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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ OT: New Pontiac Solstice???
Posted by: Mueller Apr 15 2005, 10:49 PM
damn, I like it.....177hp and for about 19K????
Posted by: 914GT Apr 15 2005, 10:57 PM
Best looking car from Pontiac in years.
Posted by: MattR Apr 15 2005, 11:05 PM
Yep, Ive been drooling over it since I saw the first pictures of it. Its one of the only new cars I actually like. I cant wait to test drive one!
Posted by: grantsfo Apr 15 2005, 11:14 PM
Two words: Used Boxster
Saturn Sky uses the same platform as well, but its not as good looking as the Pontiac. Think I'd rather deal with a Saturn Dealership if I was going to buy this car new. Its awfully heavy for 177 hp, but supecharger from the Ion redline should bolt right onto that engine.
Posted by: Mueller Apr 15 2005, 11:29 PM
| QUOTE (grantsfo @ Apr 15 2005, 10:14 PM) |
| Two words: Used Boxster Saturn Sky uses the same platform as well, but its not as good looking as the Pontiac. Think I'd rather deal with a Saturn Dealership if I was going to buy this car new. Its awfully heavy for 177 hp, but supecharger from the Ion redline should bolt right onto that engine. |
I have not seen one in person, but from the pictures, it looks better than a Boxster...I'm sure a Boxster would still be more fun to drive and has more potential for hopping it up.....
Posted by: boxstr Apr 16 2005, 12:04 AM
The coupe isn't bad looking either.
CCLINCAMPPONTIAC
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Posted by: VegasRacer Apr 16 2005, 12:24 AM
It is a nice looking car, but only 177 hp is not nearly enough. 
Posted by: jonwatts Apr 16 2005, 12:38 AM
Has anyone else noticed that Pontiac has been getting more stylish (if you can forget the Aztek for a moment) than Chevy the past couple years? I started to notice with the last generation Camaro & Firebird.
What can I say, I work with Nascar dads.
Posted by: skline Apr 16 2005, 12:43 AM
They featured that car last night on The Apprentice. Very hot looking car. All of the losing team said they were going to go buy one. I will let them go for a few year till they get all the bugs out and then maybe look into buying one.
Posted by: jonwatts Apr 16 2005, 12:49 AM
| QUOTE (skline @ Apr 15 2005, 10:43 PM) |
| I will let them go for a few year till they get all the bugs out and then maybe look into buying one. |
Hey, the Fiero was just giving props to the 914 by burning to the ground
It definitely beats the Crossfire in the looks dept.
Posted by: ArtechnikA Apr 16 2005, 04:56 AM
BMW clone, from the split grille to the stupid headlights.
making BMW knockoffs was the big thing in the early 90's - i see the fad is back.
but that's just MHO - i don't mind if you like it...
Posted by: Pnambic Apr 16 2005, 07:24 AM
Pontiac's used a split grill a loooong time. Heck, the old GTO's had them. BMW might have started using them first, but at this point, its become a Pontiac hallmark. Pretty much every Pontiac made over the last 15 - 20 years, maybe even more, has had the split grill. 
1970 GTO
1967 GTO
1970 Catalina
1995 GrandAm
| QUOTE |
| Its awfully heavy for 177 hp, but ... |
According to Pelican, the 914 weighed in at 2670 lbs with between 76 to 110hp depending on the engine. I didn't see a spec sheet for the Pontiac, but the Saturn says it'll weigh 2860lbs with 170hp and I imagine they'll be pretty darn close. Sounds like a healthy step up to me even without the supercharger. (Not that I wouldn't want a supercharger too...
)The 97 Boxster weighed in at 2820 with 201hp. I wouldn't be surprised if the supercharger puts the Solstice/Sky above that.
And the car should be distributing its weight almost 50/50 front rear and 50/50 side to side. So even iat 177hp, with rear wheel drive, it oughta be a lotta fun.
Honestly, I like the Saturn, but I'd take either one. Maybe its b/c most of the pics of the Saturn are of a silver one with red interior....
