2008 G6 GXP Sedan

[BRMike]

My wife and I are planning on buying a new car in March. We had decided on either the G6 GT Convertible or a G6 GXP Sedan. I just had to have the 3.6-liter and six speed auto. However, when I saw the GXP I was very disappointed. The styling is just too "boy racer" for me and my wife. No matter how much I try, I can't get past that front end. So it would appear that I'll have to step down to the G6 GT sedan and load it up with optional equipment. I just wished that the front clip and rocker panel extentions could have been a part of the Street Edition Package.

I'm curious as to whether I am in the minority in my thinking. In my opinion, the 2007 G6 GTP sedan (and coupe for that matter) have a nice clean look to them. The 2008 GXP's appear to take a page from the mid-1990's Grand Am's with the tacked on rocker panels and bumper covers.

*I wasn't sure which forum to post this in (Complaints or Letters) so feel free to move this to the appropriate forum.

[GMCSonoma]

Right forum BRMike and glad to see your opinion here as always!

[Corr69]

I couldn't agree more. I went to a local Pontiac Dealer and was disgusted by how poorly this car's design was executed. From the spoiler big enough t be a clothes line, and a dorky looking front end, this is truely a ricer version of the G6,

[shabodah]

I'm a fan of the GTP coupe, and was pretty excited about a GXP coming out. When I saw what GM/Pontiac did with the car, I felt sick to my stomach. This could have been something real. Too bad it's the biggest joke in the whole stable now.

[Joevette]

does the sedan have the same front end as the coupe?

[BRMike]

Originally Posted by Joevette

does the sedan have the same front end as the coupe?

Yes. Both the coupe and sedan have the elongated grills, as well as the rocker panel extentions (ground effects). I'm not crazy about the wheels either. I prefer the 18" GTP wheels, which are available on the G6 GT. They are very similar to the 18" wheels on my GTO.

[autofan]

Originally Posted by BRMike

Yes. Both the coupe and sedan have the elongated grills, as well as the rocker panel extentions (ground effects). I'm not crazy about the wheels either. I prefer the 18" GTP wheels, which are available on the G6 GT. They are very similar to the 18" wheels on my GTO.

I have seen GXPs at local dealers with the same 18" wheels as the 2007 GTP. They are optional on GXP models and have an ultra-bright finish. The only way I would accept a 2008 GXP would be with those wheels and a front/rear fascia swap from a GT model.

[Minnesota Nice]

I have to say I hated this car the moment I saw it in pictures online. When I saw the first few coupes in the dealership, I was a bit surprised to find that I actually didn't mind it as much and, to my amazement: it didn't look bad.

And then I look at pictures and say "What was I thinking?"

[BRMike]

I will look at one in person before making the final decision, but I just can't believe the car will appeal to me. I even looked for pictures of GXP's at dealers and what not to get a more realistic look at them (as opposed to official GM photos). I'm sure the styling appeals to many folks out there, but as I stated in an earlier post I wish the front end, rocker panels, etc. would have been a part of the street package. That way conervative people, like myself, could still enjoy the 3.6-liter V6.

Having typed all of that, I may very well end up getting the G6 GT convertible. The deciding factor will actually be whether of not my wife and I plan to have children. Talk about a stressful decision! Either way, I should be posting up pictures of a 2008 G6 in a few months.

[F14CRAZY]

I'd also suggest seeing it in person. The pix online make it look awful but it isn't bad in person

[JBsZ06]

Looks are such a personal choice...for me...since you asked.... I love the GXP front end. I would have to get the GXP if I were shopping a pontiac four door... I think the GXP Front end makes the car..

At 48 years old...what can I say...I like the very stylish GXP?

But whats most important is that you like it since your buying the car... If its turning you to other products why not look at either the Saturn Aura V6 since they are just now offering 2200 dollar discounts (on tv) for that car...

Very nicely styled both inside and out and its been a bit of a slow seller so they are tacking on discounts to move them.. I'd highly recommend that...I think and I'm not sure what options you want but you could get in one of those nicely equipped for around 25 grand minus the 2200..

Thats a great car...

