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| Fiero kept, another Fiero acquired... (Page 10/13) |
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82-T/A [At Work]
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MAR 29, 07:38 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by blackrams:
Todd (and anyone else that might be interested),
We previously discussed the car I replaced my FIero(s) with, my Pontiac Solstice. This happened yesterday.
Was at a local grocery store, had ordered a birthday cake for a friend. Came out a bit disgusted because of what I was going to have to pay. My Lord, $54.00 for a birthday cake was running through my head as I opened the door and slid into the Solstice seat.
All of a sudden, I hear a voice coming from behind me.
The fine looking 50ish lady walked up to my passenger door (the top was down as always) and said, "Sir, I just had to tell you that I Love your car.". I said thank you as she disappeared behind me again. I have no idea who the fine lady was but, I had already forgotten about the price of the cake and drove out with a smile on my face.
Just had to share.
Rams |
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The Solstice has a lot of different emotions for me. For one, I definitely miss my Solstice a lot... but I had a LOT of fun with it, so I won't be incredibly sad if I never get another one. I had it for several years, since new, and really, thoroughly enjoyed it. I mean, I took it to the beach many times, I upgraded it, and I was fairly young when I had it... so best of all worlds. But on the other hand, it also makes me very angry because I really liked the brand, and it was one of the last cars that GM made under the Pontiac name before the whole *FORCED* bankruptcy. Which, we all recognize now had nothing to do with GM, but because the pension fund for the United Auto Worker's union was basically bankrupt, and the union was going to collapse. It was a political payback to the unions for their support. If anyone needs or wants me to go into detail, I really dug into this... so I can give the ENTIRE background, including how everyone on the Auto Task Force and the new board of directors of GM were all political donors, and had no car experience. Pontiac was successful, and was selling well... but it was counter to the image that the Obama administration had for the new General Motors... which was to be an entirely green company. They almost cancelled the Corvette too, but there was mass uproar in GM, and the UAW had the final decision on that... effectively saving the Corvette by insisting to the new board that this wasn't going to fly.
I will never buy another GM car ever again... not a new one at least. That doesn't preclude me from buying a Pontiac... but GM is basically dead to me, and the Solstice evokes this emotion in me. Call me dramatic... but since I was 16, other than girls and computers, there were two things I liked... the Ford Mustang, and literally everything Pontiac.
EDIT: I was going to say... I feel like the Solstice is now at that sweet spot where, if you are going to get one, now is the time to get one. They are relatively inexpensive, though many of them are selling used for the same price I paid new ($21,xxx). But there are many of them going for well under $10k, and with decently low miles. You may have convertible top issues... but the bodies and mechanics are still solid. I think in another 5 years, the supply of these vehicles are going to dwindle and many will be squirreled away, or will get the piss beaten out of them. So if you want one... this is probably the best time to get a SOLID one for a modest price.[This message has been edited by 82-T/A [At Work] (edited 03-29-2023).]
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blackrams
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MAR 29, 08:37 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
The Solstice has a lot of different emotions for me. For one, I definitely miss my Solstice a lot... but I had a LOT of fun with it, so I won't be incredibly sad if I never get another one. I had it for several years, since new, and really, thoroughly enjoyed it. I mean, I took it to the beach many times, I upgraded it, and I was fairly young when I had it... so best of all worlds. But on the other hand, it also makes me very angry because I really liked the brand, and it was one of the last cars that GM made under the Pontiac name before the whole *FORCED* bankruptcy. Which, we all recognize now had nothing to do with GM, but because the pension fund for the United Auto Worker's union was basically bankrupt, and the union was going to collapse. It was a political payback to the unions for their support. If anyone needs or wants me to go into detail, I really dug into this... so I can give the ENTIRE background, including how everyone on the Auto Task Force and the new board of directors of GM were all political donors, and had no car experience. Pontiac was successful, and was selling well... but it was counter to the image that the Obama administration had for the new General Motors... which was to be an entirely green company. They almost cancelled the Corvette too, but there was mass uproar in GM, and the UAW had the final decision on that... effectively saving the Corvette by insisting to the new board that this wasn't going to fly.
I will never buy another GM car ever again... not a new one at least. That doesn't preclude me from buying a Pontiac... but GM is basically dead to me, and the Solstice evokes this emotion in me. Call me dramatic... but since I was 16, other than girls and computers, there were two things I liked... the Ford Mustang, and literally everything Pontiac.
EDIT: I was going to say... I feel like the Solstice is now at that sweet spot where, if you are going to get one, now is the time to get one. They are relatively inexpensive, though many of them are selling used for the same price I paid new ($21,xxx). But there are many of them going for well under $10k, and with decently low miles. You may have convertible top issues... but the bodies and mechanics are still solid. I think in another 5 years, the supply of these vehicles are going to dwindle and many will be squirreled away, or will get the piss beaten out of them. So if you want one... this is probably the best time to get a SOLID one for a modest price.
