Article Comments 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP Full Test

42 messages, Last post on Dec 02, 2008 at 11:55 AM

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Article comments for Full Test: 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP - Those of us who drove the 2006 Solstice resigned ourselves to the fact that although the car could draw the lustful gaze of fellow motorists, we'd have to shy away from stoplight challenges. (more)

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#7 of 42 Re: Is it really that bad? [editor_karl] by pao Mar 22, 2007 (4:53 am)
Replying to: editor_karl (Mar 21, 2007 8:16 am) that car auto lock functions only after you put it in gear and move 5 MPH if you properly set the function in the DIC....of the nits you chose....four of them have to do with the lack power unlock button......and the car does have a lock plunger......this was a concern of the 06 model owners and has been corrected in a mid year engineering redesign so now GM adds power door unlock buttons standard, that which you fail to mention......so your information is now outdated...... depending on how you are adjusting your seat..the back recline is hard to reach..but the movement front and back is easy to reach as its in the front of the seat.....and again....seat height adjusters were added in early 07..so again..outdated information so you completely trash a car for power door unlock buttons and the dipstick location........
#8 of 42 it's not just those "nits", though... by jkavanagh Mar 22, 2007 (9:51 am)
Many of the Solstice's ergonomic and functional shortcomings would be tolerable if the car was dynamically outstanding. But it isn't. Not only do none of the Solstice's control interfaces (i.e. steering, throttle, shifter, brakes) work cohesively, in isolation they're mediocre at best. The "nits" Karl describes above are just the final kick in the groin. The most frustrating part is that GM managed to take the fun out of driving a small(ish) two-seat, rear-drive convertible; a formula whose very reason for existence is to provide a pleasurable driving experience. Replies to this message: pao (Mar 23, 2007 6:19 am) editor_karl (Mar 23, 2007 7:41 am) pao (Mar 23, 2007 2:46 pm) spoom (Mar 23, 2007 5:33 pm)
#9 of 42 Re: it's not just those "nits", though... [jkavanagh] by pao Mar 23, 2007 (6:19 am)
Replying to: jkavanagh (Mar 22, 2007 9:51 am) I have to ask what do you consider working as cohesively....that is certainly all in the eyes of the driver.......and very subjective approach to evaluating a car.....dynamically outstanding...again....a personal evaluation..... your test model was obviously an early version....do you get a mule or do you get an actual production model to test over your test period??? you state that GM took the fun out of the car and it not providing a pleasurable driving experience......I would invite you to attend the second North American National Solstice meet in Jun in Nashville....all grass roots organized.....and gaining momentum........I dont think that many in attendance would say GM took the fun out of this car......but again...a personal opinion on my part....to be fair to all..I dont recall if the MX-5 ever had a grass roots national meeting in its first two years of existence or not... Replies to this message: editor_karl (Mar 23, 2007 7:41 am) pao (Mar 23, 2007 2:46 pm) spoom (Mar 23, 2007 5:33 pm)
#10 of 42 Re: it's not just those "nits", though... [pao] by editor_karl Mar 23, 2007 (7:41 am)
Replying to: pao (Mar 23, 2007 6:19 am) Our test car was purchased at a dealership without them even knowing who we were. It wasn't an early test mule, late test mule, or any other type of mule. It was a full production car. Glad they addressed the door-lock issue. Now an analog temperature gauge, functional top and a precise shifter are next on my list (I've got more after that). If I attend the Solstice event can I go in a Miata? Maybe have some heads-up racing through the cones? Or let the Solstice drivers (who are open-minded enough) drive the two back-to-back... Replies to this message: pao (Mar 23, 2007 2:46 pm) spoom (Mar 23, 2007 5:33 pm)
#11 of 42 Re: it's not just those "nits", though... [editor_karl] by pao Mar 23, 2007 (2:46 pm)
