Pontiac Solstice: Reliable?

Author's Rating:

Pros: Wealth of innovations: Kappa chassis, suspension, Ecotec, hydroforming, Haartz top, low, wide, 50-50

Cons: Typical roadster: trunk space limited (but I don't care!)

The Bottom Line: 
Breathtaking. Born beautiful, beautiful while you have it, beautiful when you sell it. Better keep it. Easily a classic...

Author's Review
UPDATE 9-7-2010: Just like I thought, they just won't let you have one. I went to the Pontiac dealer and tried it. It was really nice. I also tried a Mazda Miata. The Miata is a car too sophisticated, like a sedan, not a sportscar. The Solstice is a great car. Maybe I can get one on EBAY now that they are out of business. I wonder what all of those Pontiac Salesmen are doing these days?
Update 11-19-2006: I haven't bought one yet, but have just finished my refinancing of my mortgage. An ad the other day said that the Solstice is now in stock at the Anaheim Pontiac Dealer. I need a red one.
This is a vehicle to be reckoned with. Scary. Not often do we have the opportunity to become a part of history. The design of the Solstice is so different that it begs to be compared to other great sports cars, not just the Miata. Every review I have seen has pitted the Solstice against other cars which are not comparable. There is something really wonderful happening here, and it is not to be summed up by merely saying that I would rather have a Mazda. When reviewers say Pontiac (Ewwww), they are not really addressing anything of value.

If you let a Solstice stand up alone, by itself, you can see faint images of other great cars, not just how they look, but what they are. When I sat in a red Solstice, I saw interesting things which were not readily apparent. This car, in my mind, reminded me somehow of my 1960 Triumph TR-3 (I had 3 TR-3s and 4 TR-4s). That car was obviously designed and built by British Engineers, who had an uncanny knack to design something which was so complicated and make it easy to understand, that it could appeal to an American Rocket Scientist like me. Americans now say that the Triumph TR-3 was unreliable, but cannot understand things like a Norton Commando, Triumph Bonneville, MG, or Vickers Black Shadow. Americans understand cheap, cheap, cheap and that is about all.

Just look at the Solstice body design. Nothing like it. The chassis. Suspension. Wheels, tires. Engine. Transmission. All destined for greatness.

The engine: When we mention 177 HP, we automatically think that we need more. My TR-3 had 100HP (oversize sleeves), and with the trans I could reach the limits of the drivetrain. Going around a freeway entry curve at 65, I could accelerate until one, then 2, then 3 tires would start squealing, knowing that 4 squeals would set me into a spin, so I counted tires, keeping 3 squealing any time I could. 177 HP is perhaps plenty, and it would allow you to determine the limits of the suspension and tires. I think the Solstice can do this. When I see any mention of the Solstice engine, all I hear is 260HP next year, not what is being done with 177. I happen to think that you can whip the Solstice around after you get it and become accustomed to it, and that it will bring big grins for many years.

Trans: If it has 5, we say we want 6. Six for what? Most people do not know what to do with 5, except to get better gas mileage (what?). When you get 3 tires squealing in second, you then want to find out how to do it in third.

I think the Solstice will grow with you, which is the secret of great sports cars. With my TR-3, it was always great to find a few more HP, so I could figure out what to do with them. The secret to a good sports car is that it does not need a lot of HP, because it is not made to go in a straight line.

The Miata was destined to be great because it was designed by Colin Chapman in Coventry England in the 60s (Ooh, did I say that?). It is much easier to copy an existing classic than it is to design one, and the Japanese have done this very well, without hiring any good designers. Reviewers have stated that the Miata has more stuff and costs more. My guess is that the Solstice is too rough and tough for many people. Already, the reviews are saying that the Saturn Sky is nicer because the suspension is softer (Car and Driver review).

Test drive: So, I took a test drive in the Solstice at my local Pontiac (Ewwww) dealer. I actually spent about 30 minutes just looking at it. While driving it, I think I saw an impending look at the past, which I have missed for many years. I opened the door and sat down, deeply into the drivers position. Very nice. The controls and layout are very well done.

When I was checking it out, I was shown the proper way to drop the top. I got in, and although there was some apology for the trunk size, I do not think I want a Solstice for its trunk size. If I have a problem with a suitcase, I will just get rid of my passenger.

The engine started fine, the trans worked, and we went out for a spin. I was shocked when going around a corner at how it did it (with authority). The 177 HP is plenty for me. I can not wait to get that thing revving, howling, schussing and schlossing. Take it slow.

Price: The Solstice price is just perfect. Most great cars came in at a great price point, and 20 grand is great. You can not get that much curb appeal for any price.

Availability: The Solstice is basically not available. The last time I was at a Pontiac (Ewwww) dealer was in 1984. I wanted a red Fiero, but they would not let me have one, so I got a Mustang convertible. Now, they are doing the same thing with the Solstice, which reminds me of vaporware (software which does not exist). They could probably sell a lot of them, but the Marketing and Production guys are incapable of doing that. Looks like we need to find Lee Iacocca, and ask him how to sell 200,000 of them each year. At this time, there is a Solstice market on Ebay, which is trying to show that you just are not going to get one.

Reliability: The Solstice looks like it is being upgraded as it is being sold (concurrent development), where it is being developed as it is being sold (spiral development). It will probably work, and may usher in a new method to produce cars. I am a reliability engineer at a major defense company, and if I get a Solstice, I will provide an analysis and updates. My initial guess is that the combination of a 5 speed, 4 cylinder, and 2 seats will provide a very reliable platform, cheap to get and cheap to keep.

For the test drive, I went out to Simpson Pontiac in Anaheim. The guys there were very courteous. Gave me lots of attention, and tried to get me to buy. I told them what I wanted, and they are trying to help. We may be able to figure this out.

Summary: The Solstice is what many sports car enthusiasts have been waiting for, for many years. Since the 60s. I think they will sell a lot of them. I think it will become the most desired used car of the 2000s. Now, I have the option of just going out and buying my piece of history, much like the dude in 1960 who bought a new TR-3. He knew what he was doing.

PS: I want a red one.