Ask the Car People.SM


Pontiac Solstice New Owners Reports

50 messages,  Last post on Nov 27, 2008 at 9:44 AM

You are in the Pontiac Solstice Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Solstice, Coupe

Messages Page 3 of 5

#21 of 50 Help- Opinions by iamheatherette

Oct 17, 2007 (9:01 pm)

Hi I am 16 about about to get my very first car and my options are:
 
1. 2008 solstice
2. 2007-2008 bug convertible
 
My family is really conerned about me driving a solstice. They are also really unhappy that it is an American car. Has anyone one experienced:
 
-rattling
-problems with the top (leaking, or problems with heat) I live in AZ where it gets extreamly hot and the top is a concern.
 
My needs for this car are for everyday use going places like school, gym, etc.
 
Thanks, please help!

#22 of 50 Re: Help- Opinions [iamheatherette] by pao

Oct 18, 2007 (4:52 am)

Replying to: iamheatherette (Oct 17, 2007 9:01 pm)
have a 2006 but no problems with rattling or top leaking...the VW bug convertible has reliability issues....the solstice is a rear wheel drive car and has different driving characteristics than a FWD auto which you are probably use to.... and you have to be mindful of that, not sure on the bug or not..for styling purposes..the solstice hands down...
 
what are the concerns about driving a solstice as compared to a VW other than its a domestic???
 
any convertible will be a challenge in desert heat...assume by this you mean cooling the interior...the solstice has a good A/C unit.....and there is a large solstice club in the Phoenix area.....that has made no complaints about the top...in that kind of desert heat....you probably will not have the top down at mid day temps.....
 
hope this helps.....

#23 of 50 Re: Help- Opinions [iamheatherette] by fishiftstick

Oct 19, 2007 (1:31 pm)

Replying to: iamheatherette (Oct 17, 2007 9:01 pm)
As a 16-year-old new driver, my primary concern would be for you to get a car that won't get you killed. Your first car shouldn't be a convertible, and it certainly shouldn't be a sports car like the Solstice. You will have accidents, so you want something cheap to fix. For safety, you want something with a good crash test ratings. You also want something big: all crash tests are against cars of the same size and weight, because the heavier car usually wins.
 
I know, you are a great driver, and nothing bad can happen to you. You may be a fantastic driver under ordinary circumstance, but like everything experience is how you learn. Let the first time you blow a tire or skid out of control not be the last.

#24 of 50 Re: Help- Opinions [iamheatherette] by iamheatherette

Oct 19, 2007 (8:29 pm)

That is good advice. I have read that the solstice has better crash test ratings than the bug? I have read so many consumer and expert reviews to try and make the right choice, but rarely find them that helpful; I have heard about how terrible AND how great they are. So finally after getting such mixed reviews I figured my best bet would be to go to the actual owners.
 
I read one consumer review on Yahoo Autos of a woman whose solstice was wrapped around a tree after an accident and she walked away with only a broken nail!
 
 I do not doubt at all what you are saying and I'm so glad for all these different opinions.

#25 of 50 Re: Help- Opinions [iamheatherette] by pao

Oct 22, 2007 (4:58 am)

Replying to: iamheatherette (Oct 19, 2007 8:29 pm)
there have been several significant accidents involving solstice owners...and all have walked out without injury.....the crash cage around the cockpit seems to hold up very well and the crumple zones designed in the solstice seems to be well engineered....
 
we have even had two roll overs that Im aware of..without injury.....but the point above is well taken...at 16, and dont take this wrong.....you distance and timing estimation and some other factors are fully mature yet...
 
the solstice is a sports car...and RWD ...thus a certain level of driving experinence will be necessary to operate it...either automatic or manual.....

#26 of 50 gm vehicles by deepgirl

Dec 14, 2007 (10:29 pm)

my first experience with a gm vehicle was an 80 something camaro my husband had when we first got together. i got rid of that hunk of junk after about 5 trips to the shop. thats just the amount of times i took it. i don't know how many times he took it. AND NOW we have got the 08 solstice, we love the car But i have had in the shop 4 times and haven't even got a tag or made our first pmt. this is the first car gm has made that i have ever wanted. and at first i was in tears and just knew we had picked a lemon. but the engine light is off finally and the car seems to be doing well. the problems were a clamp on the turbo was off, and a coolant hose was off close to the frame. then there was a strange ticking and clanking which gm says is normal. And now the car is having break problems in the morning when it is cool. i am not sure wether not i can trust the car , but am keeping fingers crossed.

#28 of 50 Re: Pontiac Solstice: New Owner's Reports [freedom3] by lykourinou

Dec 26, 2007 (2:15 am)

Replying to: freedom3 (May 12, 2007 10:58 am)
What year is your solstice, I hear that the 06's leak alot. I have also noticed alot of 06's on the lots. people have traded these in by the barrel full. My guess is due to the leaking roofs and other problems.

#29 of 50 Re: Pontiac Solstice: New Owner's Reports [lykourinou] by pao

Dec 26, 2007 (5:21 am)

Replying to: lykourinou (Dec 26, 2007 2:15 am)
many folks traded the 06s in when the GXPs where released, others traded them in as well when the warranty was extended to 5/100 as well......remember a lot of folks bought the 06 as an impulse buy...many had never seen on in person when they ordered it and it was delivered......so many also discovered a two seat roadster wasnt really suitable for them afterall.....or simply the newest has worn off as well.....we have an 06 and love it.

#30 of 50 follow up review by deepgirl

Jan 17, 2008 (8:13 pm)

i am happy to report my 08 solstice has been on the road everday since the last trip for the coolant hose that was off and its running great. no engine lights, no more problems. it is a pleasure to drive. i am still worried about the breaks in the morning, but i just make sure to give myself a minute or 2 to warm up and its fine. i guess the bright side to the break problem would be if someone tried to steal it in the morning or at night after sitting a while, they would be shoced at the fact when they back up they won't have breaks. i think that would scare them bad enough to get out and run away!!!

Messages Page 3 of 5

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement