While the electric revolution has me excited for how much quieter and more refined everyday cars can become, the enthusiast side of me feels a pang of fear for the future of affordable performance cars. The truth is, the bulk of performance EVs put out fantastic numbers, but are currently expensive and fall a bit short in subjective categories like feel. Even sophisticated adaptive dampers can’t perfectly mask two tons of mass, and there’s something engaging about rowing through the gears in a manual transmission at perfectly legal speeds. The truth is, we’ve had some properly fun entry-level sports cars in the 21st century, and one of the more intriguing examples of the past 20 years is the Pontiac Solstice.
This little sports car seems to have been largely forgotten in the automotive consciousness, which is a shame because it was a bright light during a relatively dark time for General Motors. Think about it — the Solstice and the Pontiac G5 were sold out of the same showroom at the same time, and while the latter was an economy car that didn’t measure up to the competition, the former was something else entirely.
Not only was it a product of singular vision, but it showed what GM engineers could do on a relatively modest budget, stickered for around $20,000, and provided Americans with a homegrown option for affordable roadster fun. Welcome back to GM Hit or Miss, where we take a stroll through the corridors of GM’s pre-bankruptcy product planning to separate the valedictorians from the dropouts.
A New Hope
From the turn of the millennium until about 2008, sports car buyers were spoiled for choice. In addition to the archetypal Mazda MX-5, Honda had the S2000, Nissan had the 350Z, and Toyota had the MR2 Spyder … and that’s before we even move upmarket. Small roadsters were a big deal in the 2000s, and GM wasn’t about to miss out on this sub-Corvette market. Well, specifically, one man wasn’t about to miss out: then-chairman of GM North America, Bob Lutz.
Lutz had a dream of an affordable American sports car, a dream that didn’t quite go places when he was previously at Ford and Chrysler. The Ghia Barchetta ended up becoming the milquetoast front-wheel-drive Mercury Capri, and the Dodge Copperhead concept was a brilliant show car that just didn’t make the transition to production.
A plan was set for the Solstice to feature a hydroformed chassis built using Corvette expertise to compensate for the reduction in structural rigidity convertibles normally see over coupes; short-long-arm independent suspension at all four corners; a longitudinal layout with rear-wheel-drive; and a price tag less than half of what the Chevrolet Corvette commanded. Sounds like quite the product to pull out of thin air, especially on a relatively shoestring budget of $250 million.
Yesterday’s Jam
It goes without saying that building a new sports car from scratch is expensive. For a low-margin, low-volume vehicle, it often doesn’t make sense to start fresh, so GM absolutely raided its parts bin for all it was worth to create the Solstice. The 177-horsepower 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine in the base Solstice came from the Chevrolet Cobalt, while the five-speed manual transmission came from the Chevrolet Colorado, where it was already an upcycled Aisin R154 from the Mk3 Toyota Supra Turbo – same bellhousing-to-case pattern, modified internals and tailshaft, new shifter.
Oh, but it goes so much deeper than that. The rear CV axles are out of a Cadillac STS; the reverse lights are from a GMC Envoy; the combination fog lights and turn signals are from a Pontiac Grand Prix; the steering wheel and passenger airbag are from a Cobalt, as are the steering column and gauge cluster; the exterior door handles are from an Impala; the interior storage bin is a Cadillac XLR lift; and portions of the HVAC system including the A/C evaporator core, blower motor, heater core, and blend door actuator are shared with the Hummer H3. Even more: the front brake calipers are shared with the Chevrolet Malibu, the vapor canister purge valve is from a Buick Lacrosse, the vapor canister vent valve is from a Chevrolet HHR, and the rear view mirror is shared with an Oldsmobile Intrigue.
Tally it all up, and the Solstice used parts from almost every U.S.-based GM brand in operation during the 2000s, which didn’t just keep costs down, it helped GM develop the Kappa platform and put it into production in a mere three years. The first concept car dropped in 2002, while the first Solstices rolled into showrooms in 2005 for the 2006 model year.
Rubber, Meet Road
So, did Lutz and the gang pull it off? Well, despite a curb weight of 2,860 pounds — four more than a more powerful Porsche Boxster and 386 more than a Mazda MX-5 — the Solstice was still a hoot, as Car And Driver reported:
One needn’t be a sadist to flog the Solstice, but it never hurts to be a sadist. Getting up to highway speed is only a couple of redline shifts away. The 177 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque aren’t going to smoke the tires, but there’s a willingness to please that will keep you grinning. Drag racers might want to wait a year or so for the rumored turbocharged version, which should make more than 250 horsepower.
