Ken Garff - Your Used Pontiac Utah Dealer

Pontiac Solstice vs. Ford Mustang

2008 Pontiac Solstice Overview

Mounting a direct challenge to the vaunted Mazda Miata in the affordable roadster class, the 2008 Pontiac Solstice offers sensual curves, tight handling, and punchy acceleration at an affordable price. It shares a platform with its sister vehicle, the Saturn Sky roadster.

Available in standard Solstice and turbocharged GXP form, both models offer excellent performance. A 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine with 173 horsepower makes the base model very entertaining, while the 2.0 liter turbo 4-cylinder in the GXP offers a teeth-rattling 260 horsepower, making it one of the fastest cars under $30,000. Two transmissions are available – a 5-speed close-ratio manual for the purists or a 5-speed automatic for people who’d rather have the shifting done for them.

With rear-wheel drive and an available limited-slip rear differential, the Solstice offers sweet handling on the track or open road. GXP models have upgraded coilover monotube shocks that provide excellent road feel and razor-sharp handling characteristics. The available StabiliTrak vehicle stability system includes all-speed traction control and 4-wheel antilock brakes to maximize control during evasive maneuvers, hard braking, or quick takeoffs. Front dual airbags come standard to protect both passengers.

The manual folding convertible top features a glass rear window and integral rear defogger for top-down motoring fun. Interior amenities can be added with various packages. The preferred package includes power windows, power door locks, Remote Keyless Entry, and outside power-adjustable body-color mirrors with foldaway feature. The Premium Package includes leather seating surfaces, 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, and steering wheel accessory controls Individual audio options include a 6-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3 playback, auxiliary input jack for iPod® and MP3 players, and a Monsoon premium 7-speaker audio system. The available Personal Audio Link delivers full "read" functionality for your iPod® such as sorting by category or shuffling songs and charges while the vehicle is running and the device is connected.

With its responsive engines, gorgeous style, and athletic performance, the 2008 Pontiac Solstice is an exhilarating roadster that turns heads in the parking lot or the open road.

Ford Mustang & Pontiac Solstice Comparison

Drivers with frequent kid-duty might favor the Ford Mustang over the Pontiac Solstice.

Dimensions

The Ford is quite a bit heavier than the Pontiac Solstice. Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the Ford Mustang than the Pontiac Solstice because of its bigger tank. The Pontiac Solstice fits in smaller parking spaces than the Ford Mustang. The Pontiac Solstice's shorter wheelbase will likely give a more maneuverable feel in daily traffic. However, the Ford Mustang is likely to have a smoother, more stable ride.

Convenience

You will definitely have to visit your friendly gas station more often with the Pontiac than with the Ford Mustang. The Pontiac Solstice's fuel tank will need to be replenished more often than the unit in the Ford.

Cost

The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. The Pontiac Solstice is quite a bit cheaper to get to the dealership than the Ford Mustang. The Solstice won't save you much money at the pump compared to the Ford Mustang. Producing an exact gas mileage evaluation is so difficult that some think not even the federal government can do it, but it looks as though both the Ford Mustang and the Ford Mustang perform about comparably with respect to gas mileage. The Mustang is quite a bit more expensive than the Pontiac Solstice with respect to MSRP. With respect to purchase cost, the Pontiac Solstice costs considerably less than the Ford Mustang.

Handling

The Pontiac Solstice has significantly wider tires than the Ford Mustang. Remember that wider tires could look and feel better, while narrower tires could provide better handling in deep snow. With their similar turning circles, the Ford and the Pontiac Solstice definitely handle roughly the same into and out of tight spots.

Drivetrain

The Ford has a bigger engine than the Pontiac Solstice. Note that smaller engines are often cheaper to fix, but smaller engines can be stressed more. Torque equals pickup, and the Ford Mustang will have picked up and gone by the time the Solstice finally gets moving. Torque is roughly equivalent to acceleration, and in this respect, the Ford Mustang is significantly more powerful than the Pontiac Solstice.

Comfort

While the front cabin in the Ford Mustang offers a bit more head room than the Pontiac, there really isn't much of a difference.

Overview

The Pontiac and the Ford Mustang have the same basic warranty.

Other

The Ford Mustang emits fewer smog-forming pollutants per 15,000 miles than the Pontiac Solstice.

• MSRP $22,455 to $31,750
• • Invoice Price $21,220 to $30,004
  • Vehicle Details
• EPA Fuel Economy
• • City: 19, Highway: 25 - 28
• Available Engines
• • 173-hp, 2.4-liter I-4
  • 260-hp, 2.0-liter I-4
• Available Transmissions
• • 5-speed automatic w/OD
  • 5-speed manual w/OD

Ken Garff - Your Used Pontiac Utah Dealer

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