- convertible 28,527
- 18,995 overpriced
- Salem, OR
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- autoshopper.com
- convertible 28,527 yellow manual
2008 pontiac solstice review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Modern traditional sports car. introductionthe pontiac solstice is a good-looking, two-seat, drop-top sports car that starts under $23,000. Pontiac's little roadster is all about fun, sun and the joy of affordably motoring on the open road. The solstice is fun and easy to drive and the cockpit is comfortable. It's adequate, though lacking in smoothness at high revs. The gxp comes with more performance and safety hardware along with more convenience features. for 2008, pontiac has added some equipment to the base model, including a nicer stereo with xm satellite radio and an ipod interface. Onstar is standard, abs and stabilitrak are optional. The lined and insulated convertible top that was optional for 2007 comes standard on 2008 models. 2008 solstice models equipped with the five-speed manual transmission get a new torque beam to isolate noise associated with abrupt torque transfer away from the passenger compartment. The system was originally developed specifically for the added power and torque of the gxp model, but was then extended to all manual transmission models late in the 2007 model year. we preferred the gxp. The net cost of the high-output engine and other performance-enhancing equipment is about $3,700, and we think it's worth every dime. The gxp engine uses the latest materials and control technology, and it is gm's first in north america with fuel-saving gasoline direct injection. the solstice would make a fine daily driver in many locales, though it has no place to put things. The lack of storage space and idiosyncrasies with the convertible top could get old. The lack of luggage space makes the solstice a poor choice for long trips or airport runs. yet cars like this aren't purely about transportation. In many ways, the solstice is a match for the mazda mx-5 miata. The solstice is a traditional sports car with rear-wheel drive. Measured by objective performance benchmarks, the solstice gxp can be compared with much more expensive, long-time roadster class stalwarts such as the porsche boxster and audi tt. In practice, the solstice doesn't offer the handling precision of these other sports cars, nor does it match their refinement, interior quality and general tightness. It comes standard with five-speed manual transmission, an automatic is optional. Solstice comes standard with hand-cranked windows, manually adjusted outside mirrors and manual door locks; although the driver's seat features a power height adjustment. The glass rear window has a defogger, and the urethane-clad steering wheel has a tilt adjustment. The shift knob wears leather, but seats and door panels are covered in cloth. Tires are generously sized 245/45vr18 goodyear eagle rsa all-season radials on 18-inch painted aluminum wheels. The six-speaker am/fm/cd/mp3 stereo includes xm satellite radio and an ipod interface. Onstar is standard, along with gm's driver information center. And the acoustic lining for the convertible top is standard. the convenience package 395) adds cruise control, an enhanced driver information center, and fog lamps. The gxp comes with more standard safety features, including abs, gm's stabilitrak skid-management system and a limited-slip differential. The gxp also gets power windows and mirrors, cruise control, audio controls on a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, fog lamps and polished aluminum wheels. Tires are the same size as the base model's, but are goodyear eagle f1 high-performance units. a five-speed automatic transmission 925) and air conditioning 960) are optional on both models. Leather upholstery is available for the solstice base model 690) and gxp 525) and comes as part of the premium package, which upgrades the base model with a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. Audio upgrades include a high-watt monsoon system with subwoofer 395). There's also is an in-dash six-cd changer 295), which retains mp3 capability and a separate input jack. Also available are metallic pedals 115), a rear spoiler 275), and carpeted floor mats 80). The base model can be ordered with polished aluminum 545) or chrome 795) wheels. the solstice can be ordered with the limited-slip rear differential 195) and a rock-hard club sport suspension 1,095) for road racing. There's also an scca ssb championship edition package 6,235) that combines nearly all available options except automatic transmission and the club sport suspension. Appropriately, championship edition models are available only in victory red. the solstice is equipped with the minimum passive safety features required by federal regulations, which means seat belts and dual front dual-stage airbags. Anti-lock brakes 400) and stabilitrak 495) are optional on the base model. A tire pressure monitor has been added as standard equipment for 2008. walkaroundthe pontiac solstice is seemingly an amalgamation of classic sports-car design cues, but it doesn't look the least bit derivative. It may not break new ground, but it sweetly, respectfully blends elements of sports cars that have gone before. The result is an eye-pleasing, delightfully proportioned, almost sensuous package. there's not a straight line, flat surface or right angle on the body of this car. Indeed, the only part formed by the traditional method of stamping a piece of sheet metal is the small panel behind the front wheel well. The rest are created with a process called hydroforming, which uses extreme water pressure to press sheet metal into a mold. Hydroforming increases rigidity without adding weight, which in turn results in a stiffer platform, the key to sharp handling, reduced vibration and a smooth ride. the gxp can be distinguished by its black honeycomb grilles and small chin spoiler in front. It also features expanded brake-cooling ducts around the fog lamps, polished dual exhaust tips and standard polished aluminum wheels. the convertible top is a triumph, stylistically. Granted, this car looks best with the top down, but even top-up the profile shows a nice aero look. The trick to the slick look is a couple of ferrari dino-like sail panels, or buttresses, book-ending the vertical rear window. These sails have a downside, however. they add complexity to opening the trunk or raising and lowering the top, which tucks under the rear-hinged trunk lid covering the entire back part of the car. Click the remote or a button in the cockpit and three latches pop loose: one in the center for the trunk lid, the other two outboard beneath the roof sails. When it works correctly, the sails pop up and the trunk opens of its own volition. The entire process takes less than a minute, but it can be cumbersome just to drop a bag into the trunk. When they're not properly planted in their attachments, they can look wrinkled and awkward. the same process applies to opening and closing the top. There's a single release lever inside the car in the center of the windshield frame. It's not conducive to opening the roof at a stoplight if the urge strikes, or raising it quickly when the rain starts. interiorthe doors on the pontiac solstice are long, making climbing in and out relatively easy for a low-riding roadster. Driver and passenger sit hunkered down, with shoulders below the tops of the doors, corvette-style. Some will love the feeling; others may feel discombobulated by the difficulty of seeing the front end of the car. The seats are supportive, with a one-piece back and integrated headrests. For people space, solstice compares well with the mazda mx-5 miata, and its seats can accommodate fairly tall frames. The premium package leather in a solstice gxp we drove was well tailored, with gxp embroidered on the seatbacks. most materials are generally good quality, particularly the leather, soft plastic and trim plastic. However, the hard plastic on the doors and dash looks and feels too much like hard plastic. the three-spoke steering wheel could be thicker, but the optional leather-wrapped rim feels great. Cruise-control and audio buttons are embedded in the spokes. The dash design is simple, handsome and effect. Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ AM/FM✔ Cruise Control✔ Air Conditioning✔ CD Changer✔ Aluminum Wheels
18,995 Salem, ORSalem, OR at autoshopper.com