Pontiac Solstice Review. Walkaround, Up on the Lift and Test Drive!

The Solstice wasn't enough to save Pontiac or Saturn. Could it have saved Saab by being the Sonett 4? Possibly, but we will never know.

[@hemingsgarage]

I owned a 2008 Pontiac Solstice for two and a half years and drove 50K miles. I can tell you this car is so much fun and draws a lot of attention wherever I went.

[@Raidersforlife229]

True that I own the 07 gxp black on black with 55 thousand miles and also wit rpm motorsports stage 3 and tune .man she's quick. I smoke a lot v8 out there.

[@misterbuklau4053]

I see them and still think they're brand new

[@CJColvin]

Imagine one with a V8 swap in it.

[@danieljohnson5174]

The Kappa jack points & lift points are two separate things. The jack points are used to temporarily lift the car, for changing a flat tire, etc. Folks also buy BMW lift pucks, or make them out of hockey pucks and eyebolts to fit in the oval holes near the rocker panels mentioned in the video. The lift points are used when you have to lift the entire car. Most mechanics don't know the difference and it why you see so many Kappa with crushed front fenders.

[@bobdarrow302]

Yep looks like he crushed it already!!

[@TechLegend-com]

Great! I've been waiting for a new video from you, like a child waiting for Christmas!

[@marvinalancornell8275]

"DAMN YANKEE" where the HELL have you been??? Glad to see your back on youtube. Hell it's been awhile since I've see you ???WELCOME BACK my youtube friend, you've have been swamped with work huh??What about opening your own shop, has it fell through. Good luck with that!!????

[@aaronchamberssaabfan7397]

Good to finally see another video hope more content to come soon and I hope everything's well with you amesie

[@LakeHowellDigitalVideo]

0-60 in 7.2 seconds is far from "anemic." The Miata offers the exact same performance -- which is what this car was built to compete with.

[@motorcitymanman7711]

No....the Solstice is faster than the Miata by a half second or a second 0-60. The Turbo 2.0 is much faster!

[@jeraldhogan]

@@motorcitymanman7711 2.0 turbo you mean

[@LakeHowellDigitalVideo]

@@motorcitymanman7711 Agreed. I test drove both of them -- and bought a 2007 Solstice. It's not just the horsepower, but the Solstice had a bunch of low end torque because it was a larger motor. It feels a long stronger than the Miata at the time.

[@motorcitymanman7711]

@@jeraldhogan Yes....2.0 Turbo....I'll correct it.

[@motorcitymanman7711]

@@LakeHowellDigitalVideo Thats why I didn't like the Honda S2000 that much....it has no low end torque. I like a quick car off the line in which I call the useable hp range 0 to 85 or so......u spend a lot of time top end and youll be trying to get your car out of impound AFTER u get out of jail for reckless driving.

[@GodIHateYouKenny]

You also claim it it's a "front heavy car" but, in fact, it is a 50/50 - much like my old 944 and 944S, which, like this, were not at all powerful. But the balance and handling made them SO engaging and fun to drive!

[@glencolburn6686]

I had a 08 auto turbo new . Was a Great American Car. Got it for the wife. Yellow. Would buy another one.. we loved it. Miss it an wife. She's in heaven. This was her car. Plenty of power. Layed rubber easily. Thank god she didn't find out

[@halnwheels]

Nice that you two got to enjoy it together.

[@motorcitymanman7711]

Its 177 hp not 170 and its about 20hp more than a Miata......unless u get the Turbo.....if u want Fast thats the one u want the GXP.

[@robertquick6690]

Didn't have SCCA racing heritage? Where the hell did you hear that? Kicked the Miata's ASS in the T2 series! Pontiac even built an SCCA special edition series street car... They were also popular w/ the Drift crowd. I love my '07 GXP manual trans. Coupla mods, like mandrel bend charge pipes etc, and 310 HP on tap. Just did a 1 week road trip w/ my Boston Terrier.... Plentya room, w/ the passenger footwell included........ ;>}>

[@camaro3gen]

The Solstice was actually a really good autocross car.

