Non-MB Rental (G6) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skippy · #1 05-18-2009, 08:09 PM

I went on an AT this weekend in Washington state. I flew there and had a rental car for three days. The rental company gave me the choice of: Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, or a Pontiac G6. I decided to try the Pontiac.

Overall I was favorably impressed. The car had the 3.5 V6 and 4 speed automatic with manual mode. Acceleration was very impressive. Cornering ability was considerably better than my Benzes. Fuel economy was a bit disappointing, but not horrible. The ride quality was a little stiff, but not so much as to be objectionable. Braking was also superb, though it took some time to get used to the very light pedal feel.

Plus

Outstanding power and torque at all speeds including from a stop.

Extremely good lateral grip and good turn in characteristics at all but the slowest speeds.

Powerful responsive brakes.

Better seat comfort than most modern cars I've been in.

Nicely designed instrument cluster.

Minus

Only 24 mpg average for the weekend. I was expecting a little better for a car that size.

Larger perceived turning radius than my 123's. I think the FWD setup limits the max steering angle somewhat.

Engine too quiet.

"Manual mode" of transmission slower to respond than I would like. Also, I would have preferred firmer shifts in either manual or auto mode.

The engine is mounted sideways and drives the wrong set of wheels. I looked under the hood to get an idea of maintainability, and the 3.5 is stuffed in there pretty tight. I don't think I would want to have to change a water pump or a serpentine belt on this car.

While at speeds over 30 mph you can't really tell the car is FWD, below that speed, in tighter turns there are some variations in steering effort and a hint of torque steer if more than a tiny bit of throttle is applied.

The steeply sloped hood makes it difficult to tell exactly where the nose of the car is when pulling into parking spaces. The high decklid limits rear visibility when backing.

Conclusion

This is the most enjoyable rental car I've driven, but I wouldn't give my 240D for it.

MTI · #2 05-18-2009, 08:40 PM

On the G6, did you notice how massive the A pillar is? I have "conked" my head a plenty on that driver's side entry due to the curve design.

jplinville · #3 05-18-2009, 08:47 PM

My employer rented one for my use during the interview process. I really enjoyed driving the car, and have been kicking around the idea of getting one to use as a DD, for when the sl is tucked away in the garage.

Overall, I think the car is pretty nice...let's see what the reviews are in 5 years

Skippy · #4 05-18-2009, 09:48 PM

The A-pillar didn't give me any trouble, but I'm 5'2".

pawoSD · #5 05-18-2009, 10:03 PM

The G6 suffers from a potential catastrophic failure of the front suspension.....its made from cast aluminum and can "break apart" at some spot causing the wheel to come off....

I've read horror stories online.....perhaps its not real common, but it seems to be a mentioned issue....

I'd still never want a GM product though.....its no MB in an accident....

Angel · #6 05-20-2009, 02:35 AM

I've rented more than a few G6's back (before I went to Iraq) and was working as a traveling Engineer for a conveyor company.
I was also really impressed. the V6's have plenty of power, the fours arent bad either. The steering and suspension is all that I'd ask it to be, and I like the swept look of everything.
I never drove it enough to calculate MPG's (I distrust any readout of MPG's - they all lie) - but 24mpg for a V6 that you floor often enough to say "...Outstanding power and torque at all speeds including from a stop..." sounds good.
Somehow, I think that V6 could be make more powerful and catapult this thing into R32 territory, or that 4cyl could be turbo'd for some real rice rocket appeal, but I'll leave that to those that will.
I'd feel bad if I just bought a Corvette and realized that G6's have the same steering wheel, but I'm never going to buy a corvette, so no worries there =)
I don't like the ECU-integrated radio that new cars have - I'd hate to be stuck with the factory radio, but since GM isnt the only one that does this, I'll take that lump.
I was also impressed with the G6. Another sign that those who mother**** American cars haven't looked recently.

-John

Pete Geither · #7 05-20-2009, 05:31 AM

We are working on a coupe right now and the tech said it has the thinnest metal on the rocker panel he has ever seen on a vehicle,,,, thinner than a Subaru front fender.

Rockers are usually pretty strong stuff, and this one had a nasty crease that the owner did on some frozen snow in her driveway. All new cars are getting thinner,,, including Mercedes,,, but this seems rediculous.

Jim B. · #8 05-20-2009, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplinville

My employer rented one for my use during the interview process. I really enjoyed driving the car, and have been kicking around the idea of getting one to use as a DD, for when the sl is tucked away in the garage.

Overall, I think the car is pretty nice...let's see what the reviews are in 5 years

Well in 6 months I bet you could pick one up real cheap as a rental return, they are *officially* an "orphan" now.

Like Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Desoto, Studebaker, Hudson, and Packard already are.....

Jim B. · #9 05-20-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Geither

We are working on a coupe right now and the tech said it has the thinnest metal on the rocker panel he has ever seen on a vehicle,,,, thinner than a Subaru front fender.

Rockers are usually pretty strong stuff, and this one had a nasty crease that the owner did on some frozen snow in her driveway. All new cars are getting thinner,,, including Mercedes,,, but this seems rediculous.

What a far cry from the old 1958 Pontiac Super Chief I used to own. Now that was a CAR. That big old 386 CID engine roared when you stepped on it.

Race between the gas gauge and the speedometer: Which needle would make it all the way to the to the end first?

I used to sneak around the gasoline stations in Santa Barbara, at midnight, you could always drain the gas hoses, they weren't locked back then, and if you hit 5 or 6 of them, you could get 2 or 3 gallons for nothing. heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Pete Geither · #10 05-20-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

What a far cry from the old 1958 Pontiac Super Chief I used to own. Now that was a CAR. That big old 386 CID engine roared when you stepped on it.

Race between the gas gauge and the speedometer: Which needle would make it all the way to the to the end first?

I used to sneak around the gasoline stations in Santa Barbara, at midnight, you could always drain the gas hoses, they weren't locked back then, and if you hit 5 or 6 of them, you could get 2 or 3 gallons for nothing. heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Had a buddy who had a 58 2 door Bonneville. don't know what he did to that thing, but he would blow the doors off my 63 Biscayne 327 once we got rolling. At the drags he shoe polished "Honest Injun" on the windows.

raymr · #11 05-20-2009, 09:54 AM

The G6 styling is kinda feminine, considering Pontiac's supposedly macho image. And Oprah didn't help matters much by giving them away a couple years back.

Skippy · #12 05-20-2009, 09:03 PM

I can't think of any current production car who's styling I actually like, and the G6 is far from the worst offender, so I decided not to even bring that aspect up.