I hear you. Current guesses are startup in mid-March with deliveries starting sometime in April. That is assuming that production of Solstices and Sky resumes in mid-February.
January production and sales numbers will be released later today which will give a bit better picture of where the future of the Kappa cars will be going.
Last month at this time, the sales level and inventory was pointing to about a year's worth of Kappas sitting on lots.
Ah, i c i c. There was a time I was set that this was going to be my next car in the future, but now the genesis coupe has been creeping into my thoughts (they just released canadian pricing, the 2.0t top of the line with 6spd man is 25k when converted to US, 20K for a nicely equipped base model granted itll be more but still makes you wonder). They're seriously allowing the competition to steal a lot of its thunder.
Anyway, it isn't like I'm ready today to buy the car anyway, but still the frustration remains.
I was very impressed by the design (Retro original E-Type Jag of course), when we saw the car in the flesh at the MECCA II factory reunion tour in May 08.. The idea of a Rdstr and a Coupe -as a 'Historic set' for 20 years from now was very appealing last Spring.
With production stopped, does anyone know exactly how many Coupes Base and GXP were actually made and distributed to dealers?
The coupe, probably 'limited #'s' (and especially if they never make any more) In corporate think (they just don't get it) justifies the 'maxing $ for item' in this poor sales economy, a nice way of saying the GM is 'playing us'. This winter , my 3rd with the Sol, and the frigid temps of Dec/Jan/Feb made me 'desire more room' in 'a modern car'.
We ended up taking my wife's Caliber SXT Sport (heated seats, Bluetooth) on two trips. I could not see myself buying a Solstice Coupe when for the same $ I could have a retro Camero, or a Challenger, both much more functional sporty vehicles. I think GM will do the same thing to the Solstice as they did with the Firebird vs the Fiero- eliminate it. Pontiac didn't want competition for the cheaper to produce firebird 2+2 from a Fiero 2+2, so they killed it- right when they finally got everything right. I still have 2 Fiero's (projects now) but still am not thinking of parting with them.
Right now-- in this disgraceful market rip-off with none of the 'real income' from my lifetimes savings that I planned for 30 +years, Will wait for warmer weather ((above 40^)and put the top down! Sadly today, with temps in the 50's after the frigid teens, the SOl is in VA, and I'm in MD!
Before I'd buy a Coupe for 30K, I'd buy a low mileage Jag X-Type Sport, a new Camero, or a Challenger!
Two vintage cars found me last in the last 18 months- a '63 all original 27K mile Riviera, that gave me 0.5 greater mileage than the Motor Trend Test report of 4/63 on my Summer trip to Rome Ny HS reunion (1100 miles Round Trip); and a 61 Dodge Lancer Wagon (movie car in World's fastest Indian) in Calif - 150+K miles and was totally DEPENDABLE DODGE on our drive back across the continent last September/October.
AND NOT A DRIP LEAK FROM THE DIFF OR THE Pushbutton TorquefliteTRANNY OR THE ENGINE!) ANd I could buy 4 more vintage cars in excellent shape for the pricing of the Coupe- makes ya think doesn't it?
Our SOl ws 2 years old on 25 Jan 09, just crossed 15K miles- still not even broken in!
so don't worry all- it's a keeper! Just wish it had Bluetooth , heated seats, and Nav system, so maybe this season I'll add those things.
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Last edited by Rdstrs 4 50yrs : 02-08-2009 at 11:53 PM.
With production stopped, does anyone know exactly how many Coupes Base and GXP were actually made and distributed to dealers?
No production coupes have been made yet. They were scheduled to be started in Jan (I beleive, possibly Feb), but, of course, with the shut down that has been delayed.
I saw the coupe for my first time in real life on friday. It looks much better in person than it does in pics. I also saw the camaro and 370Z. I loved the Z! However for the money I will more than likely pick the camaro. You can't beat it for 23k starting point. The coupe is way over priced. The Z is awesome but a little high in price, at least at the time being for me.
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Location: Under an invisibility cloak, somewhere in the Northeast
So based on several posts and site member's feelings, it could be said that.........
