Topic: First sports car in 25 years

[Syjos]

Hello everyone,

Have been following forum for several years and purchased an one owner, red, 5 speed 2008 GXP last year.  Car had 19,386 miles on it and had every option except the rear spoiler.  It was absolutely stock.

Bought the car, located in South Bend Indiana, from the original  owner, sight unseen, in January 2016.  Owner would not let me pick it up until March when the chance of snow diminished.  He said he didn't drive the car in the winter for 8 years and did not want it driven away in snow.

Flew to Indiana and the Solstice was in nicer shape than I expected.  Not a single blemish inside or out.  Still had the new car smell with the top up.  Drove the car home to Gig Harbor, Washington putting approximately 3000 miles on the odometer.

Have put another 3000 miles on the car in the past year.

Installed DDM's Probeam, Backbone and Venom Brace after reading about them on this forum and the Solstice Forum.  Installed the Aeroforce Interceptor too.  Ordered a RPM Rollbar last month, after putting together a group buy on the Solstice Forum.  The group buy was posted on this forum by lexpioneer.

Attended two autocrosses and will do track days after the rollbar is installed.

Will be purchasing Norm's recessed grill when he finishes the one for the GXP.

This is the first Sportscar I've owned in 25 years.  Last one was a 1979 RX7.  Before the Mazda, had a variety of sports cars - Sunbeam Tiger, Lotus Elan, Fiat 850 with a 124 motor.  Autocrossed an Abarth 1000,  Fiat 600, Fiat 850, MG Midget and a Triumph TR3.   Towed the race cars with a 4 cylinder Mercury Capri!

Autocrossed from 1967 to 1973 and started road racing a little during 1972 and 73.  Oil Embargo of 1974 pretty much killed motorsports for a while. 

Got heavily involved in boating which curtailed my car hobby. 

Have been driving Chevy trucks for the last 25 years.

Glad to be back in a Sports Car, especially a fine car like the Solstice!
 

[Gentleman Jack]

WELCOME!!!!

Can't wait to see pictures!

[LatinVenom]

Welcome, you should have feel the difference in the handling with the DDM bundle, but should also add Z0K or coilovers for an even better handling.

[Syjos]

The DDM bundle really made a noticeable difference in cornering.  More predictable, smoother cornering especially in "S" type maneuvers.
I don't want to go ZOK because of ride height issues but am considering the BC height adjustable coilovers.  And probably a rear ZOK swaybar.
The stock GXP handles better than my current abilities, but as my driving skill either gets better or comes back to me, other modifications may be considered.

I don't daily drive my car, but a nice comfortable ride is important.  I could handle rough riding low cars when I was in my 20's and 30's but now I enjoy a tight but comfortable ride. 

Watching other cars on the autocross course, I was surprised at the amount of body lean on some of the other cars, especially the Miatas and the Z3/4.  The GXP leans very little.

LatinVenom, Is the DDM Venom brace named after you and if so, how did that happen

[Sly Bob]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you are really enjoying the car. LatinVenom's story is a good one but I'll let him tell it.

[slab8]

The Z0K kit is actually very comfortable on the road. Ride height isn't too bad, actually, but the roads here are good. Mine probably sits lower in the front than a GXP would, due to an engine swap.

Also, jack up the car with the wheels off, and torque your hub bolts (3 at each corner) to 85 ft-lbs, then mark the bolt heads so you can inspect them for backout. You'll destroy the hub bearings, brake rotors and possibly ABS sensors at best if they come out during a run! (Spoiler alert: they will come out during a run if they've never been re-torqued before.)

Picture of bolts: https://instagram.com/p/BS0JSnGgLgE/

[LatinVenom]

I was the designer and sold it for a bit then I gave the rights to DDM as an exclusive.

[Syjos]

Thanks LatinVenom
My front end drags coming onto my driveway so anything lower is not good.
I did check torque on those hub bolts before and after the auto-X (after reading about them on the two forums) and everything was tight.  I'm thinking of drilling the bolt heads and safety wiring them instead of Locktite.
I am enjoying the car.  Puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it and when I see it in the garage.

[Critterman]

Welcome aboard,  you will lose about 1/2 inch with the ZOK suspension.  It is also not a soft ride.

[slab8]

Welcome aboard,  you will lose about 1/2 inch with the ZOK suspension.  It is also not a soft ride.

It's not soft, but it's certainly not a harsh setup.

[Kelu]

Welcome, nice introduction 

Can't wait to see pictures!

I didn't even arrive there and you are stealing away my jobs? Damn immigrant.

[Wartie]

Got heavily involved in boating which curtailed my car hobby. 



Glad to be back in a Sports Car, especially a fine car like the Solstice!
 

Just what every man needs a hole in the water to throw money into and a hole in the garage for the same thing. Welcome aboard.  I also have a hole in the water and two in the garage. 

[ihawk95]

Welcome, welcome!  Enjoy your ride!!

[Sol Asylum]

Just what every man needs a hole in the water to throw money into and a hole in the garage for the same thing. Welcome aboard.  I also have a hole in the water and two in the garage. 

Have you ever considered taking up flying?

[Syjos]

Flying is one of those things I've never been interested in, funny since I live in "Boeing" country.
Was always a boat guy when I was a kid, built my first boat when I was 13,  but when I turned 16, got car crazy.
Full time car guy and no boat for 7 years and got back into boating big time in my 20s
I think flying would require a way bigger hole.
Wartie - what kind of boating?

[Sol Asylum]

You're in Gig Harbor, do you know forum member CLH?
http://www.kappaperformance.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2410

[Syjos]

No, I don't know him.  Have not met any Solstice owners yet. 
I would like to meet other Solstice/Sky owners in my area and have been following the Pacific Northwest Roadster Facebook pages.
Will try to attend one of their events when I can.