Prime convertible buying season is here - teach me Solstice GXP/Sky Redline

So I'm poking around to buy myself a toy. With the 30k+ per year of driving I do, I'm quite content with a low cost "beater" for daily needs. My '13 Elantra 6spd is filling that role quite nicely. It's modern, reliable, comfy, outstanding on gas, cheap to own. Great mileage eating car.

So that leaves me to be able to look for a dedicated toy. It would see no track or autox duty, just street use. Since I've got the Elantra and will then have two cars, budget is lower than if I bought a jack-of-all-trades. So, figure around $10-$14k. I love convertibles, I just do. November-February is prime time season to buy one.

First car that comes to mind is Miata. Duh. I'm a fanboi, I've had several. The '08-'12 NC would fit nicely into my budget for a low mileage example. No PRHTT, I like the soft top. The downsides to the NC for me are the seats...my '06 had the most uncomfortable seats ever. They sucked. And it's a bit short on power. While straight line speed isn't the only criteria for me, I've done plenty of "slow car fast" driving and do enjoy putting my foot down and just going.

Which brings up the Solstice GXP/Sky Redline. Specifically I'd be looking at the last few years of production, '08 and '09 (I think a few '10s were released, but not many). I'm aware they outweigh the Miata. They also have less storage room, though that's a non factor for me. Top isn't as easy to use. But the things that attract me to it...260hp/260tq stock and a simple computer tune from 300hp, can get a well kept low mileage one fairly cheap, unique (I have a thing for unusual and uncommon cars), GXP comes with some bells/whistles (like the GT trim Miata), good on gas. Not interested in the coupe, because I want a 'vert.

Don't know a ton about them. They share powertrain with the HHR SS and Cobalt SS, yes? How stout is it? I won't be driving it 30k per year, so I won't pound it into the ground, but are they nightmares in reliability? From what I know, they're decently reliable. What else do I need to know about them? Again, perspective is a low cost, fun, fast convertible, destined for toy/weekend use only. Don't know I'm going to buy anything, but if I get a 'vert, it's getting that time of year to find a steal on a dealers' lot.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/learn-me-sky-redlinesolstice-gxp/118882/page1/

They also have significantly less interior room than a Miata. I'm 6'3" and fit just fine in a Miata. Solstice/Sky, my knees are jammed into the dashboard, the steering wheel is in my lap and I cannot work the clutch

I'd have to go sit in one, but I'm 5'9" and trim.

if you're not tracking it, you're just enjoying it. In that case...

Gosh the Solstice is pretty.

NickD wrote: They also have significantly less interior room than a Miata. I'm 6'3" and fit just fine in a Miata. Solstice/Sky, my knees are jammed into the dashboard, the steering wheel is in my lap and I cannot work the clutch

I've stopped recommending cars based on people's size because everyone's build and tolerance is different. I an 6'2" 230 and fit fine in our 07 Solstice GXP vert and even better in our 09 Solstice GXP coupe.

There was a Redline for sale at the lot next to my office. Really pretty car, and man was it clean. If I had your criteria and no kids, I would have snagged that sucker.

I don't recall hearing any negatives about the drivetrain, as the EcoTec motors have been force-fed boost in many other applications and handled it just fine. I agree these are interesting unique verts, especially for the prices they are commanding these days.

I went S2000 a few years back but if you don't wind it out to at least 7-8/10ths you aren't getting the fun factor

I think the Sky is the better looking one. If you can get past the poor ergonomics of the top and interior then they are a pretty good vert bargain. I also think the BMW Z3 is better looking still and would get one of those over the Sky/Solstice for you application.

NickD wrote: They also have significantly less interior room than a Miata. I'm 6'3" and fit just fine in a Miata. Solstice/Sky, my knees are jammed into the dashboard, the steering wheel is in my lap and I cannot work the clutch

Yep. I need to go back and revisit, but I recall there was something odd about the footbox to steering wheel placement where I could not fit because my knees were into the steering wheel.

Total side note but this is prime E46 M3 Vert money. Completely different from your current focus but could be worth a look. Focus on the warm and affluent areas as they don't hold value nearly as well as their hard top brethren

Yeah, I'm aware of the BMWs, though they'd be at the very top of my price range, if not somewhat above. I'm looking for a car with roughly 60k miles or under and 2008 or newer. Most BMW 'verts are closer to $15-$18k.

I have an 09 Cobalt SS with a mild 300hp tune. 248,000 miles on it. I had to replace the turbo at about 210,000. A sensor somewhere is randomly limiting my boost to 5psi. Hard to repeat so I haven't put any effort into tracking down the problem. Uses no oil. Only downside to the engine is the exhaust note. Sounds like a vacuum cleaner.

Klayfish wrote: I'd have to go sit in one, but I'm 5'9" and trim.

Make sure you try one on for size first. I am 5'6" and my elbows were hitting the door and console when I tried one. Seems like they only fit ~5'10" to 6'1" people depending on your build. Definitely don't fit long legged, short torso people.

C5 Corvette convertible? 200 pounds heavier with an extra 100 HP. Plenty of room inside...

Hal wrote:

Klayfish wrote: I'd have to go sit in one, but I'm 5'9" and trim.

Make sure you try one on for size first. I am 5'6" and my elbows were hitting the door and console when I tried one. Seems like they only fit ~5'10" to 6'1" people depending on your build. Definitely don't fit long legged, short torso people.

No doubt, I'd sit in one for sure, as well as take it for a test drive. Just saying I'd be surprised if I didn't fit and couldn't get comfortable. The only car I've ever had...and I've had a ton of them...that I couldn't find a comfy driving position in was my Viper.

I love the C5, but it's out of my price range unless I want an old/high mileage one, which I don't.

Dang, There is a 7K mile one that is just around the corner from me for $15K and one with 50K miles for only 10k. I may have to check it out.

Great car with one of the worst interiors ever contrived.