By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

I’m confused. More pics at Autoblog

The Eos beat the G6 by a 7-to-5 ratio in this week’s Showroom Showdown. Seems like the lack of a manual tranny really hurt the G6 in the voting (Pontiac dropped the optional six-speed manual in the G6 in 2007). I dig Stanley’s Eos with the JE Design body kit.

Winter is here, so why not look at FWD retractable hardtops? Here are two of the more affordable options, priced just north of $30k. With the Pontiac you get a 222 hp 3.5 liter V6, but you’re stuck with an automatic. The VeeDub comes with a 200 hp 2.0 liter four banger, and it’s available with either the DSG automatic or a 6 speed manual. Which would you choose?

With the average price of gas now over four bucks a gallon, is it really possible to purchase a car that is affordable and fun? I’ve recently been asking myself this question, as I am starting to get the new car bug. Lets start at $25K and roll with coupes only. Now ten years ago $25K would actually buy you a pretty fun car, but in today’s car market what can one really get? I’m rolling with domestics here kids, so don’t start throwing Civics and WRXs at me, ok?

Ford’s V6 Mustang starts off at $21k. For this money you get a full plastic interior, a 210hp weezo-matic V6 (drive one and you’ll understand), about 25 mpg hwy and great styling. Not much in the performance department, though.

Chevy’s got the HHR SS turbo with 260 hp, 28 mpg hwy, 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. This little box not only hauls ass, but some pretty big boxes as well. I like this thing. And for 2010 the V6 Camaro with 306 hp is coming out AS A BASE MODEL! Don’t know about the price, though, but I’m VERY CURIOUS about this one.

Dodge is about to release the Challenger SE, which will be priced well below 25k. Now for this money you’ll get 250 hp, around 25 mpg hwy, a VERY nice interior and some really nice styling. As for performance, that is something we’ll have to wait and see about, but I’m excited about this car as well.

Pontiac has the G6 Coupe with 219 hp, around 29 mpg hwy, a nicely appointed interior and styling that makes it look like a door stop wedge… ugh. While all reviews state it handles well and is fun to drive, I just don’t know if I can get over the styling.

I am sure I have left some stuff out, but what do ya’ll think? Out of this group I think I’d be leaning towards either the Challenger (if the performance is there) or the Camaro… Hmm… decisions, decisions, decisions….

Continue reading "Have Fun and Save Money? Can You Really Do Both?" »

I was down in the SF Bay Area this weekend visiting friends and family. I flew into the Oakland airport and picked up a red Pontiac G6 rental that smelled like the inside of a bong. Anyway, nice car! Much tighter than some of the Grand Ams I’ve had in the past, and quite fun to drive. I’ve been pretty happy with the rentals I’ve been getting lately. The last one, a VW Jetta, impressed the hell out of me. But I think my favorite rental car right now is the Dodge Charger. It’s especially great if you have kids–the trunk can take all the strollers and other kid crap you can throw at it, and the back seat is massive. What’s your favorite rental car?