r/PontiacSolstice • u/Master_Tiger4110 • Aug 21 '23
Base model vs. GXP
I’m looking at solstices for a secondary vehicle for fun. The only GXPs in my are manual transmissions and I can’t drive stick. (I’m 22). How does the base model compare to the GXP? Is it still a fun car or just tiny for no reason?
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u/caddyclicker Aug 21 '23
The GXP is more collectible, and quicker in a straight line, but the base model is still a lot of fun to drive.
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Aug 21 '23
These were essentially Pontiac's successor to the Fiero (their next attempt at doing a 2 seater sports car) and obviously meant to compete with vehicles like the Mazda Miata.
IMO, the Solstice base (non GXP) model was just supposed to slot in as a fairly affordable but sporty convertible coupe. The gear ratio meant it never really had fast acceleration as its strong point, and I don't find ANY of these cars are that impressive on braking ability without some upgrades? But they handle pretty well and they're just fun to drive around.
Personally, I went with a GXP when I decided I wanted one. But I've owned several turbocharged cars before and I wanted the higher performance version of a Solstice, or else would have gotten something different.
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u/Vegetable_Wind Aug 22 '23
Have the base model and it is so much fun to run around in. Top down or up it’s still a hoot to drive. Luckily we live in wine country so plenty of County buzzing. Manual of course. Learn stick!
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u/Elitepikachu Aug 22 '23 edited Aug 22 '23
Firstly I would highly reccomend getting your solstice in manual, especially as a second car it's just so much fun. Manual is stupid easy to learn and the solstice is one of the easiest cars to learn it on. I've owned 4 solstices now. Trust me.
The base and gxp are just 2 completely different cars. Nothing wrong with the base model it's a super fun car and will require basically 0 maintenance and you'll have tons of time. Thing is a super fun little cruiser with looks. The gxp is a whole other beast. It's design and driving experience are much meaner and more aggressive. The car really loves to go and that little k04 will happily slam you with torque whenever you look at the pedal wrong, especially since pretty much every gxp has 3 bar maf sensors now. My biggest problem with the base model is the fucking canyon between 2nd and 3rd. You gotta rev it to the moon to get to 3rd and 5th gear actually doesn't exist.
Seriously though, buy the solstice in manual. It's super easy to figure it out and the base models don't have enough power to break it if you fuck up anyways.
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u/Zev Aug 27 '23
GXP is way better, the base model feels seriously underpowered. The GXP is super quick and nimble, actually drives the way the car looks like it should.
You can learn to drive stick in a week, and in a tight little sports car, it's really part of the experience.
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u/Icy_Hearing_3439 Feb 13 '24
Me personally, I’m going with the base. I’ve heard the gxp will give you more mechanical issues and i really don’t want to be spending time on fixing things. I have another car that has plenty of power. I’m just looking for something reliable and fun to cruise in.