More Answers to Solstice Questions

Ms. Queen;

I am interested in the Solstice. I am however very disappointed with the marketing of this vehicle, the early order program, and the inherent greediness of several of your dealership arm who insist on trying to "market adjust" this vehicle. The idea of an open top roadster for this Southwestern individual is a great one. The execution of GMs bringing of this vehicle to market is poor. Delays in the engineering, in the fit and fitment of the body panels, or in the execution of the softtop should have occurred before you started such a hyped media and advertisement campaign. Whether you sold your first 1000 in 2 minutes or 2 years should have been less important that having a working gameplan for a quality vehicle marketed at the asking price that you have set. What I see here thus far, is no reason to purchase this overhyped vehicle when in fact there are other alternatives already in the marketplace. I am disappointed. If as expected now, plans for any volume of Solstices to appear will be in the mid-to-late fall, you can permanently rule me out as a potential customer. Given GMs current woes, you would think its management, labor unions, workers, and just as importantly, its dealership arm would understand all of the above and bring to market a reliable, affordable open top roadster. I am now a skeptic that you can. And, my local dealers here appear to be downright misinformed, if not ignorant, of the issues at work here.
Steve

The Solstice is my next car and after following it for what seems years the style looks better everyday. The interior is out of this world. I hope this car is the basis for a Pontiac revival and expansion around the world.

I can't help but inject this. Why is GM trying to kill Buick by putting it with a blue collar Pontiac/GMC dealers?

GM should reposition Buick as the car end of Hummer. The H3's high, thin window profile harks to the Buick 8 and once Buick finds its roots like Harley, it will become great once again.

Lori, thanks again for an update. However, since I don't seem to be getting any straight answers (see my post to your previous blog entry), I will most likely be purchasing another vehicle this weekend and cancelling my pre-order.

I Think that the Solstice is a great car but, i here that Mazda is coming out with another miata mx-5. so i was wonder how will it compare to it. Also i heard from some one that the solstice is going to have flip-up doors? is that true? Edward is right buick should try for a young aproach like back in 85' with the GNX Regals. they should do that again, Bring Back the Turbos and donimate the street and track like the still sought after 87' GNX Regal.

I disagree with those here who are impatiently throwing in the towel. I waited for several months after placing an order, for my Chrysler 300C. The anticipation is part of the joy!

When your car finally arrives, the thrill of ownership is all the sweeter. Those of you that placed early orders for this car will be the luckiest and most happy when you're driving yours, and everyone everywhere stares at your car with envy when you have something like this that is in short supply (the first year at least).

Remember, anything worth having is worth waiting for. But...as Samuel Beckett said in Waiting for Godot, "We're all born mad. Some remain so.

Lori:

I don't understand the point of your new post.

There were a wide variety of questions in the previous blog, about availability, dealership pricing, derivative models, interior colors etc. None of those were answered.

Anyone can go the GM Solstice web page and see the info about Solstice horsepower and torque, which is the primary subject of your post.

And 27 months for the Solstice product development cycle is nothing to write home about, when you're competing with the likes of Toyota and Honda.

Why do I get the feeling that NOTHING has changed at GM?

I was struck by the photo on your previous comment. Elle MacPherson is walking right by the Solstice and looking the other way. Kind of like a freight train passing up a tramp.

The other thing that strikes me is that your continued hyping and then delaying has people more frustrated than a three-legged dog in a fire hydrant factory.

The Solstice may face the same fate as the "new" Thunderbird...tired news before the first one hits the streets.

I'd love to see you hit one out of the park but, if you keep promising and not delivering, Lori, I'm afraid the word is going to get around the lockerroom...

Lori,
I certainly appreciate any news on the status of the Solstice, hence I follow the solsticeforum.com for any rumors and information possible. Do it right, forget the negative coments and focus on the long term objective. I would however encourage a bit more e-mail/other communication with the first 1000 and advance order customers as we have been following the developemnts closely and feel a bit abandoned in this wait period. Technical facts, anticipated accessories, polls or other interactive information sources, anticipated press to look for as cars are released for early preview, employee test drive comments, etc. I could go on, but you get the idea. This is an emotional purchase for many, not the required minivan or SUV. Receiving e-mail or any news from GM/Pontiac on a new car is exciting.

Ms. Queen, thanks for opening a direct line of communication with all of us who are waiting for our Solstices. I live in a rural area of Virginia, have a "sold order" placed with my dealer, and have received a 6-letter order number. Beyond that, however, my dealer is clueless. He believes he will get my car as part of his regular allocation sometime later this year... but he is far from certain. I think it would be very useful if your team could produce an occasional update for your dealers regarding the production and delivery schedule.. and particularly the status of their orders... so they can keep customers like me informed on a regular basis.

Thanks, Lori. I am glad to hear you will let us know when production has actually begun. Take care.

Ms. Queen,
I must say, you have my respect for posting a quick, follow-up response/acknowlegement to the people posting in this blog. I don't recall that by any of the other GM "celebrities" before now. (FYI Lutz: You're a player in my life, not vice-versa.)

