Automotive News, Media & Press - Dicuss: Pontiac G5 GT as a daily driver

Not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes.

Just wanted to hear your opinions about the Pontiac G5 GT [sister car to the Cobalt SS non-supercharged model] as a daily driver.

Specifications: http://www.pontiac.com/g5/specs_viewall.jsp

2.4l DOHC VVT Ecotec engine: 173hp/163tq
4-speed auto
25mpg city / 34mpg highway

Options: Premium Package [heated leather seats, Pioneer 7-speaker system], Power sunroof. Remote start.

$21k fully loaded before discounts

Discuss

http://www.clubg5.net

I'm not sure what there is to discuss... it's a Cobalt with sedan taillights, different set of wheels, change of colors to the instrument cluster and a pontiac grill insert. I think it'd be a good gas saver for a dd and still be reletively lively to throw around. I'd defintiy go with the GT to get the larger Ecotec. That 2.2 is almost a bit anemic.

Cool thanks. I was looking for a G5 forum last night, but for some reason I didn't see that one.

If you are after a fully optioned G5, you might want to check out a V6 G6. I have had mine since January 2nd and have put over 13,000 miles on it already. You can probably find some 06 model year vehicles still on the lots and work the price down quite a bit. I have seen as high as 32.3 mpg and average right at 30.1 mpg with mainly rural stop and go traffic. On the highway with the cruise at 82 to 84 it will pull down a consistent 30.9 mpg.

I was in the same boat as you when I purchased this vehicle. I was replacing a cavalier Z24, so I was looking at fully optioned cobalts at the time. Then I test drove the G6, for the same price there was no comparison in the cars. I am extremely happy with the decision to purchase the G6 over the cobalt/G5. Not a single problem out of the vehicle, so far. An exhaust and a CAI will be going on the car in the spring with a mild tune. This should bring the mileage up even more. Hope this helps.

I wouldn't buy a g5 as a daily driver.

Its just my opinion but I wouldn't suggest it.

I had a rental car called an intermediate. it was a cobalt which is the twin to the G5. I've never seen such a POS. Even though it was a free rental I gave it back.

I wouldn't buy a g5 as a daily driver.

Its just my opinion but I wouldn't suggest it.

I had a rental car called an intermediate. it was a cobalt which is the twin to the G5. I've never seen such a POS. Even though it was a free rental I gave it back.
care to elaborate? i suggested a cobalt to my friend and if like to know why you think that?

It wasn't the top of the line SS but I got to be honest it was just such a cheap car I would never personally suggest a car like that to anyone.

I remember driving a loaner car a year or so back and it was a Pontiac Vibe.

Now that car I thought was nice.

The cobalt though was so bad I couldn't imagine anyone actually spending money on it.

Maybe it was the looks, maybe it was the interior? Maybe it was just an overall experience....(maybe it was the cut lines that annoyed me)?

It was a terrible vehicle...(base LS version I imagine)

LIke I said the vehicle was free to me and I returned it. I didn't want it.

I don't know how much the Cobalt or G5 costs but for a few dollars more?

I'd suggest a Mazda 3 or a mazda Speed 3...

It might be a few grand more but I think the money would be money well spent. (22 grand for the Mazda 3 Speed) must be within 5 grand of the cobalt or G5 out the door?

The G6 sedan or coupe sounds like it might be a better vehicle with its V6 too...than the cobalt or G5...

I like to buy GM products first...but the cobalt or G5 would never be on my list...

Maybe the HHR ?

I'd suggest the possibility of an offlease certified vehicle over a new cobalt or G5 if costs were close ?

How about a V6 sonata sedan? Its about 20 grand? (I hate buying foreign but it was a better vehicle in my opinion than the cobalt)

Maybe I'm off in the pricing of these vehicles so accept my apology. I just wouldn't spend my money on a cobalt or G5. JMO



I hear the upcoming new malibu is supposed to be a killer vehicle...

Maybe that might be a better daily driver (about a year out?) if you can wait.....

Remember its just my opinion and please take it as such...

first off, the sonata is a definate no. they have a serious electrical problem hyundai is currently unable to repair.

secondly, the mazda 3 is way overpriced. my friend payed more for his mazda 3 then what you can get a G6 for. the mazda 3 is also piss slow. very tight handling car though, i will give it that.

thirdly, it is a cheap car :) but its a reliable, gas saving beater. what more can you ask for?

I apologize if I've insulted anyone with my opinion. That was not my intent.

I just think I would buy anything else other than the cobalt LS that I drove.

I believe it was a brand new car and it was so bad I would never spend money on it.

Remember inexpensive is ok. I can totally relate. I just think sometimes there is a place where more money should be spent.

I think there are better daily drivers out there.

I would never spend the money on a G5 or a cobalt. I'd surely buy a preowned certified vehicle or save up and spend more money for a better daily driver than the G5 or cobalt.

btw..In a million years I never thought I would have reacted this way. I'm just as shocked as you are that I was so dead set against this little car.

I really thought if it were me? I'd save up more money before I spent any money on a car like this.

How much more could a G6 be over a period of 5 years? or a Vibe? Either of which seemed like better vehicles.

This was the first time I had ever driven a vehicle I thought was such a bad investment.

Again..its not a flame to american vehicles. Its not a flame to be cost conscience. I just think I'd save more money and buy a better vehicle..

Either that or I'd extend the term of the loan one year if necessary to buy a vehicle less offensive.

I hate to say it but I really found the Cobalt LS that cheap.

Hell I drive a vette so I'm not a prissy asshole...when it comes to interiors...Its just the total car, the cobalt LS was disappointment to me...

Sorry if I insulted anyone...

i surely wasn't insulted, i was just playing devil's advocate. :)

i think that whole small car segment is garbage. i personally love the new VW rabbit. i would never own one for more then 4 years because of ownership costs but man are those cars cool. expensive as hell though.

might i recomend taking a trip over to saturn for anyone looking? the prices are hard to beat, even by its GM equivalents. i'm so lucky i saw the Vue before i bought the Equinox. its a grand cheaper and is much better equiped with options at that price. that being said, you might be able to afford the new aura with a 4 banger for close in price, it appears to be a beautiful car.

one of my buddies has a 94 saturn with 280k and the other has a 95 with 199k. and i also bought a 2001 Saturn L200 as a delivery car for our store. :)

I'd say get it, the cobalts (or G5)are some of the best compact cars out their. Fit n finish is above anything else, great little cars. I got 42mpg on the highway with my girlfriends 06 2 door cobalt AUTO, i can only imagine what a 5speed could do.

For future reference...most of these questions should be posted on www.seatstaysup.com in the garage forum.

It was a terrible vehicle...(base LS version I imagine)

Remember its just my opinion and please take it as such...

So there was nothing actually wrong with the car. You're simply saying it didn't fit your taste. Nothing wrong with that, just some people might think you had real problems with it.

My gf has an 06 LS coupe. It's as basic as a car can be (roll up windows, manual locks, no cruise, etc), but it gets good mileage, rides/stops/handles reletively well, and is light years above the Cavalier it replaces.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.