Thoughts? Opinions? Inside info?

I'm actually considering getting one of these, despite the GM backing....

Hmmm.... (http://www.pontiac.com/byo/buildSummary.pg;jsessionid=4WWPPOFN45TZACSUR2USCAQ KKSHSQIJK?regularOptions=ZQ2^JL9^G80^US9^PD5^C60^Z Q3^PCQ^&iPi=3&fPi=3&pvc=270&exteriorColor=Mysterious%20(black)%20&colorOptions=41U^192^A50&noStyle=1&interiorColorId=192&styleId=Coupe&make=pg&seatTypeId=A50&model=Solstice&modelId=086&exteriorColorId=41U&year=2006&interiorColor=Ebony%20Leather%20Seating%20Surfaces %20&colorVisited=true&subModelId=288&makeId=002&style=Coupe&zip=48226&&optionsVisited=true&vehicleModel=/images/gmbp/16002/vehicle/2006/med/288_8555.jpg&exteriorColorChipUrl=/images/gmbp/color/chips/ext/med/8555.gif&interiorColorChipUrl=/images/gmbp/color/chips/int/med/192_solstice.gif&contexLink=&originatingBrand=SOLSTICE)


Compare and contrast (http://www.autosite.com/content/shared/compare/index.cfm?sectionName=research&action=compareNew&id=380;ASITE&CarsToCompare=R%2C1016837%3BR%2C1016550%3BR%2C1016 319%3BR%2C1016361%3BR%2C1016022%3BR%2C1015014%3B&breadCrumbs=hp,Research)

The styling isn't for me, but the initial response form the media has been awesome. I'd hold out for the turbo model duew out in spring.

I thought the turbo was still a "maybe and if" thing, due at latest in '07....

If they're going to release a higher powered version, i'll definately just sit back and wait, since no dealership around me has one available for test drive....

Seems the only way to get around one is to drop a $500 deposit and order it yourself, since all the stock they have is pre-bought already....

Earliest I could even get one if I did that would be Jan.....

Wait for the Saturn Sky. I like the look of the Solstice, but the Sky looks a bit better IMO.

Yeah, but i'm not interested in waiting another full year for a new car that looks better but is overall the same.... Besides, i'm sure since they all share the same framework, there'll be aftermarket kits available later to make it look a bit better...

I'm looking for something new for the spring and upcoming winter to have, and the FB and 240SX just aren't going to cut it, I think...

http://www.powersys.com/auto_show2005/large/Pontiac%20Solstice-pt.jpg

http://www.saturn.com/saturn/showroom/future_vehicles/SKY_scenic2.jpg

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1679-1.jpg

Yeah, but i'm not interested in waiting another full year for a new car that looks better but is overall the same.... Besides, i'm sure since they all share the same framework, there'll be aftermarket kits available later to make it look a bit better...

I'm looking for something new for the spring and upcoming winter to have, and the FB and 240SX just aren't going to cut it, I think...

http://www.powersys.com/auto_show2005/large/Pontiac%20Solstice-pt.jpg

http://www.saturn.com/saturn/showroom/future_vehicles/SKY_scenic2.jpg

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1679-1.jpg

I take it that you're looking for a new/newer car. I'd also check out the new MX-5 (Glad they did away with the name Miata), or even see if you can get your hands on a used MazdaSpeed Miata.

I take it that you're looking for a new/newer car. I'd also check out the new MX-5 (Glad they did away with the name Miata), or even see if you can get your hands on a used MazdaSpeed Miata.

Indeed, that I am....

I've taken a look at the new MX-5 as well, and the Solstice actually outdoes it in price and performance... The MazdaSpeed Miata is another consideration, but i'd prefer to buy new rather then used.... Check my other link in my first post for all my current considerations....

APR is a LOT less around here when you're taking out a loan on a new car, rather then used....

Indeed, that I am....

I've taken a look at the new MX-5 as well, and the Solstice actually outdoes it in price and performance... The MazdaSpeed Miata is another consideration, but i'd prefer to buy new rather then used.... Check my other link in my first post for all my current considerations....

APR is a LOT less around here when you're taking out a loan on a new car, rather then used....

