Anyone have/have driven the Pontiac Solstice or the Saturn Sky

[Al Neri]

Okay, my lease is up in the summer (august) and I am looking into what I should get. I have considered buying an early (~02) maxima, TL, altima, I30... for about $12k

but I'm thinking of leasing a car also, of which I like the two seaters ... Solstice and the Sky, the cross fire may be a bit expensive...

anyone have experience with these? anyone know what are the lease payments around with the different options (i.e. first/second hand knowledge)? (i.e. put $2000 and tax down)

Just curious, Im yet to go to a dealership to check it out, so don't direct me to GM.com or a dealership please

Thanks
Don R.

 

[Al Neri]

nobody~!?

 

[FlamingDouchebag]

I think we've all enjoyed the styling, but nobody wants to spend the $$.

 

[Jadow]

I have not driven either of those cars, however I can say, financially speaking,

leasing = fleasing.

If the only way you can get the payment to fit your budget is by leasing, you can't afford the car.

 

[Thorny]

Originally posted by: Jadow
I have not driven either of those cars, however I can say, financially speaking,

leasing = fleasing.

If the only way you can get the payment to fit your budget is by leasing, you can't afford the car.

Leasing can actually work for some, especially if you always plan on being in a newer car and ALWAYS plan on having a payment. It's not necessarily about a lower payment, its about not being committed to the car and being stuck with the "fleasing" when you have to trade it in. Leasing isn't for me, but for some people it's a very valid option. This same argument can be had for renting vs. buying your home. Of course it's cheaper to own, but it's not for everyone.

Edit: Sorry op, ADD FTL. A buddy of mine had a Solstice. He really liked it, but I wasn't impressed. It looked good and even sounded good for the motor it had, but performance wise it was just so-so. It was a sweet looker though, and it did turn heads.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Jadow
I have not driven either of those cars, however I can say, financially speaking,

leasing = fleasing.

If the only way you can get the payment to fit your budget is by leasing, you can't afford the car.

Just like renting vs. buying a condo, there are no absolutes here. It is very possible that depreciation and other costs can outpace what one would lose over the course of a lease

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Thorny

Edit: Sorry op, ADD FTL. A buddy of mine had a Solstice. He really liked it, but I wasn't impressed. It looked good and even sounded good for the motor it had, but performance wise it was just so-so. It was a sweet looker though, and it did turn heads.

Which engine did it have? They offer two now and the difference in power is pretty large.

 

[Amused]

BTW, good lease bets are cars with very low depreciation. Cars with high depreciation are not good bets for leases.

Also, you have to be obsessive about the upkeep of your car to lease.

 

[Thorny]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Thorny

Edit: Sorry op, ADD FTL. A buddy of mine had a Solstice. He really liked it, but I wasn't impressed. It looked good and even sounded good for the motor it had, but performance wise it was just so-so. It was a sweet looker though, and it did turn heads.

Which engine did it have? They offer two now and the difference in power is pretty large.

I didn't know they had two options, I thought it only came with a 4 cyl. I'll have to call and check.

EDIT: I checked online, and if my choices are turbo and N/A I can confidently say it was N/A. His was underpowered, so go with the turbo if you have a chance to test drive one.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Thorny

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Thorny

Edit: Sorry op, ADD FTL. A buddy of mine had a Solstice. He really liked it, but I wasn't impressed. It looked good and even sounded good for the motor it had, but performance wise it was just so-so. It was a sweet looker though, and it did turn heads.

Which engine did it have? They offer two now and the difference in power is pretty large.

I didn't know they had two options, I thought it only came with a 4 cyl. I'll have to call and check.

Engine, 2.4L Ecotec® DOHC Variable Valve Timing , 4-cylinder, SFI, aluminum with Electronic Throttle Control (177 HP [132.0 kW] @ 6600 rpm, 166 lb-ft [224.1 N-m] @ 4800 rpm)

Engine, 2.0L Turbo Ecotec® DOHC Variable Valve Timing, 4-cylinder, aluminum (260 HP [193.9 kW] @ 5300 rpm, 260 lb-ft [351.0 N-m] @ 2500 - 5250 rpm)

Big difference there.

 

[Thorny]

Originally posted by: Amused

Engine, 2.4L Ecotec® DOHC Variable Valve Timing , 4-cylinder, SFI, aluminum with Electronic Throttle Control (177 HP [132.0 kW] @ 6600 rpm, 166 lb-ft [224.1 N-m] @ 4800 rpm)

Engine, 2.0L Turbo Ecotec® DOHC Variable Valve Timing, 4-cylinder, aluminum (260 HP [193.9 kW] @ 5300 rpm, 260 lb-ft [351.0 N-m] @ 2500 - 5250 rpm)

Big difference there.

