Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Skye

[Aurora63]

I think it is the cutest little thing, when my lease is up next March I would love to get one...either that or the Saturn Skye, cause it comes in yellow!

If you have one or the other, how do you like it?

 

[summerrluvv]

My sister wants the Solstice, however none of the dealers have any because of high demand. I guess it's a pretty popular car.

 

[lesroi]

FYI, I don't want to burst your bubble (and I know no one could stop me from getting my dream car if I had the means) but I don't believe either one of them got a good review by Consumer Reports. (They just came out with the car guide issue...)

I will agree that it sure is cute, though!!!

Tracy

 

[ducklite]

They couldn't have reviewed the Sky yet, the first production model came off the line on March 8th.

Mine is ordered, the dealer is expecting it to be in sometime mid to late April. I can't wait!!

I went back to the Saturn dealer in NJ that I've bought my last four Saturns from, because the dealer here in Florida pissed me off. They tried to push the Solstice they've got on their lot on me, really strong arm. I told him if I wanted a freaking Solstice I'd go to a Pontiac dealer and buy one. Then they told me the Sky would have a $2000 dealer premium on it--and I walked out. I'm paying list in NJ, and for a $2000 difference I can fly first class to NJ and drive it back!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

BTW--For anyone who wants a Sky, you'll have to get on the waiting list for it. Saturn is allocating between one and three per month per dealer depending on their volume, and I've been on the list at both dealerships for 14 months now. I got moved up a bit in NJ because no one there wanted a stick.

Anne

 

[lesroi]

They couldn't have reviewed the Sky yet, the first production model came off the line on March 8th.

Mine is ordered, the dealer is expecting it to be in sometime mid to late April. I can't wait!!

Sorry, Anne, but it is in the magazine. I am looking at it right now. Consumer Reports is known for getting things before the average customer.

Here is part of the review if you don't believe me:
The Pontiac Solstice is stylish two-seat roadster typically priced in the mid-$20,000 range. It is powered by a noisy 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 177 hp. It sounds and feels harsh when revved. Wide spacing between the gears in the five-speed manual is a detraction. Handling is fairly nimble, and the ride is tolerable. Antilock brakes are optional. Lowering the manual top is a multistep process that requires getting out of the car. Trunk space and interior storage are virtually nonexistent. Saturn has a version
named the Sky.


The multi-step top process would be a deal-breaker for me. I am notorious for putting the top down in traffic.

I am sure you will love it regardless! My sister wants one too... You seem very excited and it sure is a cute car!!! I have seen a couple down here and they are attention-getters.

Thanks,

Tracy

 

[ducklite]

Sorry, Anne, but it is in the magazine. I am looking at it right now. Consumer Reports is known for getting things before the average customer.

Here is part of the review if you don't believe me:
The Pontiac Solstice is stylish two-seat roadster typically priced in the mid-$20,000 range. It is powered by a noisy 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 177 hp. It sounds and feels harsh when revved. Wide spacing between the gears in the five-speed manual is a detraction. Handling is fairly nimble, and the ride is tolerable. Antilock brakes are optional. Lowering the manual top is a multistep process that requires getting out of the car. Trunk space and interior storage are virtually nonexistent. Saturn has a version
named the Sky.


The multi-step top process would be a deal-breaker for me. I am notorious for putting the top down in traffic.

I am sure you will love it regardless! My sister wants one too... You seem very excited and it sure is a cute car!!! I have seen a couple down here and they are attention-getters.

Thanks,

Tracy

My point is that they reviewed the Solstice, not the Sky. While the cars have some similar features, they are not the same car, and come with some different options. Personally I think the styling of the Sky is much more attractive, but I'll be the first to admit that's a very subjective opinion.

Saturn is pretty notorious for noisy engines and passenger compartments, but it's obviously not a deal breaker because this will be my fifth in ten years.

I don't have a problem with the top down process, as I don't drive where I hit traffic for the most part, so the way I start when I leave the house is the way it would be the entire trip, unless it started to rain. In taht ase I'd have to pull over to put the top up anyhow, because you can't do it while cruising along at 40mph. As far as storage space, I'll use this car for back and forth to work, and going out, but I've got a Saturn L-200 that I'll use when I go grocery shopping that's great with cargo space.

