Sebast007's 2008 Solstice GXP review
(
Side note: English is my secondary language and I don't write in it often*)
Before buying this sweet ride of mine, I first test drived an N/A 2007 Solstice. It was the very first time that I drove in a two seated car. Very pretty, small and comfortable. It was awright... but since I had a V8 muscle car at home (
YouTube - Trans-Am_Last of the Muscle Car Breed) (
if the video does not fonction, just type sebast007 trans-am), I just didn't felt the performance of that small 2.4 Liters, and I wasn't aware that a Turbo charged version was available. I had a look at other convertible rides, like Mazda Miata and the BMW-Z4; and also looked at some non-convertible rides, like the Mazda RX7 (which I realy liked), etc...
All in all, I still told myself that I needed a summer ride for the long runs that I do on the 138-Road (
once or twice a week). My 1981 Trans-Am's a sweet summer ride, but gasoline just isn't cheap enough to play crazy on the road all summer long with a V8. And, the reality of it was that I loved so much the look of the Solstice that I just wanted to convince myself that power wasn't needed. That driving top-less would be enough. So, I decided to check it back once more. But this time I did it on the internet (
which I should have done before*). And, well... I saw the truth! A Solstice with a motor that is similar in performance to a small V8: the Solstice GXP!
Ok, It is not the must ergonomic car ever, but that's what must of the ''exotic'' affordable (
and non affordable) cars generaly are. Limited rear view, windows buttons are hard to reach, cup holders in the wrong places. But that's never what's defining a car. At least for me. It's just like they say: Driving is Believing! 260 hp & 260 lb. ft. of torque on such a small car, and the power being applied at the rear wheels... it is just like I wanted it to be! It handles the road like nothing I drove before. Cornering just feel so good with it! And I like the electronic assistance, too. So, I'm giving a big 10/10 on the performance side (
260hp & 260 lb ft torque on a 2.0L, you don't see that every day on a stock car!)
Interior ergonomy:
The seats are very comfortable and I love the leather! Also, there's enough space for tall guys like me (
I'm 6'2) to comfortably take place in this machine. I was afraid at first because other roadsters felt very tight to me (
like the Miata). But the Sol's all good to me. And I can't forget about the topless driving sessions! Man, that just couldn't be achieved with my Trans-Am's T-top. I mean, a T-top is sweet, but far from being as good as this! And yeah, when you drive with a Solstice (
GXP or not) the wind makes some noises when you're driving with the top on... but let me tell you that it is exacly the same with other roadsters. I've drived a couple of 'hem and the Solstice is even great in this department. So, should I give it a nice 10 out of 10 for all this sweetness? Well, no, I can't... because there's some more. As I said before, two of the three cup holders are in the wrong places (
and when there's a passenger, all three are*), windows buttons are hard to reach, bad rear view, etc... And there's practicaly no trunk! But who cares?! I'm not transporting dead bodies in THIS car anyway
I give a sweet 8 out of 10 for interior ergonomy.
Interior Appearance:
Black leather with red stitching for the seats and with GXP logos. Those are the one I choosed for the car, and I think it is an excellent choice that I made! They're the sweetest thing I've ever seen in a factory Pontiac car. The floor mats are also prety... just like the rest of the interior. Everything is near perfect, except for some plastics that feel a bit ''cheap'' (
like the Horn button cover with the Pontiac logo*). So, 9/10 for this.
Exterior Appearance:
(11/10)
Top operation:
I find it REALY REALY simple to operate it. Lowering the top can be done in about 10 seconds, and putting it back can be done in about 30 seconds. Some people might have claimed it to be hard to operate, and it can be at first, but it gets easier and smoother the more you manipulate it. I would not change the way it was made for anything else. So learn how to operate it and stop complaning!
Besides, the Solstice has the most beautifull top I've ever seen on a convertible.
So, I give a nice 10/10 for it (
yes, that's MY review!)
Fuel economy:
Not that I care much... until it drink less gasoline than my V8 Trans-Am, it's awright.
Likes:
-Curves! The appearance of the Solstice can be compared to the exotics.
Stylish, yet old school
And I just love the 18' aluminum/chromed mags.
-This car corners better than a go kart.
-Awesome accelerations! It feels like you're driving with a V8 in a small car!
-The audio system is a great one.
-Great price (
0% for 5 years? Count me in!!!).
-Build on a real frame.
-Rear wheels propulsion! Hell yeah!
-Complete squeleton in an aluminized alloy.
-Engine build in an aluminized alloy.
-The hood and the trunk are opened in reverse.
-Frankly, for me, I think it's been a while since Pontiac made a great looking car that does
look like a United-Statian one!
-A fun car to mod.
-A car that I can love like the old ones!
Dislikes:
-The BOV is a silent one. Damn, I wanna hear it!
-Some plastics feel a bit cheap (
like the Horn button cover with the Pontiac logo*).
-The Onstar system is great... but why use those damn cheap and small speakers for the phone? I can't hear a thing with those! And I'm not talking about the volume, but the quality of the sound that does trhrough the small speakers.
(
well, I hope I'll find a way to by-pass them to better speakers... or just change some things*).
I LOVE the Blue! Haven't seen this in the Sols, is it origional paint?
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