The car designers I've met have been innovative free thinkers. The hip television shows that promote vehicle ingenuity - think the cleverly titled Pimp My Ride - bring the anything's possible mentality to fruition.
My starting points for a fun yet versatile package would include a convertible that comes with a hard top.
Hello, Pontiac G6 GT.
The 2007 Pontiac G6 comes in three models and seven trims with four sedans (starting at $17,175 for the 1SV Value Leader), two coupes (starting at $22,080 for the GT) and a 4-seat convertible. We know it is the middle of winter, but we're going to focus on the latter, a GT with a base sticker of $28,500, because it is the one we tested.
Need another reason? A Pontiac
G6 convertible during the cold months isn't a detriment.
The G6 comes with a power-retractable hard top that combines the best of several automotive worlds.
There is obviously the drop-top experience during warmer times and there is the quieter, well-insulated, fully enclosed coupe-like feel with the roof in place.
The G6 has quickly become the most popular Pontiac in the showroom due to its affordability and lineup coverage in three forms.
Patterned along the lines of the Chevrolet
Malibu and Saab 9-3, the G6 convertible is inviting aesthetically, although not a knockout to this reviewer.
Maybe I'm picky. With the top down, the profile improves.
Putting the top up or down only requires the push of a button, although your finger must stay fixed for the just-over 30 seconds required to make the
transition.
Our test GT came with a
217-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine, although a 227-hp
3.9-liter
V-6 is available as an option. The engine is mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission that has manual-shift capability.
We found the engine to be more than adequate. The 6-speed automatic transmission that Pontiac offers on the GTP model would have been nice, but the 4-speed is passable.
At just more than 3,800 pounds, the GT convertible has some weight to move - it's more than 400 pounds heavier than the G6 coupe and nearly 1,000 pounds heavier than the 2-seat Pontiac Solstice convertible.
That added weight, though, does give at least the feeling of security to the G6 that lighter, friskier convertibles do not provide. While the heft keeps the G6 from being among the nimblest of convertibles, neither does it lag.
Space can be a bit tight in the back seat, but that's to be expected. Entry and exit is obviously easier with the top down. Cargo space with the top down is negligible - a mere 2 cubic feet - so having the back seat to carry more than two passengers could be a necessity.
All G6s come with a decent supply of standard items and by the GT level, there are antilock brakes, traction control, steering wheel radio controls, in-dash 6-disc CD changer, alloy wheels and 18-inch tires on the convertible.
The options on our blue-gold crystal metallic test car were minimal: just adjustable pedals ($125) and XM satellite radio ($199). With destination charges, the final sales figure was $29,274.
There are sacrifices to be made with the addition of a back seat in a convertible, but the tradeoff is worth it.
David Mikesell is a free-lance automotive reviewer based in Indianapolis. Read this review and others like it at DaytonDailyNews.com/Wheels.
Appeared in January 20, 2007 issue of Wheels, a product of the Dayton Daily News
