I hate to admit that Pontiac designers have apparently never OWNED a convertible. They designed things on the Sol as if it were a normal car ... like my previous Fiero which had a removable roof panel.
They need to LOOOOOK at other (current and classic) convertible models and see what good features are there and then implement them into the Sol.
1. Sunlight and switches/gauges. I HATE HATE the AC control and the Fog Light Control. You cannot tell if they are on or off with the top down. Other 'classic' convertibles use toggle/rocker switches that can be read easily at a glance .. ON is UP and OFF is DOWN (or VV).
2. Radio is impossible to see/read/change in sunlight. This is a stock GM radion (I have the same in my new 2007 Avalanche tho with XM). They need to either have controls for the LEDs or replace them with technology that can be seen in the SUN LIGHT. DUH?!
3. Idiot lights in the dash .. cannot see the ones you need to see (hi beam and turn sigs). Put them on the dash someplace where 90% of the drivers could see them.
4. Gas Gauge is IMPOSSIBLE to see in the sun with dark glasses on. Gee .. just move it out 2" to the edge of the bezel and it would be 1000% better!
Others have mentioned the wonderful (BAD) placement of the window switches. What did they have to test the prototype .. a Chimp?
Yes there are things I would like on the car that might be considered 'luzury' such as rain-sense wipers, heated washer fluid and maybe even washing headlights (project beam please).. but for the price its a decent car.
Being single I can live with the lack of storeage ... but my computer bag is always on the seat with my 'storeage' for the car.
I also miss the ability to stop on the road and put the top up without getting outside the vehicle. My TR7 had the ability (well 90% there since the pax window was balky and hard to put up from the drivers seat) ... I get caught in rain at times so the stop, unsnap, lift and latch option would have been nice.
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2006 Dark Blue Solstice delivered 4/5/6.
Slave to 2 seaters! '80 TR7 and Fiero now Solstice!
Northern Minnesota near Duluth.. unfortunately on gravel roads so the ride is dusty a lot!
I read through the posts so far. I have one I haven't seen.
1. Air Conditioning Compressor Growl. (very loud at times)
2. What about window switches on console like BMW and others?
3. Americans like cup holders they can reach.
4. Still lining up hood on right side.
5. Need place for change and/or cell phone.
Rest of car has been great!
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Aggressive, Ebony Cloth (had leather in last ragtop, no thanks) w/ 6-Disc Monsoon, XM, Power Pkg.
The original posts here suggested that although this has been done several ways this poll and list was a way to put it all together and went on to say that although GM folks say they lurk here in truth they probably don't. This to me just further over reports problems with the Sol and leads people to believe that there are far more than is the case. It has also been mentioned by some solid members that they are aware that G.M. in fact lurks here frequently. G.M. announced this at the Annual National meeting from the dias, and went into a response to some of the problems they had learned of here. So, I think that we hear way too often about cupholders and button placements and people not familiar with the car but who are interested in it get the idea that these things are all falling apart at the seams. Several people I've met think that. My complaints are the same as everyone else's and unfortunately by now we can all recite them in our sleep.
So far ... and I've only driven it for a very short time ... these are my negative observations: I can't see the gas guage so I'm never too sure how much gas I've got left. The window buttons are awkward. They should be further forward so that they are easy to reach. That drink holder thingy on the passenger side is great when I'm alone ... but downright embarrassing if I have a passenger. They knock it with their knees and I have to explain that really it's for me ... when I'm driving alone. They give me this sort of blank look. I have absolutely no idea what that little cupboard thingy beside my right shoulder is good for.
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Owned a Miata for nine years - loved it! Since then I've had two Honda CR-V's. One look at the picture of the Solstice and I was smitten, just like I was when I first saw the Miata. I've never been wrong on a car choice yet!
Delivered - WRONG COLOUR!!!
September 16, 2006 - I'M HAPPY! Wrong colour? Who cares?!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pontiac builds excitement... Saturn has rethought it's image...
The time has come for the enthusiasts... NASSOA
Founding Member - Recording Secretary - Northeast ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love my Sol but a few things I would change...
-had to have my roof resealed already.
-no lock button on door
-xfm radio blew out the speaker behind the pass seat when started the car one day--still need to take that in.
-no where for change
-top squeaks when its down
FYI-
***I use the space between then circular dash gauges to hold my cell phone***
I love my Sol but a few things I would change...
-had to have my roof resealed already.
You can do this yourself with a product called Raggtopp. They make a cleaner and a sealant. I had to redo mine because I washed it with car wash detergent. Make sure you don't do that.
