Ok, I don't want to get **** for this... I realize it's really irresponsible. I'm going to be picking up another car.

We're buying a 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP 5-Speed. The guy is a small car dealer and he's putting together the invoice, and I'll pay later today.


Yes... Blackrams... haha, I couldn't help myself.

These cars are at their lowest "rock bottom" prices that I think I've ever seen them before. It's really weird for me because I used to have a Solstice years ago. I ordered it after watching The Apprentice, and picked up my Solstice back in December of 2005...

This is the night we picked up the car from Schumacher Pontiac (which no longer exists for obvious reasons):




The car that we are buying is literally, $3,500 bucks.

Here's the good news:
- Paint is in decent shape, about an 8 out of 10.
- Body is about an 8 out of 10.
- Car runs and drives... has no issues being driven long distances.
- Tires are new, interior is in pretty decent shape, only minor wear on the seats.


Here's the bad news:
- Has 116k miles
- Passenger seat air bag sensor is bad.
- ABS booster module is failed, so the ABS and TRAC lights are on.
- Check engine is on, says engine has a lean condition.
- Looks like someone got the front bumper caught on a parking stop and pulled it out a little bit.
- Wheels are aftermarket, and kind of ugly.
- Headlights need to be polished


Thoughts?

Oh, the point... we figured at that price, it's so insanely cheap that I couldn't pass it up, and it runs and drives, with most of those things likely being easy to fix. He has a video where he's driving it around town and talking about the various aspects of the car, etc.

More importantly... my daughter is learning to drive stick... and drive by wire is much more forgiving than her Fiero. She's done a good job of driving the Fiero, but man... when she doesn't get it in gear or doesn't give it enough revs... I can feel the car telling me it's sad. So I figured a car like this would be perfect for her to learn to drive stick on.

Nice car if it does not become a money pit.

I bought a second two seat car but went with a C5 in prime condition and 30k miles. It needed so very little and has a lot of good left in it.

The prices on C5 cars bottomed out 2 years ago and are now starting to climb for clean examples. I looked at the Solstice as I love them but the V8 sound and more room in the car won me over. Also the torch Red.

I may look at a GXP someday but I don’t want a project car.

Might check into the GM tune for the GXP. I ran it on my HHR SS. It turned that little box of steel into a 13 second car and if you were stupid enough 164 mph top end. The Solstice gets more torque at 340 FT LBS.

I ran the tune 10 years 23 psi of boost trouble free.

I test drove a Solstice when they first came on the market.

1. I scared the crap out of the saleslady, she didn't appreciate 4 wheel drifts on the interstate cloverleafs.
2. Not enough interior room.
3. I decided to rebuild the suspension on my 86 SE instead. Even with worn out suspension, the Fiero handled
better.
4. Our Fiero club had a road rally with the Kappa club. They couldn't keep up, and when I tried to get into a Kappa
coupe, I physically couldn't even get into the car.

If I wasn't as tall as I am, I would probably have bought one, and had Archie drop in an LS3.

I did take a ride with Archie in his LS3 swapped Solstice, it was a handful!
He shared that the Fiero was a much more controllable platform for the LS3 swap.

Thanks guys... just to mention, I'm 6'3"... or was at the time. I'm about 6'2" now (in my later half of my 40s and getting older). When I was 28, I fit fine in the car. BUT... I had to shove the seat all the way to the absolute back of the car, to the point that the rear interior panel (behind the seat would begin to separate from the other panels (had to lean my seat back).

But... in that position, it was actually quite comfortable, and I could drive it with decent leg room. Nothing compares to the Fiero though for comfort and driving position (in my opinion).

I don't think I'm going to modify it. I think honestly, we might not keep it for too long. It really depends.


We already have a C4 Corvette too that my daughter will be working on. I already have a mountain of parts in the corner of the garage to do everything except the engine rebuild. We're going to do a Ronald Finger-style rebuild on that (which is where he rebuilt everything except the engine and transmission). Because those two things work on the C4.

For the Solstice though, we're just going to fix some quick things, and use it.

quote Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:

Nice, very nice.

I have been looking at all Pontiacs for sale just because Pontiac was ... sacrificed. I can't believe GM kept Buick, although they are nice. My favorite, of any mfg is the late 60's.

I have wanted a Solstice.

