2011 Jeep Wrangler vs 2006 Pontiac Solstice

[scrming]

Originally Posted by SIXJAK

Gaaaaaaaah wife just drove through a huge puddle in the Scion and I'm fearing the worst: That my long tube CAI sucked up the wrong stuff. Hydro lock. #$@*!!!!

DANG... hope nothing to serious... hope it works out...

[motorhead]

Motors make lousy fluid pumps.

[TaylorRyanSS]

I have decided I want to get a Solstice GPX as a DD if I get hired permanently at my job. Much better gas mileage than my SS and still sporty and fun. I have been seeing them for $14-18K for the GXP turbo on the local craigslist. My dad had an 08 Wrangler with a lift kit and big tires. It was awesome but had no power.

[SIXJAK]

Originally Posted by scrming

DANG... hope nothing to serious... hope it works out...

Motor is toast. Crank is most likely bent. Motor oil looks like mocha. Pulled all the plugs and it won't crank. Tried rocking it in 2nd gear but it won't turn over at all. It's all locked up. Noooooooooooo. Found a long block with 52k miles for 800.00 it's sposed to be here on Friday hopefully can get it installed over the weekend.

[SIXJAK]

Originally Posted by Taintedveins

Nice jeep And why get another sports car you have one already. :P

Wife is tired of me having all the fun? It's mainly for her.

[eggydoo]

There is a reason why the Miata (MX-5) has been around for so long and wanna-be's (solstice) have disappeared.

I would say no to the solstice.

[toesuf94]

Your wife wanting to go deep would be reason # 100 to not get the Solstice or anything lower than that Jeep. Put a FORDING KIT on the Jeep pronto.

We love our 2011 Wrangler Unlimited - FUN truck.

[TaylorRyanSS]

Originally Posted by eggydoo

There is a reason why the Miata (MX-5) has been around for so long and wanna-be's (solstice) have disappeared.

I would say no to the solstice.

I wouldnt be caught dead in a miata. Plus the only reason the solstice went away was because Pontiac went under.

[PC HOTROD]

Originally Posted by TaylorRyanSS

I wouldnt be caught dead in a miata. Plus the only reason the solstice went away was because Pontiac went under.

Saturn had the Sky (Solstice counterpart) thru 2010 and it's certainly not a wanna-be. It's based on the the UK version of the Opel GT. As a matter of fact my wife has a 2008 Sky Redline turbo and it's a good grocery getter. It does not fit me well as I'm over 6' tall. The 2.0 Turbo engine is even good enough that Cadillac is planning to use it in the next version of the CTS.

As for the Sky Redline - it's quick having 260 hp and with the GM Turbo Upgrade Package that jumps the HP to 290, it'll run with a Camaro SS. I would stay away from the non-Turbo version if you're looking for some performance.

[SIXJAK]

Well I'm mulling this one over. The dealer let me take it home over nite. Oddly enough the things I find to be strong selling points my wife finds to be deficits. I love the wheels and tires, 3" lift and the throaty sound of the K&N CAI. She's not a fan of the wheels and tires, the 3" lift or the "loud" sound of the intake (yet she digs my loud Camaro-go figure) we both like the red accents in the interior-very cool. We'll go test drive a brand new one tomorrow and do some more comparison shopping. I know the 12's are a lot peppier than the 11's. She loves that new gekko green. Hey we could match.

[SIXJAK]

Well, the wife spent about 18hrs with this beast and is going to pass. It's too tall, too hardcore for her tastes. I thot it was just about perfect. Loved the stance the rims and tires and the little touches. It was a pretty good deal. 27.9k which was down from their 29.8k asking price. (Kelly blue book puts its private retail value at almost 31k and SRV at almost 33k.

Spent the afternoon with a 2012 Wrangler Sahara and yeah the new motor is a revelation. My wife loved the way the stock wrangler drove so I guess we're going to go that route. She's gonna order one from the factory and get a Sport she can choose the color and all that stuff and I'll see to it it gets the important stuff like locking rear diff and 3.71 rear end.

[scrming]

Originally Posted by SIXJAK

Motor is toast. Crank is most likely bent. Motor oil looks like mocha. Pulled all the plugs and it won't crank. Tried rocking it in 2nd gear but it won't turn over at all. It's all locked up. Noooooooooooo. Found a long block with 52k miles for 800.00 it's sposed to be here on Friday hopefully can get it installed over the weekend.

bummer... but $800 sounds very reasonable... hope it's an easy swap for you!

[SIXJAK]

Update. I went ahead and ordered the wife a 2012 Gecko Green Wrangler Unlimited (JKU) Rubicon about 5 weeks ago. Just received an email that it just left the plant and to allow up to 2 weeks for delivery. I went with the max tow package, remote start, connectivity package, heated cloth seats, black freedom top (3 piece hardtop) with black fenders. The Rubicon comes pretty well loaded as it is. The only other options left were 2 different styles of leather seating and two nav options.

After test driving the red 2011 JKU pictured at the front of this thread I went and drove a 2012. The difference in power between an 11 and a 12 is stark. What blew me away was how little difference there seems to be in price between a slightly used JKU and a brand new one. Will post up pics when it arrives.

[SIXJAK]

Update of an old thread. I took delivery of my Gecko Green JKU last memorial weekend 2012 and have really enjoyed it. Was on the hunt recently for a vert to surprise my wife for her birthday and came across an 08 Solstice GXP. I now better understand the advice of not choosing the standard 170 Hp Solstice. She loves it and says it's her favorite car she's ever had.