The Solstice might not have the power to kick out its tail at the exit of a corner, but entering a corner near the limit is easy because the steering offers crisp turn-in and the wide all-season 245/40R-18 Goodyear Eagle RS-As are predictable and easy to slide around. If you do carry too much speed into a corner, understeer will rear its shuddering head, but a slight lift off the accelerator will transfer enough weight off the rear tires to cause them to slip wide, which has the effect of tucking the car back into the corner. The wheelbase measures 95.1 inches, but start pushing the Solstice, and it feels like it Shrinky Dinks to about 80 inches.
In fact, the Solstice made such a positive first impression, from its gorgeous, curvaceous sheetmetal to the way it drove, that Car And Driver initially declared it a subjectively better roadster than the new-for-2006 third-generation Mazda MX-5. Now that’s quite the coup. Initial sales were brisk too, blowing expectations out of the water. General Motors only planned on selling 7,000 Solstices in the first year of production, but Pontiac got flooded with 7,000 orders in the first ten days of the Solstice going on sale.
Soon after, Saturn Sky, Opel GT, and Daewoo G2X platform-mates appeared, followed by turbocharged Solstice GXP and Sky Red Line variants using the 260-horsepower two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine also seen in the Chevrolet Cobalt SS. With this formidable new engine, zero-to-60 mph times fell to 5.6 seconds in Car And Driver testing, meaning this little roadster punched well above its weight class. The final cherry on top? A Solstice Coupe with a lift-off targa roof. Okay, sure, you couldn’t actually store the hard targa panel anywhere on the car, but it was a neat addition to the range. Alas, it came at just the wrong time.
Curtain Call
A few years into Solstice production, cracks started to form. Sure, convertible top operation on the Solstice was always a pain, and luggage space with the top down was virtually nonexistent, but the bigger issue was the financial crisis that laid ahead. When the Great Recession hit, lots of people simply didn’t have the money or leverage for a weekend roadster, and sales slumped. In 2006, Pontiac sold 19,710 of these little roadsters in America. In 2007, that number only dropped to 16,779 despite the first-year rush being fulfilled. However, 2008 saw sales dip hard to 10,739 units, and 2009 was almost dry, with 5,642 Solstices sold. Things rebounded for 2010, with 7,409 of these roadsters heading out the door, but those were all leftover models. The Delaware plant that made the Solstice shut its doors in 2009, followed by the Pontiac brand itself as GM found itself a casualty of the recession.
The Pontiac Solstice was undoubtedly a hit, it was largely doomed by factors beyond its control. Still, it’s a miracle that GM would let a car like this make it all the way to production, and unsurprising that the American public absolutely leapt on it. Affordable enthusiast cars have always excited — the Solstice, Mazda MX-5, and Subaru BRZ are proof — but it takes bravery and cleverness to build them. The Pontiac Solstice was American ingenuity at its very best, and deserves to be remembered.
(Photo credits: Pontiac, Saturn)
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Notta Miata
I remember driving one of these, and boy howdy, as a 250 fat boy, was kinda snugish, but it was a hoot to zip around in.
Pity the trunk space was worthless in it, the top while kinda goofy wasn’t a big deal.
Now of only these had say, the shortstar or the ls3 in it
This is a car that definitely needs a comeback. I really want a yellow solstice with a stick, I don’t car if it’s a turbo or not. Call it a Chevy, call it a Buick, hell call it a GMC! I would love to see what new cheap roadster would be like from GM. It would probably get the 1.5T but I’d be happy with the 1.3T if I’m honest.
I actually found a 1/24 scale model of a Saturn Sky red line edition. It sets in the display case next to my Solstice. Barbie and Ken cars. Solstice for Barb, and a Sky for Ken.
A local car builder used a Solstice as the base for his custom hand-built body. Here is a link to one video in the series. This was his first custom and has gone on to build a few more spectatular vehicles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PSaGnBnq9g
It’s one of my greatest regrets that I didn’t jump on one of these when they got down to $7k on the used market. They’ve more than doubled since then and I suspect they’ll only rise
I always liked this car, and the Sky sibling. When the great Jaguar F-type came out, it looked like it owed a bit to a 50/50 hybrid of the two GMs.
The wife and I wanted one of these for a weekend scoot buggy, but the joke of a trunk closed the book on that. WTF were that thinking. Either of my Triumphs had 1000% more trunkspace.
Dammit, you’re a day late with the Solstice article!
Dammit, you’re a day late with the Solstice article!
