Pontiac Solstice GXP
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I never really realized it much until recently, especially now that you mention it. Thanks for the insight!
Just filled it up with a fresh serving of SSO and a WIX filter tonight. Got to love the smell of that oil...
As much as I wish this car did more sitting in the garage than driving, I am approaching 50% on my OLM. Variables remaining constant, this puts me about 10k miles or so when the OLM reaches 0%.
I am contemplating a used oil analysis of the AMSOIL Signature Series for verification, and then, given no issues, I may reset the system and run the oil longer. Not set on it, but if the oil isn't busted, I see no reason to drain it too early.
I am contemplating a used oil analysis of the AMSOIL Signature Series for verification, and then, given no issues, I may reset the system and run the oil longer. Not set on it, but if the oil isn't busted, I see no reason to drain it too early.
How are the brakes. Iv'e heard some grumbling in the NHTSA about the DI engine not producing enough vacuum for the power brake booster. I think I remember reading that the 06's had an electric vacuum pump that was deleted for 07 and 08.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/feds-investigating-solstice-gxp-sky-redline-brakes/
My wife has a sky, but the non redline version.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/feds-investigating-solstice-gxp-sky-redline-brakes/
My wife has a sky, but the non redline version.
I like those... Only one I like better is the Sky Redline..
I also like the Mazdaspeed Miata..
I also like the Mazdaspeed Miata..
Nice car.
A good friend of mine has an auto trans version and it really is surprising.
If anything, the auto works better with the turbo than the stick. Gets way better mileage than the epa sticker said.
But the complete lack of any usable stowage is a real problem for anything other than a trip across town.
A good friend of mine has an auto trans version and it really is surprising.
If anything, the auto works better with the turbo than the stick. Gets way better mileage than the epa sticker said.
But the complete lack of any usable stowage is a real problem for anything other than a trip across town.
Originally Posted By: JetStar
How are the brakes. Iv'e heard some grumbling in the NHTSA about the DI engine not producing enough vacuum for the power brake booster. I think I remember reading that the 06's had an electric vacuum pump that was deleted for 07 and 08.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/feds-investigating-solstice-gxp-sky-redline-brakes/
My wife has a sky, but the non redline version.
They seem to be pretty sufficient. There have been a few times where I thought I was going to have to press really hard, because it didn't get quite as stiff as I thought, but I didn't have to and it seemed to be fine.
Those were at moderate to slow(er) speeds though. At higher speeds, I don't recall ever having an issue.
I'm assuming this is why brake upgrades are a fairly common upgrade for some of the Kappa owners and whatnot. After getting used to driving my S10 on 37" tires with rear drum brakes, this thing feels like it has the brakes of champion!
How are the brakes. Iv'e heard some grumbling in the NHTSA about the DI engine not producing enough vacuum for the power brake booster. I think I remember reading that the 06's had an electric vacuum pump that was deleted for 07 and 08.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/feds-investigating-solstice-gxp-sky-redline-brakes/
My wife has a sky, but the non redline version.
They seem to be pretty sufficient. There have been a few times where I thought I was going to have to press really hard, because it didn't get quite as stiff as I thought, but I didn't have to and it seemed to be fine.
Those were at moderate to slow(er) speeds though. At higher speeds, I don't recall ever having an issue.
I'm assuming this is why brake upgrades are a fairly common upgrade for some of the Kappa owners and whatnot. After getting used to driving my S10 on 37" tires with rear drum brakes, this thing feels like it has the brakes of champion!
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
I like those... Only one I like better is the Sky Redline..
I also like the Mazdaspeed Miata..
I thought about the Sky, but decided against it.
The book value was actually higher, and there were fewer around, although there aren't a ton of GXP's around in all reality.
The Saturn name (although I liked Saturn's and thought they were great cars) was something I didn't think would hold a performance repertoire quite as well as Pontiac in the long run. I also liked the different body style in a way, but ultimately it was a little to bold for my taste. I think the Solstice being a roadster ended up looking the part much more than the Sky, having a certain 50s-60s look about it while the alternative appeared more as a small Corvette more than anything. (And I don't mean that completely in a bad way.)
I like those... Only one I like better is the Sky Redline..
I also like the Mazdaspeed Miata..
I thought about the Sky, but decided against it.
The book value was actually higher, and there were fewer around, although there aren't a ton of GXP's around in all reality.
The Saturn name (although I liked Saturn's and thought they were great cars) was something I didn't think would hold a performance repertoire quite as well as Pontiac in the long run. I also liked the different body style in a way, but ultimately it was a little to bold for my taste. I think the Solstice being a roadster ended up looking the part much more than the Sky, having a certain 50s-60s look about it while the alternative appeared more as a small Corvette more than anything. (And I don't mean that completely in a bad way.)
