Ok, I don't belong to a tennis club, but that segues into my next
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| Non-existent is a good way of describing Solstice trunk space, at least when the roof is down. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
thought. While the Solstice was everything I had hoped for and more, at 108 litres (3.8 cu ft) it really doesn't give much cargo room. But what roadster really does? Well, Mazda's MX-5 (Miata), the Solstice's chief competitor, offers almost fifty percent more at 150 litres (5.2 cu ft), although the Mazda's is much more usable space the long, convoluted Pontiac storage area. Yes, this would be hard to live with.
But to preface the point I have already prefaced, I must say something about the car's folding top system including its hard tonneau cover, which I found quite inconvenient. It's a series of pushing the release button, twisting the lever, lifting the top, opening the trunk, pushing the top inside the trunk, closing the trunk, and then pushing
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| Dropping the top is a little more complex than the one on the MX-5. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
down the side anchors. And then again, of course, to reverse the process. I think what got me most frustrated was that I physically had to get out of the car to put the top down. It wasn't such a bother when I was at home just about to go out, because I was already out of the car, but more of a hassle when I was feeling impulsive, the sun had just poking out of the clouds resulting in me wanting to drop the top right then and there at a stop light. I couldn't, as I just wouldn't have enough time plus I don't like getting honked at for all the wrong reasons (isn't there some sort of a law about getting out at busy intersections to drop your convertible top? Ed) Other than its top being a nuisance, it really is quite easy to go topless. It's just a little more time consuming than its competition, the Mazda MX-5 especially, which features a top that drops in all 3 seconds.
Furthermore, the cabin is quite snug, which I like, but almost too snug
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| Once the latches have been sorted, the roof's easy to work. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
in the sense that if my seatbelt was behind my seat, I would have to open the door to bring it forward. Same with the seat adjustment knobs. Since they are beside the door there are literally only centimeters to spare, requiring me to open the door to adjust the seat. These are small details that possibly aren't that significant, but definitely could be improved. Also, just to throw one more quibble on the pile, there was no cupholder near the centre console. Again, not a huge deal, but it's an issue of convenience. Where would I store all the change I get back from visiting Starbucks, not to mention my grande? Or where can I prop my cell phone when there's a passenger in the car? Life's trivial questions.
Backtracking
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| At just twenty five grand and change, the Solstice is a bargain. Enough so to overlook its lack of a useable trunk. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
to my main point, cargo room, well, there isn't much. And as I mentioned, when the top is down and there's a passenger onboard, a set of tennis racquets is about as much that will fit into the trunk. OK, maybe a few more sets of racquets, since it would be silly to take four or five racquets in a two-seat car, a small gym bag or two - one on each side - but no more. It's a small price to pay to look good 24/7, don't you think?
Despite the few inconveniences I had with the Solstice, I still think it's a fantastic car. It drives well, handles great and looks darn good. No wonder Pontiac has had a hard time keeping them in stock. And with a base price of $25,695, it's hard not to see why. Someone looking for an entry-level roadster that packs a fair bit of punch, pizzazz and passion, will thoroughly enjoy the Solstice.
