- Seller: Joseph D
- Location: Fairview, North Carolina
- Mileage: 137,871 Shown
- Chassis #: 1G2MG35X88Y112924
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 2.0 Turbo Ecotec DOHC 4Cyl
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
In Automobile Magazine’s September 2006 “Design Issue,” editors came to a consensus on not only the “25 Most Beautiful Cars Ever,” but also six brand new cars that could deservedly earn the title, and the Pontiac Solstice was one of them. You have to admit, the Solstice has the right stance with its wheels pushed out to all four corners, and with its swooping haunches, it’s equal parts sensual and aggressive. Things got even better when Pontiac introduced the GXP variant, with its 260-horsepower Ecotec turbocharged four cylinder, as a 2007 model. This 2008 GXP has a few needs that must be addressed, but if you’re willing to turn a few wrenches, you can have a fun roadster at a nice price, and it’s being offered as a Barn Finds Auction.
Here’s that turbocharged two-liter four, lurking beneath the Solstice’s Corvette-like hood. The seller bought the car as a project with an illuminated Check Engine Light and a slight oil leak. He tells us that he has had a new clutch installed but has not taken the car any further, but he did drive the car on a “temp tag” for a week and says that it runs and drives well.
Car and Driver tested a new GXP in late 2006, and found it to be a worthwhile improvement over the base model. Its five-speed manual got a “shorter third-gear ratio” for a tighter spread, which eliminated one of the complaints about the base Solstice they tested earlier. With the new turbo engine, the GXP accelerated from zero to 60 in 5.6 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds at 98 miles per hour, lively times even today. Fuel mileage actually improved with the more powerful engine, from 25 miles per gallon highway to 28.
A common complaint about the Solstice back when they were new was the almost complete lack of luggage space: 5.4 cubic feet with the top up and a miniscule 2.1 cubic feet with the top down. That’s barely enough room for a duffel bag, which made weekend trips a bit impractical. When you’re driving around something as fun as this little Pontiac, however, you can learn to pack light.
As you can see in the photo gallery below, this Solstice isn’t perfect; there are some chips, blemishes, and cracks in the bodywork. But if you are looking for a fun ride for a reasonable price, or if you’re a home hobbyist that doesn’t mind doing some light bodywork, this could be an excellent “easy” project. Regardless, it’s the time of year when car nuts start thinking of top-down fun, and it would be hard to find anything else for the price that is as quick, agile, and handsome as this Solstice. If you’ve always liked these cars, maybe now’s the time. Bid today!
Bid On This Auction
accessbuilders bid $2,500.00 2025-04-11 13:47:04
These were bigger inside then a Miata but they lacked any useable trunk space so hard to travel with.
I thought I always liked these but the pictures look odd somehow, almost out of proportion. The Saturn Sky is the one to get now, but I would like that engine in my Buick Verano.
They’re rare, but there are turbocharged Veranos out there with a variation of this engine, even a handful with 6-speed manual transmissions.
A neighbor searched for his dream car (a Solstice) for several years, while working and taking care of his invalid mother. He finally found a used white convert and loved driving it. But he only had six months, before suffering a fatal heart attack. I never see a Solstice without thinking of him.
Presenté. 😮💨
A performance “chip” is available and really adds some bang for the buck to these little turbo ↩️ roadsters.
Solstice convertibles are a dime a dozen. The Solstice to get is the coupe…. both rare and one of the sharpest cars to come out of Detroit in decades.
I have driven MR2s, X19s, Miatas, Porsche Boxters and I was able to drive one of these with the turbo for a week. I did not want to give it back. Unfortunately, it was nor in my price range at the time. I really want one of these! deatly e
One of the best things about a solstice is it’s suspension. It is four wheel double A arm suspension none of this McPherson strut nonsense. It is fully alignable front toe, castor and camber adjustable and rear toe and camber adjustable. It’s frame members are Hydro formed and it handles exceptionally well.
One of the best things about a Solstice is its excellent handling. It has a nice even balance point of neither oversteer nor under steer. This is due to its excellent suspension, which is double A arms, front and rear which are fully alignable. The front suspension can be adjusted for toe, caster and camber. And the rear suspension’s toe and camber are adjustable none of this McPherson strut nonsense on this vehicle. Its frame rails were also uniquely. Hydro-formed. There was a lot of cool technology in this car. Too bad General Motors dropped such a bold and ambitious project.
You can say that again peter oh wait you did LOL
Why was the check engine light on and was the problem fixed? Cool car in a unique color not to far from me
Always liked the turbo model myself but hated the wrinkles on the sail panel. Guess you have to leave the top down.
I bought one for my wife. She barely drove it so I sold it just to get it the hell out of the garage. It was a GM parts bin assembly. The transmission and differential are Cadillac CTS. Fun car
Was the “check engine light” addressed and if so, what was the result?
I was shocked reading the 14.2 E.T. in the quarter mile. Much quicker than I would have expected.
I now put the Solstice in a group of cars that a well bought and well-preserved example will at minimum hold its value but I see them going up in value and I think that has started. I put the Prowler and SSR in this same category. Buy a good one and enjoy them. I do like the looks of the Saturn Sky a little better though.
Poor Saturn Sky, always a bridesmaid, never a bride.
The reserve is off!
I had a 2007 Saturn sky redline loved that car had it for 22 years lots of power only 38000 miles had to sell was getting harder to get in and out of. Sold outright to a dealer for$9000.
Congrats to the buyer. I think they have a decent, fun car to fix up and enjoy while doing so.