Second car ideas: Solstice possibly?

[1QuikV6]

With gas the way it is and the thunderbird not getting any newer I think it's time to retire the SC from daily driver service. I'm looking at a few options so far... I'm the typical 20 year old with a relatively limited budget. I'm in the <$20,000 segment. I have a few ideas but wanted the people here to chime in with some cool cars for me so i can help conjur up a decision. I'm going car shopping tomorrow. I want something affordable but eye catching. I have the SC for rubber scorching.

So far Im stuck on the Solstice... I love it... and for $21,000 you cant go wrong... I really like it... but what do you guys think? Girl car? Uncool? Just looking to get everyones $.02 worth ya know?

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_15/car_portal_pic_7558.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_15/car_portal_pic_7559.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_15/car_portal_pic_7557.jpg
http://www.engine-power.com/img/specs/pontiac_solstice_06.jpg

[NASTY V6]

The solstice is nice looking.

I like my Mazda3 S that I have for my daily driver. It was <$20,000 and gets pretty close to 30 mpg.

[Grims95SC]

If you want economy, you simply can't beat a Golf TDI unless you get a hybrid, I have one. I get 850km on a $50 tank in the city or 1100km on the highway.
As far as something sporty that's economical, the Sky/Solstice are good or you can get a 4 cylinder Accord coupe for cheap, those are pretty nice cars too.

[1QuikV6]

Yeah gas mileage is important. I was also looking at the 221hp Fusion that gets 29mpg. But the solstice just catches my eye. Its kinda like the old vettes from the rear.. I like that. The solstice is getting the G6's V6 next year. But its still 180hp and it has a fun factor to it especially with summer arriving here in Virginia. It definitely turned my head when i saw one in DC

[1QuikV6]

I hear the TDI Golf/Jetta/Bug gets int he neighborhood of 50-60mpg?

[Scott Long]

SRT-4 you can get a 2004 cheap and they get good mileage and are fast as heck for a 4-cyl. The 04 came with the limited slip front end and the '03 didn't. If I was in the market for a newer gas saver I'd take a hard look at the SRT-4.

[1QuikV6]

Only thing with the SRT4- insurance and weak transmissions. I'm aiming for a new car as well and the Caliber SRT4 isnt cheap.

[Scott Long]

They Caliber is gay, I'd look at the neon 04 or 05, you can get them for like $15-16k and the trans isn't as weak as you think, unless you don't know how to drive it and destroy it from abuse.

[1QuikV6]

I dont really need performance. The SC is quicker than a stock SRT4 anyway. Even then insurance is outrageous on an SRT4. I just need something reliable with medial getup-and-go and some styling. I'm guessing people arent really feelin the Solstice much

[Chrismiss]

What does insurance cost on that car? Can't be cheap. I think they're pretty slick lookin'. Maybe kind of little rich girl. Mini Cooper S has suffered the same fate...my other car.

[darkstar_one]

werent you the one with a integra gs-r? if so why not get one for the mileage...

[1QuikV6]

The GS-R had more problems than I was about to deal with. the 7 day buyback was useful. I've been driving a 90 SC from then on out. But its got 250,000 miles and its just not as reliable as I need for a daily commuter here in DC. Whatever I get will stay stock and all of the restomods will be for the SC. I like the Solstice but its only a two seater and with the top down I dont have room for anything... but its a great looking car... Im so stuck...

[Kevin Varnes]

I think the Solstice is a cool car and all, but not real big on utility. I mean sure it looks sweet now, but what happens when you need to haul a box bigger than a set of golf clubs or you have two friends that need a ride? Many years ago I thought about picking up a Fiero. I was kind of in the same position you are but not looking at cars that cost that much. After much contemplation I determined it was completely impractical as a daily driver. I'm glad I made that decision.

[Grims95SC]

I hear the TDI Golf/Jetta/Bug gets int he neighborhood of 50-60mpg?
On the highway yeah. I worked it out after doing a road trip through the mountains last summer I was getting 52mpg. And those are going up some steep roads, BC isn't exactly flat. I'm sure if you lived somewhere flatter it could be even better.

[Rooster Booster]

Before I got my Grand Prix GTP I was looking at a Mazda 6 and that is a very nice car.. Even though this isn't the best for fuel economy it would be a fun solstice to drive. Here is the link..

http://www.cartype.com/page.cfm?id=1100&alph=ALL&dec=ALL

[1QuikV6]

••Supercharged Package - $45,995 (does not include car)
-Everything in Loaded Package PLUS:
-600HP LS2 Engine Supercharged

*SHRIEKS* Ii think I'm in love... But I think my solstice should get a 3.8 SC.... Wouldnt that be a ball :-D Lemme get Coy on the line and see if we can hahahahahahaha

[darkstar_one]

yeah man just get a decent 4 banger and call it a day. no point in going into debt again... unless u like being in debt?

