I've seen old posts with info about when the automatic transmission will be available, but since they are months old I am wondering if anyone has heard anything new. I've called three different dealers and received 3 different responses as to when an automatic will be available: May/June, mid-summer 2007 and Autumn 2007.
I don't know how to drive a stick (laugh if you want) and besides that there is a lot of traffic in my area so a stick shift becomes more of a hassle than anything else.
I may have to just learn how to drive a stick anyway if the automatics aren't coming for a long time yet, but any accurate info on when they will be available would be greatly appreciated.
Location: Under an invisibility cloak, somewhere in the Northeast
Pontiac/GM is still listing the 5-Speed Automatic Transmission as February 2006 availability. The question then becomes if it means available to order in February or available to build in February?
The Chrome Wheels were listed as September availability. They became available to order (in limited quanities) in August, so there may have been some built in September.
OnStar ended up being listed as October availability, and that was when it became available to order.
So not sure what February means. May not be until after the first of the year before we know more details.
If I buy a Solstice I've pretty much decided it has to be an automatic. Breaking a wrist kind of helps with that decision, plus my wife would be able to drive it, and my daily drive is a 5sp, so I'm ready to relax while I drive.
"I don't know how to drive a stick (laugh if you want) and besides that there is a lot of traffic in my area so a stick shift becomes more of a hassle than anything else."
Don't apologize for having common sense and wnting an automatic. Only a very tiny percentage of drivers buy manual transmission cars. With traffic
the way it has become, I'm absoluetely amazed that any company can still seel a manual trans. Notice that manuals are most frequently sold to the young and unitiated (that's when I bought mine).
If GM were smart they would offer a dual clutch sequential 6 speed transmission that can be either a seamless automatic or 6 speed manual with no clutch....
That would be great technology for this car. Now if they'd offer it up with a turbo 250hp motor this Solstice would be perfect...
Probably not going to go that route just yet but it would be world class...
"I don't know how to drive a stick (laugh if you want) and besides that there is a lot of traffic in my area so a stick shift becomes more of a hassle than anything else."
Don't apologize for having common sense and wnting an automatic. Only a very tiny percentage of drivers buy manual transmission cars. With traffic
the way it has become, I'm absoluetely amazed that any company can still seel a manual trans. Notice that manuals are most frequently sold to the young and unitiated (that's when I bought mine).
It would be interesting to see where in the country more manuals are sold too. Around Buffalo, traffic really isn't a problem. We rarely have any massive backups and stop and go traffic, aside from the occasional accident on the highway. Owning a manual isn't the penalty for commuters in this town like it would be in a city like LA.
If GM were smart they would offer a dual clutch sequential 6 speed transmission that can be either a seamless automatic or 6 speed manual with no clutch....
That would be great technology for this car. Now if they'd offer it up with a turbo 250hp motor this Solstice would be perfect...
Probably not going to go that route just yet but it would be world class...
Sounds like something you would be more likely to see on a Corvette.
My daughter did one of the NASCAR drives at Dover Downs a couple of years ago.(1 mile cement high-banked oval-- for those who don't know.)
Despite my urging and offers to instruct, she never did get around to learning.. Yet she was able to drive the track at over 140mph in the one 550 HP automatic they had there.
__________________ Mysterious, Ebony, All but XM/OnStar/smokers
2nd of three in original allocation
Ordered 7/28 ; 3100 9/12 ; 1st TPW 10/10
As of 10/20--- still 3100
3400 on NOV 1!
3800 NOV 11! VIN 4721 Notified 11/15
So, it seems the only news we have is possibly February 2007---and we don't even know if that is when automatics will be available or when they will begin accepting orders for them.
I've had dealers try and rush me in to place an order for an automatic and I got the distinct feeling they were clueless as to when my car might actually be in my possession. They just want to get the deposit in their hands and don't care much else beyond that. I can't trust the info they're giving me on automatic availability. Does anyone have any other updates on this?
So, it seems the only news we have is possibly February 2007---and we don't even know if that is when automatics will be available or when they will begin accepting orders for them.
I've had dealers try and rush me in to place an order for an automatic and I got the distinct feeling they were clueless as to when my car might actually be in my possession. They just want to get the deposit in their hands and don't care much else beyond that. I can't trust the info they're giving me on automatic availability. Does anyone have any other updates on this?
I believe that's February 2006, not 2007.
__________________
___________________
First 10,000
If GM were smart they would offer a dual clutch sequential 6 speed transmission that can be either a seamless automatic or 6 speed manual with no clutch....
That would be great technology for this car. Now if they'd offer it up with a turbo 250hp motor this Solstice would be perfect...
Probably not going to go that route just yet but it would be world class...
I was going to say that type of tranny would make the car cost as much as an S2000, but then I remembered Toyota offered a 5-spd sequential manual transmission in the MR2 Spyder. And it was only a $780 option! A good step in the right direction would be for Pontiac to at least offer a regular 6-spd manual option.
I may have to just learn how to drive a stick anyway if the automatics aren't coming for a long time yet, but any accurate info on when they will be available would be greatly appreciated.
It's easier than you think. The only kind of traffic that a manual sucks in is 1/2mph traffic. You can't even get in 1st gear. Other than that, a manual is so much more fun. There's no feeling like downshifting into a turn, sticking the corner, and then shooting out like a rocket.
__________________ Serene will be a color! Even if only on one car.
