Pontiac Solstice-All of the Fun at Half the Price
It’s easy to blast off in the Solstice right from the show room floor. The Pontiac Solstice meshes together raw power, plenty of niceties, and breath-taking styles causing people to stare. It’s been over five decades, since the 1959 Bonneville, to find a split screen that caused so much excitement. This car challenges the BMW Z4 and Audi TT at half the price.
Option-wise, the Solstice comes in two trims, the base package and the GXP. The basic package comes with a 173 horse power, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that’s still reasonable on the gas mileage. The deluxe GPX upgrade amps the engine into a 260 horse power turbocharged engine into a 2.0 liter, four cylinder engine. Both of these engines are clamped onto the five speed manual or automatic transmission. The base model does include electronic traction and stability control, limited slip rear differential, anti-lock disc brakes all the way around the car, generous 18-inch alloy wheels, and crisp satellite radio. The GXP adds onto the base package, and then adds dual exhaust tips, a sport transmission, leather shift know and steering wheel, and upgraded floor mats. After the GXP package, the most popular Solstice add-ons are fog lights, grill enhancements, and a critical Pontiac Solstice windscreen windblocker wind deflector.
While there’s a lot to like about this car, it does have some deficiencies. The steering is not crisp. The Solstice is still a weighty car, at over 3000 pounds, so this car will never feel nimble on its feet. Also, when charging out from curves, the Solstice likes to hang on. Taking off, the acceleration can be less than impressive. This car is not comfortable, with components in illogical spots and substandard parts made from third-world wages. Trunk space is sparse, hardly holding enough for a weekend trip. Finally, with the top down, without a Pontiac Solstice windscreen windblocker wind deflector (also check out convertible windscreen reviews for others), you will be drowned out by the turbulence and backwind.
Despite the minor draw backs, the clear asset of the Solstice is its exterior style. Pontiac hasn’t styled a great car for decades; in the Solstice, they get it right. The Solstice’s styling evokes exotic images that will appear in your nightly dreams. People in parking lots will stop you, stare, and ask about your car. The merits of this car decidedly weigh on the plus side. Those looking for top-down driving excitement will certainly be pleased with this choice.
