Pontiac Solstice News: GXP model revealed

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by GlisteningWhite

wow aaron ur still an A SS HOLE! Congats!

Why does that make me an A hole?... because you totally missed the point of the car and where complaining about things that the car was purposely not designed for?



Besides, I don't recall ever being an A hole to you. In fact I complimented you on your GA when you still had it. Now you bought an STI and feel like coming on here and trashing GM cars? You called it trash and a "grandma car"... never mind the fact that the car is a sports model and nothing remotely like a grandma car, and it has received rave reviews. I think most automotive journalists would have reacted the same way I did to your statement. Heck even Keichi Tsuchiya gave the solstice an awesome review in best motoring video and he RARELY likes american cars.

[fo44rd]

Originally Posted by GlisteningWhite

my mom bought this car and its crazy fast...no joke, maybe 13's stock, whick is good for a grandma car! and the top is manual no auto, and no room at all inside, other than the power the car sucks!

IT looks pretty too!!!!

[thecollegekid]

I think this is one of the reason that GM never goes out on a limb with it's cars anymore. People expect so much out of their cars but the average person leases a car and keeps it for 2 or 3 years. There aren't many classics being made and well maintained like the muscle cars of the 60s and 70s. Sports cars are evolving into heavy and overpowered exotics like Ferrari and Lambos but the true sports cars of the day are lightweight and will usually have a 4 cycle engine. Enter the solstice or sky. These cars will compete with any small convert. like the s2k or 350z convert.

When put up against a Z4 convert. and a 350z convert., journalists accept that both cars are better than the GXP but the price point is so good for the Pontiac that it cannot be ignored and the blue ribbon goes to the Solstice.

Believe what you want, but this is the next evolution in sports cars. I'd like to see all car companies get back to manufacturing lightweight roadsters and hardtops that are nimble and handle well. I'd trade the straight line performance for go-kart-like handling any day.

Just my $.02

[SilverEcstasy]

Originally Posted by thecollegekid

When put up against a Z4 convert. and a 350z convert., journalists accept that both cars are better than the GXP but the price point is so good for the Pontiac that it cannot be ignored and the blue ribbon goes to the Solstice.

I've never driven a Z4 but when comparing the 350z to the GXP, i'm not sure i'm rather torn on the decision. I like the 350z alot and I think it's a little more roomier inside. But the GXP is wide as a beast (the GM auto show in motion rep said it's literally almost as wide as a corvette, and you can feel it too), and handles really good with it's short wheel base. Turbo is always fun too, giving it that rush of power instead of the slow incline to speed like the Z.

I think the Z definitely looks better though.

And Aaron, I LOVED that video of Dori Dori reviewing the GXP. Now I buy Best Motoring dvd's like every week at discount.

[timberwoof]

When I drove the GXP, it was roomier than I thought it was going to be. You can tell the whole interior is geared toward the driver though. You can't adjust the passenger seat, back so you're stuck sitting straight backed. Also the seat doesn't wrap around you like the driver's sometimes making you slide down.

When in the driver's seat thought its all about "you" everything is right in your face. The guage cluster is set a little deep for my taste, but that's just a 1/2 point off the whole scale, if even that. I like the fact that there is a boost guage. Granted the guage is digital but it is fun to watch it go up and down.

I loved the handling of this little monster. Every corner I threw at it just pushed right back in orderly fashion. A front STB would help the turn in factor a little, as there is some oversteer. But not enough to bother you during daily driving. The only beef I really had with the car was the fact that the boost didn't kick in a soon as I would have liked. It seemed like boost finally started in at about 3500 RPMs, but I could have been wrong on that. The exit speed was good but not as punchy as I would like. It definately set you in your seat, but there wasn't enough. Oh well for right now its out of my price range so I can't complain. My buddy said when the warrant is up he's going to start modding it a little. He says a couple of the mods he would do was a better BOV and going higher boost to hit 300 HP. I think the thing could do with a better exhaust myself, but not a "fart cannon." If boral has an exhaust, that's what I would go with. I like the sound.

[AaronGTR]

I talked to Chris White at a local pontiac show last fall and he said he'd already tuned the computer on a stock solstice GXP and got like another 30hp. I figure a nice exhaust and intake and a tune and there's your 300hp easily. And it should stay streetable and dependable.

[timberwoof]

Do you think it would kill the warranty if my buddy did the tune on his?

[fo44rd]

Originally Posted by timberwoof

Do you think it would kill the warranty if my buddy did the tune on his?

ONLY IF THE DEALER TECH FIGURES IT OUT!

[SilverEcstasy]

Nah it won't. People have done plenty of tunes on their Trailblazer SS's and had transmissions go out and still got taken care of. They didn't go bad because of the tunes either. The trans suck on these trucks in particular. But then again, don't they all? You hear it on all forums. But literally, our trans can barely handle the stock power and weight.

[notsoaveragej0e]

My neighbor just picked up a new GXP Solstice in the dark polo green color... ish is hawt!

[SilverEcstasy]

Never really been a fan of that green, and personally always thought the dark grey was depressing, but dark grey has grown on me. I've actually liked seeing it on coupes more so than sedans.

[Exodus]

Someone in Staten Island has an RK kit on their Solstice, it looks alot better in person than in photos. Rosado definitely has seen it b/c its always parked around where he works.

[AMRAAM4]

Everyone knows I hated the Solstice at first, but after 2 years it has grown on me. I like it as much as the Sky, but would still buy a Sky first.

The wife actually wanted the Sky instead of the new Goat, but we realized it would make zero sense even though she only has a 5 minute drive to work. Small, 2 seat, convertible is worthless in the winter even with today's technology in defrost and heat.

[SpyhunteR]

Originally Posted by SilverEcstasy

Nah it won't. People have done plenty of tunes on their Trailblazer SS's and had transmissions go out and still got taken care of. They didn't go bad because of the tunes either. The trans suck on these trucks in particular. But then again, don't they all? You hear it on all forums. But literally, our trans can barely handle the stock power and weight.

Yes it will kill your warranty, just the techs can't figure it out.