Next Solstice CANCELLED?

[BANDITCAR]

The mindset I have for this is that I would be fine if there were no newer Solstice. I've gone through this before with the Firebird and I was actually happy that I had the "Last of the Breed" and that there were not going to be a newer one made that would make mine look outdated and old.
So, I'm fine with the fact that I will have the first and (possibly) last generation of Solstice.

I just wonder if they are going to do a 5th anniversary edition for 2011?

[POTFH]

Originally Posted by BANDITCAR The mindset I have for this is that I would be fine if there were no newer Solstice. I've gone through this before with the Firebird and I was actually happy that I had the "Last of the Breed" and that there were not going to be a newer one made that would make mine look outdated and old. So, I'm fine with the fact that I will have the first and (possibly) last generation of Solstice. I just wonder if they are going to do a 5th anniversary edition for 2011?

Just a note a 5th anniversary would have to be a 2010.

[RichSol]

When they quit making them I hope this forum continues. I'll need it more than ever.

[Solid]

Oh this forum will continue, by the way, that means our cars will become classic... keep'em clean people~!

[LiquidPT]

Originally Posted by POTFH Just a note a 5th anniversary would have to be a 2010.

Erm, that would be the 5th year...

The 1st anniversary of something is 1 year after it happens... the 10th anniversary is 10 years after...

I'm afraid the 5th anniversary would be in 2011 (2006 + 5)

[Fformula88]

Originally Posted by LiquidPT Erm, that would be the 5th year... The 1st anniversary of something is 1 year after it happens... the 10th anniversary is 10 years after... I'm afraid the 5th anniversary would be in 2011 (2006 + 5)

Actually, it would be 2010, as the 2006 model year Solstice went on sale in the 3rd quarter of 2005.

[BellaVerde]

Originally Posted by BANDITCAR The mindset I have for this is that I would be fine if there were no newer Solstice. I've gone through this before with the Firebird and I was actually happy that I had the "Last of the Breed" and that there were not going to be a newer one made that would make mine look outdated and old. So, I'm fine with the fact that I will have the first and (possibly) last generation of Solstice. I just wonder if they are going to do a 5th anniversary edition for 2011?

I would prefer the Solstice continue on, just getting better and better, but if it is stopped...OK. Into the garage and up on jack stands...NOT!

[Fformula88]

Originally Posted by BellaVerde I would prefer the Solstice continue on, just getting better and better, but if it is stopped...OK. Into the garage and up on jack stands...NOT!

I own a 1988 Fiero Formula. It is the last model year of the car, and just over 5200 of this model were made. It's nice to have a limited model of the last year of the car such as this... but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I would trade it tomorrow to have had GM keep making, and perfecting this vehicle.

Same for the Solstice. If it were to go out of production, the excited, loyal community and owner base will still be there. However, the car has by no means reached it's peak in potential, and I'd far rather see that peak be realized than see the plug get pulled to make those on the road seem more "exclusive."

Exclusivity is nice, but so is being able to drive and enjoy your car, and know you can replace it in 5 years if the need arises with another that includes everything you love about this one, with a majority of the things you wish were better having been addressed.

[LiquidPT]

Originally Posted by Fformula88 Actually, it would be 2010, as the 2006 model year Solstice went on sale in the 3rd quarter of 2005.

Right OK, I agree... 2011 model year, likely released in Fall 2010. There, everybody happy?

[jimmyo]

I don't think the delay or cancellation of Kappa II is necessarily a tragedy. GM could keep making the Solstice the same with minor cosmetic changes, engine uogrades, etc. The MGB body shell was the same from 1962 till they ceased production in 1980. Various minor changes were made to trim, bumpers, etc. but no body modifications. It's hard to beat the classic lines of the Solstice body. I really don't know if changing it would make it any more appealing.

[Fformula88]

Originally Posted by LiquidPT Right OK, I agree... 2011 model year, likely released in Fall 2010. There, everybody happy?

Happy only if it happens!

[Fformula88]

Originally Posted by jimmyo I don't think the delay or cancellation of Kappa II is necessarily a tragedy. GM could keep making the Solstice the same with minor cosmetic changes, engine uogrades, etc. The MGB body shell was the same from 1962 till they ceased production in 1980. Various minor changes were made to trim, bumpers, etc. but no body modifications. It's hard to beat the classic lines of the Solstice body. I really don't know if changing it would make it any more appealing.

+1

The only real danger is regulations that could antiquate the current platform. If major changes end up being needed for crash worthiness or whatever, and GM has not moved forward with development, GM may be forced to cancel production in the future if the current platform no longer meets federal regulations.

[jimmyo]

Originally Posted by Fformula88 +1 The only real danger is regulations that could antiquate the current platform. If major changes end up being needed for crash worthiness or whatever, and GM has not moved forward with development, GM may be forced to cancel production in the future if the current platform no longer meets federal regulations.

That happened to MG in 1974. They had to raise the ride height of the car to comply with new safety regulations. That is also when they added the rubber bumpers.

[BellaVerde]

Originally Posted by Fformula88 I own a 1988 Fiero Formula. It is the last model year of the car, and just over 5200 of this model were made. It's nice to have a limited model of the last year of the car such as this... but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I would trade it tomorrow to have had GM keep making, and perfecting this vehicle. Same for the Solstice. If it were to go out of production, the excited, loyal community and owner base will still be there. However, the car has by no means reached it's peak in potential, and I'd far rather see that peak be realized than see the plug get pulled to make those on the road seem more "exclusive." Exclusivity is nice, but so is being able to drive and enjoy your car, and know you can replace it in 5 years if the need arises with another that includes everything you love about this one, with a majority of the things you wish were better having been addressed.

Amen. I understand bean counters cutting losses and all that, but those Harvard economists don't understand the product nor the customers. Just how many times some fresh out of Yale greenhorn suggested getting rid of the 'Vette will probably never be known but I have no doubt it is at least once a year. I feel the Solstice is the same type of exciting, badge edifiying vehicle that needs a decent time window to establish itself.

[perris]

so for the Pontiac marketing team that monitors this site, here's your 10 step program that will allow you to charge quite a bit more, turn a fine profit and turn this car into a legend

follow steps 1 through ten, not in any particular order, but all of them are mandatory, there might be additional recommendations from other members;

1)discontinue the solstice for all of one year, sort of like star trek kept getting discontinued but the fan base kept it going

2) announce that due to the unprecedented customer loyalty, you will be RE introducing "the kappa platform"

3) GET RID OF THE "SOLSTICE" NAMEPLATE, it is clearly ONE of the biggest marketing guffaws that could possibly be made but see number "4" for THE biggest

4) stop lsitening to morons on a TEEvee show who know NOTHING about the auto indusry, STOP treating the owners of this performance art as though they are teenagers in a fraternity or sorority, the silver is "silver", the black is "black", got it?

5) re-introduce the car with a balls to the wall nameplate, while you're at it, redesign the thing so it has a respectable drag coefficient, you can even use something that you've thought of before, like "mako shark", I noticed that corvette mako shark has a Pontiac arrow on the hood,,,go with that

5) release the car with the 300 horsepower the ecotech can easily handle and PROMISE stage kits that will get it to at least 400 horsepower

6) PUT THE FRIGGING WINDOW BUTTONS ON THE CENTER CONSOLE

7) add some pads to the center console, the door and the knee

8) split the gas tank and get some more trunk space

9) fix the frigging top

10) do something cool with the front fender instead of the ridiculous dent