Time to confess

1984 Views 17 Replies 12 Participants Last post by SolSky_Designs, Feb 22, 2006

rick112

Discussion Starter · Feb 20, 2006 (Edited)

OK I have to confess that I may have lead a local Pontiac dealer on just a little. I may have showed great interest so I could take a Solstice out for a test drive.:willy:

I'm a bad, bad person! But IT FELT SO GOOD! I couldn't help myself and I think it's partly GM's fault for making me wait so long for my Sky.

It was a very cold day and the car had been sitting out side. I gave it a minute or so to warm up but that was it. I drove it for maybe ten minutes and the car never had time to fully warm up. I haven't driven standard in a year or so and I'm a little rusty. Having said that I thought the car was a little hard to downshift.

The interior was roomy enough (for a two seater roadster). I never turned the sterio on so I can't speak for the sound. I babied her and only put the peddle down near the end of the ride. She has plenty of get up and go...

Looking over the hood of the car from the steering wheel I felt KOOL

:lol:. I'm around 5'9" and I had lots of leg room. I had to move the seat a little forward to fully depress the clutch. This gave me room to put the seat back a little.

The engine was loud and the drive seemed a little hard but like I said I didn't drive her for long and she was cold.

I'd say it gave me as close to feeling what my Sky will feel like in the middle of winter as I can get without ever driving my Sky in the winter (which I'm never going to do").:lol:

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

skywatcher

· #2 · Feb 20, 2006 (Edited)

Soltice folk can confirm, but the engine's going to feel a bit rough until broken in.
Least that's what I get from the other side.
Same for downshifting.

So, uh, were you tempted?

SkyBaby

· #3 · Feb 20, 2006

rick112 said:
OK I have to confess that I may have lead a local Pontiac dealer on just a little. I may have showed great interest so I could take a Solstice out for a test drive.:willy:

I'm a bad, bad person! But IT FELT SO GOOD! I couldn't help myself and I think it's partly GM's fault for making me wait so long for my Sky.

It was a very cold day and the car had been sitting out side. I gave it a minute or so to warm up but that was it. I drove it for maybe ten minutes and the car never had time to fully warm up. I haven't driven standard in a year or so and I'm a little rusty. Having said that I thought the car was a little hard to downshift.

The interior was roomy enough (for a two seater roadster). I never turned the sterio on so I can't speak for the sound. I babied her and only put the peddle down near the end of the ride. She has plenty of get up and go...

Looking over the hood of the car from the steering wheel I felt KOOL :lol:. I'm around 5'9" and I had lots of leg room. I had to move the seat a little forward to fully depress the clutch. This gave me room to put the seat back a little.

The engine was loud and the drive seemed a little hard but like I said I didn't drive her for long and she was cold.

I'd say it gave me as close to feeling what my Sky will feel like in the middle of winter as I can get without ever driving my Sky in the winter (which I'm never going to do").:lol:

Rick..... ooopsy..... you naughty man... anyway... i went to my pontiac dealership and.. told them i have ordered a sky.. and was told to go drive the solstice cuz it is basically the same.... THEY SMILED.. AND GAVE ME THE KEYS... IT WAS AWESOME.... SkyBaby-07

rick112

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 20, 2006

skywatcher said:
So, uh, were you tempted?

NO! Sky or nothing.

agirltrucker

· #5 · Feb 20, 2006

Ok Rick, your not alone. Im did the same thing. Yes Im a bad girl

marlboromike

· #6 · Feb 20, 2006

BAD GIRLS....Love'em

MarlboroMike

DaveOC

· #7 · Feb 20, 2006

Regarding the shifting, until the gear lube gets warmed up, downshifting into 2nd or 1st is balky at best. The good news is it doesn't take long for the lube to warm. All the balkiness is usually gone within a mile or so.

kimmi

· #8 · Feb 20, 2006

I went to the pontiac dealor here in Melbourne Florida and they still dont have any on the lot and were actually quite rude about it. I told them I just wanted to sit in one and compare to the Sky as I was leaning toward (didnt tell them I already had deposit down). They said join the club and not to hold my breath about seeing one. Does it make any sense to try selling a car and not have one to see tough feel and drive??? Oh well wont be going back there. Makes me appreciated my FRIENDLY Saturn dealor much more.

