December, and its penchant for snow and ice, may not be the most opportune time to test a two-seat soft-top convertible, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. When select vehicles come around for evaluation, an auto journalist just grabs what's available, especially if it's one of the more talked about cars in recent months, like the all-new rear-drive
2006 Pontiac Solstice.
The two-seat, cloth top, 2006 Solstice convertible started trickling into Pontiac dealers a couple of months ago. With an attractive starting price under $20,000, it's taking aim at the Mazda MX-5 Miata, a vehicle that set the standard for inexpensive rear-drive soft-top roadsters when it debuted in 1989. Interestingly, the third-generation MX-5 Miata also debuts in 2006. Keep in mind the $19,420 Solstice starting price does not include air conditioning power windows or remote keyless entry. Our bottom line, with a $575 destination charge figured in, ended up at $25,000 including aleather seat package ($590), cruise control package ($465) and anti-lock brakes ($400). Five-speed manual transmission comes standard. Automatic transmission becomes available as an option next spring.
The starting price for the 2006 rear-drive Mazda MX-5 Miata is $20,415, but keep in mind power windows, mirrors and anti-lock brakes come standard (air conditioning remains an option). The four-cylinder Honda S2000 two-seat roadster with a power retracting roof starts north of $34,000 but includes many standard features.
The sole Solstice powertrain is GM's larger 2.4-liter ecotec in-line four cylinder engine delivering 177 horsepower. It's a modified version of the same engine offered in other products including the new Chevrolet HHR and some Saturn vehicles. Premium fuel is recommended, but not required. Expect about 20 miles per gallon in city driving and 28 m.p.g. on the highway. Since Solstice is a relatively low-volume offering, one basic trim level is offered. By comparison, Miata's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 170 horsepower.
A lighter-weight package enhances driveability for the Solstice. Some early feedback Solstice has generated centers around a lack of power, but as far as I'm concerned, the spirited test model had more than enough get up and go. True, there's not 500 horses under the hood as with the 2006 Chevrolet Corvettes Z06, but Corvette is a whole other animal.
As with many two-seat roadsters, both riders sit close to the ground and it takes a bit of contouring on the part of the participants to get in and out. Pontiac assembles Solstice at the General Motors Wilmington, Delaware plant. It's built off GM's relatively new Kappa automotive platform.
Also, kudos to Pontiac for choosing a great, easy-to-remember name. It beats a hard-to-remember alpha-numeric combination many automakers have embraced lately. Pontiac could have called it the K177 (Kappa platform, 177 horsepower), but than again this naming behavior shouldn't be overtly encouraged.
In addition to an attractive starting price, Solstice features a just as attractive exterior. The rounded front end nose has a prominent low-end dual-port air dam, reminiscent of dual-sectioned front grille on other Pontiac vehicles; a great idea. Headlight housing stretches from the front hood area to the rounded nose. In fact, the overall look is smooth and flowing; very attractive with very few sharp edges. This vehicle garnered more attention when parked in the driveway than any other vehicle temporarily residing there this year, regardless of price.
The black, soft-top canvas top has a straight up-and-down glass rear window with convenient defroster. A mast radio antenna is found on the passenger side near the rear window. Side view mirrors are body colored and small. Strap-like handles are chrome plated. A circular fuel tank door is on the driver's side behind the door. Large 18-inch tires look oversized on this diminutive vehicles. All are pushed far to the edges with very little overhang.
Don't expect to fit a set of golf clubs (yes, golf is a year-round sport for some) in the trunk whether the manual soft top is up or down; no room. Some small items can be stowed in the trunk area with the top up, but the cargo area is relatively flat, best left for a couple of small duffel bags.
In order to gain access to the cargo area , two roof latches on each side of the rear base must be unsnapped (with the use of the key fob or a push button inside the glove box). The reverse-hinged (or clam-shell) lid then lifts up from this end. This is also the first step when folding down the manual roof.
To continue stowing the roof, a single center latch inside the vehicle near the rear-view mirror must be pulled down and twisted, unhooking two latches above the sun visors. Then, standing outside the vehicle, the top must be pulled back and folded inside the trunk area before slamming the lid shut. The anchor latches must then be manually snapped back into place on each side of the vehicle before heading to the next destination.
Inside, the dashboard area in front of the driver incorporates a half-shell design sweeping from the left corner to the center dash. The three-spoke, "T" shaped steering wheel had cruise control functions at 9-o'clock. The sporty instrument panel consists of two large, circular, deep-set speedometer and tachometer analog gauges with a tiny circular fuel gauge in the middle. All are chrome trimmed. At night, the instrument panel and parts of the dashboard illuminate with red backlighting, a staple for years of many Pontiacs. Three-easy-to-grab dials control ventilation functions andare located in the center dashboard. Below is the stereo system with large center volume dial and a rectangular display including frequency and digital clock.
Despite its slightly wider stance than the MX-5 Miata, the interior at times felt a bit tight. Reaching the power window controls found on the driver's door arm rest is not as easy as it may sound. In fact, I found it easier reaching my right arm under the left arm to power the window down rather than the usual left-hand-exclusive move. The power outside mirror controls are easier to reach because of the location further up the door. Each door has a small "L" shaped chrome door handle towards the front and easy to reach.
The interior is also void of convenient storage nooks . Case in point; I've driven Illinois roads for about 30 years, and have become very adapt at paying tolls (just second nature.) From time-to-time, I end up paying cash for tolls, but Solstice has no place for loose change or other small day-to-day items.
A dual, retracting cup holder tray is inconveniently located between the two seatbacks behind the driver. It's a stretch to get to a bottled water or the morning cup of Joe. Above this holder is the only interior storage compartment other than the glove box. A paneled door drops down once a lock knob is twisted open for storing sun glasses, maps, etc. It's not big enough for a conventional purse, but it's something. Also, it's not very accessible if the cup holder is in use and water bottles are blocking access.
Unlike most competitors, Solstice does not offer traction control, which would have come in handy during a recent smattering of snow. Traction control improves road-gripping characteristics especially in rear-wheel-drive cars. Here in the snowy mid-west Solstice is a good second or third car option. Not sure if I'd make this my sole, daily driver. Wind noise at highway speeds is a bit more than what's experienced with other competitors.
In early spring of 2006, the two-seat Sky debuts from GM's Saturn division. The 2007 model-year Sky will be based on the same rear-wheel-drive Kappa platform as the Solstice with the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine . The Saturn Division, which has struggled to make a steady profit since its early 1990s inception, is in need of a halo vehicle, something for Saturn dealers and buyers to get excited about.
Considering Solstice is an all-new attempt at a two-seat roadster, it's a great first step. While the MX-5 Miata has a 15-year head start and may be a bit more refined in some areas, including ease of convertible use and some interior nuances, Solstice is here to stay.