I didn’t realize how much parts-bin sourcing they did on these…I think it’s hilarious but very smart at the same time. The front end of these is not my favorite but these are still neat cars…I REALLY miss and love Pontiac!
I didn’t realize how much parts-bin sourcing they did on these…I think it’s hilarious but very smart at the same time. The front end of these is not my favorite but these are still neat cars…I REALLY miss and love Pontiac!
The overly long gestation time leading to (eventual) production prevented a fair chance of gaining enough market share strength. With higher sales history, there could have been enough brand momentum to carry it through at least one revision/update.
I live where you see a fair number of “M” plates and vehicles in camo. Saw a Solstice with M plate in the wild (Twining, MI) and commented “They DO exist!” which seemed to PO the GM engineer driving it.
The overly long gestation time leading to (eventual) production prevented a fair chance of gaining enough market share strength. With higher sales history, there could have been enough brand momentum to carry it through at least one revision/update.
I live where you see a fair number of “M” plates and vehicles in camo. Saw a Solstice with M plate in the wild (Twining, MI) and commented “They DO exist!” which seemed to PO the GM engineer driving it.
I’ve had a Solstice GXP as my daily for the last 3 years/40k miles. I think they’re quite a bargain considering you can probably buy a nice one for 12-13k that’s been coddled by a boomer since new. A tune alone makes a huge difference, as do tunnel and rear diff braces if you’re going to drive it hard. They can also swallow huge tires on all 4 corners, 305 squared IIRC. The interior is plastic fantastic with questionable ergonomics for the switches and cup holders, and HARD plastic where your elbows want to be. I think the shifter feels solid and direct, not Miata nice, but better than 90% of anything with a cable linkage. The trunk is a joke, especially with the top down, which is annoying if it’s more of a daily like I use mine.
I compare them more to things like a 350Z roadster, rather than a Miata. You feel the difference in heft and directness. It has grip and go, just never felt especially inspiring. I always felt like I would turn in, the car would set, and I’d have to make secondary adjustments. I have an Elise as my fun(ner) car, so maybe it just feels pedestrian compared to that. I still think it’s a looker, and again, for what they’re trading at, a great value in RWD roadsters.
I’ve had a Solstice GXP as my daily for the last 3 years/40k miles. I think they’re quite a bargain considering you can probably buy a nice one for 12-13k that’s been coddled by a boomer since new. A tune alone makes a huge difference, as do tunnel and rear diff braces if you’re going to drive it hard. They can also swallow huge tires on all 4 corners, 305 squared IIRC. The interior is plastic fantastic with questionable ergonomics for the switches and cup holders, and HARD plastic where your elbows want to be. I think the shifter feels solid and direct, not Miata nice, but better than 90% of anything with a cable linkage. The trunk is a joke, especially with the top down, which is annoying if it’s more of a daily like I use mine.
I compare them more to things like a 350Z roadster, rather than a Miata. You feel the difference in heft and directness. It has grip and go, just never felt especially inspiring. I always felt like I would turn in, the car would set, and I’d have to make secondary adjustments. I have an Elise as my fun(ner) car, so maybe it just feels pedestrian compared to that. I still think it’s a looker, and again, for what they’re trading at, a great value in RWD roadsters.
I didn’t agree with the Impala article, but the Solstice was undoubtedly a hit. I wanted one so badly when they came out, but it wasn’t exactly a smart commuter for a broke college kid. I still see them from time to time, in some ways I think they’ve survived better that other Pontiacs from that period.
I didn’t agree with the Impala article, but the Solstice was undoubtedly a hit. I wanted one so badly when they came out, but it wasn’t exactly a smart commuter for a broke college kid. I still see them from time to time, in some ways I think they’ve survived better that other Pontiacs from that period.
A few years back I was getting my Sierra 1500 serviced at the dealership. They had a Solstice coupe on the showroom floor. I got in and shut the door. I’m not predisposed to claustrophobia, but I experienced a full-on panic attack because I felt like I was in a coffin.
Holy cow, same. Was very surprised at the amount of leg and head room, but holy hell is that a narrow seat.
A few years back I was getting my Sierra 1500 serviced at the dealership. They had a Solstice coupe on the showroom floor. I got in and shut the door. I’m not predisposed to claustrophobia, but I experienced a full-on panic attack because I felt like I was in a coffin.
Holy cow, same. Was very surprised at the amount of leg and head room, but holy hell is that a narrow seat.
I have a yellow 2009 Solstice GXP with the 5 speed manual as a summer toy and it’s a real treat. It’s simple to maintain and most parts are readily available and inexpensive (not that I’ve had to do much to it). But most importantly, it’s simply a blast to drive and brings a smile to my face every time I climb into it.
