The 2008 G6 only lasts around 150,000 miles with steering and engine problems. At $3,962 – 6,477, it’s cheap, but ownership costs are high with all of the breakdowns.
Is the 2008 Pontiac G6 a Good Used Car?
- No, 2008 is a bad year. Owners complain about steering problems, electrical gremlins, and issues with the fuel pump.
- Reliability ratings are below average. Avoid G6 models from 2005-2008, and go with a 2009–2010 which have fewer mechanical issues.
- Performance is average from the 4-cylinder, but the most powerful V6 is more fun.
- The G6 is a very safe car, getting a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is good, at up to 24 MPG combined.
What Do Critics Say About the G6?
- Consumer Reports describes the 2006 G6 as sloppy and uncomfortable with below average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the G6 a 4.6/5 liking the sporty suspension, but disliking the long braking distances.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the G6 4.1/5 and like the affordable maintenance costs, but dislike the poor steering.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Pontiac G6 Have?
Problems found on the 2008 G6 are fairly serious including steering issues, sputtering while accelerating, and computer failures.
Steering issues are very widespread, showing up at around 55,000 miles. The source of the problem is the steering rack and shaft. Replacing the entire assembly costs over $2,000.
Sputtering, while accelerating, is a common complaint from owners in the first 60,000 miles. There are several sources including solenoid and camshaft issues. Replacing a solenoid is about $250, and installing new camshafts is around $1,500.
Computer failures are also mentioned by owners at roughly 65,000 miles. If the computer fails the only way to solve the problem is by installing a new one, costing around $1,800.
There are 5 recalls with the most serious being for the electric power steering motor, and steering transmission shift cable which both increase the chances of an accident.
How Long Will the 2008 Pontiac G6 Last?
A well-maintained 2008 G6 will last around 150,000 miles, which is about 100,000 miles less than a Mazda6. Regular annual maintenance costs are high for a midsize car, according to Repair Pal, at $445 per year.
Most G6 models will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace head gaskets for $1,500, blower motors costing $300, and the valve timing actuator which costs $950.
How Much Is the 2008 Pontiac G6 Worth?
Blue book values range from $3,962 – 6,477, making the G6 about $2,000 cheaper than a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. When new, the price range was $18,765 to $30,210. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 12% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the G6?
There are four models of the G6 available. Technology is very outdated since it was last updated in 2005, and then the model was discontinued in 2010 when Pontiac shut down.
Value Leader is an entry-level model and has:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Manual Driver’s Seat
- Folding Rear Seat
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Input
G6 is a step up and adds:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
GT is a bit sportier and comes with:
- 17-Inch Chrome Wheels
- Sport Suspension
- Leather Steering Wheel
- 8-Speaker Monsoon Stereo System With Subwoofer & Satellite Radio
GXP is the flagship model and offers:
- 18-Inch Chrome Wheels
- Rear Spoiler
- Leather Seating
- Heated Front Seats
What Engines Come In the G6?
- The base engine is a fairly weak 2.4L 4-cylinder with 164 horsepower, which gets up to 24 MPG combined.
- A step up is the more powerful 3.5L V6 which makes 219 horsepower and gets up to 21 MPG combined.
- The most powerful engine is the 3.6L V6 which has 252 horsepower and gets up to 21 MPG combined as well. Performance is great, taking only 6.2 seconds to go 0-60 MPH.
How Big Is the G6?
The G6 is an average midsize car and comes as either a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, or 2-door convertible while being similar in size to the Kia Optima or Chevy Malibu. There’s plenty of passenger space in the sedan, but rear legroom is cramped in the coupe and convertible.
Cargo space is average for the car’s size, with 12.6 cubic feet of space in the trunk of the coupe and 14 available in the sedan. There’s enough space for 3-4 suitcases in each.
How Does the G6 Compare to the Competition?
The Pontiac G8 is another rival from the same brand costing about $4,000 more. Where the G8 stands out is with much better performance, but the G6 has a smoother suspension. We recommend the G8 since it’s more reliable and fun to drive.
The Toyota Camry is another midsize competitor that costs about $2,000 more. Technology is better in the Camry, but the G6 is sportier. We recommend neither for the 2008 model year, since it was a bad year for both cars.
