Pontiac G6

Sylvia

Congratulations! Yippee! What an amazing experience. I couldn't be happier for you!!!

We look forward to your posting all about your "driving fun" in the new G6.

ghjen13

Most of the audience was local and got on with last-minute requests as well. However, there were several people (50 or so) that were brought in because they really needed cars. She only highlighted 11 at the beginning of the show.
The vehicles were brought in the night before the taping (Thurs 9/9) and were stored in the employee parking lot which was tarped and gated. The local media was quite curious and there was buzz by Friday, so it proved VERY difficult to keep this secret until the show aired Monday.
  
Again, what a once in a lifetime experience!

dan165

Amazing! I can't even imagine how exciting it must have been to even be there when all this was going on. Even more amazing is that these G6's are all top of the line and GM is paying the taxes ect. Wow!

benjaminh

I hope the first G6 owner will give us a complete report, inside and out.

In the meantime, shouldn't this thread be moved to the sedan area? If they're giving them away on TV, and if www.gmbuypower.com lists a few in stock at different dealers around the country (you can even look at the window sticker) it seems it's getting to be the time to move it from the future to the present.

e2helper

Moved post to new Meet the Members Discussion

Kirstie_H

e2helper,
The only owner we have is ghjen13, and he/she won't get the car for another few months. Thus, it's certainly not time for an Owner's Club or Prices Paid discussion just yet!

dan165

The thread should be moved to sedans though, the car is actually for sale now.

307web

There is video showing a replay of the give away at the Pontic G6 website.

anonymousposts

I like the looks of the G6. I am a devoted Honda buyer and have been for the last 7 years. However, if it appears that GM has graced the G6 with stellar reliability and the 6-speed version does materialize I will drive one when the lease on my Accord is up in 2007.

307web

What?
Reliability remains to be seen.

alpha01

The comment made was "if it appears that GM has graced the G6 with stellar reliability....".

~alpha

benjaminh

One sad thing about the G6 is that Pontiac did not make antilock brakes standard on the base model. A search of gmbuypower.com shows several base models listing in the 21-23k range without abs. Kind of pathetic on a vehicle of that level, when Honda puts ABS on even the base Accord DX, which lists for about 16k.

montanafan

Nissan Altima, Mazda 6, Toyota Camry, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Stratus, Hyundai Elantra are other pathetic sad cars with out ABS standard on base models. In fact not even an option on the Altima.
28% of 2004 Grand Am SEs were sold with ABS.

jpryba

ABS is a $400 option on the G6 (and I think this is the price to add it to most other GM vehicles that don't already have it standard). If GM were to make ABS standard again across the board, the cost (spread out) certainly wouldn't be $400 per vehicle -- I would expect it to be a bit less.

I had a chance to check out a G6 today. The build quality was pretty good for being the first one the dealership got. Nothing fell apart when I felt my way around the interior, and nothing was already falling apart on its own to begin with either. The only glaring problem I noted was under the hood -- the last few people who tried to open it up scratched it underneath right where you stick the prop rod in. Not a big deal, but I bet GM will put a little bit of rubber or plastic in that area under the hood to keep it from getting scratched.

BTW, I think it would have been more appropriate for GTOs to have been given away everyone on "O"prah's show. Bad joke, I know, but I couldn't resist

e2helper

I am glad you mentioned "again" since GM started making ABS standard on many of this size of vehicle way back in 1992 model but too many competitors didn't follow suit and customers didn't make it a "must have" feature so GM has gone back to make it optional.

About the GTOs...those things are built in Austrailia so probably wouldn't have been too PC for her. I don't know if her TV show is on there anyways - LOL

alpha01

Do a little research first, please.

I dont believe there is a base Altima model available anymore (it was never really available in the first place), and the Camry has standard ABS as of 2005, for all models including the $18,560 (including dest.) Standard. The Elantra isnt a G6 competitor.

Also, in terms of the Altima, and I believe the Mazda 6, all V6 models have ABS standard.

~alpha

montanafan

Thanks for being in agreement that the cars listed do not come standard with ABS.

I will update my brochures to the 2005s when the auto show comes to Boston.

Oh, I did follow up and check, Nissan's web site thinks the base model is available for customer order.

bob44

Do you or anyone know whether the G6 has Home Link available. It is not among the specs on the Pontiac web site and Pontiac doesn't answer my emails.

minnguy34

Go to Pontiac.com, click on the G6 link. That G6 page as a "Great Offer on G6" link. Click and give them some information and they will email an individually coded $500 bonus rebate for use when buying a G6, if you take retail delivery by 1/17/2005. It can be used in addition to any other rebate offers.

