2006 Pontiac G6 GT: Exceeding expectations.

[giagastormer]

As some of you may know, I'm in Florida on vacation visiting family. My dad is the proud owner of a Crimson Red Pontiac G6 GT, fully loaded. Today I had the oppertunity to drive it for nearly 2 hours straight. Here is what I have to say.

First off, the exterior styling is awesome. The "chrome tech" 17" wheels look awesome. They really fill the wheel wells quite nicely. Alll the body gaps are tight, and lined up perfectly. The tiny GM badge doesn't look bad at all, considering all the controversy over the use of the corporate badge.

Interior blows me away. The grained center stack added for the '06 model year really makes a HUGE difference in the overall appearance. Fit & finish is fantastic. Everything lines up perfectly, and has a solid, quality feel to it. The dash is composed of a soft, but very sturdy, gloss free finish that feels very nice to the touch. Also for '06 the parking brake handle is leather wrapped. Amazing how such little touches of luxury make such a big difference. The seats are supportive, and the leather is what you expect out of a $27k car.

During low speeds, the steering is very light. As speed progresses, the steering stiffens up considerably. I like the feature, and so does my dad. The 200 horse 3500 V6 provides plenty of thrust. Nail the throttle, and you can hear the roar of the engine. Although it does sound trashy in the upper RPM range, no big deal. It's nice to actually hear the engine. Visibility is poor, in my opinion. There are too many blind spots around you. With the traction control on, I was easily able to squeel the tires (not chirp, but squeel!) going straight. I didn't want to piss my dad off, so I didn't try it with the traction control off. I think the 3500 has more than adequate power, at all speeds. I can't wait to drive a GTP, with the more powerful 3900.

I think the G6 truly is a great car. Before you put it down in any way, go out and drive one. Don't expect it to be as fast as your Camaro, because it isn't. GM finally has finally hit a home run that can compete with the ****, and this one has personality.

Way to go GM!!

Edit: After 5,000 miles of break in, the average fuel economy is 27 mpg. That's pretty **************** good. That isn't just highway mileage either, it's mixed driving.

[IAMCANADIAN]

my cousin has a 2005 G6 base, i've driven it a couple times, it's a real nice car, has lots of power, cruises well on the highway, I like it quite a lot. The engine isn't as smooth as some competitors V6's, but it sounds awesome and it's quite refined over the 3400.

[dav305z]

Where in Florida are you?

[Carver]

I'm curious about where the blind spots are. I've seen people complain about looking over the left shoulder to change lanes. Thanks.

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by Carver

I'm curious about where the blind spots are. I've seen people complain about looking over the left shoulder to change lanes. Thanks.

I've heard that the Grand Prix has a few blind spots as well, the 9-3 my mom had was bad for that as well, my alero's pretty good, especially for a coupe, i like having a spoiler, it helps when backing up so I know how close I am to another car, a lot of cars are bad for that nowadays, the sebring convertible that we have is a major culprit, i can never see where the front or rear ends, i think that's the downside to cabforward styling, my mom had a 300M as a rental years ago and she had a major problem with front and rear visibility.

[FourOnTheFloor]

From what I hear, the G6 is a good car, could have been better, but a good choice. very good looker. This just proves you really have to drive a car for yourself and make your own judgements.
Great fuel economy and plenty of power from a crappy old pushrod engine? Thats great!
Go G6!!!

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by giagastormer

Edit: After 5,000 miles of break in, the average fuel economy is 27 mpg. That's pretty **************** good. That isn't just highway mileage either, it's mixed driving.

Seriously... amd *I* the only G6 GT owner to NOT get that type of mileage???????
I'm still plodding along at 22mpg.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by Carver

I'm curious about where the blind spots are. I've seen people complain about looking over the left shoulder to change lanes. Thanks.

Well... I don't think I've ever noticed blindspots in the G6. but I should be the exception.
Driving a 9-5 for so long, with it's fat B and C pillars, I go used to rocking forward to "look around" the pillars. And every car I drive... I do that... even though I don't need to, so I guess you could say I've "adapted."

I do find the G6 mirror a bit on the small side. Because they're a bit triangular, they don't cover as much of the lanes as I would like. but that's personal preference.

[jro4566]

Good review. The G6 has some really nice touches on the inside, especially those slick chrome air vents. I am surprised that you were able to squeel the tires with the traction control on, as traction control is supposed to prevent that.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by jro4566

Good review. The G6 has some really nice touches on the inside, especially those slick chrome air vents. I am surprised that you were able to squeel the tires with the traction control on, as traction control is supposed to prevent that.

I could always do the samething in my Grand Prix's with the traction control on. It took a few seconds for the traction to kick in.

I think its great that GM is listening to customer feedback and is improving their vehicles every year. Look at the G6, people complained about the interior, so GM added some chrome and a grained center stack.

The same can be said for the Equinox. Customers (me included) complained about the huge view-blocking headrests on the backseat. For 2006 GM added much smaller headrests on the back.

[wpbharry]

Thanks, finally an answer to my pondering about why I can squeal the tires on the Maxx with T/C on. I was concerned that T/C wasn't working on my car.

I'd love to see the new center stack on the G6.....GM seems to have NO interior shots of the Malibu (save the SS) or the G6 anywhere yet.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by Mags

I'm getting about 9.5 liters per 100 km for what it's worth. Don't know what that translates to.

MF

24.8 mpg is what that translates to. Still better than me.

[big swede]

Originally Posted by Carver

I'm curious about where the blind spots are. I've seen people complain about looking over the left shoulder to change lanes. Thanks.

That's why I hate 4 doors. Being a taller person I guess my seat is back farther than most because from my seating position every 4 door I have driven has the b-piller next to my left ear totally blocking my line of site over my shoulder.

[SonicAerio]

I think the G6 would look great if they updated the headlights to projectors or atleast made the GT and GTP version available with HIDs

[Vintalage]

Originally Posted by SonicAerio

I think the G6 would look great if they updated the headlights to projectors or atleast made the GT and GTP version available with HIDs

It would be more appealing and enticing.

Is every GM car you drive exceeding or living up to expectations giagastormer?