GM made several unique cars in the early 2000s. While there are quite a few brands like Oldsmobile, Saab, and Saturn, one of the most prominent brands is Pontiac. Pontiac had a wide variety of exciting and sporty cars directed towards younger buyers, and the Pontiac Solstice is an underrated sports car from its history.
The Pontiac Solstice, despite its qualities, has some flaws. GM, during this time, made some cool sports cars with garbage interiors. The interior materials and build quality are really far behind modern times, and it is comically small. Reliability concerns are also apparent, as the Solstice is far from robust. It would definitely be better as a secondary vehicle, but it's surprisingly skilled in this role.
9 Styling
While the looks are definitely deviant from what most see on the road, the Solstice looks handsome. It's quite striking to look at and certainly delivers from the outside. It looks quirky, but it's better than most, unlike many cars with weird styling from the factory.
The stance is low to the ground, the body lines are pretty rounded but are perfectly fitting on a sports car, and the front end has a retro-modern look that fits pretty well. The 18-inch wheels have a simple design that looks surprisingly good. The car's overall size looks very small despite its somewhat heavier size, which inspires more excitement than you'd expect.
8 Handling
The handling is as you would expect a sports car to be. The setup is pretty conventional, with rear-wheel-drive, a near 50/50 weight distribution, and a two-seat roadster configuration. It definitely isn't practical in terms of utility, but that was never the goal of this class anyway.
The Solstice is known for its good grip and impressive handling. It doesn't have the steering feel of modern sports cars, but it does have minimal body roll and good cornering ability. Many would enjoy taking this out for twisty roads on the weekends.
7 Acceleration (GXP Trim)
In 2007, a new trim was introduced known as the GXP trim. The GXP trim is a sportier trim used with other models like the G6, G8, and Torrent and usually signals a powertrain change that brings the model alive. This is the best trim to buy the Solstice, as the base engine is pretty gutless.
The GXP is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 time for this trim is 5.3 seconds in the final model year, much more preferable to the base engine, which is nearly 3 seconds slower. They're worth buying over the base engine regardless of any price premiums.
6 Manual Transmission
There are a few configurations that can be found when searching for the Solstice. Some trims may demand more money than others, and it may seem like a waste at first glance, but the best option to get for the Solstice is with the 5-speed manual transmission.
The other option is a 5-speed automatic transmission, and it's not all that remarkable. Modern automatic transmissions are quick-shifting, and it's better to buy this sports car with a manual transmission. The manual transmission itself isn't specifically spectacular, but rowing through your own gears adds an incredible aspect to any sports car.
5 Value For Money
The Solstice is not too bad of a deal for the money. Most used sports cars can be expensive, but as such, the price varies widely depending on the trim, configuration, and, most importantly, mileage.
Most examples across the country can be found under $15,000 and usually range from 30,000 miles to 60,000 miles. That's a solid price for this car. It's far from perfect, but it's a fun, attractive weekend car without a massive investment. The looks are the best part as you get the attention of most people.
4 Fuel Economy
Most sports cars with V8 engines are quite thirsty, which can be a major annoyance to some. While most don't really care about that, the Solstice does offer that benefit. Both engines are very fuel-efficient relative to six-cylinder, eight-cylinder, and rotary engines.
The Solstice with the 2.4-liter engine gets about 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway, averaging about 21 miles per gallon. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine gets virtually the same gas mileage at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. It's no doubt that the turbocharged engine and manual transmission is the best way to buy this car, as there are no fuel economy benefits to the automatic transmission and naturally aspirated engine.
3 Convertible
Most weekend cars have a lot of performance in a smaller package and are fun to drive around in the summer. It's a lot of fun to have a car with good acceleration and handling in a 2-door configuration. However, while some enjoy a coupe configuration for structural rigidity, others enjoy the convertibles' open-top. A lot of cool cars surprisingly offer convertible options.
Open-top convertibles, despite their compromises, have their own benefits. Driving on the highway with the air flowing is a feeling that's unlike any other. It's also a great way to hear the intake and exhaust. In states with nicer weather, a convertible is best. Even if it's not your cup of tea, it's at least nice to have the option.
2 Comfortable Seats
Seating is pretty important in a car. For a car that's going to be tossed around, support is necessary. But at the same time, it's nice to have seats that are reasonably comfortable and accommodate a variety of passenger sizes.
The seats in the Solstice, while it's not luxury car-esque, is pretty comfortable. Other cars in this class don't do all that well with seats, as they're usually stiff and performance-oriented, making them uncomfortable. It will also depend on the personal preference of the driver, but most will appreciate it.
1 Simplicity
Many modern cars and even sports cars have lots of electronics and technology that add a significant amount of weight. It also adds another purpose that the vehicle needs to achieve, making the vehicle less simple by its nature.
The early 2000s are a great time for a car because you get basic features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, a radio, air-conditioning, and fuel-injected engines. However, a lot of the excess technology is spared, and you get a simple center stack in a car with lots of character. Also, nothing gets outdated, and the cost of the car includes most of what you need.