CTC Review: 2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible

[CD_Editor]

Picture Gallery:  2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible

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I was walking through the greenhouses at Ottawa's Carleton University, checking out an exotic butterfly exhibit, when it occurred to me that these fragile creatures could have been inspiration for the concept of the hardtop convertible. More ...

[Alex MacLean]

I really don't get why the CD writers have such a thing against domestic vehicles. You complain, continuously BTW about issues that are inherent to all vehicles in this class, such as it being less rigid than a coupe and a lack of truck space when the top is down. Well of course, where the heck is the top supposed to go? Then you compare it to the VW, and pronounce it as a winner against the G6, when exactly did this become a comparison?

Maybe I'm wrong, but somehow I suspect that if we popped off the Pontiac logo and slapped a Toyota badge on the identical car, we'd be hearing about how great it is.

Canadian Driver is my home page, I check it every day, but your reviews of American vehicles are so biased beyond reason that they really are becoming worthless reads. Click on a review of an American car, and you already know it sucks, no sense reading your article, we know you will pronounce any Japanese or European competitors as the winners.

[mdxtasy]

The top of the G6 does not move out of the way to allow accessibility to the trunk like the Volvo C70 does.  Atleast you can get at the trunk if the top moves up and out of the way to get your hand in there.  Imagine having the top down and needing to get at the trunk.  Top up, open trunk, close trunk, top down.  Cumbersome.

Granted, most droptops will experience the cowl shake etc.  The BMW M3 has this bad trait.  This is not an American car problem.  However, there are some convertibles that are pretty stiff and do transition from coupe to droptop nicely.

[RunsinLight]

Maybe I'm wrong, but somehow I suspect that if we popped off the Pontiac logo and slapped a Toyota badge on the identical car, we'd be hearing about how great it is.

I wouldn't say that's true no. There is a reason why there is hardly any 2-door G6's on the road and that's because
most people probably think its an ugly car.

[mdxtasy]

I wouldn't say that's true no. There is a reason why there is hardly any 2-door G6's on the road and that's because
most people probably think its an ugly car.

I don't think it's ugly.  It has some nice lines here and there.  But the overall look seems a bit off.  Wheel gap, overhangs, and stance are what turns me off.

[ovr50]

"Canadian Driver is my home page, I check it every day, but your reviews of American vehicles are so biased beyond reason that they really are becoming worthless reads. Click on a review of an American car, and you already know it sucks, no sense reading your article, we know you will pronounce any Japanese or European competitors as the winners."

Now that's not true - just check out the glowing report on the Mustang GT Convertible by Jil:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,46934.0.html

[mdxtasy]

"Canadian Driver is my home page, I check it every day, but your reviews of American vehicles are so biased beyond reason that they really are becoming worthless reads. Click on a review of an American car, and you already know it sucks, no sense reading your article, we know you will pronounce any Japanese or European competitors as the winners."

Now that's not true - just check out the glowing report on the Mustang GT Convertible by Jil:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,46934.0.html

Who doesn't like a Mustang GT?   

[ovr50]

Just making a point, Md, just making a point. 

[mdxtasy]

Just making a point, Md, just making a point. 

A sexy black, California Special point. 

[ovr50]

Just making a point, Md, just making a point. 

A sexy black, California Special point. 

 

PS - still driving 'er. 

[mdxtasy]

Just making a point, Md, just making a point. 

A sexy black, California Special point. 

 

PS - still driving 'er. 

Rub it in.  It's -10C right now.

[Carsfeverguy]

I agree with logansowner. If it comes from VW or Audi it must be amazing. Seriously people, I read these reviews and wonder who sponsors the website and how much have the reviewers been spoonfed by European and Asian propaganda. We all know the general is just getting back on its feet, but that is not a reason to join the bullies and throw mud at the efforts. BTW, I have read that the G6 convertible is sold out. So much for people not liking it.  Truth be told, this car isn't exceptional, but a step in the right direction. Given it's price and performance I believe that it is a good choice for someone looking for a hard top convertible.

[mdxtasy]

I like how the writer quantifies his reasons for stating he prefers the VW over the GM.

"It became apparent early on that this G6 was better suited to cruising than hard cornering, as understeer is the order of the day. The chassis flexes more than your hot yoga instructor, except in this case, it’s not so nice to watch. While it’s tough to turn a coupe into a convertible without compromising some of the chassis’ structural integrity, the amount of cowl shake in the G6 verges on the ridiculous. At least my G6’s top worked smoothly, though I noticed a couple of (very) small leaks while going through a touchless car wash."

"The VW Eos – which also sports a folding hardtop – offers enough cargo space for a good-sized suitcase, even in topless mode."

"But factor the VW’s stiffer structure and much better cargo flexibility and the Eos looks like the winner."

I've driven neither, both look a bit awkward to me, but the writer gives reasons as to why he feels the way he does.  Has anybody else driven both these cars?   Has anybody else experienced the flimsy structure of the G6?  How about the trunk, anybody try packing something into it with the top down?  How about the Eos? 

GM is moving in the right direction and I give them credit for turning their crap offerings from before into something competitive.  However, what they are offering is not the top in the class, and should be called on it.  I think GM has some really good cars coming down the pipe, well thought out and nicely executed.  However, there are little niggles that keep it from being great.  Hopefully in the years to come, they resolve the little issues and perfect the package.

[lostcomma]

There is a reason why there is hardly any 2-door G6's on the road and that's because
most people probably think its an ugly car.

Everytime I see this coupe on the road from the rear I am aghast
It for me is one of the nicest rears that detroit has produced in a long time.
But I also dont see it that often.
Compared to the eos tough call the volvo is priced beyond this market.
I love the sunroof idea on the eos but the engine........... Guess I would have to sell it
before the warranty was up. I dont know  if it's as bad a the 2.7V6 fr. Chrysler but
 it's got to be close. My mechanic replaces almost one of these vw turbo's a week.