[@mikeizzano172]

We all were looking for you, good to see you,hope you’ve got some more stuff for us ! You always do a great job.

[@dvStl]

I'm, bored soooooooo......Only twenty 2010-spec Solstices were made (only 8 being roadsters) and yellow was not a 2010 color. Therefore this is not a 2010. Maybe a late 2009 as the twenty 2010 specs were oddly made before the remaining 2009s where finished . The GXP was not just the base 2.4L with a turbo, it was a different motor (2.0L turbo) . 4th version of this car was the Daewoo G2X (Asian market only I think), Kapps would not necessarily fold up like a pretzel with more power, see the Mallet version or Tauro Sport Auto V8 Spider (both V8s). Or see all the tuned turbos out there chasing Porsches. Traction control button should be up by tach. The turbo-only Saab variant you were hoping for was exactly what the Opel GT was in Europe. Finally, if it is anemic, go review a GXP (or a Sky Redline), you'll be glad you did :-)

[@bytemevv-4616]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this with the last 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe... Pontiac went out of business in 2010

[@GodIHateYouKenny]

You said they "added a turbocharger till this motor..." It was actually a COMPLETELY different engine. The base is 2.4l and the turbo is 2.0l. I have a Saturn Sky base. Not lightning fast but SO MUCH FUN. Like riding on rails.

[@sheneedsme]

Todd Smith I just added a supercharger to my Sky 2.4 It’s like a whole new car. My other car was a Jag F type r series which has twin turbo charged V8 and very fast. The naturally aspirated Sky was so slow that when I got in and it was so underpowered it was dangerous. Pulling out in traffic and trying to pass after being used to the big V8 was scary. I had to upgrade or sell the car, which I love to drive with the top down.

[@GodIHateYouKenny]

@@sheneedsme yeah, I'm thinking about eventually getting a SC put on there. I used to drive a C5 Z06 which, like your Jag, is far quicker than the sky. And yeah, the sky really drags compared to most modern cars. But it is a fun car in regards to experience. Just needs some more kick. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the SC with install cost?

[@sheneedsme]

Todd Smith I got the most powerful available at the time and I think it was around $4k

[@jeffd4056]

Dude has no clue what he is talking about

[@jeffgrey2746]

Bingo!

[@halnwheels]

Anemic? Low performance? Well I guess when you expect a $20,000 car to have 500HP you might be disappointed, but take a reality pill for goodness sakes.

[@tombob671]

Glad you are back

[@Daveallnight1]

You should have read a little bit before you review a car, traction control can be turned off by a button just to the right of the steering wheel, the car has perfect 50-50 weight distribution, and it is not an anemic performer!

[@johncollins9989]

Hes just trying to sell a car he doesn't know wtf hes talking about... he memorized some "facts" and mailed the rest in... these cars are amazing in so many ways.. you cant get the total effect without seriously driving one..

[@craigpavia2169]

I love a ZERO research review: car literally dominated SCCA...they celebrated that fact by making an SCCA version! It also does have a TC Off

[@bbb462cid]

The reviewer knows next to nothing about the car and it's painful to watch

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

I ended up having to get a Sky Redline after I totaled my 9-3 Aero Convertible and spent more than 3 months looking for another one just like it. Unfortunately people just don't like to sell their Saabs and I couldn't wait any longer for transportation. The Sky would be a really great vehicle if you have never driven a Saab. The European model was the Opel GT and was probably the best looking out of the 3 but they all looked great. They say the Sky Redline is a baby Corvette, after all you can fit a LS motor in it.

[@AlejandroP1980s]

Jaqen H'Ghar what difference between this and saturn also lotus has automatic or only manual

[@aidanmondo211]

I have one of those cars and it’s amazing! It was one of our daily drivers for 10 years and have had it since 2006. It was the first solstice sold at our local gm dealer and is so awesome! Never have had any real problems beside changing the battery which was a pain. Overall an amazing car!