Kimmi

SolSky_Designs

· #9 · Feb 20, 2006

skywatcher said:
Soltice folk can confirm, but the engine's going to feel a bit rough until broken in.
Least that's what I get from the other side.
Same for downshifting.

So, uh, were you tempted?

The engine is really feeling alt better at 1000 miles, and the shifting is stiff first thing in the morning, but after driving it for a few minutes it is okay. Sometimes first thing in the morning I can not get it to go in reverse to back out of the garage.

Also everyone is changing their dino oil at 1000 miles for Mobil 1 synthetic, and the car is more looser. Some have noted that the engine runs about 10 degrees cooler after changing. Also the GXP Redline will be shipped with Mobil 1.

jimbo

· #10 · Feb 20, 2006

Hey, it is all one big happy Kappa family! Enjoy.:cheers:

07 Chili Pepper

· #11 · Feb 21, 2006

Since you're talking transmission I'll share my experience. I just sold my 99Miata and the transmission was super smooth. I've set in a couple Solstice and they are notchy. I'm hoping that at least around 10 to 15,000 miles that it smooths out. In both cases I love the short throw.

I am very critical on shiftability because I just retired from the transmission manufacturing business where I have test driven numerous cars such as the Mustang, Camero, Viper (6 spd), Corvette (6 spd)., etc. We're talking true US manufacturing quality.

SolSky_Designs

· #12 · Feb 21, 2006

07 Chili Pepper said:
Since you're talking transmission I'll share my experience. I just sold my 99Miata and the transmission was super smooth. I've set in a couple Solstice and they are notchy. I'm hoping that at least around 10 to 15,000 miles that it smooths out. In both cases I love the short throw.

I am very critical on shiftability because I just retired from the transmission manufacturing business where I have test driven numerous cars such as the Mustang, Camero, Viper (6 spd), Corvette (6 spd)., etc. We're talking true US manufacturing quality.

Wow, then you are the master. Hope it will meet your and exceed your expectation. But my car is now at 1000 miles, and I can say that it has much improved even since 500 miles, so I expect it to be better as time goes on.

Another big point since you are the master, and there are others who have asked this. Should the gear oil in the transmission be changed early to get rid of the metal deposits? Should there be additives added? What about the magnetic drain plug, does all transmissions have it or do you need to buy one?

agirltrucker

· #13 · Feb 21, 2006

marlboromike said:
BAD GIRLS....Love'em

MarlboroMike

Awwww....... man after my own heart. 1. we both will settle for nothing less than a sky and 2. were both naughty :nono:

07 Chili Pepper

· #14 · Feb 21, 2006

The oil in your transmission should not need to be changed if it was built by a quality manufacture because that is one of the measurables in the manufacturing process.

I do not recommend additives becasue the transmission has been developed with the oil that is in it. Additives may have an adverse affect on the syncronizers.

All transmissions do not have a maginetic drain plug but usually have a magnet located elsewhere in the bottom of the transmission.

These are all general answers. I am not familar with the Sky transmission and I do not plan to do anything with mine when I get it.

KappaMan

· #15 · Feb 21, 2006

This is exactly how I got to spend time in an MX-5. And an S2000. And a BMW Z3 and Z4... and a caddy CTS....

07 Chili Pepper

· #16 · Feb 21, 2006

Kappaman, did you find that at least some of the notchy feeling went away over time? Did the cars that you drove have lots of miles on them?

brentil

· #17 · Feb 21, 2006

My Sol with 5500 miles on it defintely feels much different then the Sol I brought home the first day. The engine seems to rev much more quickly and much smoother.

SolSky_Designs

· #18 · Feb 22, 2006

07 Chili Pepper said:
The oil in your transmission should not need to be changed if it was built by a quality manufacture because that is one of the measurables in the manufacturing process.

I do not recommend additives becasue the transmission has been developed with the oil that is in it. Additives may have an adverse affect on the syncronizers.

All transmissions do not have a maginetic drain plug but usually have a magnet located elsewhere in the bottom of the transmission.

These are all general answers. I am not familar with the Sky transmission and I do not plan to do anything with mine when I get it.

Thanks so much, that is exactly what I wanted to hear, so I will leave it alone.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

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