Mar 08 2010
Pontiac Solstice Wows Em!
It’s easy to blast off in the Solstice right from the show room floor. The Pontiac Solstice combines raw power, a raft of amenities, and knock-em-over styling causing double takes. It’s been over five decades, since the 1959 Bonneville, to find a split screen that caused so much excitement. This car is a worthy challenger to the BMW Z4 and Audi TT, with only half of the price tag.
For selections the Solstice has two options: the base package and the GXP. The base package packs a 173 horse power, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that’s still reasonable on the gas mileage. The GPX manages to squish a punishing 260 horse power engine into a 2.0 liter, four cylinder engine. With either engine, it will be pair with a five speed automatic or manual 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.
The Solstice certainly provides much to smile at, compromised by some minor issues. The steering comes off as sluggish. The Solstice tips the scale at over 3000 pounds, so being quick-and-lite is not upon the abilities of this car. Also, when charging out from curves, the Solstice likes to hang on. Coming off the line, the acceleration can be a bit lethargic. This car wouldn’t make a passing grade in ergonomics, with components illogically positioned and plastic components littering the interior. Trunk space is very tight.
One can quibble over these minor problems, while the exterior style more than makes up for these deficiencies. Pontiac doesn’t have an impressive record for styling; in the Solstice, they break their bad luck streak. The duel-hump body work of the Solstice provide a wonderfully futuristic look. People walking by will turn their heads and check your car out. The overwhelming positives surely negate the minor drawbacks. New car buyers who want to put a little excitement into their ordinary drive will not regret picking this car.
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When the author isn’t driving her Pontiac Solstice, she’s a fan of best psychics, the Seattle HCG Diet, and the Pontiac Solstice windscreen windblocker wind deflector.