I think GM put the carriage before the horse when it comes to the solstice.

Lori-

Simply put, the Solstice is proof that if GM designs attractive automobiles for both Pontiac and Buick, that there will be no need to put them out of their misery at some point in the future.

If they keep designing ugly cars for Buick and Pontiac, they sadly will have to kill them.

Look at the Chrysler 300--personally not my perverbial cup of tea, but it's design is keep Chrysler showrooms busy.

And Chrysler was in similar shape as Pontiac and Buick not too long ago.

Lori-ask them with the Grand Prix, the G6, and the Lucerne "Is THIS the best you can do"???

With the Solstice, the answer was a resounding "YES" !!!

With others---bleeeeck!!!!

Really, look at some of the angles on the Lucerne--the LeSabre or Park Avenue were more luxuriously styled !!

And who hung that spoiler on the Grand Prix--should have just molded the trunklid with a nice lip on it instead.

The G6 looks ill-proportioned.

I think that whoever designs a car at GM should be forced to get that as a Company car in base trim for 1 year and be forced to drive it to work, as opposed to their Bimmers, Audis, and others.

JIM
PENNSYLVANIA

This is one of the promising cars coming out of GM. Unfortunately, it'll surely make little or no profit and be sold in small volume thus having no significant impact. That said, it takes niche cars such as this to rebuild brand images. I have no idea what Pontiac's is but it'll be a net positive. GM needs to get back in the high volume game with some winners. Something to compete successfully with the Corolla, Altima, Civic, Accord, Ford 500, Camry, etc. There is nothing I see which is going to stand up to the plate and hit a homer. G6 launch was botched, the new Impala is a minor improvement over the existing car so it isn't going gangbusters. Oh, and the average age for an Impala buyer has to be 90. The only car my grandfather bought after the age of 55. The LaCrosse is promising but the branding is all wrong. Tiger Woods and Buick? Are you kidding? Who is the genius that thought up that one? Does anyone really believe Tiger drives a Buick. He may have one in his garage because it's part of your deal but the butler drives it. And the butler is 85 just like every other Buick owner. Tiger would have been a better spokesman for Hummer or Cadillac given the demographics of many owners or wanna bes. Again, as I said before. You need to be aggressive, bold and differentiate yourself from your competitors. That's not just in product but in image. Risk will save GM.

Hey, any chance that if the Solstice gets delayed again, you all could throw in a free turbo upgrade?

The Solstice should be a hit already, but a 220+ hp Solstice for $19k would definitely quash most of the minor complaints.

Are there any estimates you can give as far as when actual production for the car should* begin?

It seems the point of these blogs is to present GM positions on various topics or promote various new products. Save for an occasional production line worker or salesperson, I've yet to see any kind of "GM Feedback" within the responses themselves.

It sounds like the Solstice needs to go through the usual GM growth process to get the features it will need to truly compete against the Miata, redesigned Civic and other "pocket rocket" vehicles. Unfortunately all these improvements won't be available for those who buy the first ones off the line (true of any manufactured product!).

Perhaps GM can take a lesson from the Japanese whose companies establish a unique unit (Scion, etc.), by taking one of their existing brands and "realign" Maybe the Solstice is the first step in doing this with Pontiac?.

"The anticipation is part of the joy!" Only If you know when your car will arrive.

Ms. Queen:

The Solstice is a terrific looking niche market car, but where is GM's high volume small car that can really compete with the Corolla, Civic, and Mazda3?

It definitely can't be the Cobalt -- looks OK, but is very cramped and is hard to sell against the Japanese competition in California. Also as you know Nissan, Honda, and Toyota have redesigned models of their small cars on the way, and those could make the Cobalt a non-player without a hefty rebate.

Being that your small car division took 21 years to replace the Cavalier with the Cobalt, are there any plans for a quick Cobalt redesign to make it roomier and competitive?

Here's a question I've not seen answered but I know several people who are curious to know. Can you fit a set of golf clubs or 2 in the trunk? My retired father really likes the looks of the car and is ready to order one, but noone knows what kind of trunk space there is. And being that this is the perfect car for the weekend, it sure would be nice to take the Solstice to the course, without having to stick the clubs in the passenger seat.

I love how gm is emailing the first thousand orders and giving them free solstice gear. But what about us customers who had our orders put in at 2:00 but gm wouldn't accept our orders because our zip code began with 0. But we ordered a car anyway! What do we get NOTHING!!!! What do you think that you have only 1,000 orders! Maybe the rest of us should cancel our orders,it doesn't seem that you are going to pay any attention to us.GM you should smarten up.

This Buick/GMC/Pontiac thing is bothering me again.

I can imagine the average Joe-I don't know anything about cars- seeing this Solstice parked next to a Buick Century. "Where's the portholes? Does the back of the Solstice hide the bench seat? Does it have the same engine as the Century? Is there room for six? Does it have the same soft suspension? Then why is it in the same dealership?"

GMC/Pontiac "Professional grade, professional sport engineering"

Buick/Hummer "The ultimate escape on the road, and the ultimate escape from it."