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Nice car.
A good friend of mine has an auto trans version and it really is surprising.
If anything, the auto works better with the turbo than the stick. Gets way better mileage than the epa sticker said.
But the complete lack of any usable stowage is a real problem for anything other than a trip across town.
I've heard a number of comments about the auto's being "better", but I wouldn't have one if it were a few thousand $ cheaper, to be honest. I can't say, after having this car as long as I have, how the auto is going to be better than my ability to drive it. Accordingly, there is a reason you find more high performance cars in manuals than autos (maybe why these cars came with manuals standard).
I average 30+ mpg per tank...and that is city & highway. In fact, I am on the highway about 25% of the time on a normal basis. I honestly don't see the autos getting much better, if not a bit worse, and that is echoed in what I have seen on some of the forums as well. If I had a straight, flat highway to waste a tank of gas on, I would be highly surprised if I wasn't putting out around 35 or better with relative ease. And I am in the foothills of NC, so I never see anything but inclines and declines fairly constantly.
The power the motor has for the light weight can be manipulated quite well when manually selecting your gears if you know what is going on.
But, I haven't driven an auto Solstice/Sky, so I can't make any concrete statements regarding the two. Just call it preference/opinion.
Nice car.
A good friend of mine has an auto trans version and it really is surprising.
If anything, the auto works better with the turbo than the stick. Gets way better mileage than the epa sticker said.
But the complete lack of any usable stowage is a real problem for anything other than a trip across town.
I've heard a number of comments about the auto's being "better", but I wouldn't have one if it were a few thousand $ cheaper, to be honest. I can't say, after having this car as long as I have, how the auto is going to be better than my ability to drive it. Accordingly, there is a reason you find more high performance cars in manuals than autos (maybe why these cars came with manuals standard).
I average 30+ mpg per tank...and that is city & highway. In fact, I am on the highway about 25% of the time on a normal basis. I honestly don't see the autos getting much better, if not a bit worse, and that is echoed in what I have seen on some of the forums as well. If I had a straight, flat highway to waste a tank of gas on, I would be highly surprised if I wasn't putting out around 35 or better with relative ease. And I am in the foothills of NC, so I never see anything but inclines and declines fairly constantly.
The power the motor has for the light weight can be manipulated quite well when manually selecting your gears if you know what is going on.
But, I haven't driven an auto Solstice/Sky, so I can't make any concrete statements regarding the two. Just call it preference/opinion.
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ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2026
What a big pile of poop! I can't Believe you got a GM product. Won't you guys every learn?
Just kidding. I love those things! Nice color too! You are better off with the manual, I bet you have more fun driving it! I have driven and couple and their are very nimble.
Just kidding. I love those things! Nice color too! You are better off with the manual, I bet you have more fun driving it! I have driven and couple and their are very nimble.
Really nice looking car. Great color, nice looking interior. I owned a late model Mazda MX5....loved that car (divorce forced a sale). Great handling, terrific balance, and great power/weight ration. I suspect your Pontiac is very similar.
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
What a big pile of poop! I can't Believe you got a GM product. Won't you guys every learn?
Just kidding. I love those things! Nice color too! You are better off with the manual, I bet you have more fun driving it! I have driven and couple and their are very nimble.
Thanks, I appreciate it!
I'd like to get the GMPP upgrade and a few other nic nacs to give it just a bit more go. The care will fly pretty well as it is, so I'm just having to test myself on whether I want to add some touches or keep it completely original.
The dividing line may be whether the modifications can easily be returned to stock, which I may one day desire more.
By the way, I'm liking your list of vehicles. I'm sure that WS6 has a nice go-peddle. How's the Buick do?
What a big pile of poop! I can't Believe you got a GM product. Won't you guys every learn?
Just kidding. I love those things! Nice color too! You are better off with the manual, I bet you have more fun driving it! I have driven and couple and their are very nimble.
Thanks, I appreciate it!
I'd like to get the GMPP upgrade and a few other nic nacs to give it just a bit more go. The care will fly pretty well as it is, so I'm just having to test myself on whether I want to add some touches or keep it completely original.
The dividing line may be whether the modifications can easily be returned to stock, which I may one day desire more.
By the way, I'm liking your list of vehicles. I'm sure that WS6 has a nice go-peddle. How's the Buick do?
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Really nice looking car. Great color, nice looking interior. I owned a late model Mazda MX5....loved that car (divorce forced a sale). Great handling, terrific balance, and great power/weight ration. I suspect your Pontiac is very similar.
