26th Sep 2008, 08:02
As long as GM sells models similarly priced to Lexus, a comparison is warranted.
You can pay as much for a mid-sized GM SUV as you can for a
Lexus RX350 - but the Lexus fit, finish & interior are vastly superior.
As for a comparable model Lexus to the Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky? Nope - Lexus doesn't build weekend toys - they build fine automobiles. Toyota used to build one (the MR2), but that didn't sell either.
16th Jan 2009, 04:44
I'm amazed at what I read on these posts. Most of these posts come from people who don't own a sports car, never have and probably never will. And a lot of these people are commenting on quality of cars and lack of it in American counterparts, yet probably have never driven a modern American car.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but come on gang, the MX-5, yes is cute, but it's the girl next door to the supermodel styling of the solstice and especially the Sky.
Second of all, performance wise, most of you don't even know how to drive a car with any sort of performance. The GXP and Redline version of the Solstice and Sky SMOKE any MX-5 competition around!
And last of all, who complained about air conditioning in a convertible? Was that the same person who complained about the complex top, which I can do in about 15 seconds? Is 15 seconds such a nightmare?
The funniest quote I ever saw was the one on cheap plastic interiors. Who teaches you that this is true? What you see in the media and on car reviews? Civics, Toyotas and yes, even my friends Mercedes all have plastics as their interiors. Sure you've got a comfy leather seat, but since when did a lazy boy cost an extra 25 grand?
Marketing has hitched all of you - they make you believe the more expensive product is vastly superior when in fact, if you go read JD Power and Associates. American cars are more reliable than VW, BMW, and Mercedes, and Buick is now on par with Lexus Quality.
16th Jan 2009, 13:56
The Solstice may have great styling (if you like that kind of look) but it is still a cheaply made "sports car" with a bad interior and a ridiculous top.
27th May 2009, 09:22
The fact that up to now there is only one Solstice review on this site - and it was written by someone who did not own one, tells me that the Solstice might just be the Fiero of the new millennium.
23rd Jun 2009, 03:07
Number one: I don't own one because I return it to the dealer (didn't wanted to waste money). Number two: I wanted AC on a convertible cos I live in Miami (the temperature it's on the 90's during summer). Number three: I think that the time gave me the right: GM it's going out of business. Why? They thought they were a high quality car builder and... THEY WEREN'T. PERIOD.
23rd Jun 2009, 16:10
To response to this comment -
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but come on gang, the MX-5, yes is cute, but it's the girl next door to the supermodel styling of the solstice and especially the Sky"
Well I for one would be happier with the cute girl next door, rather than the gorgeous but high maintenance supermodel :)
7th Sep 2010, 19:34
Yeah, what's wrong with the Fiero? They had some terrific Ferrari-replica kits that looked hot on them. Maybe if you could put a Ferrari kit on the Solstice, it too would be a hit.
20th Dec 2011, 19:26
After reading all these comments, I am amazed at how many of you don't own, and never have owned a Solstice.
21st Dec 2011, 17:14
The Fiero was an excellent car. The Solstice is as well. Both it and the Saturn Sky will probably end up as classics. I can also see great potential for dropping in a hot V-6 and having incredible performance.
I tried out a Solstice in 2007 before buying a Mustang. I loved it, but felt it was overpriced and impractical (just like the Miata). Two-seaters are basically toys for people who can afford several cars. I even regard my Mustang as impractical for a daily driver (too fuel hungry and rough-riding). I drive a Fusion 4 to work.
9th Apr 2012, 00:38
Who keeps comparing the Solstice/Sky to the Miata? The former has the latter beat in one critical area: LEGROOM.
I'm a lean six feet tall, and I have never been able to comfortably sit inside of a Miata, even with the seat railed all the way back. Hell, even the S2000 feels cramped to me.
I never had any issue with the Solstice in this regard.
Built by Americans for Americans, for better or for worse.
The Japanese used to understand this; I can fit into my old Datsun with tons of room to spare, but so many new cars coming from Japan are really lacking in this regard IMO, especially the Miata.
7th Aug 2012, 08:36
Yes, these "Great Classics" were so wonderful, not only did they go away in a hurry, but so did Pontiac & Saturn.
Me thinks part of the reason is that they sunk so much money developing mediocre cars like these.
Modern day Fieros - not far from the truth IMO.
21st Aug 2015, 21:13
I own a 2008 Solstice with air and power driver's seat. The seating is very comfortable and it drives like a dream. If you don't own one of these dreams, don't bad mouth them because you don't know what you're talking about.
It's a shame they were discontinued as they are a zippy, fun, dependable roadster that can carry lots of stuff in the trunk if needed for beer or grocery shopping, or overnight small bags.
Love it.
27th Aug 2020, 23:10
The biggest problem with the Solstice is the EcoTech motor, which burns oil, usually a quart every 1000 miles. In fact, there was a class action lawsuit filed against GM regarding this problem. Evidently, GM didn't use high tension piston rings, so not enough oil gets to the cam chain, and oil is burned as it gets past the rings. Not all vehicles have this problem, but like the IMS bearing problem in Porsche's, it is a consideration when buying these little cars. Of course, if you bought a Solstice new, and sold it before it had 90,000 miles, you're not going to worry about this. And yes, I owned a Solstice, but learned about all these problems AFTER my impulse buy, which is why you should ALWAYS have a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic, and perform your due diligence (like checking the owner chat rooms). Cheers, Zeke
25th Sep 2008, 10:48
Again, we have people comparing apples to oranges regarding Lexus vs GM and similar.
The one thing one poster got right was the depreciation.
Found a brand new, 2007 150 mile Solstice GXP original retail was 30k is now selling for 21k.
They aren't moving and dealers are begging people to buy them.
Unfortunately you can't get financed at a decent rate for one because of how they are classified "sports car"
They're decent sporty cars, the GXP and Saturn Redline really open things up on the power scale.
Similarly equipped Mazda MX5s are still the better buy.