Most of the other add-on's I ordered are things I've got on my ION Quade Coupe now--Monsoon sound with in dash 6 CD/MP3 player, rear spoiler, anti-lock brakes, upgraded suspension, etc.

BTW--My 2004 ION is for sale and available immediately if anyone wants to buy it. It's bright red and sporty looking, but not rated as a sports car--perfect for a graduation gift or someone needing a super reliable previously owned car.

Anne

 

[lesroi]

My point is that they reviewed the Solstice, not the Sky. While the cars have some similar features, they are not the same car, and come with some different options. Personally I think the styling of the Sky is much more attractive, but I'll be the first to admit that's a very subjective opinion.

Anne

Actually they are the very same car under their skin. I don't want to belabor the point (although I am, aren't I! ) Built on the same GM platform with styling differences, which is what is drawing people to "connect" with one or the other.

At any rate, I know you will love it (you already do!) You are a Saturn fan just like my family are Jeep fans (despite bad press and reviews... You should see the Consumer Reports on Jeeps! ) I would probably be right there with you had I not bought my first Miata years ago instead of going with a new Saturn when they first came out.

I think my sis is waiting for the supercharged 260hp version of the Sky as she has a VW turbo right now.

The coolest thing about the Sky is that they are built mostly by hand, which is part of why they are taking so long. (And the fact that they are so darn popular!)

You will have a BLAST with your new car!

Tracy

Edited to add: P.S... What color are you getting? My sis is leaning toward the bluestone or silver graphite.

 

[FINFAN]

Have the Sky brochure right here on the desk! DD fell in love with it at the Auto Show. We are not getting one as we need to seat 4...but it sure is sharp looking! DD is hoping to get one by HS graduation and then attend college in FL., driving down in her new convertable, tricked out TinkerBell style. Gotta love her outlook!


Pam

 

[ducklite]

Edited to add: P.S... What color are you getting? My sis is leaning toward the bluestone or silver graphite.

The light silver that they are showing in most of the marketing materials. I fell in love with the car the first time I saw it over 14 months ago now.

Anne

 

[Aurora63]

I want to get the Skye in yellow!!! Or the Solstice in dark blue. But I really love the yellow. The Solstice doesn't come in that color. Oh well.

I haven't seen any on the roads around here, and just a few Solstices on the dealer's lot. Wonder who is buying them?

 

[ducklite]

I don't know about the Solstice, but the Sky is limiting dealers to one to three units per month, depending on their sales volume. So of the five Saturn dealers in the greater Orlando area, they will probably get ten per month total. (I know two are only allocated one per month)

So in a years time, there will only be roughly 120 units between Lakeland and Casselberry--a good 80+ square miles. That puts them at roughly one every 53 miles, if you use pure math and don't account for population centers.

There are long lists to order one at many dealers, and some dealers are promising delivery dates moving forward into next year at this point in time.

Anne

 

[summerrluvv]

My point is that they reviewed the Solstice, not the Sky. While the cars have some similar features, they are not the same car, and come with some different options. Personally I think the styling of the Sky is much more attractive, but I'll be the first to admit that's a very subjective opinion.

Saturn is pretty notorious for noisy engines and passenger compartments, but it's obviously not a deal breaker because this will be my fifth in ten years.

Anne

I just bought an 06 Ion and it's pretty quiet IMO. There isn't much road noise and the engine seems to be just as loud as my Accord. I really like it

I take what Consumer Reports says with a grain of salt. I know they are supposed to be the experts, but it seems like everything they dislike, most people that I talk to seem to like (like the Dyson!). Right after I bought my car a girl at work said she brought me in the Consumer Reports magazine and that my car had awful reviews and that I should go return it

 

[ducklite]

I'll be honest, I'm not terribly fond of my ION. There's nothing wrong with it, I just don't like it. I told the guy I've bought all my Saturns from that I wish I had never traded in my SC-2 for it. I can't even put my finger on what it is I do'nt like about the car.

That's certainly not a bash against Saturn, the Sky will be my 5th in ten years, so they must be doing something right. But I really did prefer my SC-2. I miss that car.

Anne