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Off Topic Pontiac Solstice..similarities to and differences from the Prowler? (Page 2) UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone!
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This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Tires, Rims Discusssion |
Author | Topic: Pontiac Solstice..similarities to and differences from the Prowler? |
Chromer Prowler Junkie Posts: 2723 |
posted 10-06-2005 09:06 PM
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Enter the Solstice, a vehicle that, at first glance, ought to sell itself. Luxuriantly curvaceous, its standout design feature is a broad hood and front end that slope gracefully down. The rear is compact, musclebound and squat, accentuated by sculpted fairings behind the seats. The overall profile conveys a neat blend of attitude: a little daring, just shy of being menacing. It doesn't drip machismo like Nissan's 350Z or feature the delicate bone structure of a Mazda Miata. With a starting price around $20,000 the Solstice is the cheapest roadster on the market (a hair under the new Mazda MX-5). GM plans to produce just 16,000 to 18,000 units for the 2006 model year and dealers are already asking several thousand dollars over sticker. Unfortunately, the Solstice's curb-appeal loses its luster once you take the car for a spin. Like many a roadster it is shamelessly impractical. Drivers under 6 ft. may feel visually challenged, since one sits a few inches above ground and Pontiac skimped on a height-adjuster for the seats. Rear visibility is fine with the roof down, but when it's up the glass rear window provides minimal views. The cockpit feels sports-car Spartan; our test car featured a two-tone "sand-and-steel, " design scheme, with a five-speed manual shifter (don't ask for an automatic, Pontiac isn't making one). Those bezels around the gauges? They have the glint of chrome but turn out to be plastic. Then there's the question, which may arise on a weekend jaunt, of how to transport a couple grocery bags with the top down. Stowing the soft top is a snap: just press a button, unlatch a hook and it folds into the trunk with minimal effort. But don't plan on carrying more than a few Twizzlers since only a sliver of cargo space remains. All these things are minor annoyances, though, compared to the car's Achilles' heel: its powertrain. It's widely known that GM had to work wonders to keep the Solstice under $20,000, cobbling together parts and components from various vehicle lines. The naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine delivers 177-horsepower and 166 lb. ft of torque. According to Road & Track, it propels the Solstice from zero-to-60 in 7.2 seconds. But the engine feels inadequate at highway speeds. Flooring the throttle at 60 m.p.h. in 5th gear produced not a roar but a gentle puff of speed—embarrassing in a car with pretenses to sprightliness. While the vehicle cornered adequately, thanks to the rear-wheel architecture, it did not feel nimble. Perhaps that won't be a deal-killer to most folks. But if you crave speed in your roadster, the Solstice is better admired than driven. |
tangled up in BLUE Prowler Junkie Posts: 11086 |
posted 10-06-2005 09:11 PM
there were a bunch of these at Woodward in August.....very good looking cars.... Prowler comparison...good looks, short on motor... half the price.... |
Howard Prowler Junkie Posts: 1749 |
posted 10-06-2005 09:26 PM
You can read all about this car here. http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/ |
ALLEY CAT Prowler Junkie Posts: 36093 |
posted 10-07-2005 08:21 AM
I was at the Firebird Raceway yesterday,,,there were nine of them there [manufacturer plates]. Local Pontiac dealers got to show them off to prospective buyers last night,,,with test drives. I was invited to attend, but had another commitment. They look really sharp, excellent pricing, little short on motor, and the soft top appearance leaves a lot to be desired. But, they will sell as many of these as they can build,,,GM has a winner here if the Wilmington production plant can keep up with demand. Direct assault on the sales of the Mazda Miata.
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condor Prowler Junkie Posts: 734 |
posted 10-07-2005 10:10 AM
The price will be $ 19800.- , not to bad. |
ALLEY CAT Prowler Junkie Posts: 36093 |
posted 10-07-2005 09:49 PM
quote: With pretty much nothing. A/C, power windows and locks, Radio upgrade, cruise/tilt, chrome wheels, etc....all extra. Nicely equipped, figure $23 to 24K |
halicat unregistered Posts: 36093 |
posted 10-08-2005 11:32 AM
i guess i'm in the minority here but I'm not to fond of the Karman Ghia style... Maybe i would like it better if it were black but i've never seen another color than that blue.. I prefer the Saturn Sky to the Solstice.... |
Austrian Prowler Prowler Junkie Posts: 323 |
posted 10-08-2005 05:25 PM
This car will be sold in Europe 2006. The new OPEL GT will get another engine, a 4-cyl. turbo (200hp). |
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