Kirstie_H

Thanks, minnguy34! These e-spiffs are great, but sometimes manufacturers put them up for a week or so, and then they're gone. So, get 'em now if you're thinking of buying.

dan165

Saw a loaded GT in a Toronto paper for C$33K. Definitely better deals on a 04 Grand Prix, you can get a nice GT2 with roof for under $28K cash.

Probably no deals on the G6 for a while.

ateixeira

If the G6 is supposed to take a sporting angle, it should have ABS standard. Look at the Legacy, Mazda6, and TSX.

-juice

exalteddragon1

Dude, you can get ABS on the GT model, which is standard on that model, which is priced at $23,925 according to Pontiac.com.
And, with GM, you know there will be incentives, so i bet this model could come in at $21,000.

Honestly, I would rather have to opt for a higher version of a car and get the brakes + incentive, rather than buy a base version of a car with ABS and no incentive.
So, instead of losing ABS, you gain (direct from pontiac.com):

 • 4-wheel antilock brakes, including Full Function Traction Control
 • Rear spoiler
 • Premium 8-speaker Monsoon high-performance sound system
 • Power adjustable gas and brake pedals
 • Sport suspension
 • 4-way power driver's seat adjuster
 • Automatic transmission with manual shift mode
 • 17" cast aluminum wheels

Show me a base Altima with all this standard. Oh, and BTW, Bob Lutz was saying how he plans to spand an extra $500 per car to save $2000 on incentives, so instead of 4K they would be 2K, and he said the G6 is, i think he said the first or one of the first cars to get this treatment. We will see what happens with incentives, but even on the pontiac.com website it says the prices are before incentives. Goody goody lol.
The G6 is amazing in many ways, I just wish (and concur with other posts here) that GM stuck more to the concept when it came to the exterrior styling. It's better than a Malibu (i like the Bu but i know many don't) just that it could have been even better. Still looks good, IMO.

ateixeira

I think the point earlier was show me a base Altima period. There aren't many.

We'll see how many G6s are GTs.

I just feel like GM is building rebates into the price, i.e. they are overpricing it to begin with to make room for rebates.

Look at the Scion tC, for $18k you get it pretty loaded up with 17" rims and that cool skyroof. A G6 equipped like that will be close to $10 grand more.

I have to sample one. I just feel like this spot in GM's lineup is for a $16-20k car, not a high 20s car.

-juice

exalteddragon1

And the G6 are completely different cars running on different engines with different sized interriors and different features. They are not comparable.
TO the TC, it is best comparable to base versions of the new cobalt, which IMO will kick its [non-permissible content removed] after a few thousand dollar rebates.
I think plenty of G6's will be GT's. Meybe not at first, but as prices go down and people are more likely to opt for the GT which gives you so many standard features for just a few thousand more. Including ABS, its a no-brainer.

ateixeira

True, it was just the first example of value pricing that came to my mind.

GM is getting ridiculous. Pretty soon they'll just price the Aveo at $100,000 and offer a $90,000 rebate.

It's still a $10,000 car, no matter how inflated the MSRP is, and no matter how huge the rebate.

One reason I don't like this practice is that in MD, you pay the sales tax on the car's price before the rebate. So basically it costs you 5% of whatever the rebate is.

When you're talking rebates of $5000 in some cases, that amounts to a $250 state tax that you pay for no good reason.

So I'll say it again, value price it to begin with, stop playing the rebate game.

I'd actually consider a drop-top if the street price is around $22k (comparable to a Sebring) and it proves to be reliable. I bet we'll see MSRPs over $30k, though.

-juice

dan165

I have heard several people in the last year brag about how many grand they got off their new vehicle. Many like the illusion of the deal. I prefer not, but you have to play the game with most car makers.

ateixeira

http://money.cnn.com/2004/09/22/news/newsmakers/oprah_car_tax/ind- ex.htm?cnn=yes

Looks like you may owe up to $7 grand. They did consider it "winnings" and not a gift.

Lame.

-juice

exalteddragon1

Its at most $7,000 first of all, depending on tax bracket (liberals and their "progressive" taxes), anyway, think of it like this, you get a $28,500 car for $7,000 worst case scenario. No title fees and other stuff that GM will pay.
It would be funny if to get more publicity, GM would announce that they are going to pay the federal tax, too. SO, basically, GM issued a new car to the first 276 buyers with a $21,500 rebate

ateixeira

I said "Lame" because earlier we were pretty sure GM was going to consider it a gift, and not an award, which would have meant GM would be paying the taxes.

Now they are getting bad press for overplaying the whole "free car" thing. It's all people are talking about at our water cooler.

Good PR became bad PR.

$7 grand is still going to require a loan for a lot of those folks that decide to keep it.

-juice

exalteddragon1

Jesus they could sell the car practically at sticker, pay the tax and buy a used car or a cheaper car for the money, or they could just keep the $21,500 or so that they sold it for.

