Pontiac Cobalt, err, G5

[Keef]

Is this a hoax or what? Driving by the local Pontiac dealer not 30 minutes ago, I spy a red Cobalt coupe sitting right in front, by the entrance. I ask myself why it has the obligatory Pontiac "kidney bean"--aka wannabe BMW--grille, then the thought comes over me, "whoa, I gotta check this out." I yank the wheel, careening in front of oncoming traffic, understeering in my Cavvie like my front tires were on ice--it was wet--and finally crashing through one of those I-didn't-think-it-was-that-deep puddles, finally coming to a stop behind the G5.

Now the car: Coupe, just like the Cobalt. When I say "just", I mean the only differences were the grille, possibly the lower inlets on the front, but I don't remember, and taillights that are similar to the Cobalt sedan's. The roundlets were gone, and the trunklid was plain. Most of us know what a cobalt looks like (see below), and we also know that this car does not fit with Pontiac's swoopy, curvy, sleek, and fast designs adorning the G6 midsize sedan, it's variants in Coupe and Convertible form, and the Solstice roadster. I didn't check the interior, though I should have and will later today. By the way, I only found this one picture of the G5, and it appears to be a prototype and it was labelled "chevy cobalt compact car" and found in a Cobalt Google search. No results for "Pontiac G5".

Pontiac G5. THe coupe I saw had lower front grilles just like the Cobalt Coupe.


Cheverolet Cobalt Coupe


Pontiac G6 sedan...


...and Coupe.


So I ask, why? BMW doesn't have a compact front-drive coupe. BMW is what GM wants Pontiac to be one I believe. I think this was a stupid move, but I can also see it being a money maker, as designing and manufacturing new front and rear bumpers may cost GM a hundred or two dollars per car, and the new decklid might be about the same. And why again have I beaten YSSMAN? What's the deal with that? Of course, this thread might just fail miserably as GM's minivans have.

 

[Jim Prower]

Pontiac? BMW? they want Pontiac to BE BMW?

I don't think so.

certianly, GM is taking a "BMW-like" design direction to Pontiac, but I don't think they actually think people will equate these cars with BMWs. that's Cadillac's Job.

I also don't think Pontiac needs ANOTHER car in it's range. I like a partial-range plan. The Sunfire wasn't selling that well anyway, why not drop it from the range entirely?

Sadly, I think Pontiac is soon to join the ranks of Eagle, Plymouth, and Edsel...unless the GTO can Save them....or, they could just badge it a Chevy and put a big cowl-induction hood on it, call it a "Chevelle."

Pontiacs, in my opinion, barring the current GTO, can be replaced with Chevys and Saturn/Opels. Sorry, boys.

 

[YSSMAN]

What did you beat me with? That you saw the G5 first? I'm kinda at a loss here...

The offical G5 website should shed some light on the model...

This car, although for the most part a partially re-skinned Cobalt Coupe, will be taking the spot of the Ion as the Astra will soon becoming to the US market. Pontiac has decidedly moved the G5 upsacle from the Ion and Cobalt, and it will ONLY be offered as a coupe here in the US.

This of this more as a compeditor to the Scion tC than anything else folks...

 

[exigeracer]

and it will ONLY be offered as a coupe here in the US.

I do believe Canada gets the G5 as well.

 

[YSSMAN]

Yes, the G5/Persuit as both a sedan and coupe. Pretty much they are going to build them, and send them across the lake. It's just that easy....

 

[Keef]

They already have a website, eh? I hadn't heard a single word of any G5, concept or otherwise, until I spied that piece in front of the dealership. You'd think they might want to "advertize" a new car? I'm sure those 15 inch wheelcovers and ~195 tires will compete neck-a-neck with the tC.

 

[exigeracer]

I do believe that in Canada, they had the G5 in a Pontiac television advertisement campaign.

 

[Tornado]

This car, although for the most part a partially re-skinned Cobalt Coupe, will be taking the spot of the Ion as the Astra will soon becoming to the US market. Pontiac has decidedly moved the G5 upsacle from the Ion and Cobalt, and it will ONLY be offered as a coupe here in the US.
This of this more as a compeditor to the Scion tC than anything else folks...

So, they give the brand with no direction a good car, and replace the mediocre Ion with the mediocre G5? This is the thinking that got GM into this mess in the first place. The seriously need to stop badge-engineering such tripe. If they must continnue to do so, at least do it for good cars, like the Buick LaCrosse.
And as crappy as the tC is, I would still take one over this in a heartbeat.

