This one question can, and perhaps will, create much discussion. Please be civil here so we can talk this through. Here is the quote and the million dollar question from solkool (used without his knowledge or permission so I hope he is cool with it being reused) I am going to remove his rating of the car because I believe it will change the focus of the discussion. I know many of you have not had any service issues with your car, but you are aware that many others have had a slew of varried issues. The question has to be asked; Is this the best effort that GM / Pontiac could make with the Solstice?
By solkool: "To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the car. Certain aspects including styling and handling are great bit the lack of power and the "leak" have made me wonder why GM didn't get it right the first time."
I personally think an "entry level" vehicle into the power realm is a good step. For some, 170hp will be more than enough. For those who want more - look to after market providers and the GXP.
As such, half of the 'copied' comment is probably not relevant.
As for the quality - I cant comment as I dont have mine yet. It does concern me to hear numerous people having "Rain leaks", "Whines", and other significant issues that dont seem to be readily solved by GM and the dealer system.
My GXP is probably 4 - 6 months away from delivery. As much as I want one, if I keep hearing these issues - I may decide to go for a BMW or an Elise.
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Envious GXP on order, all options - SAN onstar
Well, you know what happens when you rush things out It is in everything in life and not just production cars. The term faster, cheaper, better is no longer a good thing. Sounds like the Hong Kong knock off market. Lots of copies and poor quality BUT, in this case it seems that GM rushed out. nevertheless, I was happy to own one.
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Karr Former Solstice Owner #4141~SOLD
Ordering Mysterious GXP-R when available.
I personally think an "entry level" vehicle into the power realm is a good step. For some, 170hp will be more than enough. For those who want more - look to after market providers and the GXP.
As such, half of the 'copied' comment is probably not relevant.
As for the quality - I cant comment as I dont have mine yet. It does concern me to hear numerous people having "Rain leaks", "Whines", and other significant issues that dont seem to be readily solved by GM and the dealer system.
My GXP is probably 4 - 6 months away from delivery. As much as I want one, if I keep hearing these issues - I may decide to go for a BMW or an Elise.
I did not want to do too much editing to the quote. It's the quality issues I think he, I, and others are unsettled by. I too am waiting for some sign of a "fix" for the water leaking issues, and more importantly a "fix" for the carrier before I place my order. I am getting a roadster within 6 months. Time will tell if it's a Kappa or not.
Personally, I find the power adequate. The handling under acceleration is my particular bone to pick. I like to drive fast on twisting, turning roads, but frankly, you need to be really careful accelerating out of some curves, especially if the pavement isn't bone dry. I think I would have used a different tire if I'd had a choice.
But the power is adequate. I can accelerate up hills, overtake other cars quickly and generally get up to speed as fast as I want. I still haven't found the top end, because I have less than 1,000 miles on the car and, to be honest, the highways around here are so crowded with people who don't know what a passing lane is that it's virtually impossible to go very fast safely where I live.
Well, you know what happens when you rush things out It is in everything in life and not just production cars. The term faster, cheaper, better is no longer a good thing. Sounds like the Hong Kong knock off market. Lots of copies and poor quality BUT, in this case it seems that GM rushed out. nevertheless, I was happy to own one.
Yes, it seems they can not win this one. They rushed the car out and did not do a number of the normal steps done for high volume cars. Would we have been happier with a car that was delayed until the 08MY? I am glad I have mine now even if it does have a few quirks.
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#82 of 1K, Envious/AC/Power/Convenience/Premium/ABS/LSD - delivered 9/8/2005 Map Me
You know this is an interesting experiment because we hear of almost every problem with the car because this is where people bring their problems. I continue to wonder how out of perspective things are here because we literally hear all the complaints and it may seem worse than it really is for a production of the first 20 thousand copies of a new launch. Maybe someone has a good sense of this, I just don't know. The roof leak thing doesn't seem like a big deal to me and the dif leak, while a screw up is fairly fixable. The "clunk" however I find unacceptable. If you're fair about the niche it belongs in- Miata competition etc. and in my experience a replacement for Alfas and MGAs and Triumphs and the like it has more than enough power in my opinion. (IIRC my '91 V8, 5 liter Camaro had less horsepower)
Last edited by birdliver : 07-02-2006 at 11:54 AM.
