We announced it today -- along with all 26 winners of the 2006 Editors' Most Wanted Awards
.
The Most Significant title went to the Pontiac Solstice. I'd be happy to hear people's thoughts. BTW, I just drove our long-term Solstice (look for the introduction to post soon) from L.A. to Vegas for the show. Over 500 miles in three days. Now I really know the car well. Here are my thoughts on it:
Pros:
1. Looks cool, and the reaction from others confirms that it's not just me who feels this way
2. Ride Comfort/Seat Quality -- both are good on this car (better than the Miata, especially for a 500-mile trip on mostly highways)
3. Great audio system. Of course it has XM, but the menu system for everything from setting station memory to adjusting the clock and sound quality is very well conceived. And it sounds great, too.
Cons:
1. The top doesn't seal very well. It was pretty loud above 50 mph, mostly due to wind noise on the back edge of the side windows.
2. Lack of storage makes it hard for even one person to take a three-day trip. I didn't bother with the "trunk" but the passenger seat was stuffed full with a "carry-on" sized luggage bag, plus laptop shoulder bag. Good thing I didn't have to bring anyone else!
3. Lack of instrumentation. I hadn't noticed this before, but what's with the Speedo, Tach, fuel gauge and...nothing else!! Reminds me of the late 1960s "SS" models that were supposedly the "upgraded" performance models...and came complete with a speedo and gas gauge. I'm a stickler for instrumentation. This isn't acceptable in a sports car, even one that starts under $20,000.
Still, it's a very significant car. It went relatively quickly from concept to production (the Ford GT has twisted my sense of "quick" turnaround from concept to production, so I try not to use it as my benchmark), it has retained essentially all the "style" seen on the concept car, and it certainly isn't something people would have expected from Pontiac just a few years ago. Lutz pushed this one through. Let's hope it's a harbringer.
By ateixeira
on November 3, 2005
08:22 AM
I prefer the Miata, but I'll acknowledge the importance of this model for Pontiac and GM. They needed something to get people to feel good about the brand again. Corvettes are nice, but something obtainable like this can have an even bigger impact.
Kudos to Lutz, this one's gonna be a hit.
By navigator89
on November 3, 2005
11:00 AM
I'm glad you chose the Solstice as your most Significant Vehicle. A few months back Road and Track asked readers to choose their most significant vehicle. I had it narrowed it down to the STS/XLR-V, Impala, M45 and Solstice.
3/4 out of my favorites were GM products. I believe that the Solstice, among others is a sign of good things to come from GM. But most of all the Solstice is important as it is an inexpensive, exciting product. You can't say that for many vehicles these days.
What is the most significant SUV in your opinion. Motor Trend voted the Nissan Xterra for 2006 and previously in 2000.
By editor_karl
on November 3, 2005
11:41 AM
Interestingly, I think the Ridgeline is the Most Significant SUV of this year, and I'm not really a fan of it. Our long-term version has had too many problem already, but I do think that Honda doing their first open-bed vehicle is very imporant, and many of its features are very cool (superb cabin storage, "trunk" underneath the bed, etc.).
By bigdaddycoats
on November 3, 2005
12:48 PM
Pretty sweet that the Solsitce won. Are the lack of gauges really that big of a deal? What else gauges would you like?
Why the Ridgeline? It does have some really cool features that I am sure others will incorporate into thier future offerings. Sales, however, are below Honda's expectations.
By editor_karl
on November 3, 2005
04:34 PM
Sales are secondary in this case. I think Honda priced it too high. But again, them deciding to make an open bed vehicle (remember, this is Honda) is a pretty important event. And if their first attempt at a pickup causes other truck makers (like Ford, who has been doing it for 80 years) to have to incorporate new features into their future designs, that's pretty significant too.
I just wish Honda's build quality and reliability wasn't making me second guess their products these days...
By kodename
on November 7, 2005
11:10 AM
Soltice is a hit, but if it was part of a plan to bring more traffic to Pontiac dealers to help sell other Pontiacs, it has a impossible task before it. Pontiac & Buick have almost no brand value these days as reflected by the bland vanilla vehicles they offer.The "excitment"division lost its way 20 years ago and Soltice alone won't change things much. Bill C.
By jedi_trem
on November 7, 2005
11:42 AM
I think Solstice was a great idea, it is almost a mirror to its concept version. It drives well, seats a bigger person mcuh better than a Miata (some would complain when they can't get in one with the top up, adn with the top down it isn't much better than beign able to close the door). Am I bashing the new MX-5 (note the absence of Miata in the name), not in the least. After driving a Solstice and not even being able to enter a Miata with the top up, I can't compare the two. Solstice is a hit, Torrent is not on my list of vehicles to look at. GTO needs a retro reskin, it has the muscle... give it some good looks (it might actually sell that way).
Buick needs to bring something to add younger buyers to its clientele and LaCrosee isn't it, Lucerne is a very nice vehicle, but it is an update Park Avenue and LaSabre hybrid with Rear Wheel Drive (Roadmaster fans rejoice a V8 RWD Buick has returned). As for what Buick needs to increase its market. Restyle LaCrosse with some higher quality materials, increase your quality, and make your entry price competitive to the imports. Also Buick needs a halo car like Pontiac, Chevy, & Cadillac. Give us the Velite. Coup +2 Drop top, twin turbo, 400 Horsepower. Price it at 30k to 35k and you won't be able to make enough of them, Buick or not it is a great looking car.
Oh and make cars much like the imports just in time production. It's amazing what happens when you keep the production supply around the demand. Resale values might even increase.
Oh and for those who think I hate the imports, I drive an 05 Altima.
Thanks,
Jedi_Trem
By vvking
on December 8, 2005
06:16 PM
Why does the Saturn Sky look so much better than the Solstice (my opinion)?
By editor_karl
on December 30, 2005
02:19 AM
I think it's an overall cleaner design. I really like the Solstice but I know most people think the Sky looks better, and I can't argue that it looks "cleaner" than the Solstice.
I guess I sort of like the curvy aspects of the Pontiac, but to each his own (I still think the Sky looks great, too).