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RIDE OF THE WEEK: 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE
One of the few bright spots in the final years before the Pontiac brand was discontinued by General Motors was the Pontiac Solstice, a small sports convertible designed to compete with the Mazda Miata. This week’s ride is a 2009 Pontiac Solstice owned by Gregory Yalch.
“The car is incredible,” Yalch says. “I can’t tell you how many people come up to me thinking this is some exotic European sports car. They can’t believe it when they find out it’s a Pontiac.”
The Solstice came out in 2006 and was an instant hit for Pontiac, with nearly 8,000 orders in the first 10 days it was available. It continued production until Pontiac was phased out by GM last July.
The Solstice has a 2.4-liter (145 cubic inch) LE5 Ecotec engine which features a 3.5-inch bore and 3.9 inch stroke and variable valve timing on the intake and low-end torque to help improve exhaust emissions. Yalch says the car is good for about 177 horsepower and features a torque of 170 lb./ft.
The Solstice isn’t the first Pontiac two seater Yalch has owned.
“Back in the late 1980s, one of the first cars I ever owned was a Pontiac Fiero,” he says. “I loved that car. I think it was one of the best sports cars Detroit ever made. This Solstice brings back memories of that, only this is much more sophisticated and better made.”
The car has four-wheel anti-lock brakes, all-speed traction control, a rear limited slip differential and StabiliTrak vehicle stability control system. The Solstice also features side guard door beams, OnStar with a crash sensor that automatically sends a GPS signal to emergency responders, driver and passenger airbags and a trunk anti-trap device.
It also has a 24mm rear stabilizer bar, independent double wishbone rear suspension with springs, Bilstein shock absorbers and an independent double wishbone front suspension.
“It’s a shame General Motors ended production on this car because it is great,” Yalch says. “I plan on hanging on to it for as long as I can.”
Because of the Solstice’s success, and GM’s decision to discontinue it, there was a rumor in December 2009 that the DeLorean Motor Company was interested in resuming production on the Solstice, but so far nothing definite has happened. Until that happens, check out Greg Yalch’s Solstice at car shows this summer.
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