Full in depth review of 2006 Pontiac Solstice. How to put down the convertible top. How to open the hood. Driving impressions. Find out what it’s like!
I own one here in California 2.5 L custom leather interior absolutely love it feels like a little racecar . Super comfortable great feel and easy to work on
Question does your foot ever get stuck on incline, no one talks about that issue I guess it’s to heel toe better If one has big feet driving that car can be a pain I stalled it couple times during the drive because my foot got stuck inside the pedal and when I went to release the clutch my foot was in the way it was weird I had to drive with my big feet at an angle
Lesson #1- do not use the humps to close the rear trunk- per the Factory and some friend poor experience, they will dent- use the space between the humps where the latch is- $. appearance compares to early Jaguar XKEs, which had to be a influence. In regards to the interior, Pontiac's Target base price on these little Convertibles was $20,000, and they met it! 19,990 was the price, but they were very in demand and the dealers put mark ups on every one i saw for sale. that's 27,500 in today's dollars. So they needed to penny pinch in a few places. Interior materials is one place they did, front brakes is another. Single piston front disks, ala 1970. they're adequate, but i changed mine to a wilwood 6 piston design for around 1800. Handles great, quick, fun to drive and inexpensive these days, can be had for around 8-10k for a nice low millage example. There's also a turbo model called the GXP has 264hp stock, look out for these. It's a great 'Vert that can be had at a great price.
The platform is called a Kappa, not a Kanna. Most owners complain about the sloppy shifter, it is definitely not a tight shift, as you claim. The hood release and the hidden trunk release are that way for security reasons appropriate for a convertible. This is a roadster (not a 'roadster-type') which is why you feel the ride. Your pedal box issues are unheard of elsewhere. The non-turbo models are the most reliable. More research (watch other Solstice videos first) would make your review more convincing, instead of just 'winging it'.
I didn’t wing this review as you call it. The pedal box definitely isn’t level and the other reviewers that have done this car never mentioned it is kinda a dis service. Next time I’m in one I’ll take a level with me to prove it’s not. What is the point of watching other reviews if everyone says the same thing. To be honest I watched Maybe 10-15 other reviews going into this one it was new to reviewing at the time I wanted to find things that aren’t talked about and I did. I wear size 12 shoe my foot did get stuck on the incline in the pedal box. That was 2006 it’s possible that it had a shift kit installed. The car I drove had a nice shifter it didn’t move around wasn’t sloppy. It was just hard to tell where you were sometimes. Especially if your foot keeps getting stuck on the incline in the pedal box that no one talks about or even mentions. To completely fair other reviews said it’s a good heel toe car and the incline maybe there for that reason. I said in the video others say this is gm Version of the Mazda Miata that was the first time I drove a car like that. Roadster type is correct a real roadster doesn’t have roll up windows.. examples of roadsters Shelby cobra, 1958 MGA, jag xk120 convertible..
I have had 2.....NA and GXP ..the NA was great ...the GXP is junk. But they are hit and miss on the GXP. The cars were prone to overheating, broken water pumps, broken timing chain tensioners, cheap interior, leaking rear end seal, and I have yet to see one where the top doesn't leak. Now that they're about 17 to 18 years old, the back windows are falling out of them. Would I buy another???? Damn right! Blast to drive!!
That storage compartment you so call it along the bottom of the door on the inside is NOT a storage compartment. That’s the drip catch gutter for the soft top when you open the door while it’s raining.
My fiance bought one from a buy here pay here 2 years ago. I told her it was a bad idea. The biggest issue I’ve had with this car is the fact that Pontiac went out of business and a lot of parts for the car are discontinued. Idk how anybody with a car this old copes.
Parts are out there you can get just about anything on eBay.. join a Pontiac solstice club on Facebook they’re out there. They could point you in the right direction to get whatever parts you need or help with the vehicle. I hope this helps.
1 piece hood is worth mentioning? Now, I do have 1, 2 piece hood car but it's the only one of dozens of cars I've owned. Maybe I'm missing something about newer cars?
Great cars but the interior was Sooooooo CHEAP. That rattle you hear when shutting the door is the door panel separating from the door. Unfortunately the door panels were only held on with a few body screws and a few push pins😢 Im on my 2nd one if that tells you anything. But with the age of these im constantly having to wrench on these just to keep them going. The GXP with a tune drops over 300hp. The one i have on my channel is an 07 GXP with a Hahn pushing 25psi crazy power
@@What.its.like. if you drop the top it's a whole different game I'm 6'2 and it's not bad. The GXP still smokes a lot of the cars that are newer in it's class and it's rear wheel.