Dealer financing or your bank? With my current bank, there isn't too much of a difference in APR with new/used cars. Used is higher, but not by very much.

If I had to pick one of your options, i'd go with the Solstice. It "should" be a very fun car and plenty of room for performance upgrades. Believe it or not, that Ecotec motor takes power very well. For the price, not much can beat it, and plenty of cash left over for upgrades.

Exactly... The one I want fully loaded is just above $25K.... I doubt i'd be able to find anything like that around that's just as fun :D

My only main sticking point about getting one is that no dealership around me has one for viewing or test driving, they only take pre-orders with a $500 deposit...

I don't really like the idea of having to buy a car before I can even try one, much less the rumors that they've already sold out of stock for the '06 year... I'm sure as hell not going to drop that kind of loot on a car and plan on waiting till May and beyond for it....

As for the APR, I was looking at my bank's...

http://biz.yahoo.com/b/r/am010.html

I'm Bank of America....

Managed to get around to test driving a few cars yesterday, the ones to note are Honda's '05 S2000 and the Mazda '06 Miata... (with an extra shoutout to Mitsubishi for being assholes who weren't so hot on the ideas of test drives unless I was a "seriously interested" buyer)....

The S2000 is VERY nice, quite responsive with plenty of available power....

The Miata had a TIGHT feel of steering, plenty of accel, and very quiet with the top down...

I'd give the nod to the Miata, because even though it lacks the styling or power of the S2000, it manages to have that honest-to-goodness sporty build without the manufactured feel I kinda gained with Honda....

Also, i'm pretty sure the S2000 is going to be less practical overall in the long run, IE sitting in a garage or under a blanket for 2-3 months out of the year.....

/rant

I'm just curious, how do you guys pronounce Solstice? Do you pronounce it "soul-steece" (like I do) or "soul-stis" (with more of an i instead of an e?)

I made a thread about this car like 3-4 years ago... they were saying it would have an engine similar to the Ion Redline at that point in time and still be sub $20k. I don't see that happening but it would be nice if it had the blown engine or a small turbo and the same redline longblock... either way it wont have forced induction and meet the $19,999 quote imo.

I'm just curious, how do you guys pronounce Solstice? Do you pronounce it "soul-steece" (like I do) or "soul-stis" (with more of an i instead of an e?)

Soul-stis... :D

And even if the engine doesn't live up to expectations, i've already seen a shop or two start throwing LS1s into them without any trouble..... :drooling:

http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm

who would pay $20k for a shell when you can get an FD shell for $3-4k ???

someone here has one. It isn't nearly as good looking in person. I really liked them when I first saw them and the price isn't bad either but in person I dunno. The person who owns it seems to like it just fine though.

who would pay $20k for a shell when you can get an FD shell for $3-4k ???

Drop top and styling are the only reasons I see. The FD is probably lighter too. If I wanted a fast drop top I think an LS1 FC vert would do. Vipers and nice Corevettes are too expensive for me.

only thing i like about a used viper is that insurance would be cheaper on it than Im paying now for my vert. still too expensive and impractical for me.

buying a car in it's 1st year of production:

Pro: you're one of the first to have one, so for the 1st 6 months or so you have that 'wow' factor of driving a heretofor unseen type of car. It's only in year 2 or 3 that you start pulling up beside identical ones at a stoplight.

Con: Shakedown. 1st year production typically has a lot of design/production problems that don't become apparent until a number of them are on the street, used in real-world conditions.

When the new Hyundai Tiburon came out, a friend of mine who's a sales manager @ the local dealership talked me into taking one for a week. He knew a lot of university students shop in my store and figured one parked out front would spark interest in the new model.

He was kinda right - I pulled up to a Subway to get a sandwich and the kid behind the counter threw on extra meat without asking me if I wanted it, only charged me for a small, not a large, and said "nice car!" as he rang it up. But that same night I drove 3 friends to a nightclub and the 2 chicks in back, one of whom is petite and the other slender but tall, both complained about the cramped headroom and the fact that the hatch glass, not metal roof, was over their heads. They went on to tell anyone who'd listen that the car was crap based on this observation.