Topic: Hi all!

[dvsman]

I'm new to the forum and am in the market for a Solstice GXP.  Haven't quite decided yet on coupe or convertible or from which year but hope you guys don't mind me poking around and picking your collective brains.

Regards,

- Paul

[Critterman]

Pick away, coupes are hard to come by

[DeepBlueGXP]

The coupes are rare and hard to find.   My wife has one, a Wicked GXP w/5 speed.  Only 46 made in that color and 15 of them were manual.  Kinda lets you know how rare they are.  1152 Coupes in with VINs numbered sequentally.  100 or so were test mules and not sequenced and then there is a few 2010 models.   GXP is the way to go.    I have the vert.  Feel free to ask anything.  Lots of folks here to help.

[Kelu]

Welcome, doesn't seems to be big differences between years, only minor things.

As far convertible vs Coupe, only you can decide that, just listen the owners of both like DeepBlueGXP, Rogue and some others which know what they are talking having them for long time.

[GXPinKC]

I'm new to the forum and am in the market for a Solstice GXP.  Haven't quite decided yet on coupe or convertible or from which year but hope you guys don't mind me poking around and picking your collective brains.

Regards,

- Paul

Welcome to the forum dvsman!  Man, I like you already cause you have the same name as one of my sons "Paul".  As DeepBlueGXP states, you will find very few coupes out there, you might find an owner who decides he or she wants to trade it in for another dream vehicle.  Due to the rarity, it could be tough but who knows, hang in there if the coupe is your final choice.  On the other hand the Pontiac Solstice GXP Roadster will offer the best chance of availability.  Mine was a love affair from first sight.  If you can deal for one of these you will find the top down feature to be a delight.  'Miss Red Eagle" was my first Covertible Roadster, although I bought my son a red Mustang 5.0 liter convertible in high school and that led me to finally purchase the Pontiac Solstice GXP.  Good luck in your search.  We will be along for the ride it you have questions.

[smokescreen]

   Vince Whibbs Pontiac in Pensacola Fl has a 07 Myst. GXP with just 6500 miles, loaded for around $21K. If i could afford another, i'd buy it!

[Gentleman Jack]

DVSMAN,

Go away.

Just kidding.  Welcome to the best Kappa based forum from here to Romania... and back again.
Thankfully, we have lots of folks here with too much time and not enough sex...er.. I mean hobbies.  You will find some of the folks here most helpful.  Unfortunately, as with any large crowd, riots are a possibility.  Beware.

Gentleman Jack
-Class Clown

[dvsman]

Thanks all for the welcome (you too, GJ ;-P) and thanks for the headsup on the car, Smokescreen. I'm up around DC , I am currently looking at a 2007 Solstice GXP - black on black, w/ auto (good for city driving and my bum left leg) with pretty low miles as well.

Are there any particular gotchas or year to year differences I should be looking out for? What are the usual trouble spots?

[chuckdoc]

I am in DC and have an automatic GXP.

Convertable is more fun however I think the coupe will be worth more $ as a collector car.  This is not something I cared about, I really wanted the summer fun value.  Either way you can not go wrong. 

Visibility on backing up with the coupe is worse than the convert.  But then Joe can add a radio with a backup camera in two shakes of a Jiffy.  I think the coupe looks better than the convertible with the top up.  But top down, no contest.  The top sides are removable for summer days but no place to store them.  If you leave them home and it rains,  my my, not good

I hope this helps

[dvsman]

Thanks ChuckDoc, as much as I would like a coupe - I don't think the difference in $$$ is worth it for me at the moment. All the dealers seem intent in gouging as much as they can for 'em.

As for the convertibles - are there any differences between the years / from year to year? Any weak spots / problem areas I should be on the lookout for (rust in the wheel wells or that type of thing)? TIA!

[chuckdoc]

Some problems with the early 07 GXP automatics, there was a recall and a simple fix.
Some top problems with 06 and early 07 tops tearing because a plastic piece was missing, Joe can chime in with a picture because it is impossible to describe where and how to look for it.  The tear is hidden.
Some cars before 08 have differential problems but covered under warranty.  Also some had separation of the back window from the top.  Most important thing to check is the top as nothing can be repaired and the whole top will need to be replaced if you have a major tear.

Buy a GXP 08 or 09 and you should not have any problems.  Plus you get the tire sensors that tell you tire pressure
If you find an 07 GXP, I would not hesitate to buy it.

Hope that helps

[DeepBlueGXP]

Come join the fun in April at the next Southern Maryland Mod Meet - see the link in my signature.

If you experience the following or suspect you may have the bad parts as chuckdoc mentioned. 
Look on the under side of the pinched area to see if the material is cut/gouged.

This was mine and I had it repaired, the second picture is after the parts and fabric was replaced.



This is the correct looking hardware, if you don't have it, you probably already have the tears.

[spicy3480]

Mine is repaired with the same piece as Deepbluegxp.  It was a common problem.  Welcome!!

[Critterman]

and my 06 never had that problem, but I would get an 07 or above just for the warantee

[DCLocal]

Welcome dvsman, it's nice to have another local on the board.  I hope to see you at the next Mod Meet.