Replying to: editor_karl (Mar 23, 2007 7:41 am) sure come ahead....a miata owner from california did that last year at the first meet in Kansas City...he had already purchased a solstice.......but dont think you will get any converts from the solstice owners at the meet to be honest...but come on down..so why isnt the top functional.... www.nasolsticemeet.com
#12 of 42 Re: it's not just those "nits", though... [editor_karl] by spoom Mar 23, 2007 (5:33 pm)
Replying to: editor_karl (Mar 23, 2007 7:41 am) I dunno, Karl. Maybe a little nit-picky? It's ok if you don't like the car, you see a lot of good ones and that sets the bar pretty high. I have an '07 GXP.............. Did Pontic totally drop the ball on the interior design? Oh hell yes!!!!! I hope the constant complaints about the unusable cupholders, wasted console space, etc. etc. turn into such a wail that future owners will be rewarded by a new interior that actually works. I've got the auto, so no opinion on the std trans. Unusable top? No, that is a silly, elitest comment IMHO. It takes less than a minute to put the top up or down. Just because some cars do it at the touch of a button doesn't make mine "unusable". The top works just fine and the unique styling on those "flying buttress" wings give the car a little something extra over most ragtops that is worth it to me. To me, this is just a fun little car that would be awful at $40k but is more than a bargain at just under $30k. I looked at one last year and the 2.4 was just too weak. The new 2.0 turbo gives it the go to match the show and I had no problem picking one up. My best friend has a Crossfire, another buddy a Miata and I've driven both so it's not as if I don't know what's out there. The Crossfire is an awesome performer and the automatic top with all it's automatic trim pieces are a joy to watch in action. That said, I think it's a butt-ugly little car, looking as if it was styled by 3 or 4 people who didn't share notes or concepts. When my GXP is parked next to the Crossfire people surround the GXP to admire it The Miata is a better all-around vehicle than my GXP but I wouldn't have bothered to buy it because it doesn't really seem to spark anything for me. Kinda like Velveeta. Velveeta is great for grilled cheese sammiches but the GXP is my sharp cheddar. JMHO ¿spoom
#13 of 42 So many editor tears... by stuckinohio Apr 24, 2007 (7:23 pm)
from so much whining. Impressive article. Not.
#14 of 42 Re: Is it really that bad? [editor_karl] by trucktricks May 24, 2007 (8:59 am)
Replying to: editor_karl (Mar 21, 2007 8:16 am) 1. Get in the car and try to adjust the seat -- but can't because there's not enough space between the seat and the closed door 2. Reach over to open the door but can't, because the car already locked you in 3. Reach up to unlock the door so you can open it so you can adjust the seat -- but you can't because the doors don't have any external lock/unlock plungers 4. Paw around (if it's dark, because you're in a parking garage) for the power unlock button so you can get the door open, so you can adjust the seat, so you can finally DRIVE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE PARKING SPACE The above is not a nitpick when you deal with it constantly over a one-year period. I am not a seat adjustment expert, but I would have suggested that you open door, sit down, adjust seat, close door. Sorry I didn't get this to you sooner. I could have saved you a years worth of frustration.
#15 of 42 Re: I am not sure the reviewer knows what his talking about [eskanday] by jimc850 Jul 08, 2007 (2:26 pm)
Replying to: eskanday (Mar 20, 2007 5:48 pm) am thinking aaobut buying a Solstice. How does yours handle in rain and/or snow? How's your reliability? Jim Chamlee Replies to this message: trucktricks (Jul 10, 2007 7:27 am) pao (Jul 10, 2007 11:12 am) jimc850 (Jul 11, 2007 3:56 pm)
#16 of 42 Re: I am not sure the reviewer knows what his talking about [jimc850] by trucktricks Jul 10, 2007 (7:27 am)
Replying to: jimc850 (Jul 08, 2007 2:26 pm) I have a GXP coming early August. Due to rear wheel drive and almost no ground clearance, I will be parking it when it snows. Rain I would suggest is not a problem as long as you have good tread. Just slow down 10MPH. Rick