That is a better pair. Two complete lines of cars and trucks one for the Blue collar professional, the other for the white collar elite. Buick bumps up to true luxury and a real Lexus fighter as its styling harks to the Buick 8 which the H3's high thin window treatment seems to mimick.

I only want the best for GM, Buick and Pontiac. Please Queen save Buick. Don't sell Picasso's in the Five and Dime.

Lori,

Thanks for the additional information, but I must ask you, am I reading the same responses as you?

Your response, while incredibly quick, indicates that you are repeating a pattern that has led GM where it is today - neglecting to hear what customers are really saying, and asking.

I would find it useful understand the real quality issues you face and what's necessary to resolve them; perhaps it would allow me appreciate the additional 3 months necessary.

Ms. Queen,
One thing I have to say in regards to solstice, and your cars in general.
You want the your generation to buy your cars, please offer navigation option.

You will loose one of my sales (HHR) to Mazda, becouse you do not offer the Navigation.

Lori,

Please make up for the delays by offering the LS2 V8 in the Solstice. That would make it a real roadster with real V8 power. I need a V8 in my car and I would love to own the Solstice but no V8, no love.
A beautiful car needs to have a powerful engine to make it even more desirable to own.

Beauty, performance, quality, and power. This should be the image of all GM products.

Lori- I appreciate your response to our concerns. I am one of the "1000" and have been following the SolsticeForum.com which sems to be the only source of info. I am also frustrated by the apparent production delays. I live in New York and hope that when it's time for delivery, GM will deliver to the North before the South so that we can hopefully get a little time to drive with the TOP DOWN before the snow comes. Keep us all informes. We really appreciate it.

Anyone get the feeling that with the Solstice, GM is showing up late to the party yet again? Showing up late with a brand new model that's been benchmarked against the previous generation of the competition?

Doh!

If the Solstice were in dealerships right now, it would be selling like hotcakes, as it would have 30+ hp, and a slightly lower sticker than the Miata, not to mention vastly better styling, and would be significantly cheaper than any other competitor.

By October, the new Mazda MX5 is going to be out, and it will be within about 7 hp of the Solstice, but apparently will weigh nearly 400lbs less, which will more than make up for the difference.
Not to mention, the Miata's been ranked highly by Consumer Reports for years.

I still think Solstice should be competitive, but it's no longer a slam dunk.

If GM makes sure all the kinks are worked out of the Solstice before the release, and keeps the dealers from gouging customers, then the Solstice could be a hit.

On the other hand, if there's the usual slew of recalls, and the dealers still mark the cars up above MSRP, then those of us who really think the Solstice is cool but aren't in any rush to purchase can probably look forward to picking one up with some sweet rebates in about 18 months.

Why not just blow all of our minds and make a Solstice V-Spec with the Corvette engine? Failing that, how about throwing in a turbo and the limited slip diff for a minimal extra cost?

It probably is far too late to design a a choice of several engines in that lovely little car! But in the next iteration you might think about it !

The Solstice is exactly the type of car that younger drivers are interested in, since it flaunts a "cool" look; and it's a convertible. I hope that it will be popular and sell well to your target market.

Even better, it's nice to see a woman bringing it to market.

For more GM related discussion, go to the URL above.

Bought a 2006 300C today, and will be cancelling my Solstice pre-order tomorrow.

I was looking forward to the Solstice, but the delays are frustrating, as well as the lack of answers from Pontiac.

I still can't wait to take one for a test drive, but you will no longer find one in my driveway.

Now I've got a 340 horse sedan with 390 torque to play with. Life is good.

I hope the Solstice turns Pontiac around with its awesome engineering and looks. I have never liked or considered owning a Pontiac until now. They've just always been ugly, inside and out. The Solstice (IMHO) is better looking than any other roadster out there!

Good luck with the Solstice, Lori!

Building and marketing low volume, low margin niche vehicles like the Solstice will not pay the bills.

GM's lineup kind of reminds me of a "potluck" dinner spread.

Well, I'm a 50-something, and drive an '03 Regal.
I prefer its styling to the Pontiac, etc. I don't need the flashy crap, just a quiet machine that jumps when I ask it to. (torque!) I'd love to have the GS instead of the LS, but didn't want to spend the $$ right now. For my money, its a d**n good car!

Lori, and anyone else reading:

These people in this blog asking for the LS2 engine in the Solstice, are you serious? If you know cars, as some of you seem to, you know that doing this would not only make the car heavier, but it would completely throw off the vehicle dynamics, in terms of weight proportions, balance, ratios, etc. This is not a pizza, in which you can throw any topping you want and it will work, or you can just pick them out if you don't lke them. The turbo or supercharged option is do-able, and so is a nice V6, but slapping the V8 on this car will definately take some re-engineering, re-designing and re-thinking. Can it be done, sure, can it be done by launch time, no way, at least not under GM standards. This car almost fits inside an SSR, and you want the SSR engine in it? Come on, get real.

Now, the one part I am a bit dissappointed in is the rag top. Why did you go with a rag top? A retractable hardto, as on most of your current GMs, including the upcoming G6 Convertible, would really hit the bullzeye on this car. Why go with a crappy rag top which will become high maintenance, problematic and deteriorate (based on Pontiac's convertible history). If you can make a G6 with a retractable convertible top, you sure could do it for the Solstice, it would be more competitive, more attractive, more valuable and it would sell better, for not much more cost or design wise, and people would love it.

I know you read many suggestions on how to do your job and how to build cars. So here's two more, design a retractable hardtop and place a V6 engine in this puppy, charge us a bit more for it, key word to you and your dealers "BIT more", not tens of thousands more, but charge some more for it as an option, V6 and retractable hard top, and not only will you have a seller, but possibly a best seller in it's class compared to the competition. You already have the space, the mechanism and the technology, probably the design too, all you have to do is make it work as a package deal and "SOLD!!" Good luck, here's a hint I gave Lutz in a previous post.

Listen and pay attention to your customers, they know what they want.

Thank you for your time,

Mo

Thansk for the second followup on the Solstice! There is certainly a good deal of excitement about this car!

I know there are plenty of people who want it now, and it is understandable. We are nearing summer, and this is a georgous convertable we want to drive! However, I applaud GM for taking the time to work out any issues they can find before releasing the car to the public.

Over the years, nothing seems to kill a new launch quicker than a series of early problems. The Ford Focus has never fully recovered from it's rash of early recalls, and GM is familiar with the Fiero, who's reputation never recovered from it's early quality problems. (Which is a shame, because the 88 Fiero was a really nice sporty car. I know, as I own one to this day!)

Get it right from the start! I cannot wait to get mine, but I'll stay patient while you iron out the kinks!

Well, I am halfway looking forward to the Solstice; it's a sharp, well-priced vehicle. My father is very interested, and if he likes what he sees in the showrooms when the Solstice hits, is quite tempted to get one as his 'fun' car!

That said, I have a dumb question, the answer to which I've been unable to find anywhere: what's the ground clearance? Let's face it, Michigan's roads aren't very friendly to sports cars as it is. I'd hate to acquire one of these sharp little coupes only to crinkle the front end on a curb or mess up the wheel well on a pothole!

When I "pre-ordered" my Solstice in May, the dealer said the cost would be MSRP plus an additional $2500. Is everyone else getting quoted the price I got in Las Vegas?

Sounds like Pontiac may loose a few impatient customers due to the extensive durability testing of the Solstice. However, far more will be gained over the years if Pontiac can build a better reputation for long-term durability. I sincerely hope that Pontiac irons out all the potential problems no matter how many months that requires.

Hi Lori,

You know that there are magic numbers that click at retail. You got the base price of $19,999 right! How about a horse power upgrade that makes sense. 200 horse power is a number to which we can all relate . Anything less than 200 sound anemic in today's market. I can tell my buddies 200 horse power and be proud. If I tell my buddies less than 200, it will be with an apologetic tone.

I also enthusiastically await the automatic transmission in spring 2006. Is it going to be a five speed automatic? One can only hope...

I live in the north central part of the country where a rag top is not practical five months out of the year. Are there any plans for a hard top version?

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my post. I believe the Solstice will be the car that everyone will point to in the near future as the turning point triggering the resurgence at Pontiac.

Terry

SORRY...but I can't handle the attitudes some of you display.

What a bunch of crybabies...I WANT MY SOLSTICE NOW!!! Wah Wah Wah. THEN you admit to cancelling your orders and buying something else "TO BE SEEN IN". What a bunch of crap.

You care not of GM or their desire to get it right before releasing it to the generally anti-GM press we all have to follow like lemmings, let alone what Consumer Reports will probably do to it regardless.

I will proudly admit to being a GM 'lemming'.

"Grow up" and quit demanding 'whateveritis' you just absolutely have to have NOW!

Go ahead and abandon GM...I for one wouldn't want to deal with your type as a service advisor down the road anyway!

Ms. Queen, Mr. Lutz, Mr. Cowger or anyone at GM that can make decisions and changes based on decisions. I repeat my self once again, hoping you will realize that this is not a new concept, nor a new method of doing business.

LISTEN TO YOUR CUSTOMERS, THE KNOW WHAT THEY WANT, and more importantly, THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR, being that GM only cares about the bottom line, the all mighty profit.

I was reviewing and browsing on your Solstice section of the Pontiac web page. Why in the blue sky are you people only offering a 3/36 warranty with this, as many other GM vehicles. Have you not paid attention, don't you learn anything from your own mistakes, your competitors and the market.

Such a beautiful "top quality" product being backed by a mediocre warranty. You can do better, but you choose not to. It would be so beneficial for GM, your customers and sales to provide a better, longer, more reliable warranty with your products. Explain, no, really, log in, and explain to us, why is it, aside of it being a Korean Daewoo, that GM can offer a 5/60 power train on the Aveo, also on the Cobalt, but not on this vehicle. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. Honda (S2000), Toyota (MR2 or what's left of them), Hyundai (all), Mazda (MIATA), Subaru and all your other direct competition for this particular vehicle offer a longer warranty for a proven product, as theirs have been in the market fofr a while. We know we're getting nothing more than a juiced up rear wheel drive Cavalier type vehicle under the hood, same engine, the ecotec, but why notimprove on the warranty, knowing that the vehicle is a dressed up Cavalier or Cobalt or 4Cylinder Alero under the hood.

Really, you should (whispering) listen to your customers..... Stop squeezing every cent to the point that you make Abe Lincoln's eyes pop out of his head, and increase your warranty, 5/60, that's all we need.

Salesman: Yeah, it's a very nice car, and you look good in it.

Buyer: Yep, too bad that warranty is so short, h**ll, I can get a Miata for the same money, same thrill, but it's backed up with a much better warranty.

Salesman: Well, you can always purchase a GMPP to cover you, for about $1000 or $1300 more.

Buyer: No way, I get that coverage standard with Mazda. Have a nice day.

You just lost a sale, because you're too hesitant to better your product, it's not just mechanics, but the back up isn't there, and everyone else, who've been in the market with their roadsters for a looooooooooong time back their toys up.

Have a good day.

5/60 Coverage

We don't expect it now but we would like some answers as to production! Can't believe they can't give us any information as far as production!!!!!!!! I'm still getting the car but would like some answere! If it's october thats ok . JUST TELL ME!

I think the only issue here is the advertising saying summer 2005 and then getting your convertable in sep-oct.

Would be like waiting for a new Polaris snowmobile you put money on, advertised winter 2005 and getting it in March or April and having Polaris say "hey its still winter".

This is a 20K investment in a "recreational" car built for the summer months. which in most of the country will be at least a 6 month wait to enjoy...in summer 2006.

If they would have said fall 2005 from the start (while attemping a summer surprise), or just admit that its delayed until fall, people attitudes would be a little different. Instead they give the "its still summer" spin and no tangible dates.

Underpromise, overdeliver. Not vise-versa.

I know Solstice fans won't like anyone saying this, but the Solstice is a needless distraction for GM while it continues to lose market share with its mediocre bread and butter cars like the Malibu and Cobalt, potentially affecting thousands of jobs. Hopefully someone at GM is paying attention to the fact that the next generation Camry is supposed to be out in February 06.

Forget the Solstice. Where IS GM's Camry beater? That is the billion $ question.

I just reviewed the Pontiac website regarding the Solstice as was sad to see that yellow is not an available color!! That’s a shame, I think this car in Corvette yellow would really stand out…

You need to blow your horn about progress you made against tough competition in the Indy 500 this week. Chevy clearly showed up Toyota in a very fast and tough contest.

Hey GM,

Here's my question,

Why do you have so little respect for the intelligent carbuyer who would like to buy something fun, but can't yet afford a Corvette?

Sure, the Solstice sounds like a solid car, but you need some follow up.

The formula for the great American car is real simple, a reasonable price, rear wheel drive and lots of horsepower.

The 300c and the Mustang have it, and they're selling like hotcakes.

But GM doesn't have anything that meets this description except for the GTO, which is more expensive and much duller looking than its Mustang competition, and there are only so many people who want a sleeper that looks like a rental car.

Sure, there's the CTS-V and the Corvette, and while they're well-priced for their performance category, a lot of us don't have fifty grand to blow on a car.

GM became famous because it offered lots of high-horsepower RWD cars. Now it sells lots of low HP FWD cars and sales are plummeting. Go figure.

Seriously, GM can't compete with the Japanese in terms of reliable front wheel drive cars (other than Buick, which is plenty reliable if you don't fall asleep behind the wheel due to its dullness), and it's having a hard time keeping up with the Koreans, so why not go back to what GM knows best, big horsepower rear wheel drive cars that go like stink and don't cost a fortune, you know, like the Chevelles, 442s, Buick GSs of the musclecar era. The Corvette gets 28mpg highway, so it's not like GM can't make fuel-efficient V8s.

I'll take a 2008 Chevelle 2 door wagon with a 6 speed and an LS-2 please.

Where's the technology? In this list of best engines voted on by a jury of 56 motoring journalists from 26 countries, there's only one GM winner--a Fiat design!

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=12370

Is there something going on in the GM engineering department? Or is it nothing but marketing and fancy sheet metal?

To the person who wanted the Solstice to have a hard top convertable, 2 words, weight and cost.

Shouldn't you add the latest comments on top of the blog page instead of at the bottom? This way we can see the newer ones first?

Congratulations to GM for bringing forward an answer to the Miata only 15 years after its debut.

I have a Solstice on order. Automotive News says you may have a removable hardtop in first-quarter 2007. May I order one, separately, then for my 2006?

And will GM/Pontiac call the soft-top the Summer Solstice, and the hard-top the Winter Solstice?

Lori,

Check out today's photo gallery in www.autobild.de (re:Mercedes SLT); There are speculative computer enhanced photos of teh the Opel GT and Opel GT Kombi Coupe. The latter looks supiciously similar to the Nomad concept. I hope like h**l you build it for the States; In addition to the Solstice already ordered, I might have two more new GM's in my driveway.

Take some risk and be the first to market instead of last.

GM faces a hard choice;

Continue to follow the short term focus "hollywood star" model it has hewed to these last years; rush a half-baked car out with tons of empty promotional slogans, with little support for dealer service, only to let it fade away in favor of a "newer" product following same cycle.

...OR...

Go for the old school "japanese" approach; get the car RIGHT the first time 'round, then release it _and_ back it with solid service and support.

Will buyers let GM follow the latter, or will they demand their cars so quickly that they force GM to follow the former? In other words, are cars disposable toys, or useful transportation we can have some fun with?

Ironically, Mercedes and VW recently went for the "star" approach, and look where they are now - at the bottom of most customer confidence ratings and now struggling to get market share back.

I agree with kurt's post:

"Go for the old school "japanese" approach; get the car RIGHT the first time 'round, then release it _and_ back it with solid service and support.

Will buyers let GM follow the latter, or will they demand their cars so quickly that they force GM to follow the former? In other words, are cars disposable toys, or useful transportation we can have some fun with?

Ironically, Mercedes and VW recently went for the "star" approach, and look where they are now - at the bottom of most customer confidence ratings and now struggling to get market share back."

I don't get it, why GM insist on not doing it the right way?

Make a solid product, market it, sell it and back it up with great customer service. Instead, market it before it is ready for prime time, recive orders and then delay it. Is it just me, or people in GM are really smoking something. ??

177hp out of 2.4L??? The contour SVT was 2.5L and it made 205hp. The Prelude of 10 years ago used a 190hp 2.4L. Quit making cars with sorry hp/litre outputs. ADD VARIABLE CAM LIFT, not just intake or exhause variable valve timing. The Toyota Corolla runs a 15.4 in the 1/4 on a 1.8L for crying out loud.

So what happened to the EOP package the first 1000 were to receive this past week as per our email?

You first 1000 people want everything!!!! I couldn't get one because it wouldn't accept zip codes starting with 0. But I ordered one anyway. Do I think i should get as much as you? Yes!! Do I think I should get my car same time as you? YES!!! So stop whining!!!!

Didn't you get your free hat or did you not choose to be on the waiting list?

No free hat or poster! I ordered a solstice with a 1,000 deposit and put on the wait list with another deposit.

Im a big Pontiac fan (currently own 3 Trans Am's) and can't help but fill you continue to put a positive spin on an anemic 177hp powerplant. Im mean....so what?

If your going to compete, and create "gottta have" cars your going to have to do better than that.

No one is rooting for you more than me! Come on Pontiac and GM catch up with everyone else! Put some power in these cars

You want comments, so here goes.

The introduction of the Solstice is exciting!

Or, is it?

One of the most "fun"-provoking cars I've owned is the Pontiac Fiero GT. It was little, fast, cute, V6-powered, plastic-bodied, and a hunk of junk.

It suffered from having to be recalled, servicing the beast was continual and ineffective, and I did get rid of it.

Now comes Solstice. Is it another Fiero? You tell me.

It is severely under-powered, and because I have very little (if any) confidence in U.S. car builders I haven't owned a U.S. car since I got rid of the Fiero. I've bought only Japanese and German-branded cars since the Fiero.

I hope these comments help.

Lori,

Are there any more up dated you can give us as to production? We haven't heard from you for quite awhile.

I cannot believe it. About a year ago I went to buy a GTO but decided against it because there were no side or head airbags or stabilitrak. A short while ago I went to order a Solstice but again passed on ordering a GM vehicle. At a minimum the Solstice should have side airbags. Look at other convertibles on the market, most have side airbags & some even have airbags that deploy up for head protection. Why is GM always last in safety. I can remember in the early days of airbags when everyone had front driver & passenger airbags GM was only offering a driver airbag. Safety should be first it every vehicle you offer.

it is way too heavy to be a fun roadster, it is power/weight ratio that makes the difference...not just horsepower, not just torque,
it needs to be light and nimble, like the opel speedster

I fear the Solstice will go the way of the retro T-Bird. Ford dealers really didn't care if they made less per car due to dealer markups. They made more on one T-Bird sale than on 10 Tauras'. The Solstice is a great value at $20,000 but I'm concerned that greedy dealer mark-ups will push the car to an uncompetitive level. This will in turn affect volumes and doom the car for failure after a few years. Isn't there any way to control additional dealer mark ups to the sticker?

Saw the GM/Bosch Team test driving about 16 Solstices in Durango, CO a few days ago and snapped some pics ... that car is smokin' hot!

I wanted to be put on the list for one of these cars cause well it looks sweet. has a decent 0-60 time and well the price looks nice. but is it ruffly the size of a miata?? i am 6'2 a car the size of a miata as far as seating isnt a option and try as i might i cant find anything on the practical size of the car. and its hard to tell strictly from the dimensions of the car

Just wondering, still no news on production. I have a deposit on one of the first 4 month allocations my dealer is getting. He has no clue and I see nothing that states when production will start.

OK Lori... your last post was on May 26th.. time for more news... Go out on a limb and tell us when you're going to start making them and why they aren't yet coming off the assembly line en masse

Ms. Queen,

You are missing the boat with the Solstice..at least one boat anyway. The concept is great, but needs more work. First it needs a 6-speed transmission. Second, add a supercharged V-6 at about 325 horsepower. Do that, and you have your Mustang fighter. No one buys a Mustang for its rear seat. A 325 horsepower Solstice will keep your plant busy. It will not affect the Corvette, and I own one.

as soon as the warranty is off mine, i'm gonna pull the motor and put in a turbocharged mazda rotary!....now........that puppy is gonna book!

Solstice and GM Brand Identity

First of all, I have to say I'm excited by the Solstice. It's exactly what a domestic automaker should be making, and perfect for Pontiac's brand identity.

As for the Sky... I'm not sure you've put that in it's proper place.

One of the things GM has traditionally tried to do is create a brand identity with each of its brands. Pontiac is the young, aggressive, upscale brother of Chevy. It already appeals to the 21-35 males, if marketed correctly, with the styling cues and badge naming of the Grand Prix/Grand Am cars, the Trans Am/Firebird and now the Solstice. Does Pontiac need Bonneville? Hardly. That's bordering on an upscale luxury car which would befit either Buick or (more appropriately) Saturn.

Where I think GM is missing the boat is an opportunity to develop true brand identity not just through advertising but also through capitalizing on the designs among those brands.

An example...

Chevy and Pontiac are frequently alike in many ways, when it comes to car development. Young, hip, sporty... Chevy is the entry point to Pontiac in many ways. First the Cavalier and now the Cobalt are small, sporty cars that evoke youth and speed. The Corvette is practically it's own brand name, though it happens to sport a Chevy badge, and history would not suggest that change any. Together, Chevy and Pontiac can cross-pollinate by sticking to only the sportiest and most youth-minded aggressive cars.

Likewise, Buick and Saturn should cross pollinate as the family divisions. Low-pressure dealerships and quality family cars can keep customers coming back to the same place for a new car every time. Starting with Saturn's reliable Ions and Vues, a family man or woman can shed the lower cost, but quality luxury in the Saturn products in favor of higher quality and higher cost Buick products. Every car in both Saturn's stable should suggest a more luxurious version badged with Buick's name.

The problem with the Saturn Sky is that it just doesn't fit in that brand identity model. Why buy a Saturn when the Pontiac Solstice is cool, sleek, and hits your demographic mark dead center? Would Pontiac buyers even consider a Saturn? Would Saturn buyers consider an impractical roadster?

Your market research may say yes, but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that if you'd badge the Sky as a Chevy, it would fit the Cobalt to (Chevy roadster) to Corvette bridge quite nicely. Your customers will go back to the same dealerships, deal with the sales person that they trusted enough with their first sporty car purchase, and walk away happier than if they had to switch dealers to consider the Sky over the (honestly, quite sexy) Solstice.

It's too late for Sky... it's badged, designed, and ready to be released already. It's a fine car, truly it is. And I hope that it sells well.

All I ask is that you consider these words should you find your marketing and sales taking a hit on the Sky but Solstice sales maxing out. And plan accordingly when you continue to market new and innovative designs.

This message is for Lori:

GM should give us a choice--they could offer 3 engines: 177HP 2.4L, 253HP 2.0L Turbo, or 400HP LS2 6.0L. Everyone would be happy because they would have a choice. Sensitive types, like Mo, can order the 177HP version & racing/performance enthusiasts, like myself and GoatFink, can order the 253HP/400HP versions--after all, in America, its about choice. By the way, for those who say an LS2 V8 is too heavy have no idea of what they are talking about. An LS2 is actually not that much heavier or larger than the stock Ecotec motor. And they are already builders (Chuck Mallet & others) who are going to offer V8 conversions--without major "re-engineering", "re-designing".

This is a Follow Up to my last post. It's intended for LS2 V8 Solstice/Sky skeptics and naysayers. Here is a weight comparison between the stock Ecotec motor and an LS2 V8.

LS2 weighs approx. 387 lbs
2.4L Ecotec weighs approx. 303 lbs
Difference: 84 lbs

Bottom line: Not a significant weight difference.

GM has banished me to 4-banger h**l. I love this car's (Solstice/Sky) looks but hate its motor. And I can't afford the high costs of a V8 conversion.

I know some of you will say wait for the turbo and it's going to give us great performance. That's all well and good, but how do you get a 4-banger to rumble? OK, I’ll admit it--I'm also after a nice exhaust note (a la C6 Vette). Even if you get the 4-banger to put out 300HP/400HP, it will still sound like crap. We’ve all heard the buzzy, “mosquito on amphetamines” sound.

For me, there's no way to love a 4-banger! No matter how many horses you get from it. Some of you will tell me to stop complaining and get a C6 Corvette, but under 20k (for Solstice) is a long way from 40k+ (Vette). I can't afford a C6. And it wouldn't cost an additional 20k+ if GM were to drop an LS2 in there--a good example is the Pontiac GTO.

