2009 G3 Coming to the U.S.

[Cormaster]

Originally Posted by Hodge

god they have the most ****ing boring names

G3,G5,G6,G8

get creative

I agree, but they aren't the only ones doing the alpha-numeric naming. Acura and Mazda do it too I know. "the Mazda 3, the Mazda 5, The Mazda 6", etc. same thing pretty much. I think its because these car companies are getting lazy and don't want to think of names.

[crazypontiac03]

Just Can Pontiac already!!! Save some money the line-up is worthless.

[Cormaster]

I think the only reason pontiac is still around is because the hit their stock took when Oldsmobile bit the dust. I think what they should do is gradually get rid of it. Stop making one vehicle at a time untill the division is gone! Don't announce anything just kill it off slowly. Honestly i'm glad they aren't bringing the firebird back. It wouldn't be retro. can you imagine a Camaro with a kidney grill thrown on the front? Come to think of it wouldn't be called firebird anyway. It would be g10 or something!

Of course what Pontiac is getting instead of a firebird is even worse... the G8 Sport truck. God. WHY? Of course with the G8's slow sales I'll be suprised if the G8 even stays around long enough for that to come out.

[GregFarz78]

Who even buys those Aveo's and what makes GM think they need a duplicate of that car? Those crapboxes get pathetic gas mileage for a car that size anyone buying one obvoiusly didn't do any research first.

[Cormaster]

Originally Posted by GregFarz78

Who even buys those Aveo's and what makes GM think they need a duplicate of that car? Those crapboxes get pathetic gas mileage for a car that size anyone buying one obvoiusly didn't do any research first.

agreed 100%. Its one of those cars that you'd think by looking at it that it would be a smart purchase for $4/gallon gas prices, but after doing research you find out for the kind of economy it gets your better off buying a bigger car.

[Kdawg207]

so its a vibe that was rear ended

nice choice and even uglier

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by GregFarz78

Who even buys those Aveo's and what makes GM think they need a duplicate of that car? Those crapboxes get pathetic gas mileage for a car that size anyone buying one obvoiusly didn't do any research first.

Originally Posted by Cormaster

agreed 100%. Its one of those cars that you'd think by looking at it that it would be a smart purchase for $4/gallon gas prices, but after doing research you find out for the kind of economy it gets your better off buying a bigger car.

wrong.

My bro-in-law who now does the correctional officer gig drives 4.5 hours each way to his 4 day on/8 day off duty. He needed a throw away car with good gas mileage, and was cheap because $ is tight. He bought an Aveo 4-door ands gets 37mpg. His gas savings $ over the Pontiac Montana they had to dump pays for the Aveo's payment.

[GregFarz78]

I think it only rated 25mpg city...still I'd rather buy a used civic over this thing

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by Cormaster

Whats messed up about GM is remember how they made a big deal about how Badge engineering is dead? Other than the G8, Pontiac IS the badge engineered division. G6= Malibu, G5= Colbalt, Vibe = Matrix, Solstice = Sky, Torrent = Equinox, and now G3 = Aveo. These days if you want a new pontiac all you gotta do is pick a chevy or Saturn that isn't in the division yet, throw a kidney grill on the front, add some red lighting to the interior and your good to go!

Only problem with that statement is, the G6 came out before the new malibu and the solstice came out before the sky, so really those cars are badge engineered versions of pontiacs.

But yeah, I can't see any need for the torrent, the ugly G5, or the new G3. And certainly nothing "sporty" about them! As for the vibe, it's still a pretty good car IMO, it looks decent and gets good gas mileage... sure it's basically the same as a matrix but that's a toyota. It's not something that's offered in any other GM division, so if you want to buy the domestic version, it's something thats exclusive to pontiac.

[bigbenSC]

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

Only problem with that statement is, the G6 came out before the new malibu

Wrong, the Epsilon 1 platform debuted in the US on the 2004 Malibu, the G6 was based on that. The Saturn Aura followed and now the current Malibu is the second generation of the Epsilon 1 platform. The Epsilon 2 platform will debut with the new Opel Insignia (next Aura) and the Saab 93 in 2010.

[Cormaster]

Well at least we can say this about the G6: Its the only version of the Epsilon platform to offer a convertible and a coupe.

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by bigbenSC

Wrong, the Epsilon 1 platform debuted in the US on the 2004 Malibu, the G6 was based on that. The Saturn Aura followed and now the current Malibu is the second generation of the Epsilon 1 platform. The Epsilon 2 platform will debut with the new Opel Insignia (next Aura) and the Saab 93 in 2010.

