Pontiac Converts

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For a small, inexpensive car, the G6 does an exceptional job at smoothing out bumps on the highway, and even on rocky back roads. With the top up, the car is also exceptionally quiet inside. Over the past 16 months, I've test-driven more than six dozen new models on the bumpy back roads around my house in rural Pennsylvania, and with its top up the G6 really stands out for the smoothness and quietness of its ride. With the top down, wind-buffeting in the front seats is minimal, even at highway speed.

The car's interior design has its pros and cons. On the plus side, the instruments and general design are very attractive. The dash and instrument setup have a pleasing curvy shape, and there's a crease snaking across the dash that adds to the effect. I especially like the form of the center console, and the way the two, chrome-ringed air ducts at the top go with the console's overall shape. The numerals and markings on the instruments are in a bright red that's very striking at night.

The downside is that the sharply raked windshield makes the dash very deep, and in my test car it was a vast field of too-shiny black vinyl that detracted from the otherwise attractive interior design. The felt roof liner covering up the workings of the retractable top also looks cheap and not very durable. It wouldn't have taken much extra effort on Pontiac's part to upgrade the materials a little more and add an elegant pattern or a splash of color to the interior.

The G6's other big downside is the same as the Solstice's: There's almost no trunk space with the top down. The top folds up into two large panels that take up most of the 12.8 cubic feet of luggage space in the trunk when the top is up. There's a retractable barrier separating the folded-down top from the spare tire, and the only way to create a useable amount of space underneath it when the top is down would be to remove the spare. So unless you want to risk driving around without a spare tire, you have to do without a trunk while driving al fresco.

On the other hand, the G6 convertible has something that the Solstice and its sister model, the Saturn Sky (see BusinessWeek.com, 5/31/06, "Sky High"), don't have: A rear seat. And it's not a tiny little afterthought of a rear seat, either. There's a surprising amount of leg, shoulder, and hip room, though head space is very tight. A couple could take an overnight jaunt on a sunny weekend in this car and still have space for luggage in the back seat. They probably could even take a child along, though two kids plus luggage would be a stretch.

BUY IT OR BAG IT?

This is a great car for someone who wants a good-looking, head turner of a convertible that can double as an everyday car. The retractable hardtop makes it fun to drive in spring, summer, and fall, but also comfortable in winter. The G6 has front-wheel drive and comes with standard traction control, making it practical for winter driving. And the relatively spacious rear seat offsets the lack of luggage space when the top is down. Just keep in mind that it doesn't have the speed and precision handling of a genuine sportscar.

If I were buying a G6, I'd consider paying up for extra interior leather and a bigger engine. The car gets decent mileage either way. The base G6 convertible is rated to get 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. You only lose about 1 mpg by going with the bigger engine, and the base model GT convertible is a little too pokey for my taste.

The logical alternative model to consider, in my mind, at least, is the Ford Mustang convertible (see BusinessWeek.com, 7/1/05, "This Mustang is Part Echo, Part Thunder,"). It has a ragtop, rather than a retractable hardtop, but it's a similar car and has the virtue of being a bit cheaper that the Pontiac. I'd also price out the Mini Cooper S convertible (see BusinessWeek.com, 7/11/06, "Maximum Mini"). Other models to consider are the new Chrysler Sebring, the Solara, and Mitsubishi Spyder Eclipse.

Compared to those rivals, the G6 offers excellent value. Even with the engine and interior upgrades I'm suggesting, you can take home a G6 convertible for a little more than $30,000. It also has the virtue of being manufactured in Michigan, if you care about buying American. And this is one Made-in-USA model where Detroit got most of the important things right.

To see more of the Pontiac G6 convertible, click here for the slide show

Thane Peterson reviews cars for BusinessWeek.com.