This past Saturday was probably the most fun I've had at the dealership in a long time. When I pulled in at 8 AM, I was surprised to see how different the showroom was versus the prior week. Gone was every car we had, replaced with a blue G6 GTP coupe, a silver GXP, and 2 new additions to the inventory...a grey Solstice and a Brazen Orange GTO The grey Solstice is a sold unit that we agreed to store for free over the winter, in exchange for letting us show it off to customers...not many dealers around here will have one in stock for very long!

I made the comment to my sales manager the showroom hadn't looked that good since December 2002, when we shoehorned 6 Firebirds into our 5 car showroom (2 Hawk convertibles, a white TA, a red TA vert, a silver Hawk coupe and one other one I can't remember right now...), to keep them from getting snowed on and being forced to shove them around the lot when plowing

Anyway, we had a second Solstice on the lot, a silver one. I was allowed to drive it, and man... It's a fun little ride. You sit real low, like a Fiero. The seats are comfy. The shifter just snicks into each gear. Clutch takeup when starting out is smooth, but is typical 5 speed Ecotec rough when trying to make quick gear changes (Ecotec sticks can make you look like an amateur!!). The engine is torquey as hell, and makes nice noises. On start-up, it has a hoarse little bark, like my dad's '75 MGB...how proper

Bottom line is, the car is gorgeous. Its a little odd seeing a car so short in length with wheels so big, but it works. The interior is well done...I don't care what the mags say about the quality of the plastic. The style is beautiful, and the layout is excellent. The chassis feels very solid...I can't comment on wind buffeting, because it was 18 degrees on my test ride I didn't have the car over 3,500 RPMs out of respect for the next owner, but I will say...its a quick, competent little ride. Job well done

With that said, all afternoon in the showroom, while we had a ton of people looking at the other Solstice, my eyes kept working over the orange GTO. Its amazing what color and 18s does for that car. I love the one we have, and its the first GTO that just screams "buy me" to me. Too bad its too expensive for me, and I want another Camaro anyway

 

Any chance you can get a pic of that?

 

I have a tick under 200 miles on my Black Solstice and believe you me, I know what you mean about the shifter and the overall look and feel for this car. I've been putting it through the motions since I've received it with 17 miles on it for the "break in" process.

Even with the slight dusting of snow that was on it yesterday the looks for "MySoul" were impressive. I've yet to take it out in daylight but will be logging a few miles on it today.

The worst was last night, when some moron in a Dodge Caravan attempted to race me on a slick road. What a moron. First, he stayed next to me so I couldnt merge, then, tried to challenge me to a race. Sheesh.

 

I drove one about a month ago. The only complaints I have are that the 3rd gear ratio doesn't seem "right" as one rows through the gears, and the obvious trunk problem. Can't they nestle a couple of fuel tanks in there like they do in the 'vette?

The biggest thing to me was how well it rode and handled. Big expansion joints on a tight cloverleaf didn't upset it at all. If we're getting a Sigma based IRS that is similar to the Solstice on the 5th gen, I'll be really, really happy.

 

Pics. Never seen this bronze orange GTO. New color for 06?

The Solstice is gorgous. It is the single car in the 20k price range that somehow manages to look almost twice as expensive.

 

I found pics




edit: try this link http://ultimategto.com/2006cars1.htm

 

He said Brazen, not Bronze. Either way, I'm looking for pics. Titty wop!

 

"Brazen Orange" GTO Pic:

 

Man I'd never let my already purchased GTO sit out on the showroom floor without some sort of disclaimer from the dealership that any damage done would be put back into mint condition, the car would remain locked, and it'd be detailed from head to toe before I got it back.

 

Sorry for the broken pic links, guys. They work fine if you have recently viewed the same pic on the hosting site. Just use the link given by Z28x in post #6.

 

Yeah. You just know everyone that comes in through the showroom will want to sit down, play with the controls, the seats, perhaps even the top to see how it functions, etc.... Hands will be all over the inside and outside of the car. All that use and traffic would just take away from the newness imo not to mention the added wear and tear (as minor as they may be).

I would only do that if i was getting a deep discount and i would get the agreement in writing too. Not to mention, i'd stop by almost 2-3 times a week just to check in on it.

I just wouldn't purchase a car only to allow the dealership to keep it in their showroom to show customers during the whole winter season. Why didn't the guy just wait till spring if he didn't plan on driving or having the car in his possession during winter??

Ah, his call and his car anyways...don't see why we have to be concerned. I'll just chalk it up as a nice act of courtesy on his part.

Btw: It was an already purchased Solstice, and not GTO that the guy is allowing the dealership to keep in their showroom. I don't think GTO's are a rarity in dealerships hehe, it's the solstice that has the strong demand and that appears to be flying off lots.

 

Yeah that's what I was thinking.

Maybe the combo of car he wanted was soon to be discontinued or maybe he thought that the prices during the "GM red tag event" were too good to be true and that he'd never see such discounts ever again after it was over.

 

No red tag on Solstice

 

In fact, GM has increased the price on the Solstice $450. I've had my car for two weeks and it's already appreciated in value.

 

The Brazen Orange looks HOT on a GTO , damn . So does the Spice Red , which looks like Cayanne red from the Camaros. Where have these colors been the last 2 years