I checked online, and if my choices are turbo and N/A I can confidently say it was N/A. His was underpowered. OP, go with the turbo if you have a chance to test drive one.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Thorny

Originally posted by: Amused

Engine, 2.4L Ecotec® DOHC Variable Valve Timing , 4-cylinder, SFI, aluminum with Electronic Throttle Control (177 HP [132.0 kW] @ 6600 rpm, 166 lb-ft [224.1 N-m] @ 4800 rpm)

Engine, 2.0L Turbo Ecotec® DOHC Variable Valve Timing, 4-cylinder, aluminum (260 HP [193.9 kW] @ 5300 rpm, 260 lb-ft [351.0 N-m] @ 2500 - 5250 rpm)

Big difference there.

I checked online, and if my choices are turbo and N/A I can confidently say it was N/A. His was underpowered. OP, go with the turbo if you have a chance to test drive one.

But don't forget that traditionally, roadsters have never been about raw power, but were all about being small, light and nimble. A roadster was never meant to be a muscle car.

 

[mrrman]

love to have the Sky

 

[shabby]

I got a solstice gxp, what do you need to know? No idea about the lease stuff as i paid cash for it.
The engine has plenty of power to spare, the handling is superb and the styling is classic.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: shabby
I got a solstice gxp, what do you need to know? No idea about the lease stuff as i paid cash for it.
The engine has plenty of power to spare, the handling is superb and the styling is classic.

Pics?

 

[SVT Cobra]

I like the look, but both need more power.

To quote Motor Trend..."A V8 would fit under that hood."

 

[blurredvision]

Somebody (NFS4 probably) posted a Motor Trend article a while back that described their thoughts on the Solstice during a "real world" month long test. They didn't care for it, but they also get the option to drive just about any car out there on a daily basis. Might be worth a read, though, if you can find it.

Me? I'd give my left nut for a Sky, or better yet, the souped up Solstice. Being married, though, would take away over half of the advantages of owning a car like that .

 

[ElFenix]

after reading this, there is no way i would get a solstice over a miata


read this too

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
after reading this, there is no way i would get a solstice over a miata

Yep, that's the article. The Solstice is a great looking vehicle, but it needs at least another generation before it's a complete-package Miata fighter.

 

[thedarkwolf]

As a miata owner I'll say 260hp makes up for a lot of problems.

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Pics?

front
engine
gm forgot to install this button
3" exhaust
dyno of the exhaust
video of the exhaust

Originally posted by: ElFenix
after reading this, there is no way i would get a solstice over a miata


read this too

Cant argue with some of the quirks of the car, but for 2007 gm got rid of most of them. The engine buzzyness and roughness are gone with the gxp engine, its smooth and quiet... too quiet.
I didnt buy the car for storage space, or ease of folding the top. You should really feel how the car handles the corners, its unbeliveable. I test drove the miata and just shook my head on how soft it felt around corners. Granted i never wanted the miata, but just needed to compare the two.
On my list of things to have, the solstice gxp had it. Power/handling/styling/price... everything else takes a back seat.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Originally posted by: shabby
On my list of things to have, the solstice gxp had it. Power/handling/styling/price... everything else takes a back seat.

Why di you choose the Solstice over the Saturn Sky?

 

[ponyo]

I think the front is gorgeous but the sides and back are butt ugly. The car just looks too compressed when viewed from the side.

I would still take S2000 and Miata over Solstice or Sky.

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B

Originally posted by: shabby
On my list of things to have, the solstice gxp had it. Power/handling/styling/price... everything else takes a back seat.

Why di you choose the Solstice over the Saturn Sky?

I liked the styling more, the solstice looks like a 50/60's roadster. If you ever watched Victory by Design on Speed you know what im talking aboot.
The sky looks like a modern roadster, i prefer the classic look.

Originally posted by: Naustica
I think the front is gorgeous but the sides and back are butt ugly. The car just looks too compressed when viewed from the side.

I would still take S2000 and Miata over Solstice or Sky.

I know what you mean by looking squished, thats the first thing i though when i saw in person. It looked a bit like a miniature or something.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
after reading this, there is no way i would get a solstice over a miata


read this too

The 2007 model addreses most of those issues. It was a first year run for a model. There are bound to be quirks.