Pontiac G6.
In 2005, Pontiac's aging Grand Am was replaced by the G6. Although it was far from perfect, this mid-size sedan/coupe/convertible arrived not a moment too soon.
The GrandAm was getting long in the tooth, after being in GM's lineup - in one form or another - for some 30 years, and it had one of the worst reliability records in GM's entire stable.
The G6 was a brand-new vehicle in just about every way. Built on General Motors' Epsilon platform, it shared architecture with the Saab 9-3, Opel Vectra and Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, among others. It came as a four-door sedan, a two-door coupe and a hardtop convertible. Whatever body configuration you chose, the G6 was all the things it's predecessor wasn't: responsive, nimble, predictable and a surprisingly entertaining car to drive.
There was a rather confusing array of engine choices, including a 3.5-litre V-6, GM's ubiquitous "Ecotec" four-cylinder and, later, a high-performance 3.9-litre V-6. Transmission choices were a six-speed manual, four-speed automatic and six-speed automatic. Suspension duties were handled by MacPherson struts up front and a four-link, coil spring setup in the back. Both ends had stabilizer bars, and the G6 could run rings around the GrandAm when it came to handling.
The interior was also all-new and was aimed at enthusiasts. Back-lit gauges, sport-type bucket seats, tasteful brushed aluminum trim, and leather-wrapped steering wheel all contributed to an overall sporty feel.
That said, interior elbow room was at a premium. Despite its mid-size designation, this was not a roomy automobile and headroom was minimal - especially in the back seat, where adults would find things a titch on the cozy side
The G6 had an options list as long as your arm. Leather interior, power-adjustable pedals, upgraded stereo, anti-locking brakes, power driver's seat and a remote starting device were all available.
Standard kit included power windows and door locks, 16-inch wheels and tires, 60-40 folding rear seat, cruise control, tilt steering and so on. The safety side of things was handled by dual front airbags, as well as side curtain and seat-mounted air cushions. If nothing else, it was well-equipped.
But it was all in vain. By the end of 2009, the G6 was gone.
There are three safety recalls from Transport Canada. The first concerns a potentially wonky gearshift cable that could prevent the transmission from going all the way into Park. This, in turn, could lead to the vehicle rolling away after it's been shut off and parked. This defect actually affects a wide range of GM products, of various years, including the Chevrolet Cobalt and Malibu, Saturn Aura and others. The second recall involves possibly malfunctioning rear brake lights, while the third - and potentially most serious - has to do with the sensing mechanism of the front-seat passenger airbag. This could go off unintentionally or deploy incorrectly in the event of a collision.
Unfortunately, the G6 also has numerous technical service bulletins; 2005 - the inaugural year - has 86 alone, and they range from an unreliable fuel gauge, to electronically adjustable pedals that won't adjust, to mysterious whistling noises emanating from the engine, to leaky doors. Things don't get much better in '06, with 78 TSBs on file, and in 2007, there are 60, many of which involve engine cooling issues. By 2008, the number of TSBs is down to 45, but still, that's a lot of technical advisories.
Not much love from Consumer Reports. The four-cylinder models seem to fare slightly better than the V-6 versions, but the 2006 and 2007 models, in particular, get the magazine's lowest used car prediction ratings, with the 2008 edition getting a slightly better "average" grade.
Suspension, brakes, and body integrity seem to be areas of particular concern. Some remarks from owners: "Too many problems to count," "brake rotors warp after 10K," "serious noise issues." That said, many owners seem to appreciate the G6's handling and styling.
Although it falls short in areas such as overall quality, overall dependability and features accessories quality, market research firm J.D. Power gave the 2005 version of the G6 its "Most Appealing Entry Mid-size Car" award. In 2006, however, the honeymoon was over, and they give this year a below-average rating for dependability. Ditto in 2007 and 2008. Ironically, in 2009, the year it got cancelled, the G6 received a slightly higher rating from J.D. Power.
Depending upon the year and model, prices for the G6 are all over the map. From just over $8,000 for a base 2005 sedan, they climb to the mid-$20,000 range for an 2009 Convertible. The convertible seems to be about $5,000 pricier than its two-door coupe stable-mates.
globedrive@globeandmail.com
2005-2009 Pontiac G6
Original Base Price: $24,670 (2005); Black Book Value: $8,100-$23,525; Red Book Value: $8,375-$26,325
Engine: 2.4-litre, four-cylinder/3.5- and 3.9-litre V6
Horsepower/Torque: 167 hp/162 lb-ft for 2.4-litre; 200 hp/220 lb-ft for 3.5-litre; 240 hp/241 lb-ft for 3.9-litre
Transmission: Six-speed manual/four- and six-speed automatic
Drive: Front-wheel
Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 10.0 city/6.4 highway (four-cylinder with four-speed automatic): regular gas
Alternatives: Mazda6, VolkswagenW Jetta, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry