One glance at the Solstice upon the show room floor, you’ll already want to jump in and zip away. The Pontiac Solstice combines raw power, a raft of amenities, and knock-em-over styling causing double takes. One needs to go back to the 1959 Bonneville to find a split screen to find another worthy Pontiac contender. This car is a worthy challenger to the BMW Z4 and Audi TT, with only half of the price tag.

The Solstice comes in two different flavors, the base package and the souped-up GXP. The basic package comes with a 173 horse power, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that’s still sips the gas. The power-packed GXP package places a whopping 260 hour power turbocharged engine into a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine. No matter the engine pick, either engine is mated to a five speed auto or manual transmission. The basic model includes electronic traction and stability control, limited slip rear differential, four anti-lock disc brakes, impressive 18 inch alloy wheels, and satellite radio. The GXP upgrade augments the base package by adding a more responsive transmission, dual exhaust tips, leather steering wheel and shift know, and improved floor mats.

The Solstice certainly provides much to smile at, compromised by some minor issues. The steering can be slow and unresponsive. The Solstice is still a weighty car, at over 3000 pounds, so this car will never feel nimble on its feet. Also, coming out of corners, the Solstice tends to hang on. Starting from zero, the take-off is certainly not overwhelming. This car can be an ergonomic nightmare, with components poorly located and interior parts made of third world plastics. Trunk space is smaller than your closet.

Despite the minor draw backs, the clear asset of the Solstice is its exterior style. Pontiac isn’t known for head-turning styling; with the Solstice, they finally turn the tide. The Solstice’s styling evokes exotic images that wi ll appear in your nightly dreams. People in parking lots will stop you, stare, and ask about your car. The merits of this car decidedly weigh on the plus side. Enthusiasts contemplating a sports car should jump into this car and not look back.

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When the author isn’t driving her Pontiac Solstice, she’s a fan of best psychics, the Seattle HCG Diet, and the Pontiac Solstice windscreen windblocker wind deflector.