The Solstice, the Fiero, the Miata MR2, the Mazda Miata, or the Saturn Sky would not offend me.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Nice, very nice. I have been looking at all Pontiacs for sale just because Pontiac was ... sacrificed. I can't believe GM kept Buick, although they are nice. My favorite, of any mfg is the late 60's. I have wanted a Solstice. The Solstice, the Fiero, the Miata MR2, the Mazda Miata, or the Saturn Sky would not offend me.

Apparently, they kept Buick because the brand was successful (at the time) in China. It was apparently the ONLY reason... because they believed that brand would continue to be hugely successful. Buick has been abysmal in the United States over the last decade.

I don't think GM will ever let Pontiac come back, even though I think there is for certain enough demand...

Just saw this, congratulations on a fun car to drive. In today's world, your and my five speed manuals are pretty safe from theft. Most folks today don't know how to drive a manual. Personally speaking, I enjoy the heck out of my Solstice, it offers what none of my Fieros had, a convertible. Love my Solstice. Had I been able to either buy or build a convertible Fiero, would have never moved on but alas, that wasn't an option for me.

Reference the other comments (both Pro and Con). Every vehicle is not going to be compatible with the potential owner's wants and desires. Don't care who you are or, what the vehicle is. I'm six foot tall and about 220 lbs. I have all the room I need and love the wrap around seats that keep me in the seat while playing. What I don't like is the almost useless drink holders. It takes way too much effort to virtually reach the two cup holders at the back of the center console against the rear of the cabin. But, other than that, my Solstice gets compliments wherever I drive her and she's a blast to drive. Would like to upgrade the drivetrain but, I have too many other irons in the fire to seriously consider doing that. The "Spousal Unit" won't ride on any of my Valkyries but, will hop into the Solstice whenever the weather is reasonable for a top-down ride.

BTW, my Solstice didn't come with a backup camera, that addition made backing up a much safer and comfortable exercise. I highly recommend adding one to your Solstice as seeing behind you in that the Solstice rear view is pretty limited IMHO.

Edited to add picture of my Solstice.

BTW, I changed out the wheels that came with it for the Chrome OEM version. I really like the contrast.


Rams

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 03-16-2025).]

Thanks Blackrams! I know you'd approve! Haha...

We probably won't get it until mid April simply because I asked him to hold it for me. I'm going to be traveling the next 3 weeks... which brings up a good point... I'm actually going to be in Tennessee later this week.

You mentioned that you switched to the polished Solstice wheels...

Are you looking to sell the non-polished Solstice wheels? To be completely honest, I do not like the aftermarket wheels that are installed on the Solstice I just bought, and I'd love to go back to the stock ones. Let me know if you're looking to sell them! I'm bringing my Explorer... haha... there will be plenty of room in the back.


But yeah, I'm really looking forward to getting it and fixing all the little things. I don't know if I can wait and let my daughter do it... but it drives NOW... which is important. It doesn't really need anything. The only thing I want to fix is that "lean" condition... the other stuff is stuff we can take our time with.

quote Originally posted by blackrams: The "Spousal Unit" won't ride on any of my Valkyries but, will hop into the Solstice whenever the weather is reasonable for a top-down ride.

The Solstice top, or her top, .

Another two seater. With a removable top.



Circa American Graffiti.

Another two seater, circa James Dean. With a removable top.

quote Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: Thanks Blackrams! I know you'd approve! Haha... We probably won't get it until mid April simply because I asked him to hold it for me. I'm going to be traveling the next 3 weeks... which brings up a good point... I'm actually going to be in Tennessee later this week. You mentioned that you switched to the polished Solstice wheels... Are you looking to sell the non-polished Solstice wheels? To be completely honest, I do not like the aftermarket wheels that are installed on the Solstice I just bought, and I'd love to go back to the stock ones. Let me know if you're looking to sell them! I'm bringing my Explorer... haha... there will be plenty of room in the back. But yeah, I'm really looking forward to getting it and fixing all the little things. I don't know if I can wait and let my daughter do it... but it drives NOW... which is important. It doesn't really need anything. The only thing I want to fix is that "lean" condition... the other stuff is stuff we can take our time with.

Not knowing where in TN you'll be visiting but if anywhere near Memphis, I'd make the effort to meet you in person. I'm a bit limited on distance/time due to "Grandpa" duties but, if within a couple of hours I'd be honored to meet and greet you. Reference the wheels. I put the chrome versions (Stock) on my Solstice and already gave the aluminum stockers to another friend that lives in FL. If, I still had them, they'd be yours for free. I finally figured out when I was enjoying my Fieros that I had a garage and shop full of extra Fiero parts I most likely would never use so, I gave them all to OleJoe. He was willing to come get them and that helped us both out.

