Anyone Have A Pontiac Solstice?

Im looking at getting a new '09 Pontiac Solstice sometime in the next couple of months and was wondering if any of you folks had one and if so, any thing you think i should know about it before buying one?

Right now cost wise its looking like (with the options im going to want) its going to cost around $34,500, obviously i want to know if there are any reasons why i shouldnt get one of these?

Also, Gary is looking at picking up either an Audi or a Saab and we were wondering if you folks had any feedback on those also?

Regards,

Lee

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Originally Posted by Lee

Also, Gary is looking at picking up either an Audi or a Saab and we were wondering if you folks had any feedback on those also?

Regards,

Lee

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Saabs USED to be amazing cars, built in Sweden (I think) by assembly teams rather than assembly line. They were revered for quality and long life.

Then GM purchased the company.

Now by the accounts of everyone I know who's owned one, they suck. In fact, they are simply re-branded GM cars, made in regular GM plants, with the same, uh, quality-challenged parts that make up other GM cars.

My friend who claims to know about such things claims that Audi (and its brand-sister, Volkswagen) has a very high frequency of repair, almost as high as GM does. My personal experience hasn't borne that out but he is generally pretty accurate with his knowledge.

If it were me, I'd go for the Audi over the Saab, but I'd go for a Lexus or Mercedes or Acura (or even a Honda, which I drive now) over either an Audi, Saab, or Pontiac. But I guess it depends on what features are important.

See, therein lays the problem, we actually wanted to get away from buying American because of the fact that we feel pretty much all of these companies are going to be bankrupt within the next 3 years.

The problem being, most of the cars made by non-US companies that are available over here quite frankly, stink.

Id actually be more inclined to purchase a car in the UK, have it converted for left-hand drive over here and get it shipped over, but the problem with that is actually sitting in one for a test drive.

BMW has a few nicer cars but nothing that screams out to me like the Solstice does and most of the US supercars well, they just seem ugly in comparison to what im used to having grown up with.

Regards,

Lee

I rented one because I absolutely LOVED the look. I'll be honest this car was a huge disappointment for me. I'm assuming that you've test driven it, but it was the inside that was my problem.

The cupholders, consoles, instrument panel, etc were so CHEAP. My other half got into the passenger seat and literally almost ripped off the cheap-ass cupholder.

I don't know the inside totally turned me off from the car all together. I just felt like everything would break so easy.

Ben,

What interior did the one you leased have?

There are actually 3 versions and im looking at getting the black leather/red stitch version, not the standard or the woven fabric versions which admittedly do look rather cheap looking.

Regards,

Lee

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Originally Posted by Lee

Id actually be more inclined to purchase a car in the UK, have it converted for left-hand drive over here and get it shipped over, but the problem with that is actually sitting in one for a test drive.

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IF you are looking for a car in europe choose a country which is NOT GB cuz everybody else has left hand driving :D oh and the Euro is almost equal to the GBP now.

There are "some" dealers in Rotterdam which will be more than happy so ship cars since thats what they do all day long in europes busiest port and car port :D

it was the standard woven fabric. The plastic parts were the major part of my problem with it. Everything just felt like it was too thin and would break.

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Originally Posted by badpuppyben

it was the standard woven fabric. The plastic parts were the major part of my problem with it. Everything just felt like it was too thin and would break.

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Ah okay, well from what i saw the dashboard parts and console parts didnt seem to be to flimsy, ill double check though because to be honest i was more interested in the overall look and performance rather than the aesthetics inside.

Regards,

Lee

Lee,

If you're seriously thinking about importing, be sure and check the regs with regard to safety features and emission controls. I think, but am not certain, that US imposes safety requirements (side door reinforcements, third brake light, and a bunch of other stuff) that aren't required in other countries, so if you bring a car into the US that is made for marketing elsewhere, it may not have those features, particularly the emission controls, and some of those things may not be possible to retrofit.

I know California can be anal about the emissions stuff (the other regs are federal not state),but I don't know about Florida.

Well as of right now, importing was the idea i had but in reality i dont think that is going to end up being what i do, as much as i would like to, Lotus has some really great (and affordable) supercars right now as does Noble and Ultima and the ones i actually like, cost almost as much as a mid-range Cadillac but look and perform way better.

Regards,

Lee

Converting something from RHD to LHD would be financially unwise I believe. That would be major body, structural and mechanical work.

You also need to get imported cars emission certified before you can register it, so you would need to have the emission system altered as well to meet US specs.


I recall that some of the European manufacturers had EU delivery programs, where you could pick up your car in Europe, drive it for a period (they assume you will take an EU vacation and spend a week or 3) and then the manufacturer arranges the shipping and certifications. I am not sure if those programs are still available, but if they are, and you find a car you love, it could be an option.

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Originally Posted by chadknowslaw

Converting something from RHD to LHD would be financially unwise I believe. That would be major body, structural and mechanical work.

