135i vs 2009 Solstice Coupe GXP

Swadeness · 08-20-2008, 06:11 PM

I know that this is a 1 series forum and the answer should be obvious, but I enjoy reading these type of posts so I'll post it anyway.

What do you think of the 135 vs the new Pontiac Solstice Coupe GXP due out in 09?

- Styling wise I love the Solstice, I always liked the Solstice but have never been a convertible type of guy. But ever since I saw the coupe version I've been hooked. I like the 135 but it just does not grab me like the solstice.

- The interior in the Solstice looks and feels cheap. It looks OK in a picture or from a distance but when you get close....... I guess if I am going to pay 30k+ I want something nicer. As for the 1 I still have not had the chance to sit or drive in one but I would expect it to be MUCH better.

- Performance wise, if the rumors are true and the 09 coupe gets an HP bump to about 300, it could be an interesting comparison. The 08 convertible
GXP was defiantly quick and fun to drive. It had some lag though, would have been better with a 5 speed.

- Price wise after getting a discount on the 1 through Military Sales and the expected premium gauging on the Solstice. I don't expect to see more than a 3k to 5k difference.

opinions and thoughts?

Swade

miro2296 · 08-20-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swadeness

I know that this is a 1 series forum and the answer should be obvious, but I enjoy reading these type of posts so I'll post it anyway.

What do you think of the 135 vs the new Pontiac Solstice Coupe GXP due out in 09?

- Styling wise I love the Solstice, I always liked the Solstice but have never been a convertible type of guy. But ever since I saw the coupe version I've been hooked. I like the 135 but it just does not grab me like the solstice.

- The interior in the Solstice looks and feels cheap. It looks OK in a picture or from a distance but when you get close....... I guess if I am going to pay 30k+ I want something nicer. As for the 1 I still have not had the chance to sit or drive in one but I would expect it to be MUCH better.

- Performance wise, if the rumors are true and the 09 coupe gets an HP bump to about 300, it could be an interesting comparison. The 08 convertible
GXP was defiantly quick and fun to drive. It had some lag though, would have been better with a 5 speed.

- Price wise after getting a discount on the 1 through Military Sales and the expected premium gauging on the Solstice. I don't expect to see more than a 3k to 5k difference.

opinions and thoughts?

Swade

BMW vs. Pontiac ? HAHA Come on, get a 1!!!

randomquickness · 08-20-2008, 06:27 PM

coming from someone who bought a 135 through military sales, drive a 1 before you make up your mind. I was interested in the vert gxp before I deployed. The dealership wouldn't even let me test drive one. Man I'm glad I held out and ordered my 135!

natedog_1959 · 08-20-2008, 06:28 PM

The Solstice and Solstice GXP cleaned up in their respective auto-x classes at nationals, so I've read. If chevy offered an LSx powered Solstice, I would be all over it. Nate

BForbes · 08-20-2008, 06:32 PM

Haha...drive them both. Thats all i gotta say. GM is giving away cars right now so its mighty tempting for many. You could get a damn Z06 for 62grand with 0% financing now.

Robert · 08-20-2008, 06:34 PM

s2010.

Mad Dragon · 08-20-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natedog_1959

The Solstice and Solstice GXP cleaned up in their respective auto-x classes at nationals, so I've read. If chevy offered an LSx powered Solstice, I would be all over it. Nate

Not Chevy, but it's out there.
http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm

1ToBeOn2Wheels · 08-20-2008, 06:54 PM

I love the look of the Solstice, and was excited that they decided to make a coupe. Having said that, I don't think the overall performance of the GXP will even come close to that of the 135i. The only reason to choose the Solstice would be because you like the styling better (and the nifty removeable top). It really comes down to what you are looking for in a new car. Styling or performance? The answer was simple for me.

randomquickness · 08-20-2008, 06:59 PM

^^ you left out comfort, BMW's Ultimate Service, and quality

1ToBeOn2Wheels · 08-20-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randomquickness

^^ you left out comfort, BMW's Ultimate Service, and quality

Well I suppose I left out a lot of things. I see Pontiac as a very different brand in many aspects compared to BMW.