[@gorillatag1047]

Finally your back. Keep the videos coming please !

[@texresident7026]

I would love one of these Solstice Miata's for myself!

[@razoropsrs8316]

Nobody ever has truly in depth videos about the GXP model, which is the only one really worth considering as it has enough power to outweigh many of its cons. I just want a good mechanic's look inside and out of one that isnt too longwinded

[@rr1pro]

Maybe when i get it back out of storage I'll shoot a video for you this late Spring. If there's anything specific you want to see let me know & I'll try & shoot you a vid.

[@andrewesposito7573]

Nice to have you back Amesie!

[@alanwbelcher]

Paul, good to see you out of the cabbage! I see lots of folks feel same way; it's good to hear your voice and see you back. We miss you! How about a 3D printer update?

[@Buffalobulltofta]

Good to see you back Paul.

[@halnwheels]

Anyone notice how after driving the car he started coming around to the fact that it's a fun little car? It's well balanced and with the five speed is a very engaging car. It's built like a body on frame, it's not really unibody. I'm not sure that car had traction control. I think only the GXP offered it. If it had it, there would be a disengage button to the right of the dimmer knob. This car was represented at the track. It's just that it wasn't in production very long. Oh and come to think of it, they had 7000 pre-orders before the car was even in production. I think that's where the 7000 number came from.

[@minisareus]

Nice to see you amsie and news on the shop?

[@Disruptedgarage]

Needs a couple of X-braces. Beth was cracking up at the ad!

[@bbb462cid]

GM never had a problem lifting my Kappa platofrm cars, either my 2007 or 2008 Solstice GXP, when doing it per the required TSB. Looks to me like that car has been lifted improperly often and has the crushed rockers and fenders to show for it; hopefully you didn't contribute to that. If the lift arms contact the body as has been done in the past with that car, then _yes, of course_ the car will be unsteady on the lift. I suspect this was your problem re: lifting that car. Please be careful. BMW lifting pucks have been used to assist the factory lifting process by Kappa owners since they were new. The top was probably messed with; it's a used car and the tops are bizarre in construction; not every Kappa top fits every Kappa. The Kappa features a strong channel backbone, which is why the area between the seats is a bit strange. The lateral grip is good, but the Kappa is actually notorious for not having enough tire. The problem with performance and a Kappa is not bhp capability, it's contact patch. Solstices have had LS7 conversions quite nicely. Solstice production was 65,724 units, not about 7000 (does not include Sky and Sky Redline production), and ultimately a Solstice could roll out of the factory with 290 bhp and 340 lb-ft, with a full warranty. The Pontiac Solstice raced SCCA-SSB competition. Cars is an automatic; the NACA duct is functional on manual trans GXPs. I have never owned an NA Solstice so I can't comment on that. Both My GXPs (with and without the GMPP turbo upgrade) could overpower the T/C, wet or dry. The traction control nannies can be turned off via button on the dash.

[@MotorScotti]

Good to see another video, there haven't that many this year so far

[@mikejackson8916]

Yes there were 2010 Solstices produced. About 10 as I recall. Like always, the early cars in a model year came out late the year before. I don't know what colors were produced, how many Base, GXP, or Coupes.

[@erikhagelin6374]

Finally😃 Erik from sweden

[@scott4825]

The GXP has a lot of power (260hp) and could be 'dealer' tuned to add another 30 or so (didn't even void warranty), making additional mods easier as well. So you get 300+hp without much work on a 2900 lb car. Short of it being an AWD, I don't see the use for more power than that. If you want a powerful engine without compromising anything, it's there. I believe it did very well when they raced SCCA.

[@peterpann9619]

Nonsense you can never have too much power.

[@bbb462cid]

@@peterpann9619 All torque in excess of a tire's ability to grip is 100% wasted, Mr, Clarkson.

[@peterpann9619]

@@bbb462cid Absolute nonsense

[@bbb462cid]

@@peterpann9619 LOL I have to hear you backpedal out of that one. OK, Mr.Tauranac. School is in session and you are now the instructor. Today you will be teaching me how any spinning tire an any car has directional stability, with a focus on the ramifications of an excess of torque. You have the floor, and be sure to stay on topic.