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Well Todd,
The only feelings I left that parking lot with is, I was no longer frustrated with the price of that cake and how much I enjoy driving that convertible Solstice. I wonder how she felt about balding men driving such a car but didn't go there. 
Rams 
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cliffw
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MAR 29, 08:45 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by blackrams:
... (the top was down as always) ... |
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| quote | Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:
You may have convertible top issues...
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A tid bit of advice from my Dad. He has had many convertibles. Many of them classic cars. Some of them solid top retractables. His latest is a 1953 Ford something or other. Customline I think it is.
He is having the top's fabric replaced.
He mentioned to me to always keep the top up when not enjoying it while it is down. He cautioned me because the top can not shrink. Also because it won't dry rot from always being folded.
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cliffw
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MAR 29, 08:55 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by blackrams:
... I was no longer frustrated with the price of that cake ... |
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I haven't bought a cake in over 25 years. Cindi makes them. I didn't know they cost so much. I can't give her a raise because I don't pay her.
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82-T/A [At Work]
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MAR 29, 09:26 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by blackrams:
Well Todd,
The only feelings I left that parking lot with is, I was no longer frustrated with the price of that cake and how much I enjoy driving that convertible Solstice. I wonder how she felt about balding men driving such a car but didn't go there.
Rams |
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Hahah... yeah, I get it. I used to get that a lot too... that car got so much attention that it actually became too much! It's a very cool looking car.
I'll never forget when I was driving with the top down, and there was an older lady in the car behind me (who's age I probably now am), and she was in one of the older BMW Z3 convertibles. I happened to be looking in my rear-view, and we were both at a light, and she quickly took her top down while she was still in the car, and did all the things to stow it... because either she didn't want to be outdone, or she thought what I was doing was a good idea, or she wanted to show off to me. When the light turned, she floored it and got next to me and then slowed down once she was a couple of car lengths ahead of me. Hahah...
| quote | Originally posted by cliffw:
A tid bit of advice from my Dad. He has had many convertibles. Many of them classic cars. Some of them solid top retractables. His latest is a 1953 Ford something or other. Customline I think it is.
He is having the top's fabric replaced.
He mentioned to me to always keep the top up when not enjoying it while it is down. He cautioned me because the top can not shrink. Also because it won't dry rot from always being folded. |
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I mean, there's not much alternative. The issues with a convertible top are worth the benefits. I think what you're saying is... always keep the top up when you're not using it. I agree. There were a few times when I'd have the top down for a couple of days straight... like in the Winter in South Florida when it doesn't rain. I left the top down for three days straight, and it took almost a month for the creases in the fabric to come out.
If you're keeping it in a garage... my advice is to keep the roof up, but not latched. You SHOULD push down the sail panels though because those will crease... and you can always replace the little elastic straps that retract them. But don't latch the roof up... just have it "closed" but with a slight gap.
It prevents the roof from stretching (so it stays taught longer), but prevents creases from forming. This is assuming you keep it in a garage.
EDIT: honestly... if you have a garage for the car, and it's not something you HAVE to drive all the time, and only for fun... who cares if the roof is messed up. I envisioned one day I'd have a massive garage with lots of cars in it, and I thought about just taking the convertible roof off completely and stowing it away to reduce weight and wear on it. Then, I'd only take the car out when it wasn't raining. They have a tonneau cover that someone made which snaps in and can cover the passenger area quickly in case you're stuck in a storm.[This message has been edited by 82-T/A [At Work] (edited 03-29-2023).]
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82-T/A [At Work]
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APR 07, 07:38 PM
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maryjane
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APR 08, 08:54 AM
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I happened to be looking in my rear-view, and we were both at a light, and she quickly took her top down while she was still in the car, and did all the things to stow it... because either she didn't want to be outdone, or she thought what I was doing was a good idea, or she wanted to show off to me.
Were they big ol gooduns or good ol bigguns?
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82-T/A [At Work]
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APR 21, 10:33 PM
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Latest video... dropping the Fiero Fuel Tank and removing the fuel sending unit!!!
| quote | Originally posted by maryjane:
I happened to be looking in my rear-view, and we were both at a light, and she quickly took her top down while she was still in the car, and did all the things to stow it... because either she didn't want to be outdone, or she thought what I was doing was a good idea, or she wanted to show off to me.
Were they big ol gooduns or good ol bigguns? |
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Hahah... I totally missed this!!!
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maryjane
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APR 28, 08:04 AM
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Todd, I may tag along on this thread later today or tomorrow with something to make you 2 both jealous..
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82-T/A [At Work]
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APR 28, 08:20 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by maryjane:
Todd, I may tag along on this thread later today or tomorrow with something to make you 2 both jealous.. |
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Oh man!!! What did MJ just buy!!!
Looking forward to seeing it!!!
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