If not and you have some GM bonus points go for the new V6 LTZ Malibu for around the same money.. I was at the doctors yesterday and in the doctors parking space was a brand new malibu.. That was a nice car with the 18 inch tires and V6 motor..

Good luck deciding and if it were me? I'd go for the GXP or the Saturn Aura or the new Malibu.

(THE 2200 discount on the Aura would probably sway me that way.. and the interior is stunning.. )

[BRMike]

I test drove an AURA XR this past summer and was very impressed. However, my wife doesn't care for the styling. The Malibu looks impressive as well, but again the wife is not a fan of the styling.
Having typed that, my wife likes the styling of the G6 and she's not overly concerned with the 3.5-liter V6 as opposed to the 3.6. I'm the one pushing for the 3.6-liter, which brings up the whole GXP styling debate. My wife and I will look and drive a GXP before any decision is made, but I wanted to start a thread just out of curiousity as to what other GM enthusiasts thought of the 2008 G6 GXP cars.

[JBsZ06]

I believe its always good to get a spouses opinion on what vehicle styling they prefer and yet I believe if the car is for you then you should get the motor option package YOU want.

If that means GXP then so be it.. If it means aura or Malibu so be it..

If the car is for her? then go with what she wants.

Makes for everyone to be pleased with their life.

JMO and they are all great cars...and great looking... maybe it was the color she didn't care for in either of the two examples you showed her.. ?

Take her to look again..

and show her various colors etc..

I like the Aura in blue with tan interior..as thats very luxurious.. same with the black and tan? or white but make sure you show her the car with the big wheels and tires that come from the factory..

It makes the stance more impressive.

Same thing for the malibu..

I drove the G6 with the four cylinder and was impressed. I am sure with either V6 it will be a nice ride. I think it is a great value...

Good luck and your a good husband to make sure your wife is happy with the purchase.

Thats what every wife wants. I would after you talk to your wife about how you want her to be happy ....with your joint decision that you need to also express your feelings to her explaining that she may not understand the value of the 3.6 over the 3.5 but that it is important to you.

It would be good to share the decision and most important is her happyness.. Then tell her you want to buy any of these three cars but you want the 3.6 liter v6.

[JBsZ06]

one last thing...that I'll mention...

Years back I bought a 2001 C5 corvette Z06 as opposed to the 2002 Z06 that had just been released..

I saved about 7 thousand dollars because it had 385hp instead of the 405 hp of the 2002 model..

I figured what difference did 20hp make...Well as time went on...I ended up easily spending that much and more as I got into further an further modding.

I bet if I had the 405hp 2002 Z06 I never would have spent that much in continually modifying the motor..

My point is...its important to get the motor (because your into cars) that YOU want otherwise you will never be happy...(over time)



EXCEPT!! if the car is for her.. I would as mentioned earlier try and explain your desires and see if see will share the ownership experience with you and get the 3.6 liter in any of the three cars I mentioned..

If not? the 3.5 is fine.. I'm sure.

I just went through a similiar thing with the 300hp Direct injection V6 versus the 260hp V6 standard in the 2008 AWD CTS so I guess thats why I'm so involved trying give insight..

I told my wife I wanted the 304hp engine as it was the better of the two... Would she have been happy with the 260hp motor? I'm sure..but since when we travel as a family we use the Cadillac together with the child and I'm usually driving... I suggested I would be happier with the 304 hp motor as well as the sport suspension and bigger wheels and tires..

Did she care about those car things? Not really but the cost differential over the time of ownership was relatively minimal and I explained to her over time we'd both be happier with those things.. (especially me)

Always nice to share the decision with the spouse.. Makes for a happy family.. Just make sure your happy too in the end..

Have the various conversations and Go look again with the wife at the cars in different colors in the 3.6 liter

Good luck.

[BRMike]

The new car will be for the wife. She currently drives a 2000 Grand Prix GTP. Although she rarely uses all 240 supercharged horses, she does like the fact that they're there to use at her discretion. We'll rarely use the 219 horsepower that the 3.5 liter has, much less the 252 from the 3.6. Heck, I'm pushing near 385 horsepower now in my GTO and I can tell you those horses are almost never whipped.