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Seeing the Solstice on the show room floor, you’ll want to jump right in and take off. The Pontiac Solstice combines raw power, a raft of amenities, and knock-em-over styling causing double takes. One needs to go back into the time machine until the 1959 Bonneville to refer back to any other worthy Pontiac split-screen. This car challenges the BMW Z4 and Audi TT at half the price.

The Solstice comes in two different flavors, the base package and the souped-up GXP. The base package packs a 173 horse power, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that still turns in respectable gas mileage. The souped-up GXP package takes 260 hour power turbocharged engine into a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine. With either engine, it will be pair with a five speed automatic or manual transmission. The base model does include electronic traction and stability control, limited slip rear differential, anti-lock disc brakes all the way around the car, generous 18-inch alloy wheels, and crisp satellite radio. If the base package isn’t enough, the GXP then adds dual exhaust tips, a faster responding transmission, leather to the steering wheel and shift knob, and plush carpeted floor mats.

The Solstice certainly provides much to smile at, compromised by some minor issues. The steering can be sloppy. The Solstice is still a weighty car, at over 3000 pounds, so this car will never feel nimble on its feet. Also, when charging out from curves, the Solstice likes to hang on. Taking off from the red light, the acceleration does leave something to be desired. This car wouldn’t make a passing grade in ergonomics, with components illogically positioned and plastic components littering the interior. Trunk space is smaller than your closet.

Certainly the Solstice has some nits, which are made up for by its body style. Pontiac isn’t known for head-turning styling; with the Solstice, they finally turn the tide. The Solstice has awesome styling, something from both yesterday and tomorrow. Folks will not be bashful; they will approach you and ask about your sleek car. The good personality of the car certainly exceeds the minor nits. Drivers in search of a top-down driving blast will not regret this selection.

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When the author isn’t driving her Pontiac Solstice, she’s a fan of best psychics, the Seattle HCG Diet, and the Pontiac Solstice windscreen windblocker wind deflector.

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