General Motors responds to our 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP review

I wonder how many “steering-related issues” they have experienced from a non-media review perspective?

Uh, how about testing a car off a dealer lot?

Even if we discount the possibility that GM “carefully prepared” their press car (the normal practice), surely the only way to resolve this issue is to march down to your Saturn dealer and see what the average Joe would buy.

^^^Man that makes sense.

Please do not pass judgement on all American products. Your opinions are weighing the entire country down with your ignorance. You buy Pontiacs at Pontiac dealers. Saturn is only sold at Saturn dealers.

Please do not pass a negative judgement on all American vehicles. Your opinion is weighing this country down. When you shop for a Pontiac you must go to a Pontiac dealer not Saturn.

hey, Robert Farago, if you would like results in that way of testing, get Consumer Reports. They always buy their cars off of dealers, never telling the company that they are consumer reports.
Anyway, if GM could fix the major headaches in this car, it would be a nice car to have, but a Miata is still more fun.

After seeing a modified Solstice on the Mallet Motorsports stand at the Cleveland auto show, I am thinking about buying one ($41,000) so this will be an interesting story to follow. Mallet is that world famous (literally) Corvette tuner who is taking the Solstice and dropping in an unmodified Corvette V8 (the current 400 hp smallblock). The package is so professionally engineered that it is sold through dealers with full factory warranty (41 sold to date). It will blow the GXP into the weeds and sound miles better doing so. However, if this steering is more than a one-off red herring, I will lose interest fast as it seems like a good way to get killed.

Tom, The Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky are the same car under the skin. What applies to the Solstice applies to the Saturn Sky.

Too bad GM doesn’t spend more on good engineering and less on badge engineering.

GM’s kidding themselves if they think this is a one-off problem. I found the very same thing when I test drove one at the dealership. Salesman’s response? “You just have to learn to drive a sports car like this. They all drive like that.”

I also saw the uneven body panel gaps and mediocre build the reviewer mentioned.

I ended up trading in my ‘94 Miata on a Honda S2000 and couldn’t be happier.

BJay — I think Robert Farago already has a has a favorite source for car reviews.

If Mallot custoizes a Solstice with a corvett V-8 from the original 4 cldr engine. I think the steering and suspention would be the first thing on thier mind. Don’t you?

The only thing Mallett does for the $41,000 price is slides in the Vette V8, Hi-Pro brakes and shocks…and the warranty is not GM factory, but a Mallett 2 yr, 24,000 mi. just for clarification. I agree with Pete in that if their “world famous” engineering team found a problem with the steering, I think they would’ve probably changed it. I have seen close to 50 reviews in all sorts of magazines including Car & Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track et al and have yet to find a reference to inadequate or poor steering on the Solstice.

DB’s comment “Too bad GM doesn’t spend more on good engineering and less on badge engineering”

DB – I just looked and over the past two model years for all GM makes and models, and I count 38 JD Power dependability and initial quality awards, 36 Consumer reports recommended buys and 25 Strategic Vision Total Quality Awards for GM vehicles. Not to mention various inclusions in the 10 Best Awards from Car & Driver, AutoWeek, Edmunds, Kelly Blue Book, Forbes a few Automobile All Star Awards and oh yeah, I found the Award for “Best Engineered Car” by Automotive Engineering for the new Corvette. And please don’t forget that the current North American Car AND Truck of the Year Award resides with the Saturn Aura and the Chevy Silverado. Do you like apples? Well, how do you like them apples DB???

Almost forgot the GM 100,000 mile warranty as well.

Ron, those are the same surveys the GM fanboys were saying were meaningless when they surveys said GM was building garbage.

Peter, The Mallot is only 100 lbs lighter than a Corvette coupe and if you shop around you can get a new C6 Corvette for just under $40,000.

If you just want a Mallot for it’s uniqueness, obviously a Corvette won’t do, but the Corvette is better handling better equipped car for about the same price and even quicker 0-60 because the Mallot is nose heavy.

