I don’t think often about 2009 model year cars, and never about a Pontiac Solstice from seventeen long years ago. Shame on me, I guess, the Solstice and its Saturn cousin, known as the Sky, were a genuine attempt to revisit the fun of spirited, rear-wheel drive two-seaters – something in short supply in that era. Most Solstices were roadsters, but a small number of coupes made the line-up near the end of the run, and today, for your review, I have a very low-mileage example to consider. Located in Dover, Ohio, this one of 1,266 total coupes assembled is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $17,500. Thanks go to JDC for this tip!
Introduced for model year 2006, Pontiac produced about 65K Solstices with the coupe version finally showing up in ’09 and lasting part of the way in ’10. Production for 2010 was abbreviated because Pontiac got abbreviated that model year – for good (a sort of winter solstice). The same fate befell that previously mentioned cousin known as the Saturn Sky, as GM’s newest division also got the bum’s rush in ’09. With only 17K miles on its clock, this Solstice still looks sharp, but I wonder about its past, as the seller notes it has a “rebuilt” title, hmmm. Styling is always subjective, but I’d suggest this coupe missed the mark as the rear end is rather truncated-looking. And the characteristic Pontiac twin-grille looks tacked on, sorta like “speed” grills that were all the rage in the early 2000s.
The seller tells us that this little Poncho is equipped with the “Base model, non turbo, 2.4 engine,” which means 177 net HP, making the rear wheel connection via a five-speed automatic transmission. Too bad this car isn’t equipped with the standard five-speed manual gearbox; that feature alone would likely elevate the “fun experience”. Unfortunately, no reference is made regarding running and driving characteristics.
Only one image of the two-tone white and black leather upholstered interior is included in the listing, and what can be seen presents well. Critics generally considered the interior space to be “minimal”. Of note is this coupe’s roof, it’s actually a targa-style arrangement with a 31 lb. removable panel, but it’s too large to fit in the constrained trunk when not deployed. How inconvenient, whadda you do with it?
I applaud the late Pontiac Motor Division for having the temerity to design a two-seat RWD sports car such as this 2009 Solstice. But this is a tough one! Yes, it’s rare, but no, it’s not terribly popular, and that title matter is the elephant in the room – it can’t be ignored. I suppose there’s a bottom for every seat, but it may take a while to find one for this Solstice, wouldn’t you agree?
Neat car, but a coupe?
Never saw one of these before!
This coupe is really kinda cool especially as full convertibles are now highly frowned upon by my dermatologist (melanoma surgery x2🤞🏻)-that the top isn’t portable is a head scratcher though (no pun intended).The salvage title isn’t such a big deal in our state but in this case, coupled w/ the lack of a turbo, lack of stick shift and lack of the ability to persuade my residential CFO/CEO that I need it kinda seals the deal so it won’t be coming to a garage here anytime soon.
Sour grapes being as they are, a stick shift Red Line Saturn Sky would be better anyway-and just wear my Boonie hat!
Wow! Great article Mr. Jim ODonnell! What a find JDC! Never saw one, and never knew existed! Two Roof Options: Buyers also received a “demountable” fabric soft-top insert for emergency weather situations when the main hard targa top was left at home.
Near me there are a couple of convertible Solstice’s with the same or less mileage for under $13,000, several others with 60,000 to $80,000 were well under $10,000. That’s unfortunate there isn’t much of a market, they look good and seem like they would be fun to drive.
Steve R
If this had a .manual transmission and didn’t have a “rebuilt” title, it would be gone by now. I’ve seen coupes going for much more money than this. But as it is, this is going to be a hard sell. Another car that GM blew it on. These are really sharp looking, but minimal performance and not enough time to garner a following, was the nail in the coffin.
I agree they look great; if I were to buy one, I’d go for the coupe. I believe coupe production was pretty low. But they just look better.
The GXP Solstice had 260 HP a friend of mine bought one new with a standard and a better handling package that was one fun car on twisting roads. Also Mallet made some of these with a corvette LS2 with 400 HP those must have been scary fast but the price for one was very scary.