[@peterpann9619]

@@bbb462cid have you never raced before, road course racing needs hp and handling but without hp everyone passes you, as far as drag racing hot sticky tires has always worked for me.

[@455Transam]

The 2.4 with the auto Blows!.....U need the 5 speed stick if u want a fun ride if you can't afford the Turbo GXP.

[@clintbrill2317]

My GXP has close to 300 horsepower.

[@bbb462cid]

GMPP tune 290bhp, add a better exhaust and have 310 easily.

[@jackknife6841]

Long time no see man ! Glad your back

[@motorcitymanman7711]

Car was built well..... I used to have cowl shake with my Mustang convertible.....I have no cowl shake with my 2007 Solstice!

[@jezmun]

Don't forget the Holden / Vauxhall Monaros or the VX220 also GM puppies

[@ryanchristensen1799]

The main frame of this car and some of the body parts (hood and trunk lid) were hydro formed which makes it incredibly stiff.

[@mikejackson8916]

He should have researched more. He got more wrong than right. I own 2 Solstices and love them both. The Base competes well with Miata in every important way (as originally intended by GM). The GXP is scorcher fast in all gears. Its HP to displacement ratio remains even today the largest of any GM engine ever mass produced. Saab? Why?

[@MrZootalores]

pity you didn't get the manual trans.having had a MGA,a MGB & 2 Triumphs in the past, i now drive a 95 Miata(mine) & a 2000 Miata(hers)N.E summer cars/ i'm to beat up to crawl under Brit cars anymore but would love to test drive a Solstice.they were good looking,tx for the review!

[@miguelastrom2470]

How is it going with the Saab 96? Greetings from Sweden by the way

[@Raidersforlife229]

Base solstice is a 2.4 and gxp is 2.0 which better than base

[@imlundby]

Imagine all the crazy stuff the boys over at Saab would have done to it. I would buy it if it ever came out for sure

[@tombob671]

GM ruined Saab plain and simple

[@OwninFools2020]

Interesting. may be buying one tomorrow or today so...

[@lawrencemathews5202]

Glad to see ya.

[@eastkingstonnh]

I knew you were close but didn't realize how close until I saw you pull out on 125 in Kingston.

[@AmesiesCorner]

Was I in a Yellow Silverado with my name on the plates/

[@eastkingstonnh]

@@AmesiesCorner Maybe I didn't phrase that right, I should have said, I live nearby and while watching your test drive, I realized that you're right up the road.

[@MrBlirre]

Other could have been SAAB savers, the Saab 9-X BioHybrid. Based on the gm delta platform, it was a e85/gas electric hybride conceptcar in 2008 with a 1,4 liter 200 hp ethanol turbo engine, 6 speed autoclutch trany and lithium-ion battery pack. But GM put their money on the us chevy volt and european opel ampera on the delta platform instead.

[@Alanschmalzried]

My folks have a gxp and it’s a pretty snappy little car.

[@SB-mw1bg]

I thought that they stopped production in 2009.

[@motorcitymanman7711]

Pontiac made 7,000? No.....they made about 80,000 over the 4 years of production.

[@motorcitymanman7711]

@@RwP223 Im talking the Solstice model only.......Pontiac made about 80,000.

[@motorcitymanman7711]

@@RwP223 No problem.....we're both right actually!

[@classicxl]

Sad the new shop thing didn’t happen ,but we get a video

[@roderichall201]

It was the 4th gen Supra.

[@tntmac2705]

I stopped watching after "Fiero and Miata had an ugly step child". It looks better than either of them.

[@frankmcgorman962]

For all of these cars I've seen, none of the owners looked like they'd be inclined to "thrash" them. As you said, older baby boomers looking to make up for the family years .... ;) ... That being said, I was at a car show recently and saw a Solstice that had an LS7 and a six-speed swapped into it. The description claimed 700hp (maybe optimistic?) ... that would be enough to have a bit of fun with ... Cheers!