The Corvette is also a comfortable car for two people and luggage on a long trip.

guys! I look at it this way…all the reviews and accolades in the the world don’t change the fact that when it comes to trading in a G.M. vs. a Honda/Toyota you’ll be wiping your tears with those articles if you bought the G.M.

This quality issue is just so typical of GM vehicles. The truth is that General Motors is still building inferior cars at nearly every price point. I am 29 years old, and I know of NO ONE my age or younger that is even considering a GM vehicle. That is a big problem. After all, my granddad isn’t going to live forever…

I wonder how many of the consistent GM critics have driven a GM vehicle in the past 3 -5 years. There’s no question GM (along with Ford and Chrysler) were selling junk in the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s. But if one takes the time to look at (and drive) the new products there’s no question that the engineers have finally won out over the bean counters. They may not be the cars for YOU but I defy anyone to drive a new Cadillac or Buick (yes I said Buick) and not be impressed with those cars. Somewhat unfortunately, GM first concentrated on it truck lines and SUV’s but the passenger cars are beginning to refect world class engineering. If you doubt that, take a look at the reveiws on the soon to arrive Pontiac G8. GM’s biggest problem at the moment is overcoming it’s well earned reputation for it’s past. When the anal retentive folks at Consumers Reports finally give credit to the American manufactures for the recent improvement in product quality more folks will actually test drive the cars. BTW, has anyone seen the recent reports on “quality issues” at Toyota?

As for the Solstice, I’ve had my 2007 GXP for about 2 weeks now. Luv it so far. I’ve had 4 Datsun/Nissan Z cars and they were very good cars. (Still have my “one-owner” ‘90 Z.) Frankly, I’ll be surprised if the Solstice is as reliable as the Z’s but I remember when the early Z’s were a lot of fun but also came with some “new-product” issues. The first Z’s cost less then $4,000. My ‘90 cost about $30K. For less than $30K the Solstice has the potential of being a real buy. I’ll take my chances (with an Extended Warrenty, of course) on the Solstice over the Miata/MX5 any day. In fact, the only way I would be seen driving a Miata would be with an involuntary sex-change operation. Complaints about the manual (no motor to repair/replace)convertable top on the Solstice sound just like what I would expect to hear from (some) women. And BTW, the rear hatch on my GXP can be opened from inside the car or by using the key fob.

I guess it might be safe to say that DCinWV has misogynist issues, but yes I’ve driven G.M. cars and recently wrote about the pontiac grand prix gxp I drove for 2 weeks….how wonderful its potent engine was…yet unrefined the total driving experience proved to be…a common thread for the solstice and other G.M. cars (though not the vette). as to the miata being a car only to be appreciated after a sex change operation…ouch! Were those earlier z cars you drove your pre-op cars…hate to tell you, but those cars seemed a bit “feminine” to most of the mustang/challenger/f150 crowd!!!

I have to agree with the GM supporters (particularly WV in DC, except for that whole Miata-sex-change thing) — GM takes a beating in the press, but they have turned out some stellar products in recent times, and yes, that includes the Buick Lucerne. The Pontiac G5 is also very good, and I was really impressed by the GMC Acadia. And I can’t wait to drive the new Caddy CTS. But they still are turning out some vehicles that are not that well designed. Obviously I have my issues with the Pontiac Solstice, and I wasn’t as blown away by the Saturn Aura as most journalists seem to be (yes, it’s very good to drive, but I don’t think the model/feature selection is well-rounded enough for the market; I’d still rather have an Altima). Still, to say that everything they do is crud is to not give them enough credit — GM really does have some good engineering talent and I think they have the potential to do even better. The issue still remains, though: Will the motoring public give them a chance?

Sadly the Saturn and the Solstice are basically the same vehicle under the ’skin’, even GM admits this. I agree that the American auto manufacturers are trying to improve their vehicles but so far my experiences with Japanese vehicles is much better and the clock is ticking!