I hate to hear of the lost vehicle, but I appreciate the comments. Considering I probably rushed into picking one up a little more than I would have liked (for me, probably ultra-picky for everyone else!), I am really happy with it. I do enjoy driving in it each and every time. Maybe it is the newness still having not worn off, but it is always a good feeling when you can't wait to get in the car and take off.
I think the Miata/MX5 is going to be as close as you'll get when it comes to comparison of vehicles to the Solstice. There are a few others that are going to be fairly similar as well, but the small roadsters have a different feel to them, I think. It is hard to get the exact same experience out of anything else, as far as I have seen, and I haven't even gotten to drive the car for one warm summer day yet...
Did you ever do much to the MX5? Windbreak or anything particular?
I'm thinking about buying a bolt-on so that I can use the convertible top even when the weather isn't quite "warm enough".
Really nice looking car. Great color, nice looking interior. I owned a late model Mazda MX5....loved that car (divorce forced a sale). Great handling, terrific balance, and great power/weight ration. I suspect your Pontiac is very similar.
I hate to hear of the lost vehicle, but I appreciate the comments. Considering I probably rushed into picking one up a little more than I would have liked (for me, probably ultra-picky for everyone else!), I am really happy with it. I do enjoy driving in it each and every time. Maybe it is the newness still having not worn off, but it is always a good feeling when you can't wait to get in the car and take off.
I think the Miata/MX5 is going to be as close as you'll get when it comes to comparison of vehicles to the Solstice. There are a few others that are going to be fairly similar as well, but the small roadsters have a different feel to them, I think. It is hard to get the exact same experience out of anything else, as far as I have seen, and I haven't even gotten to drive the car for one warm summer day yet...
Did you ever do much to the MX5? Windbreak or anything particular?
I'm thinking about buying a bolt-on so that I can use the convertible top even when the weather isn't quite "warm enough".
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI8PhsDS6AE
I hadn't checked YouTube for anything like that.
Thanks for the post!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI8PhsDS6AE
I hadn't checked YouTube for anything like that.
Thanks for the post!
Originally Posted By: BeanCounter
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Really nice looking car. Great color, nice looking interior. I owned a late model Mazda MX5....loved that car (divorce forced a sale). Great handling, terrific balance, and great power/weight ration. I suspect your Pontiac is very similar.
I hate to hear of the lost vehicle, but I appreciate the comments. Considering I probably rushed into picking one up a little more than I would have liked (for me, probably ultra-picky for everyone else!), I am really happy with it. I do enjoy driving in it each and every time. Maybe it is the newness still having not worn off, but it is always a good feeling when you can't wait to get in the car and take off.
I think the Miata/MX5 is going to be as close as you'll get when it comes to comparison of vehicles to the Solstice. There are a few others that are going to be fairly similar as well, but the small roadsters have a different feel to them, I think. It is hard to get the exact same experience out of anything else, as far as I have seen, and I haven't even gotten to drive the car for one warm summer day yet...
Did you ever do much to the MX5? Windbreak or anything particular?
I'm thinking about buying a bolt-on so that I can use the convertible top even when the weather isn't quite "warm enough".
I never really needed a windbreak device for the MX5. It came with a little flip up deal that diverted most of the harsh winds. For cold weather it was fine as the heater controls made things very nice on all but the coldest days (below 30). The only area of concern I ever had was the real HOT days. Easy to get your noggin cooked! The front floor area used to get a tad warm from the engine sitting back so far. On hot days it could get REALLY hot at stop lights and such. But boy, I sure miss that car. Best vehicle I ever owned. Perfect balance for me and extremely fun to drive. I had a new Mustang GT convertible a short time after that (stupid buy actually...should have gotten another MX5). That Mustang felt like a heavy pig in comparison and had very poor handling when you come from an MX5! Yes, powerful V-8....but no balance or nimble feel to it like most roadsters have.
Enjoy your car....take good care of it and keep it a long time. I'm sure someday it will be kind of rare.
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Really nice looking car. Great color, nice looking interior. I owned a late model Mazda MX5....loved that car (divorce forced a sale). Great handling, terrific balance, and great power/weight ration. I suspect your Pontiac is very similar.
I hate to hear of the lost vehicle, but I appreciate the comments. Considering I probably rushed into picking one up a little more than I would have liked (for me, probably ultra-picky for everyone else!), I am really happy with it. I do enjoy driving in it each and every time. Maybe it is the newness still having not worn off, but it is always a good feeling when you can't wait to get in the car and take off.
I think the Miata/MX5 is going to be as close as you'll get when it comes to comparison of vehicles to the Solstice. There are a few others that are going to be fairly similar as well, but the small roadsters have a different feel to them, I think. It is hard to get the exact same experience out of anything else, as far as I have seen, and I haven't even gotten to drive the car for one warm summer day yet...
