[Hoosier Red]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

The GTP really only should be had as a coupe with the manual transmission. A sedan or an automatic really ruins the whole image, and I can't imagine it would be the same driving experience with four doors or a pathetic 4-speed.

You are right.....a Corvette with an automatic is not really a 400 hp sports car and it certainly has an image problem.

 

[regfootball]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

The GTP really only should be had as a coupe with the manual transmission. A sedan or an automatic really ruins the whole image, and I can't imagine it would be the same driving experience with four doors or a pathetic 4-speed.

why would having four doors make a diff? sedan buyers need four doors and want the same choice. coupes don't sell today anyways.

 

[mrgto]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

Yup, sticker for sticker, the Mustang GT is a better deal. The GTP is too high in price and the reason manuals sell less than auto's is beacuse not enough manufactures make them.

 

[paul8488]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

I don't even have to drive it... if I had the money I'd plunk it down right now. G6 GTP coupe would be spot-on perfect. I like the idea of too much power... I think it sounds like fun! Makes driving more of an art. I've sat in the coupe, and while headroom is tight with the sunroof, without I'd be fine. I really like the interior, even if it is dark.

 

[Tone]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe

Ugh, another OHC kool-aid drinker. The V6s in the G6 are not simply bored out from any older engine. The 3500 is a greatly refined and modified evolution of an engine dating from the 80s. The NVH levels are good, so good that it doesn't need NVH-fighting shafts. \

The 60 degree engine family has never had or needed balance shafts. Balance shafts are used in engines that are not primarily balanced (for example, 90 degree V6s like the 3800). The shafts, driven off the crank, basically create an equal but opposite "inbalance" than cancels out the primary vibration and greatly improves the engines smoothness.

Since 60 degree V6s are already primary balanced, balance shafts are useless.

Reviews of the revised 60 degree family do seem to back up your observation that they are much better in terms of NVH.

 

[Beau]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

The mustang is better for the price why?
Oh thats right because of the Mustangs high tech independant rear suspension...

Or maybe all of its luxury options.

Or maybe its because its looks like a scolded st. Bernard from the front, with the GTs cheap AutoZone Fog Lamps, and Premium $3 plastic grill. Lets not forget thier UNFORGETTABLE rim style, or thier Oh so sweet looking rear end. (these are my opinion of course)

Oh So sweet looking
If you want Style

The G6 isn't perfect it does have its odd angles but.... the Mustang is something one should definatly not have in mind as a comparable vehicle choice.

 

[Phillip]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

The mustang is better for the price why?

For one seeking the most performance for the dollar, the Mustang pummels just about everyone currently treading in the mid to high twenty grand bracket. Period. Perhaps you're like me in that you like to split hairs based on size, drivetrain, power, performance, styling, etc, but I defer to a point 04Malibu made in another thread; if they cost like amounts of money and appeal to a similar audience, they will probably be compared by consumers regardless.

 

[mrgto]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

240hp FWD
300hp RWD


Hmmmmm, not much to consider uh?

 

[Titanic]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

240hp FWD
300hp RWD


Hmmmmm, not much to consider uh?

The G6 GTP Coupe is cheaper than the Mustang GT. Therefore, it starts in Mustang V6 territory. And it wins that comparo, easily. But yeah, higher optioned GTPs aren't really going to beat the Mustang GT in the sales race.

 

[TimR]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

I think a lot of people are looking at different things. IE FWD is better in the snow (they think), don't want a Ford , etc. Sometimes HP number isn't the only draw. Anyway, the G6 is a pretty nice car, good styling, lots of content.

later
Tim

 

[mrgto]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

The G6 GTP Coupe is cheaper than the Mustang GT. Therefore, it starts in Mustang V6 territory. And it wins that comparo, easily. But yeah, higher optioned GTPs aren't really going to beat the Mustang GT in the sales race.

Invoice on a Mustang GT is less than $1000 more than a GTP.

Pricing Mustang G6
MSRP $25,140 $23,985
Invoice $23,126 $22,186
National True Market Value (TMV®) Price $25,140
customize $22,653

 

[Beau]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

Guys they aren't comparible cars period.

 

[TimR]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

The funny part?? The woman who did up our papers used to own a Mustang, traded it in for a black G6 coupe when she started working at this dealership (2 months ago). Prefers the G6. Go figure.

Anyway, we bought it. White/ebony GT coupe, loaded except for onstar and its a great car. Lots of little details you start noticing like the little hooks on the floor to hold the floormats in place, the double hinged and shock strut trunklid for vertical and controlled opening, the doors that open up wider than most coupes, the honeycomb grille inside the vents, etc.

Wife is thrilled. The white looks awesome. People are slowing down to look at the car parked outside our house...kinda funny for a run of the mill small gm coupe. I'll keep you guys posted on how things go.The white with chrome wheels looks stunning...little white wedge...

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2006.

Seeya
Tim

 

[Carver]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

Sounds like a great car, congrats.

