Pontiac Targets Infinti and others?

[shaigh]

I got this week's Autoweek in the mail yesterday, and in the middle is a Pontiac multi-page ad for their V8 powered cars, the GTO and Grand Prix GXP. What's different about this is that they will be challenging these cars against "the world's best known names" in a show on SpeedTV on June 12th. On the last page of the ad is a comparison chart, listing the specs of the GTO against the specs of the Mustang, the 330Ci Coupe, and G35 Coupe, and the specs of the Grand Prix against the 330Ci Sedan ( ), the Maxima, and the G35 Sedan.

The ad doesn't mention what cars they will challenge on the show, but its an interesting selection for the chart - both BMW's are the "old" model, not the ones hitting the dealers right now....no TL, A4, or Passat against the GXP, only the Maxima is FWD...they list an auto G and Max, but a manual 330, etc. At least the GTO comparison is consistent, with all the players being RWD manual transmission cars

You can go to speedtv.com/pontiac or pontiac.com/testdrive for info also.

[Redline6MT]

I saw that ad in a mag the other day.

I don't care if the pontiac wins all the challenges [which I have a funny feeling they will win most of them].

It's all marketing and I pay no attention to it...

[SilverII]

They also should list resale value....

[dyenboy]

hahahh...dumb..

they should do a long term test too...they need to pull that kind of stunt..cause their probably getting crushed in sales..

[shodog]

Pontiac can comparison test all they want. Problem is that its still a pontiac.

Pontiac really dropped the ball on the GTO. It takes more than a big fat motor to make a nice car.

[IQ9]

Yes it does as the GTO is a POS. It has none of what the old goats had. GM should quit. I love the sub and the Denali we have but their cars suck azz.

[skeleton_cru]

Originally Posted by shodog

Pontiac can comparison test all they want. Problem is its still a Pontiac.

EXACTLY!

[socketz]

"Pontiac can comparison test all they want. Problem is its still a Pontiac."

I test drove one of these displaced Holdens earlier in the year and was pleasantly suprised.

The car itself is rock solid, scary fast (although the shifter feels like it belongs in a truck) and has an interior that's world class.

Because there were insane rebates, you could even have one for a tad over 25k.

But...I kept feeling the 'it's a Pontiac thing' everytime I considered the car.

I really think Lutz screwed uo by targeting Pontiac as the premium performance GM nameplate. I think a car like this would of had more traction if they'd brought it back as a Chevorlet.

[RichK]

I don't like knocking anybody's car. I drive what I drive because I like it. If you wanna buy a Pontiac, go for it. That goes for any car for that matter. The G is refined, handles well, and it's pretty quick. It's a true sports sedan that the American car manufacturers just can't copy.

[shook2323]

Come on guys, they (Pontiac) have to do some thing to sell more cars. Don't get me wrong, I laughed when I saw them compare the G6 to the Accord and Camry, and I laughed at this comparison, but hey can't knock them for trying right? Maybe their marketing execs can lend a hand with the design too!

[GeeWillikers]

1 word = refinement

3 more = they lack it

I like my G. I drove Pontiacs before I bought. I could bake the rears but their interiors reminded me of the 80s. I'm tired of spandex.

Doesn't this belong in Other Cars or something?

[BobbyG123]

I've been pleasantly surprised with the improvements American cars have made (in some cases) over the past few years. In fact, many consumer groups (including JD Power and Consumer Reports) now claim that American cars have passed European cars in reliabilty. I test drove both the Ford Mustang GT and the Chrysler 300 V8 and loved both of them. The Chrysler 300 is a car I could seriously see myself driving someday. A great business/family car with attitude.

I'm not suggesting that American cars come close to the offerings from Infiniti, Acura, or Lexus, but they are much more appealing (to me, anyway) than they were in the 80's and 90's.

[RichNY]

I say let's give some credit where credit is due. GM is much farther along than they were a few years ago. What's frustrating is that, with the exception of Cadillac, they can't seem to close that last bit of the gap between them and the Europeans/Japanese (even the companies they own!).

The G6 is a huge leap above the Grand Am in every way if not quite there with Accords, Camrys, Mazda6s, etc. The Cobalt appears to be competitive with anything in its class. The GTO? What are we complaining about? A nicely-appointed 400HP rear drive monster with somewhat bland styling? If it was five years ago the GTO would have had big orange radio buttons and 180HP push-rod.

Cadillac seems to have hit the mark across their lineup with the CTS, STS, and SRX all being really competitive (I test-drove the CTS several times...it's VERY nice and if I were staying with RWD (instead of the AWD in my x) I would be driving one now).

I think right now (again, outside of Caddy), they're fighting perception. My 63 year old mother is looking for a 20k car right now. The short-list I recommended was the Hyundai Tuscon (she wanted to look at a small SUV), Mazda3, Focus, and Pontiac Vibe. She said right off the bat "I could never drive a Pontiac". I noted that looking at a Hyundai was totally fine, but Pontiac? Nope. Wow. Poor General and Hyundai has done a great job.

Anyway, I'm rooting for GM (and Ford) for what it's worth. I think they make some horrible car compromises...er...decisions but with the Yen-fixing schemes that Japan pulls and the business climate they have to play in (UAW, etc.), I'd still like to see them succeed. If they were asking me, I'd say specialize each brand even more than they do now. If Pontiac's going to be the Honda-fighter, don't try to make it the Toyota fighter (to me they're very different). If Caddy is going to take on BMW and Mercedes, forget about Lincoln - elevate Buick to take them on. Without a clear identify it'll be hard for people to associate with the brand which is what people do with cars anyway now since most cars out there are pretty damn good. It comes down to nitpicking and emotion when you make a choice.

In the meantime, I'm loving my G!

[HOO-MAN?]

That Last Post Was Ludicrous In So Many Ways... Cts Is A Crap Mobile. Exterior Design Was Emphasized Way Over Performance... And Buick, Freakin Buick? Are You Kidding?

[gtbigup01]

Actually Motor trend has a similar article, however they were testing the difference between FWD (pon GXP) AWD (subbie STI) RWD (G35). No real conclusive answer, it's all what you're looking for in a car