Did you ever do much to the MX5? Windbreak or anything particular?
I'm thinking about buying a bolt-on so that I can use the convertible top even when the weather isn't quite "warm enough".
I never really needed a windbreak device for the MX5. It came with a little flip up deal that diverted most of the harsh winds. For cold weather it was fine as the heater controls made things very nice on all but the coldest days (below 30). The only area of concern I ever had was the real HOT days. Easy to get your noggin cooked! The front floor area used to get a tad warm from the engine sitting back so far. On hot days it could get REALLY hot at stop lights and such. But boy, I sure miss that car. Best vehicle I ever owned. Perfect balance for me and extremely fun to drive. I had a new Mustang GT convertible a short time after that (stupid buy actually...should have gotten another MX5). That Mustang felt like a heavy pig in comparison and had very poor handling when you come from an MX5! Yes, powerful V-8....but no balance or nimble feel to it like most roadsters have.
Enjoy your car....take good care of it and keep it a long time. I'm sure someday it will be kind of rare.
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Originally Posted By: andrewg
I never really needed a windbreak device for the MX5. It came with a little flip up deal that diverted most of the harsh winds. For cold weather it was fine as the heater controls made things very nice on all but the coldest days (below 30). The only area of concern I ever had was the real HOT days. Easy to get your noggin cooked! The front floor area used to get a tad warm from the engine sitting back so far. On hot days it could get REALLY hot at stop lights and such. But boy, I sure miss that car. Best vehicle I ever owned. Perfect balance for me and extremely fun to drive. I had a new Mustang GT convertible a short time after that (stupid buy actually...should have gotten another MX5). That Mustang felt like a heavy pig in comparison and had very poor handling when you come from an MX5! Yes, powerful V-8....but no balance or nimble feel to it like most roadsters have.
Enjoy your car....take good care of it and keep it a long time. I'm sure someday it will be kind of rare.
Hey thanks, I really appreciate the reflection there.
I will have to keep this stuff in mind!
There are a number of manufacturers of windbreaks for these things and, although they do divert the vast majority of wind as far as I can tell, I think you could almost get away with leaving the windows up with a windbreak and the heat on and survive a nice mid-40s+ day with comfort. I'll have to look into it some more.
I have no intentions of getting rid of the car unless absolutely necessary, as I haven't had to do so with a car to date (I am fairly young, I'll admit). I can only hope to have it sitting around for my grandkids to ask questions about, the good Lord willing I'm still around by then!
If you ever get bored, pester me to post pictures or info so I don't slack too much.
I never really needed a windbreak device for the MX5. It came with a little flip up deal that diverted most of the harsh winds. For cold weather it was fine as the heater controls made things very nice on all but the coldest days (below 30). The only area of concern I ever had was the real HOT days. Easy to get your noggin cooked! The front floor area used to get a tad warm from the engine sitting back so far. On hot days it could get REALLY hot at stop lights and such. But boy, I sure miss that car. Best vehicle I ever owned. Perfect balance for me and extremely fun to drive. I had a new Mustang GT convertible a short time after that (stupid buy actually...should have gotten another MX5). That Mustang felt like a heavy pig in comparison and had very poor handling when you come from an MX5! Yes, powerful V-8....but no balance or nimble feel to it like most roadsters have.
Enjoy your car....take good care of it and keep it a long time. I'm sure someday it will be kind of rare.
Hey thanks, I really appreciate the reflection there.
I will have to keep this stuff in mind!
There are a number of manufacturers of windbreaks for these things and, although they do divert the vast majority of wind as far as I can tell, I think you could almost get away with leaving the windows up with a windbreak and the heat on and survive a nice mid-40s+ day with comfort. I'll have to look into it some more.
I have no intentions of getting rid of the car unless absolutely necessary, as I haven't had to do so with a car to date (I am fairly young, I'll admit). I can only hope to have it sitting around for my grandkids to ask questions about, the good Lord willing I'm still around by then!
If you ever get bored, pester me to post pictures or info so I don't slack too much.
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Very Sweet! Nice color too. My sister in law has one of the regular Solstice's and I really like the way it looks and drives. The GXP puts in the horsepower punch her car in missing.Very good HP, limited production,great looks, convertible, Pontiac- all the ingredients are there for a classic collector car.Enjoy!
stumpypete,
I liked it too what I was buying my 08' Impala SS from the delaership.
I just can't fit into it comfortably.
Durango
I liked it too what I was buying my 08' Impala SS from the delaership.
I just can't fit into it comfortably.
Durango
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