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Long time no see, great video.

[@treesss56]

I was looking for a review of a Pontiac, not a Saab

[@jamespn]

Where’ve you been John, glad you’re back.

[@AmesiesCorner]

John? Who's John?

[@jamespn]

Amesie's Automotive Corner Sorry Paul, I really butchered your name. Keep up the good work. I’m still glad your back.

[@tedschmitt178]

The Kappas were designed as shrunken and simpler Corvettes.

[@williamisch]

Welcome Back :) are you guys Building a new Garage???

[@666cemetaryslut]

Fun Fact: This car has the same engine as the Polaris Slingshot.

[@motorcitymanman7711]

No.....the Slingshot has the same engine as the Solstice.

[@raggdoll1977]

Nice review MR NEGATIVE

[@sammyelliott5554]

Own a 2007 sky automatic. Good ecotec engine. Door hardware sucks, air bag sensors big problem and costly to fix. Requires premium fuel. Wife drives it daily to work. Turns a lot of heads...the car not her..LOL

[@mitchmontona]

Sporty modern Saab? What about the 92x?

[@motorcitymanman7711]

Fiero and Miata ugly stepchild??? Its better looking than BOTH of those cars!! I have a 51,000 miles 2007 2.4 5 speed and its not blazing fast with 177hp but its FUN to drive! Dumb ass people whine about no storage in a SMALL 2 seat sports car....get a clue!!

[@motorcitymanman7711]

@Will Lilek Has more hp and torque than a Miata too even with the base 2.4 N/A motor. Miata is a great car but too plain looking, not enough curves and edges. Also the large (for its size) 18" wheels make the Solstice look more aggressive.

[@swingdoctor18]

2010??? The plant closed in 2009.

[@CJColvin]

The Solstice needs a V8.

[@Mr.Ferraris4U]

You really want a GXP and a 5 speed. You couldn't find one of those? I see them frequently.

[@dougs364]

Massachusetts plates. New Hampshire inspection sticker?

[@AmesiesCorner]

Those are custom made Amesie plates. They aren't state issued. I put them on the cars I review for the videos.

[@dougs364]

@@AmesiesCorner I'm just busting your ball's. I live in NH, Big fan.. good to see you back. Keep up the great vids...

[@redneckbryon]

New shop in the back??

[@Kent.]

That Solstice have never saved Saab, thats not the type of car that saves a car company, you have to sell in big volume and that car had never GM sold alot of. The new 9-5 Sportcombi that looks modern even today maby could saved Saab. But it came to late :(

[@DetoxEb]

very unfortunate about the new shop, I see your current shop is empty! did you lose a couple techs?

[@AmesiesCorner]

Nope. full house, no one had arrived yet

[@warrenpuckett4203]

I wonder why no Atlas I6 and a 6 speed. Well 18 inches more hood and would need to take on 275 ft lbs of torque and 275 hp and be 200lbs lighter than the same size V8. and no puffer. + you would had to add bit more structure so the windshield would not pop. With turbo well how does 500 hp on pump gas sound? Oh wait that would have had the Corvettes patutty. Save Pontiac? Nope not a purse hauler.

[@robertkervin1187]

They never made a 2010 Solstice, the 2009 was the last year.

[@ziggassedup]

Been a while mate.

[@zr71offroad20]

I know who the market is for this car, Old Retired couples, they get in, drive to church, drive it to sunday brunch then drive it home.

[@Masterchief68]

It was a daewoo!

[@Teeveepicksures]

Grab 'em while you can, kiddos.

[@netrioter]

um...they made 65,000 of these and 175 hp is all the Ecotec made those years in any car they came in. 260 for the turbo .

[@AmesiesCorner]

I mean that model in that year.

[@markbaumgartner7261]

Daewoo.

[@davidbraun2989]

Stupid ads !!!! Nice car .

[@AmesiesCorner]

Gotta pay the editing software subscription and buy camera gear somehow..

