac really needs it to be exceptional.

It's got a decent powertrain and decent dynamics, but it deserves more than decent...it deserves thrilling. Why Pontiac didn't choose to make it thrilling is beyond me.


I'll say this though, for the same price, there is absolutely no way I'd pick a 6 speed G6 coupe over a 5 speed Mustang GT.