These folks are now in a much better position, thanks to GM and tough competition in the market today.

montanafan

GM has said from the beginning that income taxes were the responsibility of the recipient. They also told the people at the show. If fingers are to be pointed, they should be aimed at the press for not disclosing the know facts.

And it is not just the $7,000. If the $28,000 pushes you into another tax bracket, it will increase the amount you pay on your regular income, and may effect tax credits that you would normally have be entitled to. And then on top of that there is state income taxes to pay.

Perhaps this "critical mass" will force Congress to consider changes to tax laws for prizes, winnings, and gifts. I see many contests where the prize would be fun to win but not worth the tax implications. (ie Macy's current contest to win a trip to the Thanksgiving Parade, plane for 4, three nights hotel, $500 gift card, approx value $10,000)

And it is additional press. I don't see the lottery avoiding the press when they take tens of thousands out of the winner when they show the big checks. This story and its twists and turns will keep the G6 in front of the people throughout the year.

montanafan

Here is an article with a little more meat then the CNN/Money one.

http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/oprah23e_20040923.htm

bigdaddycoats

If you win a car on The Price is Right you are responsible for the taxes as well.

If there is anyone that doesn't want their car cause they have to pay taxes - I will gladly pay them and take the car off their hands.

The winners could always sell the car and walk with at least $15-18k.

montanafan

Recently I saw an eBay auction for a GTO, that the seller won in a movie giveaway contest. Sold around $26,000, so seller may have cleared $16,000.

dan165

a SAD reality of life.

Luckily in Canada, winnings are not taxed. Don't know how our tax man missed that!

ateixeira

pushes you into another tax bracket

That won't happen, because it's a graduated system. In other words, you pay the higher tax only on the amount that exceeds the limit for the previous bracket.

I agree that the media should have communicated this better. GM got bad PR and didn't deserve it.

GTO for $26k seems like a bargain.

-juice

pompilius

just goes to show that some people are never happy and always whine and complain.

If they were to buy a cool new car for $7,000 I am pretty sure they could have afforded that.

But now that they have been GIVEN a cool new car for free they have to complain that they have to pay taxes.

They should spend less time watching TV Talk shows and do something more useful with their lives.

pompilius

it wouldn't surprise me if some of these people got a bright idea to sue GM for making their life difficult. Oops, I hope I didn't give anyone a bad idea

montanafan

I haven't read any press reports that actually talking about any winner complaining or whining. Just the press trying to mix it up and create stories out of thin air and interviewing tax experts. Maybe the press heels that we who didn't win a car will feel better if we think the winners are having problems.

exalteddragon1

just want to bash GM. You know how the liberal media is, and GM is an American company

dan165

I think the show should pay the tax since GM gave her the cars.

Good will.

ateixeira

Only one person here on Edmunds won the free car, and she didn't complain.

Maybe the press is making a story out of thin air.

-juice

anonymousposts

The American media would never make a mountain out of a molehill. Never, nuh uh, no stinkin way.

(I hope the oozing sarcasm doesn't mess up anyone's monitor)

ateixeira

I'd comment on your post but I can't read it! ;-)

-juice

dan165

Finally moved to the "sedan" area. Great.

Must stop by my dealer and see if they have some.

ronhextall

I was suprised about $28,000 tax hit the winners on Opray were reported to get. I was hoping the 240hp model would price out around that.

If Pontiac thinks people are going to shell out 30K+ for the 240 model they are crazy.

Oh, what was I thinking...they will be discounted 4K by Xmas with 0% for 6 years.

Does anybody know if the 240hp model will be offered in a four door with the manual transmission?

exalteddragon1

your right, this is ridiculous,

It makes more common sence to price the car with 240 hp at about 25K, like the 250 hp altima, BUT...

Gm has UNIONS, PENSION nightmare, and insures 1 MILLION Americans. Gm spends more on healthcare per car tan steel, Japan and korea are laughing and enjoying more profit and market share, so it makes more FINANCIAL sence, to overprice, and then rebate so that some ppl are cought paying 30K for a 25K car, while others are paying 25K.

GM just needs the money. It's sad, well, unless your ford, cuz those folks are in a much more sour pickle.

ateixeira

I doubt more than 3 people in America will pay full MSRP for one of these.

Unless PT Barnum was right...

But they've gotta lose some people due to sticker shock. If I saw a G6 at $30k, I don't think I'd stick around long enough to find out how big the discount would be.

-juice

scape2

in Motor Trend on the G6. I am normally a Ford fan. I am really liking the styling of the new G6. Pontiac did a great job. The article had great things to say about the value of the G6 option for option when comparing a like Honda/Camry/Altima. They belived this car will steal sales from the previous mentioned auto makers. I guess only time will tell.