And maturity in mind, despite the TV, print and online ads that are targeting young, self-absorbed single adults, Pontiac will
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| The Solstice's lack of storage space is its biggest problem, something that custom made luggage might appease. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
find many Solstice buyers in the above 55 crowd, a demographic that doesn't want to get beat up by some overzealous engineer's chassis tuning project while on the way to the cottage.
That crowd may have something to say about the Solstice's lack of storage space, mind you - as will the younger set. Pontiac would be smart to offer standard contoured luggage, especially designed to fit into the rather oddly shaped confines of its sports car's trunk. Due to a mid-mounted fuel tank, which juts
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| On the positive, the clamshell trunk nullifies the need for an awkward, clumsy tonneau cover. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
upward into what would otherwise be an accommodating cargo area, plus the need to stow the fabric top under the decklid, you'll need to get creative if a weekend trip is on the agenda. Space is limited to just 3.8 litres (107.6 cubic feet) with the top upright and out of the way. Drop it and... well... enough said.
On the positive, the clamshell trunk nullifies the need for an awkward, clumsy tonneau cover, the likes of Toyota's Solara convertible or even more cumbersome, Volkswagen's New Beetle Convertible. Simply raise the rear decklid and plop the ragtop out of sight, lower the decklid and you're off to the races. That said, you need to get out of the car to do this, which makes dropping the top at a stoplight out of the question. The MX-5's top, for instance, is much easier to stow away and raise up again, only requiring one hand/arm combination and a little muscle while sitting in the car to do either job.