I've been daily driving my 07 RL since 2007. No real mechanical issues. Passenger hood latch crapped out once. Its bone stock except for a couple cosmetic touches. All my money goes into the stang.
Yeah there was four cars that where similar, I had a really hard time driving that car my foot kept getting stuck on the incline one time I stalled in traffic and people were beeping at me and I was like it’s not my car I’m sorry I stalled it. Lol I was super nervous in that one
@@What.its.like. I’ve had people beeping at me at traffic lights that have the signs “No Right Turn On Red”. One person even swore at me and asked if I knew how to drive. I answered that I know how to read. The sign says “No Right Turn On Red.”
Yeah it’s a great car but if it’s going to be your daily just know it’s rear wheel drive and depending on where you live.. snowy weather regions rear wheel drive in the snow can be tricky. I loved my time in that solstice.. the only thing that I didn’t like was the incline in drivers foot well I wear size 12/13 shoe my foot kept getting stuck on the incline in the drivers foot well when releasing the clutch. It could just be me like I said in the video. But it was hard for me to get it going once your moving it’s not an issue. Find one and go test drive it to know if it’s the right car for you.
Depends I had a 67 mustang in my 20s that I bought to build credit.. had a 1988 Lincoln town car same era and sold it bought a 92 civic hatch that would be an awesome college car... they are on the small side front wheel drive and get great gas mileage. Mine leaked oil and sometimes didn’t have oil in it but never blew apart... it all depends on needs I don’t see why the solstice wouldn’t be a good car for a college kid find and drive one is the only way to know for sure
I am replying to your reply to me. My point is your video is full of faux pas and errors. I suggest you watch other Solstice videos to LEARN, before you post your own production. it is almost embarrassing. There is nothing 'in depth' here at all.
Your the only one that has said anything negative about the video. everyone is different and is going to feel different things as well as the car had a previous owner who like I said may have put a different shifter in it. You’ll have to try one out a see if it’s a fit for you is all ... it’s not a roadster roadsters don’t have windows which this does, so roadster like was right. I’m dyslexic so sometimes I don’t pronounce things right..
Is there ANY chance we can get ADULT to review this car now? Just a whiney youngster, slamming every aspect of this car. It was designed to be reminiscent of the 1960's roadsters.... Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche....... not to be a "Modern design"... a basic powerful engine and body.
Not slamming the car I like these, just bringing up some points no one talks about. It is a hard car to drive if your tall. No one talks about the incline in the pedal box which is an issue if you have big feet.
Such a gorgeous body style! Has that Mini Viper mini Corvette vibe to it! I love how the back is up high and the front is low - like a 308 Ferrari . Steering wheel taken right off the Corvette and it even has Bilstein shocks. . I own this car and it’s such a joy to drive. I have the 2.4 L and acceleration is just fine great gearbox with a the tall 5th gear. Clutch n stick feel smooth You’ll be amazed at the handling And the amount of room in the cockpit. You can get these cars for a song which makes them incredible good value
You can get them cheap like it the $5k range if you look for them and that makes them a true bargain. Do you have any issues with the incline in the pedal box.
. I'm a 2nd owner of an 06 solstice with 41k miles..auto....had it since 08...drives very nice..cheap to keep...got behind a corvette from Vegas to primm...held tight..impressed the vette..me too!!..lol..great lil car..might get another one...
I have a 2006 Solstice manual and a 2009 Sky Turbo automatic; I agree with your analysis of the Solstice, the clutch, I just learned to raise my foot higher on the pedal when engaging the clutch
Thank you I’m not crazy.. =) that car was difficult for me to drive I wear size 12.5 shoe my foot would get stuck right as the clutch would engage... to the other guy what’s the point of watching other reviews if they all say the same thing.. I try and find point that other reviewers don’t talk about. Thank you so much for sharing =)
@@What.its.like. Being small generally has few advantages, being smaller driving a sports car is much better though compared to you gorilla size guys.😀
“Nothing that says Hood?” Really! I have a solstice GXP that a Garage kept. It’s a Weekend Roadster and extremely fun to drive in the summer. They have an awesome stock stereo and the seats are very comfortable. The wide low profile tires make it a little rough over bumps, but I could probably improve that with some suspension upgrades. And not a lot of room for cargo, but it’s not that type of car. But it is a great fun convertible car and turns heads still today along with plenty of zip on the turbo edition! The seat also has a Up-down switch for taller or shorter drivers many are unaware of! Great classic car at reasonable price!