The used ones remain relatively affordable and it’s probably the best smiles per mile bargain you can find.
I have a yellow 2009 Solstice GXP with the 5 speed manual as a summer toy and it’s a real treat. It’s simple to maintain and most parts are readily available and inexpensive (not that I’ve had to do much to it). But most importantly, it’s simply a blast to drive and brings a smile to my face every time I climb into it.
The used ones remain relatively affordable and it’s probably the best smiles per mile bargain you can find.
I always wanted one of these! However as a GenXer I want to get a ’88 Fiero GT someday as my fun car.
Anyone drive one with a stick? I’ve heard the gearbox is a bit agricultural cause its out of a truck.
It’s definitely no Miata shifter, but the unique linkage to the Kappa cars makes the gearbox feel perfectly acceptable for sports car duty. For what they are, they’re a blast. Hopefully Mercedes can chime in with more context, as she’s a Kappa car owner with way more seat time in one of those cars than me.
I drive a GXP with a stick. It’s not as smooth as my son’s RX-8 was, but it’s still fine. I knew it had a transmission lifted from the Colorado but wouldn’t have guessed it if I hadn’t known.
I have a Saturn Sky Red Line with a manual! I do agree that the transmission is a bit agricultural. It’s not obviously a truck transmission, but it’s also not as refined as say, a nice Honda. The gears are well-defined and you have some of that “bolt action” journalists love so much, but again, the overall package is a bit rougher than the competition.
IIRC, the automatic Kappas are faster, but only because magazines found automatic cars easier to hook up and they were able to rev the engine against the brakes for a harder launch.
My opinion: The manual is still the one to get and you won’t regret it.
Careful about meeting your idols. I drove a Fiero GT back when it was -new- and the damn thing wandered all over the road like it needed an alignment. I figured it was due to the mid engine, but then I drove an 86 MR2 that was fantastic to drive.
I always wanted one of these! However as a GenXer I want to get a ’88 Fiero GT someday as my fun car.
Anyone drive one with a stick? I’ve heard the gearbox is a bit agricultural cause its out of a truck.
It’s definitely no Miata shifter, but the unique linkage to the Kappa cars makes the gearbox feel perfectly acceptable for sports car duty. For what they are, they’re a blast. Hopefully Mercedes can chime in with more context, as she’s a Kappa car owner with way more seat time in one of those cars than me.
I drive a GXP with a stick. It’s not as smooth as my son’s RX-8 was, but it’s still fine. I knew it had a transmission lifted from the Colorado but wouldn’t have guessed it if I hadn’t known.
I have a Saturn Sky Red Line with a manual! I do agree that the transmission is a bit agricultural. It’s not obviously a truck transmission, but it’s also not as refined as say, a nice Honda. The gears are well-defined and you have some of that “bolt action” journalists love so much, but again, the overall package is a bit rougher than the competition.
IIRC, the automatic Kappas are faster, but only because magazines found automatic cars easier to hook up and they were able to rev the engine against the brakes for a harder launch.
My opinion: The manual is still the one to get and you won’t regret it.
Careful about meeting your idols. I drove a Fiero GT back when it was -new- and the damn thing wandered all over the road like it needed an alignment. I figured it was due to the mid engine, but then I drove an 86 MR2 that was fantastic to drive.
another good idea poorly executed, typical GM giving 90%
They have always sucked at trunk space in RWD cars. The coupe had no trunk at all. Really? WTF LOL
inb4 2JZ swap yo 😀
Who needs a 2JZ? Hot Rod magazine put an LS in one and even published a parts list so you could too!
The LNF in the turbo models can be tuned to 500+HP with some bolt on parts and E85. Anything north of there you start blowing up driveline parts. Embrace the turbo 4!
Small turbo 4s and E85 really do go together like peanut butter and jelly, don’t they
or you could buy one
https://mallettcars.com/conversions/v8-solstice/
Except the C5-C7 had amazing cargo space.
The fact is the development was cut short to save money and cargo space was the easy kill. If it succeeded, a second gen could have made better use. It was well on the way as it the chassis was the first saturn to have markups and the Pontiac also sold very briskly. The recession killed all the free money and the brands that used the platform (Pontiac, Saturn, Opel) were all for the chopping block.
Could they have made a go of a second gen? Who knows. Corvair and fiero both got fixes before they got killed. The solstice didn’t even get that far. But there were a few concepts that would have increased the useage of the platform. Id like to see that alternate universe where someone didn’t turn mortgage investing into a cash machine go brrrrr situation…