Perhaps they rushed it ... but I'm glad they did. It was less than 48 hours between the time I saw my first one (or even heard of a Solstice) and the time I drove one home. Yes there are pickey things that irk me but nothing enough to make me regret having bought it. Since it was the first year out of the box, I frankly expected a lot of things (a lot more than I've actually experienced) to go wrong and, with that in mind, I bought the extended warrenty. My last GM cars were a 1969 Corvair Monza Spyder and a 1972 Opel Rallye Sport, both bought new and GM stopped making both (and both had more troubles than the Solstice). With that track record, I fully expect them to stop the Solstice but I plan to keep enjoying this one until the wheels fall off!
You know this is an interesting experiment because we hear of almost every problem with the car because this is where people bring their problems. I continue to wonder how out of perspective things are here because we literally hear all the complaints and it may seem worse than it really is for a production of the first 20 thousand copies of a new launch. Maybe someone has a good sense of this, I just don't know. The roof leak thing doesn't seem like a big deal to me and the dif leak, while a screw up is fairly fixable. The "clunk" however I find unacceptable. If you're fair about the niche it belongs in- Miata competition etc. and in my experience a replacement for Alfas and MGAs and Triumphs and the like it has more than enough power in my opinion. (IIRC my '92 V8, 5 liter Camaro had less horsepower)
I disagree Birdliver, but respectfully. This forum seems to have enthusiasts who look and gloss over the fact that there are problems with the Sol. I recall someone who sold their Sol for a Porsche Boxster a few weeks back and he was lambasted on the forum for mentioning the problems he had with his vehicle. It is in my view, a forum that beautifies the Solstice as it should but one that also belittles the owners who have problems with their Solstices as it shouldn't. The power was an issue for me from day one, yet I bought mine anyway. I have a GXP on order and I will get it if they ever produce the darned thing and if my dealership doesn't revert to its stealership roots. If they do, bye bye GXP and I will get a used 1 or 2 year old C6 Z06 when they come off lease. I have options, and Pontiac GM should realize that all of us do. In a few years, you will see Ford, BMW, Toyota, Nissan and even Saab with small affordable roadsters at $20-$$30K. In as much, it was very important for Pontiac and GM to produce a quality product and one that cannibalizes sales from other manufacturers NOW while the getting is good. They dropped the ball here, as far as I am concerned. The QUALITY of the Sol is an issue. If you haven't had problems fine. But, there are a lot of problems that have been reported at my dealership regarding the 10 Sols they have sold to date.
I copied and paste this here from another thread, but it is relevent to the discussion here as well:
Posted by StevieG 7/2/06 "Well you two are asking what I am asking as well.
I have 13000 miles on my PHATSOL, and I absolutely love the styling. I have had some minor nagging issues like that of the horn and airbag electronic failure requiring 2 weeks to get the spare parts in and two weeks for me without PHATSOL. I have had 4 different failures of the cheaply built cupholders and my leather sags like well, you know what sags. I have had the top get pinched when in the trunk retracted, and this has occured because those little gromets that hold the top in place are held on via cheaply adhesed double faced tape which has fallen off repeatedly. I have had several dealership visits and consultations regarding these gromets. All in all, I love the Solstice. But, taken as a whole in the first year of ownership (for me now 8 months of predominantly all highway driving) well, I feel this car may have major issues when it is out of warranty and this will affect how GM gets viewed down the road. Look, the cupholder issue is nothing really. But the top issue, the electronic glitches with my air bag not working and then the horn mechanism failing and needing new electronics at 8000 miles was a big big deal to me. Nagging issues like this during warranty is one thing. When the warranty is up, those things will be costly and pathetic in the view of the modern American buyer."
