Beautiful car. I wish Pontiac was still in business. They made beautiful cars. I have a 2005 Pontiac Sunfire I don't want to have to give up. I haven't seen a car I like yet.
This is the best car purchase I have ever made and I'll never be without one again. When they first came out with these I wanted one so badly but, I'm glad I waited. It means more to me now and I can enjoy it much more. I've never had more fun driving anything in my life than I have this Solstice. The one I bought is an automatic GXP but I would love to have a second one that has a manual transmission. Not even a month after I purchased it and looked forward to driving it everyday, I broke the knee cap on my right leg in half and, of all things, I couldn't drive for 6 to 8 weeks. It was so sad to look out the window at my beautiful "new" car knowing I couldn't even get in it to sit, let alone drive anywhere. It's been 12 weeks now, so I'm driving again even though it still hurts quite a bit to get in it, I'll gladly take the bad with the good any day. Especially when the good is as good as it is in my 2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP!
Thanks for the vid. Very unique things you mention you like...some would say some of those things are negatives but cool that you like them. I have a GXP. I like the car too...its shape, its simplicity, its quirkiness, its handling, etc. I can get 30+ mpg on the highway if I don't stomp on it, yet I have 260 HP at my fingertips (foot that is). I get complements frequently and people don't know what the vehicle is. It's a blast and the GXP has way more juice than a Miata. Getting parts though can be challenging. A little scary the older it gets.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Its always fun stopping at a gas station and getting asked at least 2 times " what is that? " hahaha. Oh i miss my Solstice !
I had the same smudgy looking mirror and found a replacement at the salvage yard for $15. The same mirror is found in many other GM models - the Impala, Century, Rendevouz, Monte Carlo, Firebird or the source of my replacement - a Camaro.
Great video from the heart of a guy who feels the same way about the Solstice as I do. Every nuance of this car makes an impact about how you feel about it. So let me add my two cents. I have the 2.4 litre NA like you. I'm perfectly comfortable with "only" 177 horsepower, as opposed to the stronger 2.0 litre turbocharged engine. My style of driving is between me and the road, not other drivers. There's a nice exhaust note to the engine, and once you learn the different shift points for each gear, the engine is willing to deliver. I appreciate the fog lights as you do, however I never move the headlight switch off of AUTO. The Daytime Running Lights (DRL) come on automatically and if you put the fog lights on they go out AND the tail lights come on. I really like this functionality. The intermittent wipers vary with speed, which is cool. The sterop is kickass if you have the Monsoon option. I love the optional Limited Slip Differential when it lightly chirps around corners. The HVAC system works very well. I use an app on my phone that displays the fuel level. coolant temperature, voltage, and MPG using an OBDII dongle. I find it helpful. There's also additional space behind the seat where I keep two hand towels, quick detailer, and windshield cleaner. Now a word to those looking for a Solstice, the term "base" is very misleading. When a base Solstice was purchased new, every optional feature had to be added a la carte. My "base" car has $8,000 of factory options. GM wanted to bring this car to market at a $20,000 entry price and they did, but you need to know what options the car you are considering has. You can get this information by the VIN. I purchased my car with the original window sticker that has the VIN on it. If you buy a GXP, many of those options are included. But you can get a "base" for much less than a GXP and if the car you're looking at has a lot of options, you are really making out.
I can't thank you enough for sharing your passion of the solstice with me and with anyone who reads the comment section. This is all priceless information and it will absolutely assist people in making a decision to buy a solstice when they are in the market for a sturdy, well thought out and gorgeous convertible. Thanks for sharing and for watching!
Out of genuine curiosity, I’ve saved up for a solstice and I TRULY want to get one, but before I go to test one and get my hopes up, tell me, I am 6”3, do you think I would even fit 😂
I've got one, and my 6'4ish buddy had no problem fitting legroom wise. The top was down, so idk about headroom. At the end of the day, it's still a GM car. They're designed to fit American bodies.
They are nice looking cars, two things I don’t like, where the switches are located for the windows. You almost dislocate your shoulder they’re so far back. Another is the lack of space for minor things like groceries. Truely a roadster made for driving and that’s about it.
I've had a 2008 Solstice GXP for over a decade (original owner, weird story), and I think you'd also enjoy the GXP version. Sure, you'll lose some MPG because you'll be getting on it more often, but some of your likes are amplified. Rear end: adds a duck tail spoiler. Engine sound: with a cold air intake and a readily available 3rd party tune, getting on it heavy (like to pass) makes a roar from both the turbo spooled up and the exhaust note. I recommend a few modifications for anyone who owns a Kappa: high-intensity LED brake lights, because taller vehicles look over you and forget you're there until they are against your back bumper, the extra light reminds them there's an object between them and the vehicles ahead; screen door springs added to the rear bonnet to get it to lift some when released (there are several RU-vid videos on how to do this - you're welcome); change the side markers to high output LEDs and add relays so they blink with the blinker - at a lot of rural all-stop T intersections, the traffic on the base of the T can't see your front signal, I've almost been t-barred until I did this - added bonus is a side blinker for multi-lane roadway lane changes. Cheers!
totally agree, that was one of my favorite features of the solstice, you were cocooned in the cockpit. It helped me feel more connected AND protected by the car in general.
I’ve got two gxps a 08 and a09 Green with tan top or as they say “ light side “ There should be map pockets on the back of the seats too Also I know on my gxps the drivers seat goes up and down with a switch on the front of the seat I also get around 30 mpg in my gxps and I drive them pretty aggressively But they are great cars Wish pontiac was still in business Enjoy
Thank you for Subscribing! I actually discovered that along with being a convenient little storage pocket, it also serves as a way to put the roof back on while you are seated in the drivers seat! I'll be putting that video out in a couple days.
I just bought a 06 red with black top and interior. I love the throaty exhaust and pretty much everything about it. I waited a long time to get one and I found this beauty, one owner, and only 31k on her!❤❤❤
@@gtyar4395 Yes, but only 70 was sold here, so not very common. Guess I could find one and import from Germany, but climate here isn't perfect for a car like that anyway. That's why I didn't bring the Solstice in the first place.
Good video, well spoken and funny guy, thank you.I loved the car, especially for the price. I had a 2007 Black GXP, manual. There's no way in the world I would ever settle for the base model. It's not nearly as fun. It definitely has it's short coming. It's a great weekend car but I don't recommend it for commuting.
I have a 2006 Pontiac Solstice and the exact same color as you!! My interior has the grey-tan colors. I love that car! The green color is the best since all those metal flake colors come out in the sun! The only thing I dislike is when I need to replace the battery lol
Found one for 10.5k with only 22k miles clean car I'm just worried it's not gxp and I won't enjoy as much as I think but the price for gxp is like 20k at that point I just rather buy sky redline which is faster and better looking
Your on the right track with the Skys William, I actually test drove a couple Saturn skys a month ago and I do like the look and feel of the sky just a bit more then the base solstice. Good luck car shopping!
I have a 2007 Solstice GXP (turbo) manual. I get 38 MPG. Love this car. Have owned it for 3 years. It seems that the previous owners did some upgrades, including an aftermarket exhaust. Very nice rumble. Tons of power. So much fun on a road trip.
I have a 2006 Solstice Shadow Grey with black convertible top I have owned it for 10 yrs & bought it with 8300 mi on it & now at 67000 mi love my car I have kept it in good condition & still get alot of compliments on it. I think most ppl tail gate me to see what it is! Lol My last name is GOOD so I came up with a personalized plate that says GOODONE. I bought it in Az & since have moved to Mi hate the winters here! I have kept my Az plate since it looks so cool! So far I haven't gotten stopped yet! Lol
Thanks for the video! I just bought a black on black 07 GXP manual love the feel and sound. Probably going to swap out the stereo and sub but your right for what it is sounds good!
Congrats on the acquisition! Fantastic that you found a GXP. I've driven one and its honestly too quick for my taste. If you do the sub/stereo swap you should try to film it, im sure a bunch of other solstice owners would love to learn from your process. Thanks for watching and enjoy the drive!
Cool video. I feel the same about my Saturn Sky. I ended up buying 2 of them. I bought the Base model standard shift, then I bought the automatic Redline (Turbo) for my Wife. We love driving them both. Great cars! You are 100% correct.
I am 6'0" and I have to move the seat up a few inches. I think you would be comfortable up to around 6'3". You can raise the steering column to provide a better exit or entry.
As OP noted, it's tight. Slim to husky will still fit and it gets tight. I'm a husky 5'10" and it snug. I have a couple of friend who don't fit - they are 6'2" and 6'4" at 250# plus. One friend at 6'3" and lanky fit, but with the top down (totally doing a Tom Selleck).