Posted by: rhodyguy Apr 16 2005, 07:48 AM
i'm sure pontiac will be happy to take your deposit . the mad rush will drive the cost up the first year. we have this cool "adjusted market value" factor in washington. because of the "high" desireability of any given car this number can range from 2 to 5k. even if a new car has been sitting at the dealership for 4 months 
. where will the solstice be produced? in mexico like ALL of the pt cruisers? i still think back on the dopes that "had" to have one of the first miatas and pts. they paid dearly to be the first kid on the block to have one.
k
Posted by: ! Apr 16 2005, 08:23 AM
Yeah....saw some pics when negotiating a truck for a buddy of mine. Looks sporty but that one piece front end looks pricey to replace when ya tag a another car....
Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Apr 16 2005, 08:24 AM
I'll stick with my paid-for cars thank you.
It's still an american car and will prolly be a POS in 10 years.
JMO of course.
Posted by: vortrex Apr 16 2005, 08:52 AM
yeah I'm sure it won't live up to the lengendary quality of the 914.
Posted by: neo914-6 Apr 16 2005, 11:11 AM
Nuther D-C concept: Dodge Razor
250 hp 2.4 I4
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Posted by: ! Apr 16 2005, 11:16 AM
http://www.fast-autos.net/pontiac/pontiacsolstice.html
Here's the specs.
Posted by: Mueller Apr 16 2005, 11:26 AM
allright, they have a lightweight version:
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Posted by: pete-stevers Apr 16 2005, 11:29 AM
MIke i think that car looks damn hot BUT what the heck are going to do with your fourteen.....MayI make a reccomendation , consider it unsoliciated advice....keep the fourteen and buy the other roadster as a daily driver....worst case scenioro sell your fourteen to us guys on the club.....
Posted by: Mueller Apr 16 2005, 11:33 AM
| QUOTE (pete-stevers @ Apr 16 2005, 10:29 AM) |
| MIke i think that car looks damn hot BUT what the heck are going to do with your fourteen.....MayI make a reccomendation , consider it unsoliciated advice....keep the fourteen and buy the other roadster as a daily driver....worst case scenioro sell your fourteen to us guys on the club..... |
actually, I'd consider keeping the 914 and selling my 911, I might even have some pocket change left over for some upgrades
Posted by: pete-stevers Apr 16 2005, 11:37 AM
thats the spirit 
Posted by: ! Apr 16 2005, 11:38 AM
| QUOTE (Mueller @ Apr 16 2005, 09:33 AM) | ||
actually, I'd consider keeping the 914 and selling my 911, I might even have some pocket change left over for some upgrades |
It'll be the best looking '14 on jack stands....
Posted by: Thomas J Bliznik Apr 16 2005, 11:39 AM
Saw (3) test mules with pieces of tape on them on the highway. My first reaction was, Wow what was that. They were going the other way, so I was only able to get a quick look. Ask me what color??? I know one was black, other?? & one yellow. Looked to have big wheels, like 17" dia. & the tops were down. If they keep the price @ $20K they have a winner.
Anyone know where they will be built??
Only good reason to live near the Motor City.
Tom
Posted by: Dead Air Apr 23 2005, 09:19 AM
The front end reminds me of a Jaguar D-type '60-'64??? Can anyone find a picture?
Posted by: Dead Air Apr 23 2005, 09:27 AM
does this work?
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Posted by: Lawrence Apr 23 2005, 11:52 AM
| QUOTE (914GT @ Apr 15 2005, 11:57 PM) |
| Best looking car from Pontiac in years. |
Best car from Pontiac EVER. The body lines put a Boxster to shame.
Posted by: fiid Apr 23 2005, 01:15 PM
It's yet another FERD. (Front Engine Rear Drive). IMHO a good FERD is better than a RERD, but neither is as good as a MERD. I just don't know why Saturn and Chevy aren't working with their European VX220 chassis over here. I could find the money for that pretty easily.
Posted by: #1RAGE Apr 23 2005, 03:17 PM
I wouldn't put money down on looks and horsepower alone.
It is a Pontiac 
Posted by: jgiroux67 Apr 23 2005, 03:26 PM
| QUOTE (Pnambic @ Apr 16 2005, 05:24 AM) |
| According to Pelican, the 914 weighed in at 2670 lbs with between 76 to 110hp depending on the engine. |
Uh, I thought 914's were only 2000-2100lbs? And the heavier 75 and 76 models were 2300?
Posted by: jgiroux67 Apr 23 2005, 03:29 PM
| QUOTE (fiid @ Apr 23 2005, 11:15 AM) |
| IMHO a good FERD is better than a RERD, but neither is as good as a MERD. |
So what FERD is better than a GT2 or 911 Turbo?