 

[Eric.]

Fingers crossed for a GTP (2.0L Supercharged from Cobalt SS SC) and a GXP (same as GTP but with more boost - over 250hp?). Should make it be a bit more upscale with extra power and a better interior. I really do like the look of the Cobalt SS and a member of our car club has a Pursuit Sedan that looks really nice.

Edit: After looking at the front, I'm not too happy about it. Most of it is fine, but I don't like the grille. I think the problem lies with me owning a Grand Am GT. The GTs have narrower nostrils (which are actually hooked to a ram air system) whereas the SEs have ones similar to the G5s, which are flatter and not as sporty looking. Modify them to look like the nostrils of a GAGT and I'd be happy(/ier).

Edit2: This would be taking the place of the Sunfire/Sunflower, by the way. And yes, in Canada it is called a Sunflower.

 

[a6m5]

I had never heard of this car either. Back of the coupe looks like a fusion of 350Z and G35/Skyline. I don't really care for this car, but I would take it over Cobalt. I just like the Pontiac brand better.

 

[YSSMAN]

First of all, lets get some offical images in here, then we need some specifics on the given model.




First to clarify, the G5 only comes in base and GT form, mechanically making it the equal to the Chevrolet Cobalt LT Coupe and SS Coupe sans Supercharger. The baisic model does with the 2.2L 144 BHP I4, while the SS goes up a notch. It has the 173 BHP 2.4L ECOTEC I4 that is used in most of GM's new economical sports models, and uses the same Getrag 5-speed manual as well. The car is good for 24/34 MPG respectively, and that is pretty good for a car with that much punch.

Standard features are what you would expect in most cars these days, CD player, power windows and locks, A/C, etc. The GT adds the better wheel/tire combo, the sport suspension from the SS, four-wheel discs with ABS, and a few other features that will presumably make the GT the best-seller.

Options do include the dreaded 4-speed auto, 228-watt audio system, 6-disc changer, traction control, XM radio, and a remote starter system.

Overall, it slots just above the Cobalt with a few extra features and an argueably better looking interior and exterior. The ride should have a touch more sport in standard guise, and that may be enough to bring a few folks into dealers.

It may not be the most perfect case for badge engineering, but it works out allright in my book given that the Ion will be disappearing. I presume the G5 will be the car that takes over the production spots in the Spring Hill, Tennessee plant that will lose Ion production eventually, but that I cannot be completely certain of.

 

[a6m5]

It has the 173 BHP 2.4L ECOTEC I4 that is used in most of GM's new economical sports models, and uses the same Getrag 5-speed manual as well. The car is good for 24/34 MPG respectively, and that is pretty good for a car with that much punch.

24 city/34 hwy mpg? I would think it's kind of unusual for mpg of car that size to jump 10 from city to hwy miles? I wonder how much it weighs too. If a car like this is priced competitively, people like me are going to be interested.

 

[YSSMAN]

...Oops, its 25/34 MPG, my bad.

According to Edmunds.com, the standard coupe will start at $14,995 while the GT coupe with the afformentioned 2.4L will start at $17,180.

 

[a6m5]

...Oops, its 25/34 MPG, my bad.

According to Edmunds.com, the standard coupe will start at $14,995 while the GT coupe with the afformentioned 2.4L will start at $17,180.

Still, that's 9 more mile per gallon. Price indeed is competitive. 👍

 

[Danny]

Some of the colours 👎

 

[1X83Z]

Did someone in this thread actually say that the Buick Lacrosse is a good car?

Ugh.

If Pontiac really is the "excitement" brand of GM, then why are all of the exciting vehicles manufactured by Chevrolet? And why do they sell a minivan, a horribly underpowered SUV, and now this hellcar?

 

[exigeracer]

Edit2: This would be taking the place of the Sunfire/Sunflower, by the way. And yes, in Canada it is called a Sunflower.

My sarcasm detecting probe isn't beeping, so I'm gonna have to call you out for believing that in Canada it was called the Sunflower.

I've driven Sunfires in Canada, I even know people who've own/ed Sunfires in Canada.

 

[Snortin Norton]

They are Sunfires. Luckily, they're drowned out by all the Corollas and Echos, though.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, Pontiac has to make some money these days, and thankfully Lutz has (for the most part) had the direction to destroy the stupid models at Pontiac. The SV6 is dead for '07, and the Torrent doesn't have much longer. That would make Pontiac what it should be, A CAR COMPANY!

