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2006 Pontiac Solstice Road Test

The Little Pontiac Droptop That Could

If someone had told me that Pontiac would be coming out with a cool-looking, great-handling and smile-provoking convertible a few years back, I would have nodded my head in accordance, but internally disagreed. After all Pontiac is the brand that brought us the Aztec and Sunfire - not necessarily the coolest cars on the block.

But things have changed within GMs sportiest division these days, and theyve definitely changed for the better. Not only has Pontiac produced some great cars in the last couple of years, like the Pursuit and Torrent, but now theres one thats so cool a long waiting list has formed, and those in line can sell their spot

After the Aztec and Sunfire, Pontiac finally pens something that makes people salivate. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

for thousands over list. Who would have thought?!

Of course theres a reason for all the excitement, the Solstice is fantastic. Just look at it. If I wasnt caught oogling over my temporary drop top, someone else was. I cant even count how many people approached me or the Solstice in my test term. Its fresh styling is beyond eye catching, although while racier than anything else

The only thing that might top the curvy Solstice is the edgy Saturn Sky. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

in its class, other than maybe the new Saturn Sky that shares its overall architecture, it also looks so darn classy. I never would have guessed Id be using classy and Pontiac in the same sentence? Not me.


Just by gawking at it the Solstice looks like quite the peppy Pontiac, and it is. With its rear-wheel drive layout and front-mounted 16-valve, DOHC, 2.4L inline-four producing 177 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm, its got a fair bit of low-end grunt

Stumpy gear-lever has short throws. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

to get it up and going. Now wouldnt it be a picture perfect day to get up and go down a winding road nestled between the mountains or coursing around a lake, all the sun beaming, the throaty exhaust rumbling as you shift up and down through its standard 5-speed manual transmission, all of its 177 horses at your right foot, complete control at the palms of your hands, top down, the wind chasing you as you slither through corners with ease thanks to the Solstices agile, yet refined independent suspension, and the road-hugging 18-inch tires gripping the pavement as each ABS-enhanced four-wheel disc brake sets up the next

Parts might be from the GM bin, but the Solstice is pretty good looking on the inside. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

corner, and the next corner, and so on, and so on...? Sign me up! But if getting to your choice destination with an extra bit of oomph and zest is desired, the Solstice will up its performance this summer when a turbocharged engine will be introduced. Sign me up again for round two.

While the interior of the Solstice isnt as eye-catching as the exterior, it combines functionality with simplicity through its wide dashboard and uncluttered layout. The motorcycle-inspired gauges with silver accents add that extra flare to liven up the cabin. But what really livened up the Solstice was me! OK, maybe it was the other way around. After all, it spiced up my life thanks to

Non-existent is a good way of describing Solstice trunk space, at least when the roof is down. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

being such a hoot to drive. With the cold wind blowing through my hair, the tunes cranked up and my body all nice and cozy in the optional leather seats it was a fun roadster to prowl around town in... not to mention go to the tennis club in because a racket is about as much cargo that can fit in the trunk when the tops down and a passenger is in the seat next to me.
Ok, I dont belong to a tennis club, but that segues into my next thought. While the Solstice was everything I had hoped for and more, at 3.8 cubic feet it really doesnt give much cargo room. But what roadster really does? Well, Mazdas MX-5 (Miata), the Solstices chief competitor, offers almost fifty percent more at 5.2 cubic feet, although the Mazdas is much more usable space the long, convoluted

Dropping the top is a little more complex than the one on the MX-5. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

Pontiac storage area. Yes, this would be hard to live with.

But to preface the point I have already prefaced, I must say something about the cars folding top system including its hard tonneau cover, which I found quite inconvenient. Its a series of pushing the release button, twisting the lever, lifting the top, opening the trunk, pushing the top inside the trunk, closing the trunk, and then pushing down the side anchors. And then again, of course, to reverse the process. I think what got me most frustrated was that I physically had to get out of the car to put the top down. It wasnt such a bother when I was at home just about to go out, because I was already out of the car, but more of a hassle when I was feeling impulsive, the sun had just poking out of the clouds resulting in me wanting to drop the top right then and there at a stop light. I couldnt, as I just wouldnt

Once the latches have been sorted, the roofs easy to work. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

have enough time plus I dont like getting honked at for all the wrong reasons (isnt there some sort of a law about getting out at busy intersections to drop your convertible top? Ed) Other than its top being a nuisance, it really is quite easy to go topless. Its just a little more time consuming than its competition, the Mazda MX-5 especially, which features a top that drops in all 3 seconds.

Furthermore, the cabin is quite snug, which I like, but almost too snug in the sense that if my seatbelt was behind my seat, I would have to open the door to bring it forward. Same with the seat adjustment knobs. Since they are beside the door there are literally only centimeters to spare, requiring me to open the door to adjust the seat. These are small details that possibly arent that significant, but definitely could be improved. Also, just to throw one more quibble on the pile, there is no cupholder near the center console. Again, not a huge deal, but its an issue

At just twenty five grand and change, the Solstice is a bargain. Enough so to overlook its lack of a useable trunk. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

of convenience. Where would I store all the change I get back from visiting Starbucks, not to mention my grande? Or where can I prop my cell phone when theres a passenger in the car? Lifes trivial questions.

Backtracking to my main point, cargo room, well, there isnt much. And as I mentioned, when the top is down and theres a passenger onboard, a set of tennis racquets is about as much that will fit into the trunk. OK, maybe a few more sets of racquets, since it would be silly to take four or five racquets in a two-seat car, a (very) small gym bag or two - one on each side - but no more. Its a small price to pay to look good 24/7, dont you think?

Despite the few inconveniences I had with the Solstice, I still think its a fantastic car. It drives well, handles great and looks darn good. No wonder Pontiac has had a hard time keeping them in stock. And with a base price of $19,915, its hard not to see why. Someone looking for an entry-level roadster that packs a fair bit of punch, pizzazz and passion, will thoroughly enjoy the Solstice.

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