By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman

Doing a great roadster for $35,000-$45,OOO is a feat mastered by several automobile companies. In fact, it's relatively routine. It's doing that desirable, high-content roadster for under $2O,OOO that challenges an automobile company.

That’s what we promised we would do with the Pontiac Solstice when we announced we would put it into production, and that’s what I’m officially announcing today, here on GM FastLane, for the first time.

When Solstice goes on sale this summer, it will, officially, be priced at $19,995 — and that includes the $575 destination charge. You heard it here first.

That’s not for a stripped down model, either. That sub-$20,000 price gets you 177 horsepower mated to a five-speed manual transmission, 18-inch wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, glass rear window, and a CD-player as standard equipment.

So there you have it. A roadster inspired by the European classics of yesterday, styled very much like the concept car of a few years ago, priced under $20,000 as promised today. Solstice is a true driver’s car, and it will be in Pontiac showrooms this summer. We look forward to your reactions...

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He posted it on GM's blog (Dont ask me why they have it)
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/

 

Wow that is GREAT pricing. THe car looks fabulous inside and out. I hope it drives as well as it looks. The next Miata will be out soon and has SERIOUS competiton, especially since that cars price keeps going up.

 

Ahhhh yes, the final ingredient needed to make the Solstice a great car. I've waited so long to hear about this. Finally, some official info.

James

 

So will the price of the Solstice.....when the Pontiac dealers slap on that "Adjusted Market Value" second sticker....which in fact means " We're going to sock the gotta-be-first people for whatever they will cough up."
That's why I am advising people.....and I will advise CL members....... to consider the Saturn Sky instead....it is basically the same car. And Saturn dealers, by the terms of the company's policy and their franchises, are NOT ALLOWED to charge either over or under list.....every car sells at list ( which includes freight ). Of course, Saturn dealers CAN add dealer-installed options or packages and charge for them.....but that's a different story. And my experience at Saturn dealers is that they don't push undercoating, alarms, service packages, LOJACK, extended warranties, paint treatments, etc.....unless you ask for them.

Now, of course, if Saturn relaxes its list-only pricing rule for the Sky, that will be another matter, but I have not seen any evidence that this will happen. If any of you CL members DO see that anywhere, please post it.
Thanks.

 

This is great news and all but has the quality of the machine been spoken for yet?

Will the interior be paper mache with gaps you can keep chihuahuas in? Will they build this thing to be a reliable car or with current typical domestic build quality?

If so, I'd be wary of it - especially with a convertible top. The domestics have been less than stellar in this department compared to other makes (the Japanese).

Any thoughts?

 

Another Pontiac flop just like the new GTO !

 

Wow...that's cheaper than even a Miata, not to mention it's better looking and with 35 more horsepower to boot. Throw in the standard equipment such as 18-inch wheels (!!), 4-wheel disc brakes, glass rear window, which are usually optional or even unavailable on competing models, the Solstice is looking to be one helluva steal to me.

Now where's the next MR2?

 

The Saturn Sky will probably be a better bargain than the Solstice's actual out-the-door price...see my previous comments.

The Miata has proven reliability, though. The Solstice and Sky don't...(yet).....but we'll know in a couple of years.

The MR2's demise, IMO, was Toyota's own fault. First, Toyota would not build enough to satisfy demand, then to add insult to injury, stubbornly would not produce any full-automatic versions like Mazda does with the Miata, although a few were built with the SMT (Sequential Manual Transmission) and an automatic clutch. I KNOW that automatic Miatas are considered heresy in many parts of the country, but ......(trust me) ......they DO sell in large urban areas with a lot of traffic.