The early 2000s have been tumultuous years for GM. A lot of the firm’s manufacturers have been in disarray, and consumers have been deserting by the hundreds. The Camaro and Firebird have been useless, SUVs and vehicles dominated the product combine, and automotive line innovation was sorely missing. GM management needed to do one thing, or proceed to fall behind Toyota within the American gross sales race. …
Issues to Know
Solstice and Sky roadsters have depreciated to the purpose that there’s not a lot worth distinction between the completely different fashions. Mileage and total situation can have a bigger affect on worth than mannequin yr. GXP/Pink Line fashions command a premium, and most house owners agree that the vehicles ought to have shipped on this trim from the start.
These usually are not particularly widespread vehicles. In line with GM numbers, round 34,000 Saturn Sky convertibles, 64,000 Solstice convertibles and 1200 Solstice Coupes have been produced.
The one automotive most GRM readers ought to contemplate is a GXP/Pink Line with a guide transmission and a limited-slip differential, which narrows the sector considerably. The Saturn has extra customary gear however shall be more durable to seek out. If you need a Coupe, put together to do some critical looking. Of the 1200 or so Coupes produced in 2009, the bulk (781 based on GM) have been GXPs; nonetheless, solely 226 have been delivered with the guide transmission. These are essentially the most fascinating of all of the Kappa variants and have attracted some collector curiosity. Time will inform if this shall be a repeat of the Turbo Corvair or of the Shelby Cobra.
The Kappa platform really managed to dwell on as a V8-powered hotrod produced in Spain. A miniscule supercar producer referred to as Tauro purchased the Kappa tooling from GM in 2012 and designed a brand new Corvette-powered supercar round a face-lifted model of the chassis.
Chassis
A number of TSBs have been issued for differential leaks, so most of those vehicles have been handled for this downside. Differential failures are additionally a standard subject.
The essential Kappa suspension and chassis are nice beginning factors for a contest automotive. The geometry incorporates few compromises, and there may be loads of room for extra tire and a bigger engine. Rhys Millen and Gardella Racing each fielded Solstice drift vehicles, and the mannequin was profitable in T2 and SSB whereas it was in manufacturing.
Driveline clunks are a standard grievance with these vehicles.
Physique
The physique panels could be fiddly to get proper after an accident, so look fastidiously for misaligned panel edges, inconsistent gaps and different issues.
Making an attempt to close the trunk with the highest partially down may end up in a tweaked lid, one other widespread subject that may be addressed by a decided proprietor or physique store. Convertible prime issues (leaks, poor fitment and troublesome motion) are sometimes reported as effectively.
Coupes are typically no completely different from Solstice convertibles. Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a place within the automotive to retailer the highest, so that you’ll want further storage house if you need one with a roof.
Engine and Drivetrain
The Ecotec engine within the base Solstice/Sky is not any powerhouse, nevertheless it offers cheap gasoline economic system. Supercharger kits can be found to spice up energy from the manufacturing unit 140 wheel horsepower to round 220–about the identical as a inventory Pink Line/GXP. This isn’t a foul deal, however beginning with a turbo 2.0-liter engine will go away extra room for additional energy will increase.
GM Efficiency Elements provides a package for the LNF turbo engine that enhances energy to 290 horsepower and torque to 340 ft.-lbs. with nothing greater than a pair MAP sensors and an ECU reflash. The package might present solely a modest horsepower acquire, nevertheless it features a full household guarantee and might even be put in by a seller.
If that’s not sufficient for you, V8 swaps started as quickly because the Solstice/Sky twins landed on sellers’ tons. A number of corporations provide the components to do the conversion, and whereas it’s simple, it’s removed from a bolt-in swap. Any of the latest LS-series V8s could be swapped into the Solstice/Sky. For a interval through the vehicles’ manufacturing, an organization referred to as Mallet marketed LS-powered Solstice roadsters by way of GM with full manufacturing unit warranties. Mallet nonetheless performs the conversion on buyer vehicles as wanted.
Inside
Because the vehicles have aged, their weak factors have largely involved the budget-priced inside components. Rattles, scratches and damaged clips are frequent annoyances talked about on the message boards.
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