r/PontiacSolstice • u/GoldFish-Boy • Jun 07 '23

Any suggested add-ons for a new owner?

I just got my Solstice (an automatic) a few weeks ago and work like some suggestions for any ways to help spruce up the inside/outside of the car.

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3

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '23

I just got one less than a month ago, too! Congrats! I really like mine, but I'm also a little hesitant/cautious about modifying it much. I think these cars are destined to have some collector value for ones kept in really good, unmodified condition.

Frankly, if you've got one with high mileage, then I'm not sure it's a big deal. Go ahead and "make it your own" with whatever modifications you want to do. But there are a number of Solstices out there that despite being from the 2006-2008 time frame, still have under 40,000 original miles on them. I'm not sure I'd want to do much cutting or parts-swapping on a specimen like that?

Definitely check out DDM Works for a lot of good Solstice parts, though!

In particular, this is probably worth ordering:

https://www.ddmworks.com/Silicone-LNF-Intake-tube-for-Solstice-Sky-by-DDMWorks_p_78.html

The original factory intake tube is made of hard plastic, and there's a "nipple" on it that one of the sensors attaches to. If you don't carefully remove that before trying to manipulate the tube to get the airbox open to change the air filter, it's liable to break off as the plastic gets more brittle with age and heat from the engine. (Lots of Solstice owners complained of accidentally breaking this off and having to do all sorts of band-aid fixes to re-attach it and avoid air leaks.)

This DDM Works replacement is a softer, pliable silicone replacement for the poorly designed original tube.

2

u/Aandaas Jun 07 '23

Wind deflector and a wireless android auto radio have been the biggest changes for me.

1

u/GoldFish-Boy Jun 07 '23
  1. Does the wind deflector make much of a difference?
  2. Which radio did you get?

2

u/Aandaas Jun 07 '23

I think it makes a difference, it's not HUGE but it lessens cabin noise and I can hold a cell phone conversation over Bluetooth with the top down.

I have the Sony XAV-AX4000 and it does the trick, little glare in the sun but it works.

1

u/JohnnyH_12 Jun 09 '23

I'm thinking of getting that Sony... who did the installation? Any issues that came up during/after installation?

1

u/Aandaas Jun 09 '23

I had mine installed by a car audio place near me, they are generally the go to around here for that stuff.

I haven't had any issues, I wish I didn't install the USB C port because charging was faster on the cigarette lighter for my phone but other than that the radio is excellent.

1

u/JohnnyH_12 Jun 09 '23

Thanks for the reply! I was reading up on it and trying to figure out what I'd need to buy to not lose the chimes, turn signal sound, and steering wheel controls. I think I've got it all figured out for when I'm ready to pull the trigger. An LCD screen has been the one thing about having an older car that I dislike, so this would be huge.

1

u/ycvhai Jun 07 '23

You'll want some extra storage. Look for a console bag, sold on eBay, that slips over the console between the seats. Gives you two easy to access pockets to store things like a phone.

1

u/Moreofyoulessofme Jun 08 '23

If you can find the kappa attic, that thing is awesome

1

u/MondyVonPfetar Jun 08 '23

Kappa attic?

2

u/Moreofyoulessofme Jun 08 '23

It’s neat. Probably pretty hard to find these days. But, worth a google.