[@69Phuket]

Long time Amesie....! Doin' just ok thanks (well, still alive). Samsara makes me depressed..But Hey! They can call it what they want...It'll just drive like a fiesta + an airbag threat in yer' face...I hate new cars!

[@alanlaero]

Not ugly🤨

[@mzee5533]

Welcome Amesie keep outa the cabbage

[@rr1pro]

It can't be a 2010 because they only made them for 4 yrs. 2006,2007,2008,2009 & the 2009 is the coupe that has the hardtop! I believe it's removable? This looks just like my '07 Solstice but mine is the GXP (turbo)

[@motorcitymanman7711]

No.....they made a few 2010s before they shut their doors in July 2010.

[@gomezesmorticia]

Daewoo

[@jime386]

Woderin' where u went

[@migueltrombettonipipinich1719]

Anemic!!!!! Are you crazy????? 177cv!!!

[@jeffgrey2746]

You think this car is ugly? Seriously...?

[@sids8065]

This was so painful to watch. When a mechanic thinks he is engineer !

[@AmesiesCorner]

Well I do have a degree in applied automotive engineering from MSU...

[@bytemevv-4616]

No way that's a 2010 because Pontiac went out of business that year... Ever since 2006 I kept researching the Base Model, 2007-2008 Turbo GXP & the 2009 GXP Coupe... I first purchased my 2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP at the young age of 33 back in 2008. I am part of Generation X and _not_ a baby boomer. This guy needs to research and not speculate before posting. I left a dislike!

[@AmesiesCorner]

I do these off the cuff. The cars are usually only in my care for a little bit. Not much time to research and come u with a monologue.. If you want hard facts go to wikipedia

[@motorcitymanman7711]

Relax.......Pontiac did make a few in 2010 before they closed......they didnt shut their doors until July 2010.

[@heathersanborn4914]

Turd ! I would be hesitant to accept that thing if it was given to me for free, where you been ? Good to know you're on the green side of the grass still

[@tedschmitt178]

SAAB really deserved to go away.

[@TheOzthewiz]

You gotta LOVE those ROBUST fender liners, gives you a good idea about the GM "quality" of this vehicle. I consider it an INSULT to compare this trash heap to a Supra or Miata!

[@johncollins9989]

You've never driven one so you don't know wtf you're talking about.. these cars are amazing... if you had driven one for any length of time then you would know.. buuuut you don't so STFU if you dont know 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@randyranson84]

Thanks for showing the under belly of the car. I was considering this car, but NO MORE, and here's why, the finishing of the car is cheap throughout, it's just a fantasy look, with hardly anything else to show for it, from the convertible top, to the shell, and then to finally top it off, the no power whatsoever motor. Not impressed, there are other cars these days that have more to offer in the same price range as these, steel junk with a fancy look and big tires, to fool the eye, to all of its shortcomings. I was looking for more from it, now I'll pass on it.

[@johncollins9989]

You're wrong, soooo wrong... these cars are amazing.. especially the gxp...

[@bbb462cid]

@@johncollins9989 I also can't understand the issue with the underside of the car....the GXP could have 290bhp and 340 ft-lbs with a full warranty, and standard was 260/260. My 2007 GXP off the showroom floor, put rubber down in gears 1 through 4. That's without the GMPP upgrade, which was not available at the time. This review is pretty flawed and anyone taking it for gospel is getting less than accurate info.

[@johncollins9989]

@@bbb462cid I completely agree.. you cant get serious information from some shade tree mechanic that owns a couple beater cars on an old lot that hes trying to sell.. if ppl want real information about the cars, they need to go on solstice forums or kappa platform forums and you'll quickly find everything you need to know.. this guy did a crap review of an awesome car.. he didn't even put in the time or any effort in gathering information.. just memorizing the HP and torque ratings for a manual and auto is not real research... js

[@bbb462cid]

@@johncollins9989 agree 10/10 He also lifted the car wrong. It's too bad.

[@johncollins9989]

@@bbb462cid you talking about not lifting up on the jack points?