Enjoyed your experience driving it . I love mine . I have had mine since 2009 and am going to keep it till i die . Lol .you didn't seem pleased with interior but i love how it drives and handles . Its a keeper ❤
The interior was very plasticky I liked how this drove but my feet are big and I kept getting it stuck on the incline that nobody talks about in the foot well I stalled in the middle of traffic and everybody was beeping at me I was like I don’t know I’m trying to get it going.. but I do like those
Really enjoyed this episode. I have always wanted one even before they came out . I have heard it called the poor man's corvette. To me it is much more than a miata. The interior of a Mazda is really plasticy, not even plastic chrome around guages and I always heard the miata called a chic's car.
One day I wanna compare them all I stalled this in traffic when I was doing the drive and I was so embarrassed because it wasn’t my car and I wasn’t sure how to drive it in 1 million other things.. it wouldn’t engage for me until my foot was wedged between the pedal and the incline and I had a hard time getting it to hook up right.
@@What.its.like. You would think, being a sports car and all, right? I was also surprised when I learned that. Mine is a manual and I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for responding by the way.
This car is beautiful I would love to own one one day it is a car that stands out and speak for itself I love this car and I believe they are coming back strong one day soon
5 speed stick, however the trunch surface does not have the emblem shown on your '06. Purchased for $15k with 35,000 miles, one owner, last summer. Nice video description!
No, I'm OK with the narrow measurements. It's a nice fun car to drive, the poor man's Corvette. Sips fuel and fraction of a Corvette cost! FYI-In your description you failed to mention buttons opposite cruise control on right side of steering column.
I have a 2006 Solstice Shadow Grey color bought in 2014 with 8300 miles on it now has 67000 miles on it has been a good car for me so far very low maintenance & have not had much mechanical issues with it since I bought it 10 yrs ago. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a cool looking sports car!
I would love to send me an email I’m out that way now I’m going to mecum tomorrow.. we could meet up if you’d like going with some friends from out this way =) What_its_like@yahoo.com
First when they came out they were fairly inexpensive You can buy one today an 2006 with less then 50K miles for $8000. I mean if want a high end interior go buy a newer car or new car for $50,000. You get what you pay for.
I’m 6 foot 2 and I fit The only thing that was bad about this car was if you have big feet nobody talks about the incline in the pedal box my foot kept getting stuck
You over rev it. I never seen anyone drive a standard transmission with there hands at 10 and 2. You look like you are a very nervous driver. Relax short shift it a bit. It’s a great car to just Cruze in. Has lots of low end torque and will run along just fine at less than 2000 rpm. I have a 2006 Solstice 5 speed and I have spent some time in a Miata. The Miata feels much lighter and it loves to rev. The Miata transmission is a very close ratio 5 speed. The Miata feels much more refined and a lot more sporty. But it revs to high on the highway. Needs a taller 5th gear. The Solstice has a lot more low end torque than the Miata. Sorry for sounding critical but you just don’t come across as a car tester.
I was super nervous my foot kept getting stuck on the incline in the pedal foot well this was early on and wasn’t comfortable driving other peoples cars
2006 = Worst Year. Why? Because no GXP. GXP while looking the same is almost a different car, specifically in terms of engine and handling performance. Whatever you do don't buy a base model with auto transmission. GXP and Saturn Redline with less than 1K in mods is like night and day difference. The base w/stick is more like a Miata, ok fun but nothing compared to the Turbo Solstice and Sky. Had mine for 5 years and worth more now than what I paid for it when it had less than 10K miles on it.
@anantashesha If GXP or Redline, search Trifecta's "Budget" tune. Cheap but unleashes the stock turbo. For any Kappa, search DDMWorks Brace Bundle. Understand this will make the car ride a little rougher but will also increase handling performance. Lastly to get the most of these 2 mods you need HP tires like BF Goodrich Comp 2 A/S or any other HP tires. That's the most expensive mod but you have to buy tires anyway so why not spend a little more and reap big returns.
The look of solstice is amazing, clear lines, absolutely sporty lines, maybe required a v6 engine with 250 to 290 hp for complete the perfect performance...
I don't know who this guy is but he does not even have a clue about this car. This car is nothing like he says this car has it all and performs well. It was voted most sexiest car of 2006 and it's a blast to drive.
Hi my name is J Had/has a lot of plastics, it’s a good car for the time period, sexy? It’s good looking I don’t know if I’d go that far ford gt is sexy this isn’t the same level as that.. It drove good for what it was.. I’ve driven hondas from the 90s that are faster and hook up better.. just my opinion tho the only things I didn’t like about it besides battery placement was shifter throws were long incline in drivers foot pedal which my heel kept getting stuck on when shifting. But the biggest thing was the interior it’s plastic fantastic and feels cheap I like these cars don’t get me wrong they just feel cheap
What do you think would happen if you were in an accident with the shoulder belt down around your ribs? Say goodbye to your mid section, and your head would flatten the steering wheel.