GM made a mistake by making the Solstice Coupes with the removeable roof panel to provide open air feelings and adding un-needed costs to the car. A solid roof / no-sunroof option for lower cost would have been preferable.
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Yeah a convertible and a targa as the only two models was a strange choice. People are used to a hardtop version of a convertible to be lighter, cheaper and stiffer. This one kind of bucked the trend.
All that aside I think the overwhelming number one problem with the coupe is the fact that it's not on the dealership lots right now. The Camaro and the coupe are two bright spots in an otherwise depressing market. I think the excitement created by having these cars out and about and trickling into the notice of the mainstream would be good for GM and it's dealers.
Either that or a hard top that can be stored in the trunk.
I agree. A few years back, Honda had the Del Sol. It had a targa top that could be stored in the trunk. It had a cool rack to keep it and you even had a little space under it.
I would not have been as disappointed if GM had included the soft top option as standard. At $1100 bucks, it's a little pricey. Even if you buy it on the net, it's probably still going to be $800. So to sum it up, you have a more expensive base car that you need to spend atleast another $800 to make it functional to drive with the top open without the possibility of getting wet.
Don't take this post the wrong way, I do really like the car and would love to have one. But, I think it is $2K too expensive and I am taking into account the aftermarket soft top.
I read somewhere that GM had to keep it a targa to still categorize it as a vert so it wouldn't have to redo the crash standards as a coupe vs. a vert. But yeah, a slick top version would've sufficed for me and it probably wouldve allowed them to redesign that awkward a pillar where the windshield transitions into the rest of the car.
[quote=Yamatr3;811279]
I would not have been as disappointed if GM had included the soft top option as standard. At $1100 bucks, it's a little pricey. Even if you buy it on the net, it's probably still going to be $800. So to sum it up, you have a more expensive base car that you need to spend atleast another $800 to make it functional to drive with the top open without the possibility of getting wet.
I would have to agree, Yamatr3. If the soft top was included with the hard top, I too, would be more inclined to give the Solstice a little more attention. Actually, I would probably have already submitted my order!
I just hope that Pontiac starts the production of these bad boys so I can take one for a test drive!!!
I also agree if the soft top was included then it would be more appealing but over 1k for the soft top, I don't think so. Also its priced to high to begin with as well. They should have based it at 23k.
__________________ Team Solstice 2008
Ordered 11/12/05
Black, manual trans, Premium package, power package, convenience package, floor mats, AC, XM radio, LSD, and Polished Wheels Produced 6/1! VIN:18718
Mods: Fujita CAI, Stubbie Attenna, Lil Chromies, Third Brake Overlay, 35% Tint. Solo Headers, Solo Exhaust.
I read somewhere that GM had to keep it a targa to still categorize it as a vert so it wouldn't have to redo the crash standards as a coupe vs. a vert. But yeah, a slick top version would've sufficed for me and it probably wouldve allowed them to redesign that awkward a pillar where the windshield transitions into the rest of the car.
That is 100% correct. If it had been a true Coupe it would have never happened because of the investment needed to validate the car again. I personally discussed this with the GM execs at Mecca II.
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I really like the targa top design. The car is quirky to begin with and this fits. We have weather here in boston, and I can leave the hardshell in place for 4-5 months. Then switch it out to the soft top for the summer. So I don't see the drawback for storing it in the car to be that bad.
The Del Sol is an interesting reference for a targa. Hadn't thought of it. GM probably could have done the same thing by hinging the trunk behind the driver and making the rear glass fixed. Then you could probably have a panel that fits inside when removed. Part of me think they were trying to change the existing body panels as little as possible.
2009 Black NA coupe Automatic with 65 miles
list 31,115.00
Drive out..29,936.00
I think it is to HIGH
any comments
There was up to $3,000 off most of the summer. A buyer should have gotten it then vice waiting till the rebates went away. Now the dealership has a valid point there are very few new ones still on the lots.
It's still under MSRP, so it's more fair than some with $5,000 markup on the second sticker.
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