Pontiac Solstice Forum - View Single Post - Let's collect some more owner reviews !

I've had my solstice for a little over a year -- I use it as a 2nd car, so I only driven 6000 miles on it. And despite the fact that I'd love to drive the car more often, especially in nyc, I'm still in the stage where I'm too paranoid of dents to take the car into the city and park on the street or decks

I have a dark blue solstice with two tone interior and I don't regret the colors I got. IMHO it looks very classy in dark blue - it does collect dust, but I have a california duster which does a pretty good job of keeping it looking clean w/o damaging your paint. And I have to say, I really enjoy cleaning my solstice. It's so small, it doesn't take that long and I like keeping sharp. I also run w/o a front plate and I'm glad to report I haven't been pulled over once, knock on wood, although again, I don't drive the car every day.

I think the handling and the inside & outside looks are definitely the best part of the car for me. I like the reverse hood and trunks which open in the opposite direction. I usually get a compliment every couple of times I take the car out, but unforunately for me, mostly from guys

I also love having a convertible, although in NJ, you have to be opportunistic and somewhat creative (using your heater / ac) to use it. And the turning circle on the solstice is amazing compared to what I'm used too!

This is my first RWD car, so it takes some getting used to how to drive it hard on turns, but I like the feel of a RWD how it pushes you forward, more than a FWD which pulls you forward. But since it's my 2nd car, I really don't take it out in bad conditions (snow/rain) so I can't comment on how it handles.

Most of my complaints are trivial & by far overshadowed by everything I liek on the car, but here goes:
- I know GM was trying to make an affordable roadster, but there are some parts of the interior (eg, side panels, plastic grey 'solstice' sills) that I wished they could have splurged for the better materials and just charged consumers more $$$.
- A couple of missing options that I would have liked to seen on the solstice is a HUD like my grand prix has, and HID xeon lights.
- I also don't like the location of the power window buttons (too far back), cup holders & the lack of a power door unlock button.
- A brighter radio display. The only way I can read it when the top is down is by manually overriding my autolights and turn them off.
- And everyone, knows about the trunk space. I'm thinking about getting the removable storage rack, but it may be too complicated to install/remove based on some reviews.
- Some passengers also said the ride in the solstice is a bit choppy but I think is a tradeoff of the tight handling.
- Base radio is barely strong enough when top is down. I'd recommend anyone to get the monsoon.

I've been impressed with the quality on the car and I only had 1 issue that I had to take the car back to the dealer for (leaking a/c hose). I haven't done any mods on my solstice yet, but I'm thinking about getting a couple of small ones done, but all in all, and I want to keep the car as much as stock as possible.

anthony

	AverageJoe Founding Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North NJ (NYC area)	I've had my solstice for a little over a year -- I use it as a 2nd car, so I only driven 6000 miles on it. And despite the fact that I'd love to drive the car more often, especially in nyc, I'm still in the stage where I'm too paranoid of dents to take the car into the city and park on the street or decks I have a dark blue solstice with two tone interior and I don't regret the colors I got. IMHO it looks very classy in dark blue - it does collect dust, but I have a california duster which does a pretty good job of keeping it looking clean w/o damaging your paint. And I have to say, I really enjoy cleaning my solstice. It's so small, it doesn't take that long and I like keeping sharp. I also run w/o a front plate and I'm glad to report I haven't been pulled over once, knock on wood, although again, I don't drive the car every day. I think the handling and the inside & outside looks are definitely the best part of the car for me. I like the reverse hood and trunks which open in the opposite direction. I usually get a compliment every couple of times I take the car out, but unforunately for me, mostly from guys I also love having a convertible, although in NJ, you have to be opportunistic and somewhat creative (using your heater / ac) to use it. And the turning circle on the solstice is amazing compared to what I'm used too! This is my first RWD car, so it takes some getting used to how to drive it hard on turns, but I like the feel of a RWD how it pushes you forward, more than a FWD which pulls you forward. But since it's my 2nd car, I really don't take it out in bad conditions (snow/rain) so I can't comment on how it handles. Most of my complaints are trivial & by far overshadowed by everything I liek on the car, but here goes: - I know GM was trying to make an affordable roadster, but there are some parts of the interior (eg, side panels, plastic grey 'solstice' sills) that I wished they could have splurged for the better materials and just charged consumers more $$$. - A couple of missing options that I would have liked to seen on the solstice is a HUD like my grand prix has, and HID xeon lights. - I also don't like the location of the power window buttons (too far back), cup holders & the lack of a power door unlock button. - A brighter radio display. The only way I can read it when the top is down is by manually overriding my autolights and turn them off. - And everyone, knows about the trunk space. I'm thinking about getting the removable storage rack, but it may be too complicated to install/remove based on some reviews. - Some passengers also said the ride in the solstice is a bit choppy but I think is a tradeoff of the tight handling. - Base radio is barely strong enough when top is down. I'd recommend anyone to get the monsoon. I've been impressed with the quality on the car and I only had 1 issue that I had to take the car back to the dealer for (leaking a/c hose). I haven't done any mods on my solstice yet, but I'm thinking about getting a couple of small ones done, but all in all, and I want to keep the car as much as stock as possible. anthony