Okay, I’ve been thinking about this for the past several days, and it’s hard to think of superlatives that have not already been used. Actually, I was going to wait until the honeymoon period was over before I posted a review, but I realized on my way back form lunch today that this is going to be a very long honeymoon! So, here goes.
Fit and finish on Pure 1642 is excellent. As a former autobody tech and painter, I know all of the things to look for. Gaps are all good and the finish is top notch (not perfect, I found a couple of very small dust specks, but I can find those on cars three times the price of the Solstice). There was a small ding in the trunk that I am certain was caused by someone trying to close the trunk lid improperly. If you have ordered a white Sol. Believe me, you will not be disappointed. I know a lot of people think that white is bland, but on this car I think it is actually flashy. It just looks really classy, and the black top looks really good with it.
Speaking of the top, I have decided that this car would be something less than what it is without the current design. I know that much has been made of the “waves”, but they are not the first thing that people see. In fact, I have yet to have anyone say anything negative about the top. In fact, I have gotten many compliments on it. As to the negative reviews about the hassle of putting it up and down, it’s really a non-factor. There is so little extra time involved. It took me longer on my ‘65 Malibu with a power top and manual window, than it does on the Sol. My top and deck lid seal perfectly. On my first full day drive to the north country (that’s northern Arizona, not Canada!), I ran into very heavy rain. Not a single drip any place. It was as dry as a June day in Arizona and, believe me, that’s dry!
After all of the comments about the “cheap plastic” interior, I am very pleased with the looks. I wouldn’t have ordered the steel and sand (which, by the way, my “steel” looks very gray, not blue tinged, so maybe that’s influenced by the exterior color?), but I think it looks super with the white exterior. It’s another item that I’m getting lots of compliments about. I have the base stereo, and I know there have been comments here about it not producing good sound or volume, but mine produce both. Maybe I got an accidental upgrade? ;-) The seats are comfortable and hold you in place around those inevitable sharp turns (and I’m talking city driving!). An all day trip left me none-the-worse for the wear.
Okay, I can’t make comparisons with the Mazda or any other roadster, because I have never owned or driven one. But for me the cars handling and ride is superb. The roads I was driving in the north country were roads that I have driven countless times with many different automobiles, and yet I felt that they were a first time adventure. There are so many that I can’t wait to try out! I know that there have been people here that have argued that you shouldn’t buy a roadster without trying the different competitors. The thing for me was that, based on looks alone, it was the Solstice or nothing. Each individual will have to determine if they need the comparison. I didn’t, and I don’t. The car has more than adequate power (and it seems to be gaining more of that as I put more miles on it).
Now, what Rodeo and his army of trolls have been waiting for: to see if I’m going to say anything negative. I count myself as an honest person, so I will talk about the negatives. First, the lack of interior and trunk storage space. The pockets on the seats are the only real practical space, aside from the glove compartment. As has been stated before, the cup-holders are pretty useless. Before I got the Sol I thought that maybe they could have incorporated cup-holders into the door panels. But after owning it, I’m not sure how they could do that. In fact, I’m not convinced that there is any way, at least with the current interior design, to add storage space. And I like the looks of the interior so much that I would hate to see them redesign it to accommodate more storage. I can live without the storage. The same applies to the trunk. If adding more storage means redesigning the exterior ascetics of the car, then I can live without more space (and clearly I will, regardless of what they do in the future!). Obviously I won’t be making trips to Home Depot to pick up sheets of plywood in my Sol. As this is a secondary vehicle for the vast majority of us, I don’t see it as a major issue. If they can find a way to add space without drastic redesigns, it will surely eliminate one of the big knocks on the Sol.
Something I’m really hoping they will do is to make sun visors that are more effective. Perhaps adding pull panels that extend the bottoms and the sides. As they are now, they’re mostly decoration.
It also seems that the power window buttons, and the non-existent power door lock button, could be incorporated into the center console.
One last thing, and maybe it’s something I need service to look at, but at low speeds my AC compressor is very noisy. The AC and the heat both work extremely well, but the compressor noise is very annoying if I don’t have the radio on.
Finally, the clunking sound. If I have it I either don’t know what to listen for, or I just don’t hear it. In either case, I guess it’s not an issue for me!
So, if you’ve gotten the impression that I love this car, you’re absolutely right. I think this is one of those cars that GM got right from the start (e.g., the 1st generation Camaro). Be prepared to do a lot of show and tell. It’s as close to perfect as a car could be. And at the price of admission, I think it is simply amazing!!!
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As to the negative reviews about the hassle of putting it (the top) up and down, it’s really a non-factor. There is so little extra time involved.
Editguy, I totally agree. I'm only on day two of owning my car, so I'm holding off on posting a review. Yesterday when I ran some errands at lunch, I jumped out of my Solstice and proceeded to put the top up, for like only the third time ever. A friend of mine noticed me in the parking lot and said to me "So I see you finally got your car. And the top goes up pretty quick, huh?" Now I'm still working out the ergonomics on the easiest and most efficient way to raise the top, and no, I don't get a comment on how complex and cumbersome it is, but on how quick it is. Boy was I surprised!
Just a little anecdote to reassure those who are still waiting.
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GXP, Sly w/ Black Leather Interior, Loaded
Purchased off the lot on 6/30/2007 from dealer stock to replace My Baby, lost on the Tail of the Dragon on 6/25/2007. You can read all about it here, Tail of the Dragon - Accident
Email me if you are interested in joining the Mid-Atlantic Solstice Sky Club (MASSC) for NJ, NY, PA, DE and MDdscheneck@msn.com
Now, what Rodeo and his army of trolls have been waiting for: to see if I’m going to say anything negative. I count myself as an honest person, so I will talk about the negatives.
A perfect example of proper English 101, argue both sides of the issue, well done!
Did I understand correctly, you got the black interior?
I just saw my 5th sol today, a red w/ black interior. The black intrior looks much better in my opinion.
My choice after seeing most color combinations it black on black. Problem is, I swore I'd never own black again, so now comes the hard decision........
I'd love to see the white w/ black combo, maybe that's a solution!
Congrats Editguy, enjoy those AZ roads!
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All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it.-- Samuel Butler
You can find me at the lake -- RODEOSOLSTICE @ YAHOO.COM
I agree with you on everything, editguy. I'm assuming that you did get a sand & steel interior and that the exterior influences how blue it looks. Since I just sat in a "deep" S/S and the door panels were indeed bluish compared to the gray leather seats, I'm hoping that the "Cool" color will offset it.
There is no additional room for anything else and I do not want to see the car redesigned which is why I stuck to this '06 model. There was some talk way back on these threads that the car would be designed differently for the 2007+ models.
The cup holders off the waterfall seem to be in a really precarious position but I plan on using the one for the passenger anyway.
Well, after re-reading what i had written, I realized I was a little vague about what color interior I got. solli4me is right, this car actually has the steel and sand, and I actually like it, at least with white. I also think it would look. very good with "Cool". Sorry about the confusion. And, Rodeo, if you can find a white with either interior, I think you would really like it. I think just about everyone, myself included, underestimated how good "Pure" looks. It's pure heaven!
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Not gonna happen before Thanksgiving. I have to leave at this very moment to go tape dance concerts, the same tomorrow night, and then I have to edi and burn to 100 DVD's.
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Not gonna happen before Thanksgiving. I have to leave at this very moment to go tape dance concerts, the same tomorrow night, and then I have to edi and burn to 100 DVD's.
Oh, so you're trying to say your busy huh?
__________________ Serene will be a color! Even if only on one car.