[wing]

Actually most of the advertising on this site is from GM and Ford... isn't that ironic?

Not sure about CanadianDriver, I try not to be biased.... how about cars on CarTalkCanada that are Domestics that I didn't think were crap...  Let's see...

Escalade http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc/blog/?p=101
Cobalt http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc/blog/?p=92
Avalanche http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc/blog/?p=90
DTS http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc/blog/?p=87
Fusion http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc/blog/?p=79

[Bassoonytoon]

I'm not sure when this article was written, but since it was published today, November First, there must be an amendment made.  The author falsely mentions several times that the G6 is the least expensive hardtop convertible in the Canadian market.  The Mazda MX-5 PRHT is available and starts at $31,395, according to Mazda Canada's website.  Also, you don't lose any trunk space with the Mazda when the top is down, not that there is that much to begin with.  I know that these are two different kinds of cars - one is a roadster and one has room either four or five people (I wish the author would mention how many seats it has in the back), but it should not say that the G6 is the least expensive Retractable hardtop in our market.

[stickshift]

I really don't get why the CD writers have such a thing against domestic vehicles. You complain, continuously BTW about issues that are inherent to all vehicles in this class, such as it being less rigid than a coupe and a lack of truck space when the top is down. Well of course, where the heck is the top supposed to go? Then you compare it to the VW, and pronounce it as a winner against the G6, when exactly did this become a comparison?

Maybe I'm wrong, but somehow I suspect that if we popped off the Pontiac logo and slapped a Toyota badge on the identical car, we'd be hearing about how great it is.

Canadian Driver is my home page, I check it every day, but your reviews of American vehicles are so biased beyond reason that they really are becoming worthless reads. Click on a review of an American car, and you already know it sucks, no sense reading your article, we know you will pronounce any Japanese or European competitors as the winners.

I agree with logansowner. If it comes from VW or Audi it must be amazing. Seriously people, I read these reviews and wonder who sponsors the website and how much have the reviewers been spoonfed by European and Asian propaganda. We all know the general is just getting back on its feet, but that is not a reason to join the bullies and throw mud at the efforts. BTW, I have read that the G6 convertible is sold out. So much for people not liking it.  Truth be told, this car isn't exceptional, but a step in the right direction. Given it's price and performance I believe that it is a good choice for someone looking for a hard top convertible.

The Eos is priced similarly to the G6 droptop, but it's a better car. Yes, I complain about cowl shake in the G6, and yes, all convertibles exhibit some cowl shake, but with some, it's less evident. Go drive a G6 convertible. Then, go drive an Eos. Then go drive an A4 droptop, if you like. If you don't think the Germans feel more solid, come back and I'll give you each a cookie, okay?

I complained about lack of trunk space in the G6. I did so because that's the way it is. Again: go compare a G6 and an Eos back to back. Put the G6's top down and see how much stuff you think you could get in there. Then do the same in the Eos. Again, if you don't agree that the Eos has more trunk space - top up OR down, BTW - come back and I'll give you each TWO cookies.

I compared the G6 to the Eos because they sell for similar money (granted the Eos is a couple grand more expensive) and are the same type of vehicle. There's no bias here. Personally, I want GM to build a truly excellent car. Thing is, generally speaking, they haven't progressed past building cars that are just "okay." I agree that GM now has a few cars that are indeed "steps in the right direction." There are even GM vehicles that I think are pretty cool. But overall, GM is still working towards building truly competitive cars in most segments. We can't compare imports to what we think or wish that GM might be capable; we have to compare real cars being sold right now.

Taken on its own, the G6 convert. is fine. But compare it to others in its class - as many buyers do and certainly should when they're preparing to drop $40K on a new car - and it falls short.

Sorry to rain on your conspiracy parade, guys, but that's just the way it is. Oh yeah: chocolate chip okay? I'll be sure to have some ready when you get back.

P.S. Oh - and go read some of my used car columns on Audi models. You'll see it's not all rosy in Ingolstadt when the warranty expires.

I'm not sure when this article was written, but since it was published today, November First, there must be an amendment made.  The author falsely mentions several times that the G6 is the least expensive hardtop convertible in the Canadian market.  The Mazda MX-5 PRHT is available and starts at $31,395, according to Mazda Canada's website.  Also, you don't lose any trunk space with the Mazda when the top is down, not that there is that much to begin with.  I know that these are two different kinds of cars - one is a roadster and one has room either four or five people (I wish the author would mention how many seats it has in the back), but it should not say that the G6 is the least expensive Retractable hardtop in our market.

Thanks for pointing that out; I'd forgotten about the Miata hardtop. I've changed the article and the front-page teaser to reflect that.

[Miata90]

The MX5 coupe is a 2 seater roadster / sportscar, and the author rightly does not include it as a competito.r

"Pontiac G6 convertible, which holds the dubious honour of being the least-expensive four-seat hardtop convertible on the market"

A peson shopping for either car would likely not be looking at the other very seriously.

[stickshift]

The MX5 coupe is a 2 seater roadster / sportscar, and the author rightly does not include it as a competito.r

"Pontiac G6 convertible, which holds the dubious honour of being the least-expensive four-seat hardtop convertible on the market"

A peson shopping for either car would likely not be looking at the other very seriously.

Good point, but the Miata hardtop does bear mentioning all the same. I suspect that at least some convertible shoppers aren't concerned with the number of seats, as many probably already have another, more practical car.

[haris]

I see quite a few G6s in my area, both hardtops and regular coupes. I do live near Oshawa though, in GM land...