 

[gmhashope]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

The G6 GTP Coupe is cheaper than the Mustang GT. Therefore, it starts in Mustang V6 territory. And it wins that comparo, easily. But yeah, higher optioned GTPs aren't really going to beat the Mustang GT in the sales race.

Isn't the Hummer H2 comparable to a Mercedes station wagon in price so shouldn't they do comparos in magazines? I mean heck both can come with V8s, AWD, 4 doors, and a close price. I can see it now. We can complain that the Hummer gets terrible fuel economy and doesn't handle like a sports car and interior looks cheaper than the Mercedes at a similar price. We can then criticize the Mercedes for not being able to go rock climbing and not having the same look as a Hummer. :rotf:

My point, just because two vehicles are around the same price doesn't mean they're direct competitors.

 

[TLS2000]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

As the owner of an '06 GTP Coupe M6, I'd like to chime in on the Mustang vs. GTP issue that has been brought up here.

My GTP had everything except for Onstar and Satellite radio, and was slightly cheaper than a Mustang GT w/no options.

I have Leather, heated seats, power seats, sunroof, a large trunk, digital climate controls, and more room. These are all things that beat out the Mustang GT at it's base price.

I was seriously considering a Mustang when I went out looking at cars. When I drove a G6 GTP, I was torn between the GTP and the Mustang. When I drove a GTP with a six speed, the Mustang lost.

The G6 is more comfortable, cheaper, and more fun to drive in my opinion.

 

[gmhashope]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

As the owner of an '06 GTP Coupe M6, I'd like to chime in on the Mustang vs. GTP issue that has been brought up here.

My GTP had everything except for Onstar and Satellite radio, and was slightly cheaper than a Mustang GT w/no options.

I have Leather, heated seats, power seats, sunroof, a large trunk, digital climate controls, and more room. These are all things that beat out the Mustang GT at it's base price.

I was seriously considering a Mustang when I went out looking at cars. When I drove a G6 GTP, I was torn between the GTP and the Mustang. When I drove a GTP with a six speed, the Mustang lost.

The G6 is more comfortable, cheaper, and more fun to drive in my opinion.

Good to hear, I like the G6 GTP coupe. I just sat in one at my Pontiac dealer the other day. If you have any pics., please feel free to post them as I know I would enjoy seeing them.

 

[Gm786]

Re: Test Drive: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe - "A car transformed"

Very nice!!! Will definitely sell well of you ask me!

 

[91 s-10baja]

Definitely Not your Grandma's Grand Am

http://straight-six.com/neue/ftlod/06_pontiac_G6GTP.php

Where the G6 two-door improves upon the sedan is with some of the best front buckets in any General Motors vehicle, with support and comfort reminiscent of Saab chairs. The optional two-tone leather trim scheme is also upscale Saabish.

The base G6 GT Coupe comes with the sedan's 201-horsepower, 3.5-litre V6, a moanful mill that will have you flipping the Yellow Pages for an exorcist. Add a P to the alphanumeric equation, however, and Pontiac coughs up not only 18-inch aluminum wheels, dual chrome exhaust and stability/traction control, but also the one item that should get your attention if you like to drive -- a 240-hp, 3.9L V6 with variable intake valve timing and a variable intake manifold.

Objectively, 240 horses might not sound special, what with the Accord Coupe V6 and the new Eclipse GT V6 having four and 23 additional hp respectively. And both being quicker to 100 kilometres an hour than the Pontiac.

Subjectively, though, and compared with the 3.5L unit, the GTP's larger powerplant is a hoot. Immediate in its response, from low in the revs all the way to its 6,000-rpm redline, the larger V6's smoothness might fool you into thinking you have a small-block V8 underfoot. And Pontiac has slackened the electronic nannies, so you can easily chirp the tires right through to third gear in the wet.

Hats off to Pontiac's commitment to making the six-speed stick available. I just wish it were a little more refined in its use -- the second-to-third gear shift is especially graunchy. And the need to have the box in Reverse to remove the ignition key? Huh? When did Saab engineers sneak into the Pontiac offices?

Compared with the G6 sedan, the GTP Coupe's suspension tuning is a little firmer, with stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars, and the electric power steering is a little quicker, at 2.7 turns lock-to-lock. But inconsistent is a good way to describe both the handling and steering.

The generous 18-inch rubber initially grabs on in hard cornering. But, then, the car begins to lean quite a bit, negating any confidence you may have had. And, like the G6 sedan, pockmarked roads deliver a sequence of float, crash and bang that will make you think it's time for new shocks. The variable-assisted electric power steering has little feel and it's just too light.

Look, I tried the independence, impartiality, etc., thing. In fact, I tried really hard. But the final verdict is similar to that of a lot of domestic cars launched over the past 20 years.

 

[SteveWallace]

Re: Definitely nbt your Grand ma's Grand Am

I started to flip when I saw the 33k as tested... then I realized it was Canadian.

I've seen the GTP coupe sitting in a BJ's near my house and in the MCI center in DC. I watched people at both places take good looks at it. It really is a nice looking car!