1. Door panels are cheaply made and scratch easily. Maybe padded and covered with leather/vinyl?
2. Had the problem with the rubbing squeak when the top was down, improve the cheesy velcro pads that rub off in a week. (Haven't had this problem with the GXP)
3. Replace rubber weatherstripping around from window, tears easily.
4. No power door lock button (fixed in GXP)
5. Remove/move the ugly warning labels that do not even apply to this car from the outside of the visors.
6. Upgrade floor mats?
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Alpha 1
2007 Sly GXP Automatic with Ebony leather, Automatic & Loaded! (everything minus Smoker's Package and OnStar)
Hey ... you're right about using the right hand across the body. Works fine.
I'm still waiting for somebody to bust off that cup thingy with their knee. It's so ... flimsy. An accident waiting to happen. Maybe I just wont let anybody ride with me.
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Owned a Miata for nine years - loved it! Since then I've had two Honda CR-V's. One look at the picture of the Solstice and I was smitten, just like I was when I first saw the Miata. I've never been wrong on a car choice yet!
Delivered - WRONG COLOUR!!!
September 16, 2006 - I'M HAPPY! Wrong colour? Who cares?!!!
If each of you will indulge me, PLEASE post a concise, short and sweet, version of what you HATE, dislike, want fixed, had problems with etc... with your car. I'm not asking for posts like "nothings wrong, I love it", what I am looking for is... "I hate the fact that the doohickey doesn't work as advertised". or "Need more color options", "Add SOME trunk space", "Doors leak", etc... You can do it in a numbered format if you want to... That may be easiest.
I realize there are several posts on this sorta thing, but that's just it. THERE ARE SEVERAL. I'm asking you, the people who elect to post, to make it short and sweet, and cover everything you can think of. (Think about where I'm going with this for a second) It's my opinion that if ANYONE from GM is looking at this site (and I for one do not think they do), that maybe instead of dragging through thread after thread after thread, maybe having it in a simple form, in one easy to find place, will make it easier for someone (who cares) to read about what users hate, dislike, want fixed with their cars... You can, if you choose, add a link to another thread where a problem is posted, and issues gone into details... but for this thread, please, keep it concise.
Then, follow it up by voting in the poll. Thanks...
This is my second Solstice and both had air conditioner problems (whinning from clutch )and rearend leaks.
My fiance bought a new Solstice in July, 2006. Since then, she has had to have it towed back to the dealer no less than five times (this morning was the fifth) because it JUST WONT START!!!!! Of course, at the dealership, half the time they can't find what is wrong and the other half, they say that there was a service bulletin about the problem. WHY IS GM USING PAYING CUSTOMERS AS ITS BETA TESTERS? (Did they get the idea from Microsoft? - I think not, since the general belief is never to buy the first year's model of any GM car). IF PONTIAC PEOPLE ARE LURKING, WHY CAN'T THIS BE FIXED??? DO WE NEED TO JUST TRADE IT IN ON A HONDA? (If you can't tell, we are pissed - we love the car, its looks, the ride, etc., but, it ain't no good just sitting in the driveway, and its worse when you can't use it every few weeks because its in the shop).
It's not GM, take a look at any first or 2nd year models. My sister has 120,000.00 Mercedes and in less then a year it has been in for repairs at least 5 or 6 times. Most of them were pretty major. Anyone who gets a new model should expect issues. And if they don't, then wait another 2 years to buy one. Look at the 350Z, one guy has had 3 engins in it already in 9 months.
Sorry, but I get a little tired of people bashing GM. I love GM cars and trucks, pretty much they are one of the only cars I have bought. ( except my Jeep ) I guess if you want a Honda go buy a Honda .I'll stick with GM thank you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PJPMGB
My fiance bought a new Solstice in July, 2006. Since then, she has had to have it towed back to the dealer no less than five times (this morning was the fifth) because it JUST WONT START!!!!! Of course, at the dealership, half the time they can't find what is wrong and the other half, they say that there was a service bulletin about the problem. WHY IS GM USING PAYING CUSTOMERS AS ITS BETA TESTERS? (Did they get the idea from Microsoft? - I think not, since the general belief is never to buy the first year's model of any GM car). IF PONTIAC PEOPLE ARE LURKING, WHY CAN'T THIS BE FIXED??? DO WE NEED TO JUST TRADE IT IN ON A HONDA? (If you can't tell, we are pissed - we love the car, its looks, the ride, etc., but, it ain't no good just sitting in the driveway, and its worse when you can't use it every few weeks because its in the shop).
1. Door panels are cheaply made and scratch easily. Maybe padded and covered with leather/vinyl?
2. Had the problem with the rubbing squeak when the top was down, improve the cheesy velcro pads that rub off in a week. (Haven't had this problem with the GXP)
3. Replace rubber weatherstripping around from window, tears easily.
4. No power door lock button (fixed in GXP)
5. Remove/move the ugly warning labels that do not even apply to this car from the outside of the visors.
6. Upgrade floor mats?
Power door locks are now in all Solstice and Sky's not just the GXP or Red Line.