“GM takes a beating in the press”

Huh? Other than TTAC, which publication beats up on GM? If anything, automaker gets a free ride from the press, from the bought-off buff books right down to your local “Wheels” supplement.

Even you are bending over backwards to let GM put things right. Hello? Why should you? If GM lets a car off the assembly line with dangerous steering, why should you even entertain the idea that it’s some kind of one-off?

Your Solstice was not a “pre-production” model. And you are not the only one to have made this observation (I assume you scanned the web and found that out).

You should tell them to go take a flying leap.

And there is no “perception gap.” GM has built so many crap cars, fleeced so many customers, stranded so many others, that what you have is a company that’s polluted its own well.

To say those days are behind it, is to simply say it’s better than it was. But you’re an automotive journalist. You KNOW there are plenty of substandard models in GM’s fleet.

Don’t apologize for GM. They have to earn your respect the same way they lost it for so many others, the same way Honda and Toyota earned theirs: through DECADES of consistency.

Even IF GM was making stellar cars across the board (which they are not) I have a hard time seeing why anyone would bother with them. They sold crap cars for a generation or more and it’s coming home to roost.

The new CTS does look pretty sweet, however.

Look at Farago go. What a simpleton. If you want to know where he stands in all this chatter, check out his comical “GM Death Watch”. It’s in the comic section of the liesaboutcars.com. (JOKE) What day is it in again, Robert? Oh that’s right, GM didn’t go belly up and your lame excuse for a column on a blog that nobody reads is so lame, I hasten to mention it here in front of all these good people reading intelligent posts at a legitimate site. You are a sad, pathetic, angry, little man and I feel sorry for you–along with the other 3 people who mistakenly stumbled across your site. I am glad that they too are combatting your blatent ignorance. You are hurt because GM doesn’t consider your site at all legitimate and therefor don’t invite you to programs or let you anywhere near their vehicles. That’s the REAL Truth isn’t it, Robert? I am sorry GM is still the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer. I’m sorry GM builds world class automobiles. I’m sorry GM has been around close to 100 years and leads the world–and the United States in market share. That is precisely how GM has “earned respect”. Check the facts…it’s true.
GM DOES take a beating in the press. Don’t deny it. I’ll put you on the clip sheet I receive daily to prove this out. And don’t act like you don’t know and don’t try and sell these good people on the virtuous Asian car manufactureres by spreading your misinformation and hate. Reference Csaba Csere, Angus McKenzie, Dan Neil et al. The hit parade goes on and on. That’s what you get when you’re the biggest and the best…a big fat target on your back (See: NY Yankees/ Evil Empire). Look at the most hated team in football…America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys and compare them to the most loved (and leader in apparel sales), those same Dallas Cowboys. Everybody loves an underdog and the second string QB. You should start another lame blog from your mom’s basement called, TheTruthabouttheDetroitRedWings.com and pick on them for little while. The GM bit is getting a little long in the tooth.
The horrible truth that the Robert Faragos of the world fail to realize is that this isn’t sports and it’s not just a good story about taking it to the big guy. Robert, you must’ve been beaten up a lot as a kid is my guess. When GM loses because of irrisponsible and wreckless (pseudo)journalism and misinformed simpletons, good people lose their jobs here in America…not in Japan. GM touches the lives and livelihoods of more than one million people here in the US. That is the salaried folks, the hourly workers, dealership employees, retiress, parts suppliers and all the ancillary businesses that support those entitees including the local printing shops and the corner coffee houses all over this great country. Think about that when you issue your next GM death watch report.

Robert —

GM cited that this car in particular had a couple of track days and repairs that involved the steering system under its beltline. Frankly, I don’t expect the second Solstice to be much different, but I think it’s fair to give the car another shot. As it happens, I haven’t read much about the Solstice GXP in the press; I try to avoid reading other reviews until I’ve had a chance to drive and review a car myself. The one I did read — right after I wrote mine — was Jonny Lieberman’s review on your site. Jonny may have driven the same car I did, as we both draw on the Los Angeles press fleets. He experienced some steering funkiness, though my complaint was with the turn-in, which he said was fine. Anyway, I was surprised to see that we not only came to the same conclusions, but we practically used the same words — this car was both very good and very bad.