HIPSI · 08-20-2008, 09:11 PM

I just last week, traded in my 06 Solstice (not a GXP) for my SGM. Two totally different cars. The Pontiac is intended to be and will remind the owner often, a budget roadster. Great value (not so much now as in 06), great styling decent car with very poor interior fit/finish/materials. That being said for the 2.5 years I had it, it was a lot of top down driving fun. The 09 coupe looks great as well.. The 135 is 10x's the build quality, a value in it's own right and one hell of a all around car!

JKAWB · 08-20-2008, 09:14 PM

You're comparing apples to assholes.

BForbes · 08-20-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKAWB

You're comparing apples to assholes.

Dude, that is the funniest quote EVER!

Russo · 08-20-2008, 09:56 PM

i think the solstice will respectively be cheaper for obvious reasons..

Sephiroth · 08-20-2008, 10:06 PM

I generally don't care for interior materials so much but the Solstice interior is unbearable. Also, there is no room for cargo with that car.

jkp1187 · 08-20-2008, 11:00 PM

Personally, everything I've seen and read about the Solstice indicate that it's a fine driver's car and a blast to drive, but it suffers in my mind from being too much of a "toy" car. If you want a small, inexpensive 2-seat roadster to tool around with on the weekend, it's probably fine. If you actually want something you can drive on a daily basis, where you won't have to put your briefcase in the trunk when you drive to work, and would like a little luxury and a bit more practicality with your car, I'd pick the 1er, if it's only between those two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKAWB

You're comparing apples to assholes.

Sorry, I thought this was a driver's forum, not a poseur's forum.

JKAWB · 08-20-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkp1187

Personally, everything I've seen and read about the Solstice indicate that it's a fine driver's car and a blast to drive, but it suffers in my mind from being too much of a "toy" car. If you want a small, inexpensive 2-seat roadster to tool around with on the weekend, it's probably fine. If you actually want something you can drive on a daily basis, where you won't have to put your briefcase in the trunk when you drive to work, and would like a little luxury and a bit more practicality with your car, I'd pick the 1er, if it's only between those two.

Sorry, I thought this was a driver's forum, not a poseur's forum.

It's actually a forum for 1 series BMW's, so I apologize for being 1 sided, no pun intended. I guess you could call it a drivers forum, hence the reason I bought a 135i, I am a driver. It could also be a poseur forum too, hence I bought a BMW, thus making me a poseur in the eyes of 99% of the general publics eyes.

emm3tt · 08-20-2008, 11:56 PM

The insane hardtop storage/trunk situation was a deal-breaker for me.

ORIGIN M. · 08-21-2008, 12:06 AM

One word...Resale!

tonytigerking · 08-21-2008, 02:10 AM

GXP looks a bit like 350Z...

imported_Mr D · 08-21-2008, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIRO2296

BMW vs. Pontiac ? HAHA Come on, get a 1!!!

I'm always surprised at this ignorant logic. You must have some identity issues if you really use this logic.

ORIGIN M. · 08-21-2008, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr D

I'm always surprised at this ignorant logic. You must have some identity issues if you really use this logic.

Oh...ignorant?

Lighten up man, all he was saying is for the guy to get the 1!