I would say that it would have been smarter for Pontiac to only sell the high-performance versions of the Cobalt as the G5, but thats just me. Given that Pontiac is supposed to have a bit more excitement, why not give them a G5 GXP with the 260 BHP DI engine to knock gloves with the SRT-4?

 

[Eric.]

My sarcasm detecting probe isn't beeping, so I'm gonna have to call you out for believing that in Canada it was called the Sunflower.

I've driven Sunfires in Canada, I even know people who've own/ed Sunfires in Canada.

You sure? I'll double check in a second, but I thought I remembered some people in my car club (from Canada) saying that they are called Sunflowers.

Edit: A google search resulted in a few Cardomain owners nicknaming theirs "Sunflower", but also several results (including news reports) of Pontiac Sunflowers. No pictures available

 

[Onikaze]

Not bad, should be more fun to drive than the Cobalt, and 25/34 isn't bad for 170 Hp at all, as was said.

Still, I'm eagerly awaiting the RWD Onry Pontiac I keep hearing about.

 

[YSSMAN]

Indeed, the return of the RWD Grand Prix will be celebrated at my home, then we will probably buy an Impala instead...

 

[exigeracer]

but also several results (including news reports) of Pontiac Sunflowers. No pictures available

No such thing exists.

 

[1X83Z]

I would say that it would have been smarter for Pontiac to only sell the high-performance versions of the Cobalt as the G5, but thats just me. Given that Pontiac is supposed to have a bit more excitement, why not give them a G5 GXP with the 260 BHP DI engine to knock gloves with the SRT-4?

260hp from a front-drive hellbucket? Good luck. It'll torque steer more than a Saab. Okay so that's an overstatement, but torque steer will still be bad.

I just don't get Pontiac's position. It's "driving excitement," so why the hell does Chevrolet sell the Malibu SS, Trailby SS, Impala SS, Corvette, SSR, Monte Carlo SS, Silverado SS, and Cobalt SS Supercharged? Pontiac's only exciting models are the G6 GTP, Grand Prix GXP, Solstice, and GTO. One of those models (G6 GTP) barely even counts and the GTO is about to get shelved. GM should come to terms with the fact that pontiac should be Chevrolet's performance arm and should further make Pontiac a low-volume brand. Dealers would be mad, but otherwise we've still got six brands selling the same ****. And I stress the term ****.

 

[Tornado]

One of those models (G6 GTP) barely even counts and the GTO is about to get shelved. GM should come to terms with the fact that pontiac should be Chevrolet's performance arm and should further make Pontiac a low-volume brand. Dealers would be mad, but otherwise we've still got six brands selling the same ****. And I stress the term ****.

While I agree with you, I don't think GM is about to do anything about it anythime soon, becuase doing so would further make the Pontiac brand pointless, and possibly even closer to termination. And since GM only seems to give a damn about Saturn these days (as to why, I have no clue), it looks even worse for Pontiac.

 

[YSSMAN]

A few things about Pontiac's future:

1) Don't be surprised to see the Red Line/ SS parts go underneath the car with the 205 BHP LSJ engine under the hood. Given that the Ion is about to be killed-off (finially), production of that Delta car should shift to Pontiac while Saturn recieves the Astra from Germany.

2) The G6 is going to be seeing a lot of changes for the 2007 model year. First things first, the old 3.5L LX9 is being ditched for the 3.5L LZ4, boosting power by 25 BHP on the GT models. The GTP model will remain the same with the LZ9 3.9L V6 which produces 240 BHP, and will continue to offer the same 4-speed auto and 6-speed manual, while the GXP model will also be added to the lineup. The G6 GTP will use the LY7 3.6L engine from the CTS and Aura, which should be making 250+ BHP and be matched to the 6T70E automatic as well.

3) The Grand Prix will soldier on for a bit longer on the W-Body chassis, and expect the trims to remain the same. Base Grand Prix will use the same 3.5L LZ4 V6, while the GT will move up to the 3.8L Series III S/C V6, and the GXP will use the LS4 V8. The GXP is actually FASTER than the Impala SS, so I don't see what the problem is there.

...The Grand Prix will probably see replacement for 2008, possibly to be renamed as the G8, and will ride on the same Zeta platfrom as the Holden Commodore, et al. The LY7 V6 and L79 V8s should be standard fare, with the LS2 taking the top-spot in the GXP model.

4) As for the GTO, the same thing is happening here as well. The car will continue on untill the end of 2006, and will see replacement in 2008 or 2009 alongside cars like the Camaro and Challenger. The LS2 will probably be the standard engine once again, and the LS7 could power the long-rumored "Judge" model.

