2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP

Description

We've sold quite a few of these awesome Pontiac Solstices, and this searing orange 2008 Solstice GXP roadster might be one of the best. The way they sell so quickly suggests that they're popular today, and something this popular now can only go up in the future as collectors gravitate towards limited-production cars from the late, great Pontiac Motor Division.

Pontiac designers managed to make the Solstice look like more than just another Miata clone and the hardware underneath suggests they were serious about their 2-seater. All Solstice colors were named after emotions, and the vivid orange finish on this one is aptly named "Brazen," which more than describes the look. It's got some pearl mixed in, so it really glows in the sunlight and with those giant black wheels, it looks sinister. Park this GXP next to a Miata and it'll probably take the Mazda's lunch money. With just 15,655 original miles, it's in splendid condition with very few signs of use, obviously due to a fanatical owner who only used it in fair weather. Cars like this never have to suffer the rigors of the daily grind, although the plastic body panels will stand up better than most when it comes to surviving the ravages of the real world. A few touches of bright trim contrast with the black grilles and monochromatic bodywork, but this is nothing but intensity on wheels.

Pontiac did their homework on the interior as well, where you get heavily bolstered black leather buckets with GXP embroidery in the seat backs so everyone knows this is something special. The cockpit is shrink-wrapped around the driver and puts the fat steering wheel in the right place and the stubby 5-speed shifter at your fingertips. Big, round gauges in their own chrome-ringed pods look fantastic and the center stack has easy controls for things like the A/C, AM/FM/CD stereo, and lighting systems. Aside from some very minor comfort marks on the driver's chair, the interior is virtually as new and obviously everything works properly. Overhead there's a nice-fitting black canvas convertible top that disappears entirely beneath a hard-shell tonneau that has twin fairings for the headrests, a very cool touch. There's not much trunk space back there, but when you're having this much fun, does it matter?

The rear-wheel-drive GXP packs a rather potent turbocharged 2.0 liter DOHC inline-four. Now before you scoff, note that this burly little powerplant churns out 260 horsepower and nearly 300 pounds of torque, making the GXP surprisingly quick on the roll. There are surely endless modifications for the boost-friendly engine, but this one remains entirely stock, from the air filter to the hose clamps, and the last few years have proven that these are tough little engines, so you can expect years of fun without a second thought. The 5-speed manual snaps through the gears with ease and the all-independent suspension is athletic without necessarily beating you up, although it is quite firm. Big disc brakes at all four corners are expected and the exhaust system has a sporting sound that was surely intentional, although the turbo damps it a bit. The underside is virtually like new, from the immaculate composite floor to the exhaust system, and even the aluminum suspension arms look crisp and fresh. The aforementioned black wheels are a great addition and carry beefy 18-inch Goodyear Eagle LS performance radials.

These are a pretty safe bet for future collectability, but why not enjoy it now while you've got time on your side? This is fun in its purest form. Call today!