But I still don’t think it’s all bad at GM. I can’t say I agree with the Aura winning North American Car of the Year; the Toyota Camry is the better product and I’m sure that’ll show in the sales numbers. But I also don’t think all GM cars are crap. Some are very good, but you won’t hear many journalists writing about them — it’s just not a popular thing to say. You should see the looks I get from other journalists when I tell them that I think the Cobalt and G5 are decent cars.

Ron —

Can’t say I agree with you about Robert Farago and his site — I’m a regular truthaboutcars.com reader. I don’t know if Robert was beaten up as a kid, but I do know he’s taken a lot of professional blows for calling ‘em the way he sees ‘em. I may not agree with what he says, but I do admire his willingness to say what he feels needs to be said.

I can’t explain the steering or your experience with the scary nature of the car. All I can say is, race car drivers from SCCA, both solo club racers are saying that the Solstice is one of the easiest cars to drive fast that they have ever driven. I have to believe the car tested had some problem, possibly alignment, tire pressure or combination thereof, if the steering itself was not out of whack. But racers are reporting that the Solstice is extremely forgiving at the limit and very easy to drive fast. Your review that the car was scary to drive fast is unique among reviews I have read.

Ummmm…..Hawaiian Don comparing a Z car to a Muscle Car is like comparing an apple to a peanut. Two different cars types engineered to give two different and distinct driving sensations. (And you’re right, some of the good ‘ol boys with a pac of cigs rolled up in their shirt sleeves probably did prefer those ear shattering Muscle machines but Paul Newman (sp?) and the crowd had a ball driving Z cars.) Also, I’m waiting to see a ‘90 Mustang (that’s been given nothing but regular maintenance like my Z) that still performs as well as the Z. As for the Solstice GXP, I’m still breaking it in but so far I’ve found it to be both powerful and the steering true. And if any one wants a more “objective” review of the NON-turbo Solstice, I invite you to go to YouTube and search for the Miata vs Solstice/Sky clip. (Make sure you pull up the one with English sub-titles…unless you are fluent in Japanese.) And since no one here has commented on the Pontiac G8, I’ll offer the suggestion that you Goggle that one as well. I was thinking about a CTS for my FIRST sedan but the G8 might supplant that plan.

Happy motoring to all!

I bought an 06 Solstice last June. The steering on that car is very quick but after getting used to it, all was fine. Yesterday, I traded the 06 for an 07 GXP. So far the steering seems to be very comparable.

I read Aaron’s review and it’s followup with interest. By and large I agree with the facts but disagree with the conclusion. I’ve had my GXP for about 6 weeks now – and have 1,100 miles over a wide variation of roads and speeds. Although I had a few fit and finish issues, the dealer has fallen all over itself to fix them – and Pontiac has surveyed me twice to gather voice-of-the-customer to share with their engineering groups.

I have nearly no complaints about the car – and certainly none with the handling (steering) and drivetrain. I’ve had muscle cars (Mustangs and a Challenger) and sports cars (most recently a C5 Vette Coupe), and I’ve never had a car that was this much fun on the twisties. In fact, I expect to try my luck at some SOLO events this summer.

Sure the car has a challenging top and ergonomically deficient window buttons – but as a toy, it’s pretty much unsurpassed within $10,000 of it’s price.

My, my. Do any of you OWN one? For over a year, the steering of my curvelicious, mysterious (black), Solstice has been hugging tight curves and turning heads. She is fun, fast, sleek, and the sweet steering is what I brag on the most – - around mountain roads, averting big game, and, well, just showing off! Whenever I walk out of a store and see her…well, I still get a rush! Do I read a bit of wishing between the lines here?