5) The Solstice will obviously have the added power of the GXP package by the end of this year, so don't expect any huge changes there. Production was increased by 10,000 between it and the Sky, but they have chosen to undercut demand to keep sales strong. The only special option I could see hapening would be the use of the LSJ in some kind of model to split the difference between the standard model and the GXP, but I can't be certain with that one.

...As for the rest of the lineup, the Montana SV6 is dead, and they are about to axe the Torrent as well.

All cars, all with high-po options, all of which are sportier than Chevrolet's, I don't see what the problem is... I'm a Chevrolet guy, so I'd be more likely to go with Bow-Tie power than Arrowhead performance in most cases, but the Pontiac lineup has to do it's best to split the difference between Chevrolet and Saturn, and I think they've done a good job.

 

[McLaren]

So, another car based off another car? Hasn't this been GM's strategy for the past, what, 20 years?

 

[LeadSlead#2]

260hp from a front-drive hellbucket? Good luck. It'll torque steer more than a Saab. Okay so that's an overstatement, but torque steer will still be bad.

This, I have a problem with.
A. Honda Accord = 260HP
B. Mitsubishi Eclipse = 260HP
C. Other GM's = 303HP
How would this be any worse than those cars?

I just don't get Pontiac's position. It's "driving excitement," so why the hell does Chevrolet sell the Malibu SS, Trailby SS, Impala SS, Corvette, SSR, Monte Carlo SS, Silverado SS, and Cobalt SS Supercharged? Pontiac's only exciting models are the G6 GTP, Grand Prix GXP, Solstice, and GTO. One of those models (G6 GTP) barely even counts and the GTO is about to get shelved.

So, you don't understand why, A Company that makes less cars, has less performance models?.....??..?
I dare you to name a Pontiac car not on your list there. That's right, There is a performance model of every Pontiac car.
And, (not the first posted pic) in the 2nd G5 pics, this car looks better than the cobalt, IMO. but that's beside the point.
So yes, dam, Chevy has more performance models... thats because they make more cars, and even applied it to some of their trucks/suvs.
What Pontiac does need, is a single "badge". GTX, would be the best IMO. but they need to cut the - GXP, GTP, blah blah blah crap.
SS = Performance.
GTP = "which one is that?"

car-wise, Pontiac is doing great compared to Chevy.
G5 - looks better than Cobalt, (IMO)
G6 - definetly looks better than Malibu.
Grand Prix - Definetly looks better than Impala (not true with last Impalas, but they fugged 'em up good)
just my .02
oh, and the GTO looks better than the currently non-existent Chevy model

So, another car based off another car? hasnt this been GM's strategy for the past 20 years?

Nope. More like 40.

Pontiac being between Saturn and Chevy

So, Saturns are going to flip, and become upscale of Chevy? cause, they're still cheaper, and lower-class.
Pontiac's, however, are higher-class, and thus more expensive than Chevy's.
(therefore not between)
I see no signs, nor hear of them, for this to be happening, and, if it is going to happen, let it be known GM is purposefully trying to kill themselves.
Saturns have a name. A name as the cheap, affordable, college-girl cars, for practical people who don't care much about cars.
Pontiacs have a name, a name as being a smidgen better than Chevy's, but not without extra cost.
For GM to try to switch this, will A. Cost millions in advertising. B. Be pointless. C. Cost millions or billions in advertising. D. NOT WORK.

 

[1X83Z]

And since GM only seems to give a damn about Saturn these days (as to why, I have no clue), it looks even worse for Pontiac.

GM is focusing on Saturn with the intent to make it the sort of premium brand that Volkswagen is. They've got a lot of work to do for two primary reasons:

1. Saturn's brand image is in the tank, due to producing ONLY an extremely inexpensive vehicle for a decade and a half.
2. They seem content on giving the brand absolutely no decent products to work with. Admit it - the Vue V6 is the only decent vehicle to come out of Saturn... ever.

I dare you to name a Pontiac car not on your list there. That's right, There is a performance model of every Pontiac car.

The simple truth is that there isn't. For one thing, I "dare you" to name a performance version of Pontiac's minivan, the SV6, or their SUV, the Torrent. Furthermore, I see no performance model in the Vibe or G6.

The Vibe's "performance model" has 164 horsepower (nine more than the Suzuki Aerio which is also lighter - think that's a performance car?) and manages the 0-60 run in a spectacular 8.7 seconds. Be still my beating heart.

