Latest Rental-A Pontiac G6

SilverLexus · 06-21-06, 07:29

This car is Evidence A in why GM can't win the hearts of Americans to buy its product anymore (at least in Pontiac brand).

Even though it has low miles here are some annoying features:

1. The profile of the steering wheel is triangular! Looks ugly and very, very uncomfortable.

2. Cheap materials in the interior. Looks horrible and the shift gate rattles.

3. Red lights come on at night and a very difficult to read.

4. Seats are very narrow.

5. No ride quality whatsoever despite new tires.

6. No rear visibility.

7. When you pop the trunk it does not open more than a quarter inch. Very rough to open from there even.

8. Very low quality paint.

9. Triangular side mirrors don't show what cars are in the lane and are difficult to position.

10. Car stereo is terrible.

An ergonomic and engineering nightmare. Can't wait to get home and drive my own car...

Kanchou · 06-21-06, 08:21

Pontiac realises its in trouble ever since Oldsmobile was pulled.

The G6 is built on a good chassis to work from and the pushrod engine is 20 years tough in development now, but yeah, complaints about everything not on the suspension are pretty high.

One of the things Pontiac is looking to do is to drop all x-over vehicles and all Front Wheel Drive vehicles. The Solstice is an excellent start...

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/354/C8078/
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=115566

TriumphGT6 · 06-21-06, 10:25

My Aunt went from a 2003 or 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT1 w/ the best engine and the sport appearance package to a 2006 G6 and the G6 is quite a turd compared to the GP. Doesn't get really any better gas mileage, is built a lot cheaper, and she only pays $9 less a month on her lease.

I loved the GP GT but hate the G6, she does too.

GT6

Joshua312 · 06-21-06, 11:03

Very good info to know about thanks for the heads up..Anyone have any insight on the Solstice quality?

Setec Astronomy · 06-21-06, 05:19

I had been eyeing the previous generation GP GTP for several years, but they kept taking features out that I liked (tire pressure monitor, trunk-mounted CD changer). At the time I thought it was to keep from competing too hard with the Bonneville.

I really didn't like the current generation GP (ugly, too big, etc.), so I fixated on the upcoming G6. I never drove one, because I was too turned off by the awful interior. There was no GTP G6 at the time, not sure if the interior is any nicer in the top package. Coincidentally, I drove by my local dealer on the way home tonight to check that--and, shades of last summer--they had NO vehicles in the showroom and almost nothing in the lot--one dealer who doesn't stock a lot of vehicles--last summer they had NO cars, only SUV's.

I've had GM's forever, but they certainly seem in the death spiral. I was looking at the Cadillac website last night, and they are coming out with a stretched (20") Escalade, called the ESV. Yeah, that's what I want when gas is $3.05, a 220" truck with 403 HP that costs $57K. Funny thing is I bet Toyota keeps selling that one after they buy GM.

Joshua312 · 06-21-06, 08:49

^ I have a 99 GTP currently and was looking to upgrade to a G6 as I liked the styling...looks like I'll be looking elsewhere now. The Grand Prix is really in need of a face-lift. The current styles are too big/bulky/cheap looking. There is alway the Soltice GXP Setec

Edit: Go to Pontiacs website...Anyone notice there is now a G5? I never knew about this! Looks like a competitor to the Cobalt, but I actually like the looks of the G5...hmm now if only they come out with a GTP/supercharged version - Really digging the orange color

Setec Astronomy · 06-22-06, 05:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua312

I have a 99 GTP currently and was looking to upgrade to a G6 as I liked the styling...looks like I'll be looking elsewhere now.

As a GP GTP owner you know that a G6 GTP could bear no resemblence to a base model rental car. That's why I was reserving judgement somewhat until the G6 GTP came out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua312

Go to Pontiacs website...Anyone notice there is now a G5? I never knew about this! Looks like a competitor to the Cobalt, but I actually like the looks of the G5...

It must be the replacement for the Sunfire, which I didn't even realize they had already discontinued. Like the looks? Seemed to be only one picture, from the back...

Joshua312 · 06-22-06, 05:58

Well I hope you are right about the GTP - I much rather prefer the G6 over the G5...Now that you said something I didnt even know it was a replacement of the sunfire....Here is a link I found with another crappy picture of the G5, I do like the front end, but as I think about it...I dont like it over any other car on the road because there really isnt anything special about it except the front end.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/07/p...at-fundraiser/

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/13/p...ased-econobox/

"The model will be a temporary thing until a more Pontiac-like small car is developed"

ebpcivicsi · 06-22-06, 06:29

I have never understood why anyone would buy a pontiac.

BlackSunshine · 06-22-06, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebpcivicsi

I have never understood why anyone would buy a pontiac.

Because sometimes 200 hp just isn't enough, like say, for example, those times when I want my car to get out of its own way.

ebpcivicsi · 06-22-06, 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSunshine

Because sometimes 200 hp just isn't enough, like say, for example, those times when I want my car to get out of its own way.

I would assume that's a Honda reference?

Here's my point, why would anyone buy a G6 over an Accord? I mean, IMO there is no advantage to the G6. Same thing would apply to a camry as well. Why would anyone choose a G6 over a Camry? I guess if you like low-rent interior, horrible ergonomics, and even worse long-term reliability the choice is clear.

themightytimmah · 06-22-06, 09:46

If I buy another Pontiac, it's going to be an off-lease GTO. As a current GTP owner ('97) Pontiac has really failed to sell me on the new Gran Prix design, it looks too bulky and way too much like the mid 2000's Bonneville. I love American cars, and it'll be a cold day in hell before I give up my loyalty to GM.

Sadly, that cold day in hell might be coming soon, as I'm looking in the mid-20s price range and my only real options are the GTO, Acura CL and Mustang (and you'll catch me in the CL before you see me in a Ford).