| Pontiac 6000 |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT PONTIAC 6000 | |
| pontiac vehicles | |
| 6000 | |
| mid-size cars | |
| coupes | |
| sedans | |
| station wagons | |
| all wheel drive vehicles | |
| front wheel drive vehicles | |
| 1980s automobiles | |
| 1990s automobiles | |
The Pontiac 6000 was a conservatively styled mid-size car introduced by Pontiac in 1981 for the 1982 model year, slotting between the Bonneville and the Phoenix . It shared its platform with the Buick Century , Chevrolet Celebrity , Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera , and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser station wagon. The 6000 was built in Oshawa, Ontario , Canada from 1981 to 1988 and in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma until production ceased in 1991 . They were also made in Terrytown, New York in 1987 (according to one car's VIN ID) and possibly other years. Pontiac 6000's may also have been made in other places. In 1983 , Pontiac added the STE ("Special Touring Edition") variant to the 6000 line, which transformed it into a road car capable of competing with sports sedans from abroad, such as the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz 190E . Along with the STE badge came a stiffer suspension with air-adjustable rear shocks, quick-ratio steering, upgraded wheels and tires, and sportier cosmetic touches. Pontiac envisioned the 6000 STE to be a sort of "technology showcase" for the division. Keeping with this theme, beginning in early 1984 the STE came standard with a digital Driver Information Center. The Center kept track of oil changes, tire rotations and tune-ups; alerted the driver to low fluids or burned-out bulbs, and warned of an open door, trunk, or hood. Steering wheel controls for the cassette stereo and 4-wheel disc Anti-lock Brakes arrived in 1986 for the STE. A unique laminated anti-laceration windshield was used on the 1987 6000 STE, and a two-position memory driver's seat was a special option on 1987 to 1988 STE models. 1988 and 1989 STEs were available with a rare full-time All-wheel Drive system and a fully independent suspension, available only with a new 3.1 L V6 and 3-speed Automatic Transmission . Engineers even designed the rear suspension of the all wheel drive 6000 models to accommodate Four-wheel Steering , but this never moved beyond the planning stage. 1989 was the last year for the 6000 STE (now standard with all wheel drive), as the STE badge was moved to the front wheel drive Grand Prix for 1990. However, all wheel drive was still available as an option in the S/E trim for the 1990 6000. As in previous years, 1990 S/E models with all wheel drive came with the 3.1 L V6, a 3-speed automatic transmission, and anti-lock brakes. About 3,700 all wheel drive models were produced between 1988 and 1990 . As for the rest of the model line, it did remarkably well. By 1984 the 6000 was Pontiac's best seller, with over 122,000 units sold. The 6000 wagon also debuted for 1984, and a sporty S/E sedan and wagon, complete with ground effects and much of the STE's running gear, arrived for 1987. A 5-speed manual was optional on certain models beginning in late 1987. Model year 1989 saw some significant changes to the 6000, with a restyling of the rear window and other minor cosmetic upgrades. The rear window was now curved and more aerodynamic-shaped than the previous model's formal rear glass. The two-door coupe was dropped in 1989 as well. By 1990 the 6000 was scoring very highly on customer satisfaction surveys, so highly in fact, that GM considered a redesign of the model for the mid-1990s. This never came to be, and production of the 6000 ended on July 5 , 1991 when it was replaced by the sedan version of the Pontiac Grand Prix . There is currently a man in Canada that has successfully put a GM 3800 Series II Supercharged engine in his Pontiac 6000. Due to some rust problems, he has purchased another 6000 and it is currently undergoing the swap. This will most likely be the first L67 to go into an A-body car. Engines:
Transmissions:
AWARDS The ''6000 STE'' was on '' Car And Driver '' magazine's Ten Best List three times, from 1983 to 1985 . EXTERNAL LINKS
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