[a_v_s]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough in my first post. The Sonata is a great car, and it is selling- well, and it likely is taking sales from GM (doesn't surprise me), but I'm not going to sit here and say that GM doesn't have **************** when it comes to the midsize segment. That is just not true. The Malibu, Impala, and G6 all compete very well with the import competition. Could they be better? OF COURSE, but I honestly feel that the G6 and Impala can take on the Sonata. Give me reasons why to think different, I have an open-mind on this.

First, let me say that I never said GM didn't have ***** in the midsize segment. I just said that GM appears to be sitting on it's laurels.

The G6 is a nice looking car on the outside. I think the inside could use lots of help. Having never driven a Sonata, I can't comment about it's driving dynamics, but having driven many G6 and Impalas, (and owning a Grand Prix), I can comment on GM's offerings.

The GM cars are over-priced. The entry level models are priced fine, but the upper trim levels are over-priced. GM advertises the G6 as being better than the 4 cylinder accord, but they don't tell you that a G6 GT actually costs more than an Accord V6 w/Navi. I priced it myself and can vouch for that. A G6 GT when I priced it (without the panoramic roof), came to $28k and some change. An accord V6 with navi was $27k and some change.

For that 28k, you get the same engine and transmission, wheras the 27k in the Accord, gets you 244hp, a 5 speed automatic, and a touchscreen DVD navi unit. Something is wrong with this picture. I'm almost scared to think what a G6 GTP will sticker out to. Granted this was a year ago when I did this excersise, so I don't know how the pricing has changed for 06', but from what I hear, very little.

The Impala. I actually thought that was a bright spot. The interior dash is very nice. However, that steering wheel almost ruins it. It is so plain and bland. And the gear shifter could use some help too. These are minor nitpicks, but sometimes it's the little things, that can upset the flow of the other things, that makes for a ruined experience.

The Grand Prix GXP, (similar to Impala-SS), is a very nice car, but I think GM is asking for way too much money with it's loaded sticker of $36k. Sure, you get 303hp, but at this price point, you are competing with luxury marks like Acura, Infiniti, Lexus, and even GM's own Caddy. Pontiac is out of it's league at this price-point. The GXP/Impala-SS need to be loaded for $29,995. Not starting at $29,395 or whatever it is.

Getting back to the G6. I've never driven a 3900, so I can't comment on it. But the 3500 is not a smooth engine. It's a nice engine, with a decent amount of pep, but when it just doesn't have a smooth/refined feeling when you drive it.

Like I said, I've never driven a Sonata, so I can't say anything about it. However, the Sonata has other things going for it. It is actually EPA Full-size, so it is really more in line with the Impala than G6 in terms of space. It also offers things that are percieved as being more upscale, such as projector beam headlights, across the board standard dual front/side/curtain airbags, stability control, etc. The long warranty is just icing on the cake.

Hyundai is going for a homerun. GM is doing bunts and singles. Sure, they are scoring runs, but Hyundai is getting the crowd to stand up and cheer when they score.

Besides, I'm not sure about the numbers you posted. They seem misleading. I keep hearing how the imports are gaining market share. Acura has been posting record sales. Infiniti is seeing huge growth as well. But I keep hearing doom and gloom from the domestics. Something isn't adding up. I would be very happy if the G6 is doing well, but I don't get that feeling when I listen to others.