Pontiac touts the G6 GTP as a "performance model" which is total bull****. I'm sorry, but the vehicle has 240 horsepower. Once again - be still my beating heart. Midsize sedans with more horsepower than that STANDARD with their six-cylinder include the Hyundai Azera, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat, and Subaru Legacy, all of which are quicker. Yeah, the G6 GTP is a performance car compared to the other ****ty G6s, but sorry - it's midpack for the class as for as performance. No dice, you idiot Pontiac.

To my knowledge, the only Pontiac models which HAVE a performance version are the Grand Prix, GTO, and Solstice, two of which are the performance version. The GTO is about to be cancelled, and the Solstice's "performance" comes mainly from its looks, considering that it's slower than my twelve-year-old 4-speed Volvo which I had to push from the driveway on to the street today.

car-wise, Pontiac is doing great compared to Chevy.
G5 - looks better than Cobalt, (IMO)
G6 - definetly looks better than Malibu.
Grand Prix - Definetly looks better than Impala (not true with last Impalas, but they fugged 'em up good)
just my .02
oh, and the GTO looks better than the currently non-existent Chevy model

I'm glad that you realize this is your two cents and literally nothing more, since these opinions are exactly that, not to mention totally irrelevant.

 

[IMADreamer]

260hp from a front-drive hellbucket? Good luck. It'll torque steer more than a Saab. Okay so that's an overstatement, but torque steer will still be bad.

I just don't get Pontiac's position. It's "driving excitement," so why the hell does Chevrolet sell the Malibu SS, Trailby SS, Impala SS, Corvette, SSR, Monte Carlo SS, Silverado SS, and Cobalt SS Supercharged? Pontiac's only exciting models are the G6 GTP, Grand Prix GXP, Solstice, and GTO. One of those models (G6 GTP) barely even counts and the GTO is about to get shelved. GM should come to terms with the fact that pontiac should be Chevrolet's performance arm and should further make Pontiac a low-volume brand. Dealers would be mad, but otherwise we've still got six brands selling the same ****. And I stress the term ****.

You are way to hard on GM. They are making small steps in the right direction. I don't think all their cars are **** as you describe them. I'm not becoming a Chevy fanboy or apologist just because I bought one by any means but I'm not sure what more I could ask for out of a 20k dollar car. I dynoed it this weekend and got 14 more hp then chevy advertises. If it weren't 102 degrees with 85% humidity I think I would have gotten more. I have leather, a nice smooth gear box, nice rims, great brakes, and I am confident this car will last me a very long time. Plus I think it looks sharp. Other then the SRT neon there isn't a car in the price range that will beat me down the strip and this car handles well too. Do I have the luxary of an Acura? No, but honestly if I was going for luxary I would have went with the C230 Benz I drove.

All this is just my car. The Malibu that everyone is so ready to rip on is not that bad. My father just bought his second Malibu for 15k otd. His first one had 150k miles on it and was only in the shop twice. Once to replace the brakes and once because the turnsignal quit working. Not bad either for a cheap car.

I also tested a GTO when I bought my car and I loved it. Had the dealer had any manuals in stock I may have very well purchased it instead. Where else are you going to get that kind of horsepower for 30k! 350z I don't think so? Mazda RX 8. Please.

I have also heard rave reviews of the Solstice and Sky and it looks like I have a cousin who will be owning a Solstice one the dealership gets another in. I will give you a review of that when I get to drive it.

I think the problem with everyone and GM is they are comparing cars like the Cobalt to the civic or RSX and the Malibu to Camary and Accord. GMs products are much more reasonably priced then those cars. Take the new Si for example. It's a nice car no doubt, but that dash has me worried about reliability and it's the same price as my cobalt SS/SC. I don't think it's going to perform as well as my SS is either. If we look at the base model civic it's almost a joke. I looked at them too and the cheapest model with AC was 16k!!!!!! You do not get your moneys worth with a civic. I can get a cobalt with the same options for 13k. Now am I saying the Cobalt is the better car? NO, probably not. It's a better bargin though.

Ok, I am rambling. Hell maybe I am turning into a GM fanboy. lol I just think people are unfairly bashing GM. Have you driven any of the new GM cars like the Cobalt SS/SC, Malibu, Impala, or any of that? They aren't as bad as you think and they are a cheaper alternative. No, they aren't BMW, Benz, Acura, Lexus, or any of those. They are affordable, reliable, transportation and some of the cars are a blast to drive.