08-20-2008, 06:11 PM	#1
Swadeness Captain 75 Rep 642 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: enroute iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 135i [0.00]	135i vs 2009 Solstice Coupe GXP I know that this is a 1 series forum and the answer should be obvious, but I enjoy reading these type of posts so I'll post it anyway. What do you think of the 135 vs the new Pontiac Solstice Coupe GXP due out in 09? - Styling wise I love the Solstice, I always liked the Solstice but have never been a convertible type of guy. But ever since I saw the coupe version I've been hooked. I like the 135 but it just does not grab me like the solstice. - The interior in the Solstice looks and feels cheap. It looks OK in a picture or from a distance but when you get close....... I guess if I am going to pay 30k+ I want something nicer. As for the 1 I still have not had the chance to sit or drive in one but I would expect it to be MUCH better. - Performance wise, if the rumors are true and the 09 coupe gets an HP bump to about 300, it could be an interesting comparison. The 08 convertible GXP was defiantly quick and fun to drive. It had some lag though, would have been better with a 5 speed. - Price wise after getting a discount on the 1 through Military Sales and the expected premium gauging on the Solstice. I don't expect to see more than a 3k to 5k difference. opinions and thoughts? Swade
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08-20-2008, 06:27 PM	#3
randomquickness Brigadier General 219 Rep 3,668 Posts Drives: 996tt Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (13)	coming from someone who bought a 135 through military sales, drive a 1 before you make up your mind. I was interested in the vert gxp before I deployed. The dealership wouldn't even let me test drive one. Man I'm glad I held out and ordered my 135! __________________
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08-20-2008, 06:28 PM	#4
natedog_1959 Private First Class 4 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 2004 SVT Focus Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	The Solstice and Solstice GXP cleaned up in their respective auto-x classes at nationals, so I've read. If chevy offered an LSx powered Solstice, I would be all over it. Nate
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08-20-2008, 06:32 PM	#5
BForbes Moderator 559 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Haha...drive them both. Thats all i gotta say. GM is giving away cars right now so its mighty tempting for many. You could get a damn Z06 for 62grand with 0% financing now. __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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08-20-2008, 06:34 PM	#6
Robert Major General 417 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	s2010. __________________ - There's nothing in my pocket other than knives and lint
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08-20-2008, 06:54 PM	#8
1ToBeOn2Wheels Freude am Fahren 31 Rep 703 Posts Drives: B9 Audi S5 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sierra Nevada Foothills, California iTrader: (0)	I love the look of the Solstice, and was excited that they decided to make a coupe. Having said that, I don't think the overall performance of the GXP will even come close to that of the 135i. The only reason to choose the Solstice would be because you like the styling better (and the nifty removeable top). It really comes down to what you are looking for in a new car. Styling or performance? The answer was simple for me.
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08-20-2008, 06:59 PM	#9
randomquickness Brigadier General 219 Rep 3,668 Posts Drives: 996tt Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (13)	^^ you left out comfort, BMW's Ultimate Service, and quality __________________
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08-20-2008, 09:11 PM	#11
HIPSI Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 277 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	I just last week, traded in my 06 Solstice (not a GXP) for my SGM. Two totally different cars. The Pontiac is intended to be and will remind the owner often, a budget roadster. Great value (not so much now as in 06), great styling decent car with very poor interior fit/finish/materials. That being said for the 2.5 years I had it, it was a lot of top down driving fun. The 09 coupe looks great as well.. The 135 is 10x's the build quality, a value in it's own right and one hell of a all around car! __________________ 08 135 Coupe SGM/Terra 15 Porsche Macan S- Family Hauler 22 C8 Corvette 3LT HTC
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08-20-2008, 09:14 PM	#12
JKAWB Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 295 Posts Drives: 08 135i Black Sapphire Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tampa FL iTrader: (0)	You're comparing apples to assholes.
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08-20-2008, 09:56 PM	#14
Russo Commander 4 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 09 Dodge Dakota Big Horn Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Raceland, LA iTrader: (0)	i think the solstice will respectively be cheaper for obvious reasons.. __________________ FS: CT9A parts and Enkei Wheels!!! PST BLUEFAKES.COM ARE SCAMMERS, LIERS, AND CHEATERS! DO NOT BUY FROM THEM!!!
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08-20-2008, 10:06 PM	#15
Sephiroth 4-6-8 234 Rep 990 Posts Drives: for the fun of it Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Jax, FL iTrader: (1)	I generally don't care for interior materials so much but the Solstice interior is unbearable. Also, there is no room for cargo with that car.
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08-20-2008, 11:56 PM	#18
emm3tt Out Driving 29 Rep 685 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2007 iTrader: (1)	The insane hardtop storage/trunk situation was a deal-breaker for me. __________________ Emmett 01 E46 M3
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08-21-2008, 12:06 AM	#19
ORIGIN M. Banned 3161 Rep 9,134 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Hemisphere iTrader: (0)	One word...Resale!
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08-21-2008, 02:10 AM	#20
tonytigerking Private First Class 5 Rep 194 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	GXP looks a bit like 350Z...
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