2005 Pontiac G6: A Fresh Start

[Ming]

2005 Pontiac G6
A Fresh Start: Move aside Grand Am, it's G6 time
AUTOWEEK
Published Date: 4/18/05

ENGINE
Front-transverse 3.5-liter/213-cid ohv V6 ("3500")
Horsepower: 200 @ 5400 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 220 @ 3800 rpm
Compression ratio: 9.8:1
Fuel requirement: 87 octane

LIKES
Quiet ride
Panoramic sunroof
Improved quality

DISLIKES
Uninspired performance
Noisy engine
Less than great braking

OTHERS CONSIDERED
Mazda6
Honda Accord
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

There comes a point in a vehicle’s life cycle when the plug just needs to be pulled. That time has arrived for the Pontiac Grand Am, a car that made its debut in 1984 but for years now has been sustained on a life-support system of fleet sales and big-dollar incentives.

Pontiac pushed out 133,707 Grand Ams last year to Honda’s 386,770 Accords and Toyota’s 426,990 Camrys. Whether blame lay with its meager quality, rental-car image or dated design, clearly the Grand Am is an equation that no longer adds up, so off it is being sent to that great car place in the sky to make way for the G6.

The G6 is an all-new car, inside and out. We like its shape, especially compared to the body-cladded Grand Am, and the car’s larger interior is more ergonomically pleasing with better-quality materials everywhere you look.

As you’d expect with a GM product, underpinning the car is hardware already in use. The G6 employs the same 3.5-liter, 200-hp, 220-lb-ft V6 found in the Chevrolet Malibu, which one owner describes as “slow off the line, and it never really feels powerful.”

Our track numbers concur. From 0 to 60 mph and through the quarter-mile, the G6 clock-ed a mediocre 8.17 seconds and 16.17 seconds at 85.6 mph. We say mediocre because the Mazda 6 (May 26, 2003) and the Nissan Altima (May 20, 2002) we tested were significantly quicker: 7.25 seconds, 15.66 seconds at 90.4 mph; and 6.32 seconds, 14.85 seconds at 95.1 mph, respectively.

The last Camry we tested (Aug. 5, 2002) was a tad slower (8.5, 16.49), but we’ve yet to test the Toyota with its new 3.3-liter, 225-hp, 240-lb-ft V6, and we’re confident the Accord’s 240 horses will have little to worry about from the Pontiac.

Also, the G6’s pushrod motor does not seem as refined as the imports’, emitting a harsh cry as it approaches its 6000-rpm redline.

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I test-drove a G6 and Grand Prix and bought the G6 because of how it drove. The Grand Prix looks and drives just like any old-er Pontiac or GM car.It is similar to my 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS. However, the G6 is much livelier. It looksand drives more like a modern car. The interior is very nice, and the telescoping steering wheel and adjustable pedals are big pluses.There’s loads of room inside and the ride is quite comfortable. I have 1600 miles on the car and have had no problems. -Alan Cantwell, Oklahoma City

FULL Article Here: http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:s...sh+Start&hl=en

[Canuck]

"and we’re confident the Accord’s 240 horses will have little to worry about from the Pontiac"

How about we wait to compare the 240hp G6 with the 240hp Accord?
This review is decent but the base V6 is base not an optional powerplant so compare apples to apples.

[xtremegrandam]

I have to agree with Canuck. Its not even fair to compare the current G6 GT with the Accord V6 manual which most likely they are if they think its so much faster because the 6 speed goes 0-60 in 5.9 but the automatic goes 0-60 at 7 seconds. Interesting that they say over 8.1 seconds for 0-60 I get better than that with a large box and 2 12in subs in the back. 40 HP less than the Accord and just .9 seconds slower is ok with me. Another thing is the Panoramic sunroof. While I agree its expensive at 1,500$ it doesnt have to be purchased in the special value package for over 3,000$ its just that most of them have it. I have seen a few that havent though. Most people also think that Pontiac engines are harsh because of their exhaust tone. I personally like it and like the sound. But recently I have been getting a harsh sound out of the engine at heavy acceleration that I wasnt getting.

[WineOH]

Before saying "apples to apples", I'd like to know what the 240hp G6 costs vs the V-6 Accord. Since I don't know the answer, I'm wondering if that's why they're considered all-apples by this reviewer. The Accord only has 2 engine options, after all, and it would be equally unfair to compare the 4cyl Accord to the current G6. I also think Pontiac should eventually remove the middle 200 hp engine to compete more directly and reduce some cost.