Let me know when and where and I'll buy breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Rams

I always wanted a Solstice, and I probably would have bought one brand-new if I had the garage space back then. Heck, maybe I should get one now but that is going to require expanding from a 2-car to a 3-car garage. I have four cars already for no good reason but two have to park outside.

I remember years ago posting on here that I wanted a Solstice, and someone suggested I should get a Mustang instead. They were really insistent! Sorry, no, I don't do the blue oval.

quote Originally posted by css9450: I always wanted a Solstice, and I probably would have bought one brand-new if I had the garage space back then. Heck, maybe I should get one now but that is going to require expanding from a 2-car to a 3-car garage. I have four cars already for no good reason but two have to park outside. I remember years ago posting on here that I wanted a Solstice, and someone suggested I should get a Mustang instead. They were really insistent! Sorry, no, I don't do the blue oval.

Well, as I stated previously, if I could have afforded a Fiero conversion convertible, I most likely would still have it but, that just wasn't going to work out back then but when the opportunity came to get the Solstice, I jumped on it. While it is a blast to drive and handles very well, it's not a mid-engined two-seater. I'd suggest almost as good of handling but not quite as good. Although, I've seen "adjustments" to the suspension and engine and drivetrain swaps that will blow most Corvettes off the track. The most popular swap within the Solstice community seems to be an LS 2 or 3 swap. Saw a couple at a Solstice event and they are scary fast with incredible acceleration and still handle pretty well.

I've owned and driven a few Fords but, it was due to necessity. Needed something to drive when the brand-new Chevy pickup I had just brought home was stolen. Owned it about 10 days. They found it eight years later with another VIN glued on top of the original and it had been parted out and then rebuilt with parts from other trucks. Such is life.

Rams

quote Originally posted by blackrams: They found it eight years later with another VIN glued on top of the original....

LOL That's a page right out of the old "cover up the check engine light with electrical tape" playbook!

quote Originally posted by css9450: [quote]Is it a 2.4 liter? I had that engine on my Cobalt and when it eventually gave me a lean code (at 200+K miles) I replaced the injectors and cured it. A super easy job on that engine.

The Pontiac Solstice is a convertible sports car that was produced by Pontiac from 2005 to 2010. Introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the Solstice roadster began production in Wilmington, Delaware,[2] starting in mid-2005 for the 2006 model year. It is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4 L I4 engine, producing 177 hp (132 kW) and 166 lb⋅ft (225 N⋅m) of torque.[3]

The exterior styling of the production Solstice is similar to that of the 2002 Solstice concept[4] that preceded it. Production of the Solstice was to be running before summer 2005, but delays at the Wilmington plant pushed volume production to the fourth quarter.[5] The new hardtop targa top 2009 model was announced in mid-2008.[6] The Solstice uses the GM Kappa platform, which also underpins the Saturn Sky, Opel GT, and Daewoo G2X. It was the brand's first two-seater since the Pontiac Fiero was discontinued in 1988.

The Solstice was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award and Design of the Year award from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) for 2006. It was a runaway hit for Pontiac, with 7,000 orders in the first 10 days of availability and 6,000 more orders before winter. Although first-year production was planned at 7,000, GM apologized to customers for delays and increased production, delivering 10,000 by March 1.


Interior of a 2006 Pontiac Solstice
Following the 2008 economic recession, GM discontinued the Pontiac division. Production ended with the closure of the Wilmington Assembly plant in July 2009.

GXP (2007–2009)

2007 Pontiac Solstice

2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP Convertible in "Mean" Yellow
The GXP version of the Solstice debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.[7] Although heavier than the base model,[8] it made much more power and torque with a new 2.0 liter (121.9 cu in) I4 Ecotec engine equipped with a dual-scroll turbocharger. The engine's output is 260 hp (194 kW) and 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m). This is the highest specific output of any engine by cubic inches in the history of General Motors at 2.1 hp (1.6 kW) per cubic inch, and it is the first gasoline direct injection engine from an American automaker. According to Car and Driver, the GXP targa accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.2 seconds, while the soft top GXP did so in 5.6 seconds.[9][/quote]

Mine has the 2.4/manual transmission. I've driven another's GXP and there's a world of difference in performance but, I'm happy with mine.

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Rams
Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. .
You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.