Pontiac Solstice Coupe

JJ, you and I agree for the first time. (At least the first time on here, I am sure we would do fine drinking beer watching UT sports)
 
OK I agree with all you said except for the suggestion that the solstice is lightweight. Its not it weighs as much as a boxster. Also not to be overlooked is the fact that all porsches use flat boxer engines in a mid layout and absolute excellence in chassis design and suspension tuning( a lot of them with adjustable suspensions!) These things help a lot in the performance and dynamic aspects of the car that allow it to behave like a much lighter car with the added benifit of more power.

Also I was not talking about the CGT or GT2 or any of the super porsches. All those are, are scaled up versions of the same concept and engineering practices utilized in the entry level porsches.

The reason enthusiasts dont like the solstice is typical GM inability to produce a proper chassis and it ability to communicate to the driver for any reasonable cost (the vettes can) they are blubbery rubbery non communicative cars that dont inspire confidence or sporty feel. I did call a Pro driver colleague of mine and he did say he heard this hard top is better in this department. We will see
 
IMO, both the Saturn Sky Redline or Solstice GXP are superior to the Boxster, especially when you consider the MSRP. GM's 2.0L has more HP, similiar fuel economy and a lot or more torque than the entry level 2.7L Boxster. Braking, acceleration and handling are reasonable close

The Porsche is essentially a status symbol, while the GM cars are cheaper to maintain since you don't have to pay exorbitant prices for parts or maintenance
 
Just go drive it then. Straightline acelleration and deceleration are less than 50% of the equation. If you are paper racing MSRP then get a Lancer Evo 8 or 9 for the same price as the solstice or less and RAPE nearly everything on B roads or roadcourses. Anyone can drive those fast, they never get into trouble and it practically drives itself. Raced one for 3 years and could pass most anything in the corners.
 
Why are you people comparing a Solstice to a 911? That extra cash ought to buy you SOMETHING. As usual, it's a case of diminishing returns, but yeah, you get a lot of car when you buy a 911. Car per dollar? Not so much.

Criticizing someone who either can't or won't pony up for a 911 seems elitist. Why can't the $30K crowd have some fun?
 
How bout we stick to the boxer comparos and not the 911 or CGT or GT3?? There is tons of fun to be had for 30K it just aint the Solstice
 
MP5, I'm curious -- have you driven the Solstice? (I haven't.) I owned an S2000 until I had a kid, and it was awesome. I've assumed the Solstice is similar, but I have no real basis for comparison.
 
What's up with the folks here who always run down vehicles that they can't afford. Talk about REAL penis envy.
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My point is that Pontiac is finally starting to live up their "excitement" tag at GM. No, they are not world beaters, but they can come close to making the argument, esp for the price. But this car looks damn sharp for Detroit. The styling hearkens back to some of the great ones from the UK and Italy. And the G8 will be hitting dealers imminently. Helluva car for less than $30k.
 
Believe it or not, there are people who are car enthusiasts. People who enjoy reading about, driving, and owing exciting cars. Driving a sports car can be a pleasurable experience.
We have beer enthusiasts, cheese enthusiasts, sports enthusiasts, and you don't get on those threads and call out the buyer of the $4 bottle of beer as a flaccid vaginal replica. But every discussion of cars includes these charges.
Cars can be fun, not just an appliance to get you to HEB to buy your daily ration of pork rinds.
I would love an S2000. I can't believe there is a street car with a 9000 rpm redline. The wife wants a convertible, and one of these days, you can call me a pathetic old grabbing at his long lost forgotten youth status seeking Dallas guido as I blow your Pontiac's doors off on some rural back road in my midlife crisis Honda S2000. So there.
 
I think the G8 is going to be a terrific car for Pontiac. It's what a modern American car should be -- muscle and value but with some refinement. I glanced over a car mag shootout between it and a BMW 550i, and while it couldn't quite touch the Bimmer in anything but highway passing, it was awfully close in every measurable. Of course, it's not as refined, but for half the money, should it be?

The interior looks like it will be typical GM tackiness, so I probably won't be interested, but if they can tone it down a bit, that car will make a lot of sense to a lot of people.

The Solstice does seem a bit of a fish out of water, though.
 
for the record, I drive a BMW. I bought it because I liked the style, and performance, and I got a good deal (paid cash). More importantly, I need a nice car because I entertain clients often, almost always physicians.

The fact that I have a little dick is mere coincidence.
 
If you guys are into performance you should look at the upcoming Nissan GTR better known in Japan as the Skyline. It runs 0-60 in 3.8 seconds and outcorners porsche in touring courses. That's personally the car that I would want to buy when I get enough money. The only bad thing about it is you can't really mod it or it voids the warranty. From what I've read you have to take it to special shops that are allowed to tweak your car. The car only costs 70k'ish however since it's first offering is in 2009 expect dealerships to be overcharging to be one of the first owners.

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Driving a high performance car is a senual pleasure, like enjoying wine or a fine meal. Some people are willing to pay a lot for that pleasure, and that is their business.
Sure, there are some people who buy a Corvette, Porsche, or BMW because they think it makes them look cool, but many people buy them because they are a hell of a lot of fun to drive. Not everyone is satisfied with the mundane.
 
That GTR is a freaking beast of a car and competes right along with cars costing twice and three times as much (911 TT, F430). Awesome for Nissan to go this. The styling of the car doesn't really suite my taste, but the performance and cost benefit is certainly badass. We live in probably the greatest era in the history of the automobile right now. I think it is about to take a hit with energy issues so enjoy it while you can.
 
This is for sure the greatest era for cars! At every price level there is a bad *** car that is true to tradition, and flat out faster when driven by a good driver. You can keep the 60s cars I wouldnt touch them and find nothing special about something that cant turn
 
The Skyline/GTR is truly a monster. I've been waiting for this car to come to America since way back when it still looked as good as it performed. Now, though...whew. Not easy on the eyes, by any stretch.
 
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