Pontiac Converts (Business Week)

[Black04GTO]

Some very "positive ink" on the Pontiac G6 Convertible:

http://biz.yahoo.com/bizwk/060816/bw...2948.html?.v=1

Compared to those rivals, the G6 offers excellent value. Even with the engine and interior upgrades I'm suggesting, you can take home a G6 convertible for a little more than $30,000. It also has the virtue of being manufactured in Michigan, if you care about buying American. And this is one Made-in-USA model where Detroit got most of the important things right.

[F14CRAZY]

It is a pretty positive review. I did notice, however, that the tester wishes there was a manual tranny available. I've read about the issues with the 4 banger not having one available, and 3.5L not having one available, the 3.9L having one available, and the 3.6L not having one available. The 3.6L and 6 speed should satisfy more people, but a real manual would still be a worthy option to have available.

[cincygoblue]

Again with the trunkspace issue. My thought would be if you're travelling with 2 kids on vacation as he suggests, throw your luggage in the trunk and keep the top up while on the expressway to vacationville. Once you're there, put the bags in the hotel room, and you're set for vacation open-top driving for the duration. Doesn't seem like a big deal to me for that kind of situation.

Overall, I agree with pretty much everything he said. It's a really good car at a really good price. There really isn't a good competitive vehicle vs. the G6 Vert.

Glad to see this is doing sooooooo well for Pontiac. Sales are off the charts for G6.

[5 watt]

Any reason GM hasn’t stepped up and give the G6 convertible run flat tires? Would free up some much needed truck space a low cost.

[JVal14]

Again with the trunkspace issue.

Any hardtop convertible is going to sacrifice trunk space with the top down; that's just a decision you'll have to make while you're buying the car. I don't see why people continue to gripe about it.

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by JVal14

Any hardtop convertible is going to sacrifice trunk space with the top down; that's just a decision you'll have to make while you're buying the car. I don't see why people continue to gripe about it.

I think from what I've read, GM decided to use a top (designed by Karmann, IIRC) that only folded once, in half. While that may look better when the roof is closed and more easily seal out road and wind noise, some of the G6 hardtop's competitors like the Volvo C70 have a hardtop with two folds (so it goes into thirds instead), which I believe allows for more trunk space.

I liked the idea that 5 watt had about using run flat tires in it. Seems like a win-win for me, except for the bean counter factor...

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by cincygoblue

Again with the trunkspace issue. My thought would be if you're travelling with 2 kids on vacation as he suggests, throw your luggage in the trunk and keep the top up while on the expressway to vacationville. Once you're there, put the bags in the hotel room, and you're set for vacation open-top driving for the duration. Doesn't seem like a big deal to me for that kind of situation.

Overall, I agree with pretty much everything he said. It's a really good car at a really good price. There really isn't a good competitive vehicle vs. the G6 Vert.

Glad to see this is doing sooooooo well for Pontiac. Sales are off the charts for G6.

Watch out for the VW Eos. And mabye the solara convertible if youm really wanna include Toyota.

[AndrewGS]

As for competition, the VW Eos is hitting showrooms now, but I can't find pricing info to see where it stands against the G6.

[zete]

Originally Posted by Xenon

Watch out for the VW Eos. And mabye the solara convertible if youm really wanna include Toyota.

Didn't Toyota recently announce that the Solara was dead? I could've sworn I read that recently that there were no future Toyota Solaras planned.

Edit: I found it: Toyota Future Products List. Solara is listed as dead, though there's a chance it might come back. Seems sales aren't good enough so it's being axed.

[igor]

Eos starts at some 26k with the 200hp 2.0l Turbo 4 .. the V6 is 36k.

I will check the numbers - I read them somewhere today

EDIT: 29k with the turbo4 (200hp) and $37k with the 250hp V6
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/354/C9111/

Igor

[igor]

Solara is dead

I guess the competition is
Volvo C70
VW Eos
VW Bug Convertible
Mini

The others seem more expensive
Audi A4
BMW3-er

I am sure there are more (e.g Sebring if you want to count it)

Igor

[Murrow]

Originally Posted by igor

Solara is dead

I guess the competition is
Volvo C70
VW Eos
VW Bug Convertible
Mini

The others seem more expensive
Audi A4
BMW3-er

I am sure there are more (e.g Sebring if you want to count it)

Igor

soon there will be a hardtop sebring convertible and a miata hardtop convertible (although it will only be a 2-seater, like all other miatas).

[usa1]

Originally Posted by JVal14

Any hardtop convertible is going to sacrifice trunk space with the top down; that's just a decision you'll have to make while you're buying the car. I don't see why people continue to gripe about it.

When you consider that other automakers make hardtop converables that offer a usable trunk with the top down, it's a very legitamate gripe. I'd like to know why GM could handle putting a useful trunk on the G6 or Solstice.

Mark

[ViperDVMan]

Do remember that the Eos is smaller than the G6 too, being built on the Golf/Rabbit platform vs. the G6's larger Epsilon platform. And I think the C70 is also a smaller convertible, built on the S40 chassis if I remember right (correct me if I'm wrong). Size-wise, I think the Solara and upcoming Sebring convert are closer competitors.

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

I liked the idea that 5 watt had about using run flat tires in it. Seems like a win-win

I agree..I think GM should so something like that. Nice to hear positive press on the G6 Convertible! I really like it, it's a very nice car for the price. Seems to be helping G6 sales out a lot; the whole line is doing really well right now. Seems to pretty much be sustaining Pontiac.