[1QuikV6]

unless u like being in debt?

No but I like being able to go out on a date and not have to worry about something breaking. Its just the simple idea that I'd like to buy a NEW car and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that its going to start when I need it to start and get me from point A to point B.

At least with a car payment I know what Im paying. a $400 car payment is a great savings if it keeps me from killing a trans in the SC or blowing a head gasket, etc. Shes a great car but shes long overdue for the pampered/garaged life.

[darkstar_one]

nobody likes to be in debt... and nobody likes to be embarrassed to break something while on a date... i know what you mean... I used to worry about it all the time... But not anymore... But i still ask my-self, why go into so much debt for something reliable and ugly...??? You can find something better and cheaper...

[1QuikV6]

its called addiction... its called love... its called infatuation... its called a love/hate relationship.My SC is nothing gorgeous but i sure love it. But Ive got to be able to get to work in order to be able to afford to fix what goes wrong. I've owned three and I'm never getting rid of this one, 250,000 miles and there will be more put on it in time to come. Nothing like begging and pleading with her to start, or gushing gas on me as Im trying to stop a leak, windshield wipers with a mind of their own... But ya know what when shes runnin on all six at 12psi life is grand... Nothing like the ol' bird... nothing in the world.

[Scott Long]

I saw a solstice the other day. Didn't know they were so cheap. But it was sitting pretty high up looked like a 4x4. I didn't really like it. And the miata kicks its ~~~ in road tests.

My SC has 237k on it, starts everytime, damn reliable. I take it anywhere at a moments notice. My wipers would work and sometimes wouldn't so I yanked them out completely and just put rain-x on it every other week.

I want a newer car to drive everyday so I can really tear into my sc (manual brake conversion, new paint, new shocks/lowering springs, racing seats, new stereo system, new convertor and gears, etc....) so my choices are looking like 97-2001 GTP or 2004 SRT-4, or 96-99 Z24. The GTP might be the most fun since its supercharged but its heavier than the other 2. The Z24 is probably the lightest but the SRT-4 is the fastest. I already know more about the Z24 than I want to since my gf owns one and I've practically rebuilt the whole damn car, but its a sporty little car, handles nice, feels quick (non locking convertor, only locks up in OD but unlocks at 1/4 throttle to pass). Plus I've got a spare LD9 (2.4L DOHC) engine in my garage. I'm not looking for a fast car, but I don't want something dead slow. The Z24 would run a low 16 or a high 15 w/ a few bolt ons and thats fine for a daily driver. I'm scared that if I buy something faster than the SC that I will then spend all my time and money on that car and my SC will sit and lose my enthusiasm.

I really want an older Porsche 911 air cooled, but I don't know how well it'd do for a daily driver. Plus I'd be scared to park it at the mall next to something else. I will have one some day once I buy a house and have a nice garage to let it sleep in.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=198266185&dealer_id=4268066&car_year=1990&search_type=both&make=POR&distance=0&model=911&address=49085&certified=&advanced=&max_price=25000&bkms=1144585496566&min_price=1&end_year=2007&start_year=1981&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=975

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=189896824&dealer_id=21189292&car_year=1983&search_type=both&make=POR&model=911&distance=0&address=49085&certified=&advanced=&bkms=1144586535072&max_price=25000&min_price=1&first_record=51&end_year=2007&start_year=1981&isp=y&pager.offset=50&lang=en&cardist=688

[Andy 94SC]

I think the Solstice is a pretty cool car, I considered buying one. But there are a couple things you should know.

All of those pictures posted on page 1 are not the Sostice you can buy, those are of the Solstice concept vehicle. The production Sostice is a bit different.

Also the Solstice is not getting a V6. It IS however getting a Turbo version of the 4cyl. soon. The GXP will make just over 2 HP / cubic inch, and will run 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. Not too bad.

[DamonSlowpokeBaumann]

The Miata outperforms that lil pontiac jammy. I would go with that if I was going for that type of car. But if I wanted fual economy and nothing else..Look cheap 4cyl//Hyndai will give you a 10 year 100,000 warranty

[Miller]

i just took a ride in my friends brand new scion tC and i liked it.. really nice car and he only paid $18k after taxes...

[Scott Long]

TC is quick, they have turbo kits out for them too. My friend had one I drove it a few times, not bad. I'd prefer american or european though.

[Miller]

supercharger kit + installation from the scion people come sotu to $4k... and it still has the warranty...

[MarksM]

I'm biased toward the MX5 Miata. The top is easier to handle and it has an actual trunk. The Solstice's top is a pita to raise/lower and once it's down the trunk room is miniscule.