Hey Lori.... the last time you wrote us was on May 26th... Isn't it time for more updates??? I"m thinking as the cars roll out you should be writing us at LEAST every other week.....

Guys,

Chuck Mallett is doing the LS2 conversion that many people have asked for. Chuck is doing an BIG hp aftermarket kit for our Mosler, too. Different price point, but same idea: big power, low weight.

Yes. Chuck Mallet is doing the LS2 conversion, but for the astronomical price of $18,000. Not many folks can aford that! GM could offer it as an option for much less and it would be affordable for the average Joe.

I was wondering if the Solstice will offer either a convertible hard-top or a power convertible. And if so, do you know when?
Thank you!

I owm a bmw 545i and am looking at porsche 911's, boxters, and would consider an M3 cabrio as a second car. If solstice had a V-8 I would happily buy American again. Bob lutz has said no v-8 in our time. Another lost sale for G.M. as I am forced to send my hard earned money over seas for an overpriced import that can at least perform. Please make cars that enthusiasts want. pontiac is the sporting division, Right?

The Solstice would win over more than Mustang owners if they do it right -- 177 is not going to make it long term. I drive an SC430 right now and would sell it in a second if the Soltice had around 300 HP (same as my car). Yes they are different machines and price points but I wish Americans would make good looking (this is) high quality (seems that quality has improved) great performance cars (177 HP and 0-60 in 7 seconds is not close). I think of Pontiac as a performance division. I am not about to drive a Subaru to get the 300 HP but would go for a Pontiac.

Keep the current Solstice with the small 4 cylnder but if Pontiac adds an option of a V6 (300HP and good torque - 0-60 around 5 seconds) with some a 5 or 6 speed manual and some great sound in the mufflers for $30,000 they will sell a ton of cars. If they added a hard top convertable for $35,000 Porsche, Mercedes (the SLK disapears) and my SC430 Lexus folks will be scrambling. Pontiac will be the one to beat. We all remember the Fiero, great looking car with no engine or performance... faded after a few year of explosive sales. Don't let this happen to Solstice now Pontiac. There are a ton of us former Amercian car buyers who would love to come back... give us a reason. Right now you have a great looking car that will be blown away by a Subaru yet alone a Honda, Nissan. It needs a real engine.

Ok, I'll buy a 2007! Make mine turbo, removable hard top, 6 speed, leather, sound.

Next question?

Awesome for you...No doubt you get the looks...If you don't mind me asking how does it drive/handle???
Please advise....
Kind Regards,
P.L.

I don't check back here often, so if you (the editor or anybody else who knows) could reply to my email, that would be great.

So, my questions are:

A) Will the Pontiac Solstice ever be available as a hardtop convertible?

and

B) Will the Pontiac Solstice ever have an option for an automatically opening and closing top?

Thanks, and keep up the great work. I know I will be picking up a 2007 GXP ASAP =)

Just found your home page its great, it looks like you folks do great service keep up the good work.

I am very lucky! I was able to buy a used 2006 Solstice. It is one of the 1st 1000 made. Mine is #735 off the assembly line. Apparantly a man bought it for his wife in October 2005. She later found she was going to have a baby and the car was too small for them. I picked it up fully loaded for $26.000. I love it! I have never owned a sports car before, and I have to say for all the negative comments I read about this little sweet heart of a roadster, I AM TRULY IMPRESSED! It may not be an Aston Martin, but it sure packs alot of sport and sexy look for my pocket book. If anyone has any interesting facts or information regarding the 1st 1000 cars, or if anyone is tracking who owns them or the such please contact me! I LOVE THE CAR! I recently drove from Northern CA to Southern CA in the car and it got an impressive 30 MPG highway! That was better than my Hybrid Civic. It's fun, fast and turns heads....THANK YOU PONTIAC!!!!! Who Knew????

I've been hearing a lot of pressure on engine upgrades suggesting 400hp v8's and such.

the gxp has like 272 through the ecotec, and is reported at a 5.1 0-60. i think anything above 300hp is gonna need an expensive TCS system (or a dragster parachute)

however, something like this, with a badass v8, would not only be bonefying, but could be priced at 40000 and pontiac could get that "american bmw" thing going by giving the germans an ulcer in the first round.

personally, i think that division is in desperate need for a trans am firebird. Pontiacs most valuable and lasting fans are fans of stuff no longer in production (look at all those fiero clubs). but in all honesty, i understand that the worlds largest auto company can't solely crank out a million muscle cars today so all i ask is when you get back to that segment, and even if theres only one more shot, make sure that nobody can touch it for twenty years and it bankrupts toyota (smug-seeking prius missiles as an add on please).

Just so everyone knows, the Solstice is perfectly capable of being fitted with the LS2 engine. Mallett Tuning offers such a package which boosts the car's 0-60 to 4.4 seconds. I think this would be a fantastic venture for GM to offer a V8 package from the factory.