DriveTech

2007 Pontiac G6-GT Convertible is impressive

If you like convertibles, but hate the wind noise and lack of security for your belongings, you may want to check out the Pontiac G6 convertible. The top is made of metal and operates much like the Lexus SC430, plus it's $30,000 less.

My Pontiac came from North County GMC-Pontiac in Car Country Carlsbad . Not only was I impressed by the car, but also by the way I was handled when picking it up.

My test car came with a beautiful "granite metallic" exterior paint and an ebony interior, which I liked a lot. Its power plant is a peppy little 3.9-liter high output (which I haven't seen since the '60s) V6, which gets 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the open road. This engine is part of the sport package that includes 18-inch spoked alloy wheels (replacing the standard painted wheels), Stablitrak-Stability Control, dual exhaust with chrome tips for that added sportiness and automatic vs. manual A/C system.

The safety equipment is pretty standard, with front airbags and crumple zones, beams in the doors, just to name a few. Side impact airbags for the driver and front passengers are optional.

The Premium Package has leather appointed seats, power seats with six -way adjustments for the driver and heated seats for the passenger and driver (nice when the top is down in this chilly weather). You also get remote vehicle start, which is helpful in inclimate weather, three months of free XM Radio and (an option I don't agree with) floor mats front and rear. I feel should mats should be standard equipment. But nobody makes floor mats like the manufacturer, so I would still opt for the factory mats.
You have two four-cylinder engines and six V6s to choose from. But there are only two transmissions, a four-speed electronically controlled automatic (the transmission in my G6) that can be slap shifted or a manual (only in two models of the seven available). You need to look at the GT coupe and GT sedan to get the six-speed manual transmission.

If you prefer a customized car, Pontiac provides enough choices in style and color combinations.

Some standard features worth mentioning are fog lights, power outside mirrors, remote keyless entry and a brake handle just to the right of a very nice center console. I like the E-Brake at the consoles as it's easy to find and use. The Monsoon sound system is the base AM/FM/six-disc CD changer with eight speakers. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, and the radio can be controlled from the leather-wrapped steering wheel.

I really like the G6, especially the retractable solid roof. When the roof is up, the interior is dead quiet. Plus, there's a trunk for storing items.

The 2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible GT is very well equipped, even at its base price of $28,565. This mildly loaded G6 hit the cash register at $32,250, which isn't bad for vehicle with a lot of style and performance. Stop by North County GMC-Pontiac to take one of these G6s out for a spin. You might be pleasantly surprised like I was!