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Solstice GXP picked up 10/13/2006. Triple black Mysterious, Darkside, Ebony leather with red stitching. All Options, but no spoiler. 5 speed chrome wheels, XM, OnStar, sport metallic pedals everything but the blonde salesgirl...
I am one of the unfortunate that has had to deal with the tranny recall, the leaking diff. and a flat tire with no spare. Some may say three strikes but I say first year production. I knew going into this car that there would be issues in the beginning, there always are in first year models. But from the original post you make it seem like this car should be the feature car in the movie Gung Ho. I just don't see it that way. Yes I have had to deal with a few inconviences but with a little patience GM has done a wonderful job at identifying and dealing with the issues as they have come up. Would say Chrysler for example dealt with these types of issues as quickly as GM has? In my opinion I don't think so. I had a Sebring before my Sol and a Neon before that and it was like pulling teeth to get them to address any problem I had. As far as power is concerned you get what you pay for. If you only want to spend 20K you get 177HP. If you want to spend 35K you get 300hp. I chose the lesser and for that I got a sexy automobile that handles beautifully. It may not be able to take on a 350z in the 1/4 mile but I'll be smiling all the way to the bank with the money I saved.
I feel bad for the people who have problems with their cars.I wish they all would have a car like mine.No problems (knock on wood) so far
Knock on wood then. I ask how many miles on your car?
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Solstice GXP picked up 10/13/2006. Triple black Mysterious, Darkside, Ebony leather with red stitching. All Options, but no spoiler. 5 speed chrome wheels, XM, OnStar, sport metallic pedals everything but the blonde salesgirl...
.... When the warranty is up, those things will be costly and pathetic in the view of the modern American buyer."
I must admit I hadnt even considered the cost of the vehicle beyond the warranty. Most of my cars are gone after 3 years - onto something new.
I was hoping the Solstice would be one in the 'stable' that remains, while my working vehicle continues to be changed out. With the cost of the top being fairly significant, and other pieces that seem prone to 'glitches' I will keep a close eye on everyones impressions of the GXP when it is released.
I hope..hope...hope... that many of the 'issues' were/are teething problems, and are ironed out now that GM has seen what needs addressing. If they arent, I will decide where to put my money.
I may go back to the STI WRX - different vehicle, but practical. Or I may decide to review the BMW's (again) or look at the Elise (Which has only just made it to Canada).. or lastly look at bringing over an Escort Cosworth from the UK now it is over 15 years old (with all the service issues that go along with it )
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Envious GXP on order, all options - SAN onstar
Thanks Chip for getting some converstation going. When I posted the question is was meant to really stimulate the thought process of the current Sol owners. I am willing to bet that if the car was produced by Japanese car maker, we wouldn't see as many complaints as we have witnessed. From day one when the sales were first announced on the Apprentice, the path to ownership displayed major flaws. GM didn't even let all of their Pontiac dealers in on the process until the last minute. I know because I am one of those that asked my dealer questions that he couldn't answer. Not to rattle on but the fit and finish of of the engine hood ( mine too ) the leak ( mine too 2x ) , the whine ( mine too ). Do I regret buying the car ithe over 7,000 miles now? Heck no, I'm just saying that if GM really wanted to get out of their stuff together, one would think a major corporation would have had better common sense that to send out all those faulty differentials. Someone please tell me that GM had absolutuely no idea of that problem and if you believe that come buy a bridge from me. I like the car but not the parent. Not a good business model is it?
It is in everything in life and not just production cars. The term faster, cheaper, better is no longer a good thing. Sounds like the Hong Kong knock off market. Lots of copies and poor quality BUT, in this case it seems that GM rushed out. nevertheless, I was happy to own one.
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