GM Performance Package: 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP

The Skystice (Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky) was Detroit's answer to light weight sports cars like the million models sold Mazda MX-5 Miata.  Typical GM feature bloat meant the Solstice/Sky wasn't as lean a fighting machine as the MX-5, but the podium in SCCA club racing in T2 class for 2007, 2008, & 2009 gives it a certain degree of street cred.  If you want to buy a new Solstice today, you are outta luck because GM stopped production in 2010 when GM axed down both the Pontiac and Saturn brands...but used examples are cheap and handle just as well as they did when new....probably.  Find this 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP GM Perf Package offered for $6950 in Santa Clara, CA via craigslist.

6-Speed Unicorn: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

The Pontiac G8 was a Holden Commodore covered in Pontiac badges (and body cladding) imported to the US market from Australia for only two years, 2008 and 2009.  There was a base V6, a V8 powered GT model, but the good stuff was saved for the GXP, a MY2009 only LS3 powered brute available with a 6-speed manual or auto gearbox.  Pontiac only imported 1,800 of the GXP sedans, which maintained most of their original cost for many years, but this next car is either the best deal in town or a crafty scammer...because the price is crazy. Find this 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP offered for $13,500 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

One of 88: 2008 Pontiac Solstice SCCA T2 Champion Edition

If you've got $20k to spend on a late model roadster for driving enjoyment, you could start looking at a new MX-5 (hey, what happened to all the MX-5 competitors -- MR2, Skystice, S2000?)...but you'll run out of budget because they start around $25k before options/taxes/etc...so you are going to need to get something a few years old...like a used MX-5...which there are plenty around -- too many -- so why not look at something a bit more obscure, like a limited edition one of  88 oddball Pontiac.  Find this 2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP SCCA T2 Champion Edition offered for $20,000 in Madison, WI via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Unobtanium: 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe

When GM first announced the Pontiac Solstice concept car in 2002, everybody rejoiced.  Here was a fun, rear-drive, light weight, sportster, from GM.  When it was released for the 2006 model year the reception was less than enthusiastic because it had porked up a bit since the concept, and was given a typically GM 4X4 riding stance (I know people blame the GM wheel-fender gap issues on Detroit streets, but I sometimes think those guys design their cars on the streets of Baghdad). Then GM released the Solstice GXP, and people were happy, but it was still no better than a Mazdaspeed MX-5.  But in 2009 GM released the Solstice GXP Coupe, and for a few precious months (until the Pontiac brand was layed to rest) all was well with the world.  Find this 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe here on eBay bidding for $22,701 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go, located in Raleigh, NC.

Look To The Sky On The Solstice: 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice & Saturn Sky Market Update

The people wanted it.  The press wanted it.  The engineers wanted to make it.  And in 2006, General Motors finally delivered the American-built Mazda MX-5 competitor that was so missing from its domestic line up.  The Skystice (Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky) was instantly loved by the people (7,000 orders in first 10 days), the press, and everyone who longed for an inexpensive US built open air roadster.  It was extremely successful in SCCA club racing, where it swept the podium in Touring 2 class in 2007, 2008, & 2009.  Unfortunately, the choirs of angels singing halleluiah were rudely interrupted by the automotive market crisis of 2008, and in 2010 GM closed the doors on the Wilmington, Delware assembly plant.  The sun had set on cheap American roadster, but prices for a used example of the Skystice couldn't be better today. 

20k: Holden On To The Past: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

The Pontiac G8 was a rebadged Holden Commodore imported to the US market from Australia for only two years, 2008 and 2009.  There was a base V6, a V8 powered GT model, but the good stuff was saved for the GXP, a MY2009 only LS3 powered brute available with a 6-speed manual or auto gearbox.  Pontiac only imported 1,800 of the GXP sedans, and they have maintained most of their original cost, but today's is the cheapest we've seen.  Find this 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP automatic offered for $23,000 located in SLC, UT via craigslist.

25k: Better Than A BRZ: 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe Turbo

If you've ever surfed over to the Canadian version of craiglist called kijiji, you have invariably found a motley assortment of Zambonis, ice fishing rigs, swamp tundra buggies, Ford Model Ehs, and all manner of salvaged-from-moose-impact vehicles.  But every once in a while a rare vehicle is listed that hasn't been bitten by the tin worm or crashed while playing car-hockey on Top Gear Canada.  Find this 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe for $25,000 CAD ($24,464 USD) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada via kijijijijijijijijijijijij.ca.  Thanks to tip from Andy L.