You also need to get imported cars emission certified before you can register it, so you would need to have the emission system altered as well to meet US specs.


I recall that some of the European manufacturers had EU delivery programs, where you could pick up your car in Europe, drive it for a period (they assume you will take an EU vacation and spend a week or 3) and then the manufacturer arranges the shipping and certifications. I am not sure if those programs are still available, but if they are, and you find a car you love, it could be an option.

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Hi Chad! Yes, BMW offers this exact package you are talking about. I prefer BMW, solid car and still owned by itself, the same company for many years. The first 50,000 miles are covered under warranty and all maintenance such as oil changes, breaks, etc., anything besides tires is covered and free the first 4 years or 50,000 miles. Good luck Lee!

So we're actually scheduled to get a test drive of the new BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0si tomorrow afternoon, as Gary is now looking at getting one of the BMW X6's so we figured if i changed to BMW also, we should be able to get a good discount on purchasing 2 vehicles from the same company.

Will let you know how the test drive goes :)

Regards,

Lee

An X6???

Even the BMW enthusiasts at Car & Driver had a hard time figuring out why the X6 exists. It doesn't have the utility of an SUV, doesn't have the capabilities of a sports sedan and has had dismal sales. While I think the Z4 roadster is an excellent choice if you are looking for a fun, open car, you should look around the showroom before adopting an X6. That one seems like a rare failure at BMW.

I would get the X5 if you want a X6, though the X6 looks hot. All of the BMW's are good choices, you can't go wrong with any of them. Even the 335i coupe would be a great choice if you want sporty. Depends on how much you want to spend.

Cars:
3 series, around 35-52k (335i coupe, very sporty)
5 series, around 48-60k (luxury)
6 series coupe, around 80-90k (sporty)
7 series, around 80k-120k (luxury)

SUV:
X3 (3 series) 40-45k
X5 (5 series) 53-60k

Well....

BMW can suck on my left nut.

The car i wanted isnt available any longer (despite the fact the BMWUsa website says it is) because they are launching a new version in 6 months time which actually looks FUGLY as all hell.

Guess its back to my original plan of a Pontiac now :)

Regards,

Lee

Why a GM car at this juncture?

They've always made cars that had less-than-wonderful reliability, and now, increasingly, it looks like GM is going to have a hard time surviving, bailout or not.

In general, there aren't any American auto manufacturers I've been impressed with, but if I had a gun to my head and had to buy American, I'd probably go with Ford because they are the most financially stable and it seems like they've made more effort to make cars that people actually want to buy.

There is the Honda 2000S. That is a hot little roadster and although I take issue with the fact they still don't give same-sex partner benefits to their employees like GM, Chrysler, Ford, the European makers and Toyota, they DO make good cars.

2 seat roadsters are a rare breed but if you really want to pick up chicks, get a motorcycle.



:groovy:

Chip,

Purely for looks, no other reason than that, the plan is we'll both get a car we want and then we'll have a 'family' car which is more practical, right now the family car we're looking at is one of those Toyota hybrids.

Regards,

Lee

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Originally Posted by Lee

Chip,

Purely for looks, no other reason than that, the plan is we'll both get a car we want and then we'll have a 'family' car which is more practical, right now the family car we're looking at is one of those Toyota hybrids.

Regards,

Lee

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I can understand that. My friends all tell me that I'm entirely too pragmatic and rarely make decisions based on anything other than practicality... so I can see why it might be fun to buy something you really like the looks of, regardless of any practical issues.

I do have to say it's a snazzy looking car... when I think of Pontiacs, I generally think of janky, clunky, enormous American land yachts, but I am with you that this is an incredibly cool looking car.

OH I KNOW THE PERFECT CAR FOR LEE!!

http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/sales/roadster.html

It is sporty AND VERY British!!!

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Originally Posted by gaybucks_chip

I can understand that. My friends all tell me that I'm entirely too pragmatic and rarely make decisions based on anything other than practicality... so I can see why it might be fun to buy something you really like the looks of, regardless of any practical issues.

I do have to say it's a snazzy looking car... when I think of Pontiacs, I generally think of janky, clunky, enormous American land yachts, but I am with you that this is an incredibly cool looking car.

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I agree with you Chip. Lee there are just as snazzy looking cars that aren't a Pontiac. But whatever blows up your skirt.

Pontiac isnt an option now either, our local dealer is closing down and we dont want to have to drive to St Augustine or Orlando is there is an issue with the car... Who would have thought buying a new car would be so damned stressfull? :eek:

Regards,

Lee

So looks like ill be going for the Mercedes SLK 300 in red, with full option package, Gary will be getting it in either silver or blue.

We have a test drive scheduled for tomorrow afternoon :)

Hopefully this will be the last change of plan LOL

Regards,

Lee

Matching cars is so gay~