I have a yellow 2008 GXP Solstice 2.0 Turbo I bought brand new.. Im debating selling it but it has some things to do on it. Its a fun drive.... Quite a few quirks and its not practical at all hahahaha I bought it when I was totally single no kids. Enjoyed the video thank you.
Land Rover Defenders make a whine like that too. Especially nice sounding when coupled with the sound of the 300TDI or the newer 5-Cylinder TD5 engines.
Gil, you have no idea how badly I want to get one again! I'd honestly love to try the Saturn out, even though its exactly the same vehicle. I kind of like the exterior look of the Saturn a little better then the solstice. Anyways, a convertible of some sorts is in my near future! Thanks for the encouragement Gil!
@@gtyar4395 👍 I'm real close to buying one as well GTyar... Thanks for the solstice videos, looking forward to the Sky videos. Take care brother... 👍👍👍
I'm sure I'm not the first one to comment on this, but I believe that little pocket/opening in the roof line mentioned at the very beginning is for the proximity sensor electric garage door opener, the kind that pick up a signal as you approach your driveway and open the garage without having to manually push a button to initiate it. When this car first came out, I wanted one so bad, but was too young and broke; then when the GXP came out I wanted one even more, but had a lot of debt already (home), and now I'm trying to get a new business off the ground..! Hopefully it'll go well, and in a couple/three years I'll be able to grab one... Though the one I REALLY want is the hardtop 'coupe' version GXP, which is even MORE rare, by a large margin. Still, it'll happen before too long... Good upload, thanks!
Hi Jack! you know, I've never heard that explanation before but it makes a lot of sense now that you mention it. I do remember that proximity sensor, and i also never had the extra money to afford one. Good luck with your new business and thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with the glorious Solstice!
My kids gave me a 2007 Saturn Sky Redline for my 70th birthday this year. I put a stage 3 chip in it so the 260 HP is now probably closer to 300 HP. It's REALLY fast. It only has 35,000 miles on it. It has an automatic but I've recently had my right shoulder replaced so I don't really want to row through the gears anyway. It has a "competition" mode that makes it even faster but does remove traction control so it will drift if I get on it too hard in a turn. I like that it looks sort of like Steve McQueens Jag XKSS. Yours is even British Racing Green or something close to it. Mine is yellow which I like. Too bad Massachusetts makes you put that licence plate in the front. The front of the Solstice is classic I think. Utah does too but they don't enforce it and I understand they're soon to remove that requirement anyway. I didn't know about that nice space in the convertible top. Thanks :) OH and the CD player. We haven't heard any of our CD's for about a decade. They sound so good in this car.
Thank you so much for sharing! Yes, i agree with you on the front license plate rules here in MA, it really looks awful just awkwardly sticking out there. the front would look so much nicer without it. Your kids are Awesome for giving you such a unique and fun car for your 70th! Sounds like a hoot to drive! happy motoring!
I waited and bought the Pontiac Saturn Sky. It was made after the Solstice. All the quirks were ironed out from the Solstice. Sorry, but the Sky is a much finer car.
Thanks for the video showing the great features of the Pontiac Solstice. To many reviews miss all these features and looks you mentioned. I like the view from the front more the rear. Had my rear shocks replaced and the ride improved a lot. Any suggestion for a phone holder? I'm still looking for one.
Thank you Tom! I actually use a phone holder that normally clips onto the vent, but i have it rigged in such a way that its attached to the grab bar directly to the right of the radio. I'm actually going to make a quick video about the phone holder set up I have since it seems to be the perfect spot for placing the phone and im sure others have the same inquiry. Thanks for watching!
You didn't introduce what year and model you are reviewing. There is also storage pockets behind the seatbacks, and the space behind the seats itself. 'These two things here' flanking the trunk sides are called buttresses. Get an owners manual or go to the Pontiac Solstice forum for proper education. This is not the smaller engine. The smaller engine, which is turbocharged, won't last as long. The headlights do not work when the fog lights are on. There are plenty of professional reviews on this car out there.
Bought my 06 solstice brand new no mileage ,18 yrs ago ! 42,ooo miles ,show room condition, NEVER SEEN snow , salt ever !,Goes to bed 6 -7 months a year . Drove to Hilton Head S.C for 12 yrs for 1 month each time , from CANADA , love driving thru the Mountains , solstice is a dream ride!. Very few seen on the road now. , which makes it a head turner ! Had offers to sell but , no way . In 2 years it will be a VINTAGE CLASSIC .