Posted by: fiid Apr 23 2005, 03:35 PM
Marcos LM500 springs to mind. Some of the trick Benzs are up there, and there's some FERD Ferarris.
That is a difficult question though since you didn't define what you mean by better.
Given the right criteria the trick 911s are unbeatable. I just don't like the weight distribution.
Posted by: 914GT Apr 23 2005, 04:56 PM
| QUOTE (Lawrence @ Apr 23 2005, 10:52 AM) | ||
Best car from Pontiac EVER. The body lines put a Boxster to shame. |
Yeah, you're probably right. I still like the 1968 Firebird convertibles though.
Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 23 2005, 05:13 PM
What's not to like 
bout time...
(now, if they could just cram that new GTO engine in there) 
Posted by: Aaron Cox Apr 23 2005, 06:02 PM
original conept was supposed to have a v8.....
not even a v6/I6 option?
Posted by: Tom Perso Apr 23 2005, 06:11 PM
Wow, I see the General finally got on board with VVT technology. Shit, they're only 10 years or so behind the ball.
Leave it up to GM to be stragglers. I'm surprised it's not a pushrod motor. The only reason GM sells cars is because Americans are proud to buy them, and most of them have no taste in vehicles.
I'll be happy driving my 17 year old toyota that still feels tigher than most new American cars.
However, I give them credit. At least it's RWD. GM is starting to move to the RWD arena since they finally figured out they were getting clobbered by the Germans.
Later,
Tom
Posted by: Eric_Shea Apr 23 2005, 10:47 PM
Careful Tom... you're in their backyard 
I remember the days in Lansing... if you dare drive an import to Olds it had funny pinstriping on it by the time your shift was done
Posted by: Meredith Apr 24 2005, 01:14 AM
It kind of reminds me of a shoe.
One that Gumby would wear.
Don't ask. 
Posted by: Tom Perso Apr 24 2005, 06:39 AM
| QUOTE (Eric_Shea @ Apr 23 2005, 11:47 PM) |
| Careful Tom... you're in their backyard I remember the days in Lansing... if you dare drive an import to Olds it had funny pinstriping on it by the time your shift was done |
Oh yeah, I watch my P's and Q's around there. Oddly enough, when I was looking at Supras, there was one for sale in the Detroit area, it was located right across from a GM assembly plant. I asked the guy for some more outside shots, (he only provided a front view
) and he wouldn't. I bet it had some extra "pinstriping" on it.Oh, I really try and support the workers around here. I didn't mention that I do own a Dodge Dakota, which is built right here in Warren, MI. However, I am somewhat jaded after seeing some of the stunts that UAW workers pull. I have a friend that was at the Detroit auto show and watched a UAW worked sit in a BMW M5 and rip the turn signal stalk off. Nice. Talk about pride. Of course, I can't pigeon-hole all of them into that, but it does leave a bad taste in your mouth.
But, I have a hard time grasping GM's engineering sometimes. I know they are riddled with bean counters. You can tell, since they let the engineers go crazy on the new Z06 and it shows. Dry sump, serious cubes, LOTS O HP. Good deal.
But, with the exception of that, I have a hard time really getting into the new Malibu Maxxxxxx. Good utility, horrible execution. Looks like a monkey's ass and still has the aging 3.1/3.4/3.5 motor in it. And, GM - PLEASE - build some more cars with a stick! If not, at least upgrade that 4-speed auto sometime!
Later,
Tom
Posted by: Dead Air Apr 24 2005, 07:20 PM
My brother in law works at the Tonowanda engine plant. They did a multi million dollar refurb to build the 3.9 iron V-6. 80 percent of the workforce was laid off. Most of the production machinery came from Germany. (Ya know...buy American) They also make the I4, I5 and I6 motors for the midsized trucks. Those are nice engines.
It'd be great to support local workers, I'd even get the GM employee discount from Wes but I don't see the quality there. My girlfriend's 2001 Intregue wouldn't start the very first morning she had it. Bad starter. The alternater has had a bad regulator twice, The transmission went bad at 34,ooo miles. Now at 71,000 she's had her brakes done three times, including the rotors!
My toyota truck turned 299,000 this week. I replaced the tranny at 192,000 and a cyl. head rebuild and front engine cover at 200 and something. Oh and a rear end. I plan on driving it for a long time. The truck is nearly bullet proof!
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