Really? I thought the last gen malibu was based on the same N chassis as the grand am since it was still in '04. I knew that the new malibu was on the new chassis. Oh well, I still think the G6 is unique enough and offers models the other two don't (like the coupe and convertible cor' mentioned) that you shouldn't just call it a badge engineered version of the malibu.

I really don't get all the G6 bashing in here. It's actually a good car. Yeah, maybe not as sporty as it should be for pontiacs "driving excitement" image they are trying to portray. It's pretty lacking in the handling department. As far as quality, finish, panel gaps etc it's far better than the grand am was, and the drive trains they come with now are a big jump ahead of the old 3400/4T45E combo in terms of HP, reliability, and gas mileage.

[Cormaster]

I agree the G6 isn't that bad, I've always liked the car. The Coupes are especially sharp. My main problem with it is when it debuted GM held it up like some sort of halo car... It was for the longest time one of GM's best selling models too, as was the Grand Am before it. I really don't know where it stands now.

I guess what I don't get is with all the hype for the G6, why'd they make a new Malibu and new Aura? Why would GM want to compete with its own company? Because thats essentially what they are doing.

If they really want to save pontiac, they need to not even bring this POS to Pontiac (G3), either drop the G5 or give it sunfire styling and make a GXP model, Keep the Solstice don't get rid of it, Restyle and update the G6, Keep the G8 as it is, but make another 2 door sportier model and call it "GTO".

[crazypontiac03]

Originally Posted by GregFarz78

Who even buys those Aveo's and what makes GM think they need a duplicate of that car? Those crapboxes get pathetic gas mileage for a car that size anyone buying one obvoiusly didn't do any research first.

People who don't have alot of $$, Want at least 32mpg, Want a 5yr Warranty.
I see alot of them around here, they seem to make good commuter car's. You can ask the same people who buy the Toyota Yaris.

[bigbenSC]

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

I really don't get all the G6 bashing in here. It's actually a good car. Yeah, maybe not as sporty as it should be for pontiacs "driving excitement" image they are trying to portray. It's pretty lacking in the handling department. As far as quality, finish, panel gaps etc it's far better than the grand am was, and the drive trains they come with now are a big jump ahead of the old 3400/4T45E combo in terms of HP, reliability, and gas mileage.

The G6 isn't that bad, my '05 G6 GT was good transportation for the price. My girlfriend now has an '08 4cyl G6 and it's a hell of a good deal for less than $15,000 after rebates and GMS discount. The problem is that the car was stuck with ancient powertrain when they launched. Now GM is fixing that, but the car is too late in it's model cycle for people to notice. The next generation should be really good.

[bigbenSC]

Originally Posted by Cormaster

Well at least we can say this about the G6: Its the only version of the Epsilon platform to offer a convertible and a coupe.

Not quite, the Saab 93 is on Epsilon and offers a convertible. Originally there were two lengths of Epsilon sold in the US:

Short: 2004-2007 Malibu, 2003-current Saab 93
Long: 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx, 2005-current G6, 2007-current Aura, 2008+ Malibu

[cardude007617]

so the G6s have been out since 2005 right? arent they a bit overdue for an update? i mean ALOT of other GM models have been updated; doesnt it deserve one? and its not as though we're hearing about a replacement for that line either

[Cormaster]

I think it does need an update. Its not that the G6 is a bad car either. Its got a good power train and a nice looking body... its just the Aura and Malibu look so much nicer. They restyle it a bit and make it sportier looking, and then all of a sudden it differentiates it from its 2 sisters. Also the GXP should be fitted with the Caddillac CTS/Camaro 3.6 DOHC Direct injected turbo instead of the regular 3.6... 251 horses in a 3400 pound car isn't exactly "high performance" but if you're talking 300hp than you got a winner on your hands. I think they should give the G6 the motor but leave it out of its 2 sisters and then you give people a reason to buy the G6 again.

[AaronGTR]

I don't think the aura looks good at all. I like the G6 body better. As for the malibu looking nicer, eh... I think they're even. They're both good looking cars.... although they both could use a drop and some lower profile tires. (GM's perennial problem)

[Cormaster]

LOL honestly I don't think I like the Aura much either, but others seem to like it actually more. I know the Concept was better looking with integrated tail pipes into the bumper or something.

The G6 is a little too boring honestly. I like the GXP trims but the standard and GT trims are pretty lame. It looks like a 2005 Honda Accord.