On the coolness scale, Pontiac cars have inspired about as much buzz recently as non-alcoholic beer, but the company's spiked the punch bowl with the introduction of the Solstice. The new roadster could single-handedly change Pontiac's dull rep. This cab is a stunner with her top up and one of the best looking sports cars on the road with her top down. A little bit Porsche Spyder a la James Dean mixed in with a Jag-esque front end, the Solstice swiveled heads everywhere we went.
Something has to give at the 20 grand price point, and if there is a downside to the Solstice, it's the interior. Straightforward and subtle at first glance, a closer inspection of materials and finish reveals too many cheap plastic knobs and faux chrome accents. For a car otherwise this good, Pontiac should have spent an extra couple hundred bucks and nailed it. The seats are supportive and comfortable for both cruising and hard driving and the interior space offers plenty of room even for those more than six feet tall. Forget about toting luggage, though; with the top down there is almost no storage space.
This is a heavier car in both weight and feel than its main competition the Mazda MX-5, and like its rival it seems a touch underpowered. The Solstice's 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder kicks out 177 hp and a respectable 166 lb.-ft. of torque, but you don't get that power until you're waist deep in RPMs. Also, Pontiac should have mimicked the ease with which you can lower Mazda's soft top; you actually have to get out of the car and pop the trunk to stow the top on this Pontiac, while Mazda's can be taken up or down without ever leaving the driver's seat. Considering how quickly this car went from drawing board to the road, Pontiac dropped an amazing ride at an even more amazing price. Rumors are flying about a turbo-charged version being released next year, which would definitely take the Solstice to the next level.
A million dollar package for $20K -- frugal has never been so sexy.
